May 19, 2022 The Last One!

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! It is the last Thursday I will be writing a blog. We are really here! There is only 4 and 1/2 days left. It is hard to believe but I think everyone is very ready! The weather has been super nice to be outside. The summer sports have begun and frankly kids are not wanting any more homework. They will have work up until next Wednesday for sure.

Language Arts

We are reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! It is a fun book read. I have activities that the students work on that practice all the skills that we learned during this school. I am showing them how it all can relate to a book we are reading for fun. We work with a lot of grammar things we have learned. They also do a lot of comprehension things as well. Sometimes they are just simple questions and sometimes they are in a crossword. They have also had to show their comprehension by drawing pictures. Most are also finding that sometimes you need to go back and look answers up in the reading. Some are not wanting to do that and are just writing down answers that make no sense and do not answer the question. They are getting these back to make corrections on. I usually read a chapter to them and then I have the students take turn reading, then we either read with partners or on their own for a chapter or two. We have to average about 3 chapters a day to gt the book finished in time. I plan to watch the older movie (1971 version I think) next week . Please read further down to see when that will take place.

Math

We learned about multiples this week and began fraction work. We will spend the rest of the week working on equivalent fractions. We needed to know factors and multiples in order to do this work. Some of them have been seeing this content on Successmaker so I have been showing them how to find equivalent fractions for a while. They just finally got a formal lesson o it. They seemed pretty excited about doing it. So far, they like what we are doing. I hope it stays that way.

Social Studies

The Southwest Map test went pretty well for most students. I had a few that did not study. This was the easiest one they have. It was only 4 states. I gave them the maps for the West. We will not be able to have a map test over just the West. So I hope they use their study time wisely. Next Tuesday they will be taking the test over the entire United States. All 50 states and capitals. They will have a word bank of states and a word bank of Capitals. They just need to match the capital with the state and place them correctly on the map. I told them to start studying now. Don't wait. Those who did not learn the regions as we went along are going to struggle. We will be reading a little bit about the West over the last few days. We will focus on the climate and its resources. They will still have worksheets to do over lessons we read.

Wednesday, May 25th

This is a crazy day! In the morning we will have Mass at normal time. Dress Code for this Mass is to wear your favorite vacation shirt. Most everyone gets a t-shirt from where they visit so show us where you have been! Some of you may have a hard time choosing which one. You can wear whatever pants you want. Shorts are fair game that day. After mass we will have awards for those in sports and the winners of the Dollars For Scholars essays will be announced. After that we will head outside for the "Silly String Party" for lap-a-thon. In the afternoon, we will head to the high school to practice for the Spring Program which will take place that evening. We will clean out desks that day so be sure to send an extra bag with your student to bring everything home.

Last Day May 26th

Just to give you a heads up, the last day has been changed to a half day of school. I plan to show the Charlie and Chocolate Factory movie before we head outside for Field day. I will start the movie at 8:00 AM. If you can be to school early that will be great. I have to start it in order to get it all watched. I plan on providing donuts and juice/milk, so if they miss breakfast, I got it covered. We plan to have field day beginning at 9:45. We are dismissed at noon. There will be no lunch at school that day. Field day will end about 11:30 or 11:45. The 8th grade clap-out will take place at noon. Then all will be dismissed for the summer!

Spirit Day

Friday, May 20th is our last Spirit Day of the year. Bring your $1.00 to wear sweats or a hat! Let's bring in the dollars for our Pay it forward!

Again our last day is quickly approaching us. I can always say at the end, well only if I had one more week or 2 more days! I would continue to say it no matter what. I hope the kids grow over the summer. Fifth grade will be a new challenge for them. I want to wish you all a marvelous summer vacation. I hope you enjoy every minute of every day! I plan to enjoy June with BOOKS! Then July will be wedding month! I may even try to get away for a bit in there! Thank you for sharing your children with me this year!!

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels