October 7, 2021

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! It is that time again! This week has been good considering there have been a lot of changes to our week. Wednesday was different because 5th-8th grade were absent on a field trip all day. That made the 4th graders the oldest students in the building and they were enjoying it. They got to have some fun the cameras and video equipment that is used during Mass. Today was a day of fun things. We had a Pep Rally this morning put on by the High School Senior Football players, Cheerleaders, Peppers and queen candidates. This class did a great job singing the Panther Fight Song. This afternoon we had the firemen come and talk about fire safety. They focused a lot on fire alarms. They also did a demonstration using their fire house outside. The kids thought that was an extra special treat! Tomorrow we get out early. I have a surprise for them tomorrow if their behavior continues to be good. It will be with Ms. Clark in the kitchen. So crazy week but we have also done a lot of learning this week too.

Language Arts

This week we were taking a Unit 1 Benchmark test. We did not have a spelling test or grammar worksheets. We spent 3 days taking the test. I break the test up into 3 sections so I do not bombard the students with a huge test in one day. This test is hard and the kids find that out. You will find their scores in their folders today on yellow paper.

I also went over their first book report with them. They will have this information in their expanded files. It is on orange paper and includes everything they need. They will be doing a cereal box. I went over in full what is expected. You will also find a rubric in the packet on lavender paper. That is what I will use to grade them and I have gone over this in full with them also. They are to visit with me about a book. Graphic Novels are not allowed. It must be a chapter book and it must have at least 100 pages. I talked to the students about challenging themselves instead of just doing the minimum. I also will tell some students they need to read more pages. The books have to be okayed by me to read. I told them the best part is they have to read a book for the book report so they can count the minutes for their book it calendar. So everyone should have minutes on their calendar. It is a win-win!!

Math

This week we have begun topic two. We have learned about estimating answers and how estimating and rounding go hand -n-hand. We also worked on adding numbers. This is a nice review for students to refresh their memory before we dig into the more challenging stuff. Topic 2 is only 9 lessons so it won't take us too long and we will be testing again. Thank you for singing their tests from topic 1 and returning. I will keep these in their binders for the year. The binders will come home at the end of the year.

Social Studies

This week we have begun talking about the Northeast Region. We discussed Niagara Falls, its beauty and importance to the state of New York. Also where it is located and how it was formed. Today they read about 6 mountain ranges in the Northeast and where they are located. They also learned about the Appalachain Trail. Tomorrow we are ending the week with the Northeast Coastline. We will talk about how it is rocky to the north and sandy to the south. I hope to begin teaching them the States and Capitals song soon! So sorry because I know it will drive you nuts at home!

Spirit Day

Tomorrow is Spirit Day! Please wear your red and black to honor the Creston Panthers for their Homecoming game tomorrow night. The students can pay $1.00 to wear a hat or sweatpants with their Panther gear!!!

That is all my news for this week. Just an FYI we have Mass on October 20th. I hope to plan it next week and have their parts out on Thursday. All those that did not have parts the first time will most likely have parts this time. Remember if you can't make it will be online live for you to watch. If the live feed fails it will be recorded for you to watch later.

I hope everyone is enjoying the weather and has a great weekend. I will be spending the weekend in Cedar Rapids with all our family as my nephew gets married on Saturday. I have been looking forward to this for a while. All my kids in one place makes me super happy!!

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels