November 21, 2024

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! I won't get to say this next week as we will all be celebrating Thanksgiving that day. It has gotten here very quickly. My daughter comes home from college tomorrow to stay for a week and I am very excited to have her home. She might cramp my reading time for a while but that's okay with me.

Language Arts

We finished up Module 2 week 3 yesterday. They finished with a spelling post test which is in their folders today. Now, today we began taking our Module 2 test (like a unit test). I hope they do well on these. We have also started sharing book reports. We only got through 3 of them today. They discovered how long it takes to share out with the class. So those scores would come home today for those who shared. The 1st graders will be voting on their favorite cereal boxes on Monday. On Tuesday, I will announce the top 3 winners and give them a prize.

Math

Today in math we began some new learning. It is multiplying using Partial Product. This is not new math but you did not learn how to do it. I have been teaching this strategy for over 20 years. I took a class and learned this strategy and fell in love with it. It gives the students a better understanding of why we do what we do in multiplication. The regular strategy you learned in just a process that you learned. You never really probably understood why you do the things you do. This strategy shows the reason why it all works. So if your child needs help they need to ask for it during the day or come in early in the morning before school. I arrive by 7:50.

Social Studies

We are just starting on lesson 4 in this chapter. This has been a longer chapter than normal. We will finish it by Tuesday, so when the kids return from Thanksgiving break, they will be working on a study guide and taking a test. After this test, we will move on into the Southeast Region. On December 4th, when they return they will take another Northeast map test except this time they have to list the capitals also. I hope they are singing their song to keep them going.

Spirit Day

Friday, November 22, is Spirit Day. What a perfect day to wear sweatpants. The temperatures are still very cool. I hope everyone chooses to participate.

Biztown

I would say Biztown was a huge success! I want to thank all the parents that drove kids and all those who came to help in a business. The kids totally enjoyed it and look forward to going again next year. I hope some of you are eager to go with again. The kids will be in different businesses so they experience something else. Kudos to those who were in the Publishing company. We think that one is the hardest one. It's very busy. Again thank you! Without you we could not make this trip happen.

Read-a-thon

There are many things they are trying to do with Read-a-thon this year. Tomorrow is double you minutes day. But remember not on the book it calendar. Tuesday has been declared pajama day. They may where their favorite pajamas and slippers. They just need to remember to have normal shoes for recess. They have also scheduled some mystery readers to come read to the classrooms. We look forward to that.

Book Tasting

Ms. Surma and I both saw this idea on instagram about the same time and wanted to make it happen. Now I have not told the kids about it. I am waiting. On Tuesday afternoon, same day as pajama day, we are going to do a book tasting with the kids. We will use the Library and the 5th grade room. We will have 8 different tables set up and a different genre at each table. The kids will sit at a table in front of a book and they will read for 10 minutes. They will have a pamphlet that can help them keep track of the books they read. We are hoping to introduce some new things to people and get them interested in reading. Ms. Surma, Mrs. Burg and I went to something similar at the Mt. Ayr bookstore this summer. We had fun and walked out with 2 books we wanted. Lucky for the kids, they don't have to buy them they can just check them out. We hope it is something they will enjoy. It will take up our whole afternoon. Maybe they will even ask for a book for Christmas. That would make my heart happy.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I am planning on attending the Hot Chocolate walk in Winterset with some friends. I guess it will depend on my cold is doing. I may have to back. out. I am sure your kids have shared, I don't have much of a voice. This is the 2nd time this year. It can be so frustrating. I feel fine other than no voice and a little bit of a cough.

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving Holidays with family or friends. Is that snow i see in the forecast for next week?

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels