September 26, 2024

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! I am out of the "office" today. I am enjoying some grandma's time babysitting. Folders will come home tomorrow. We had some bumps this week with behavior and late slips, but it is getting better. Some days are worse than others and I am trying to figure out why or what the trigger might be. I may need some time. We are getting better at assignment books but we have to be better at homework.

Language Arts

We finished our 2nd week stories and have tested. Now we are on to the 3rd week in this module. This story is called The Mighty Kitoto it is a folktale. It is a fun little story to read and teaches them a little lesson, which is what folktales do. The spelling list this week is long I short I . Honestly they all did very well on this list. We will focus on short I and long I in decoding also. We will look at the ways in which you can spell them. In grammar we will be working with quotations. Out of everything in grammar I teach this is the hardest for the 4th graders. We will talk about direct quotations which they get but when we talk about split quotations even I have problems. Sooo... there testing on quotations will not be great, it never is. Strategies we will discuss with this story include Retell, literary elements, theme and Author's craft. The author's craft is also complicated for the kids to really grasp, but it is good for them to hear and begin to get used to. This story is about 9 reading pages so it will take 6-7 days for us to cover it.

Math

In math this week they have worked on a review, we corrected that review together and I went over each problem individually on the board with them so they understood. Their test is tomorrow. They will begin it and complete the first page. I allowed them to ask many questions during the review and while I went over it, so there will be no questions during the actual test. We can read the problem to them but we can not guide them on how to find the answer or what is expected because it is exactly like the review. They all had their books in their bags to bring home last night to study. We will make corrections on the test next week and then move onto topic 2.

Social Studies

We have been talking about government this week. We also talked about some important amendments to the Constitution. We end by talking about the rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States. They will complete a worksheet over that today. We will begin a study guide next week and be testing either by the end of the week or Monday of the next week. They need to start studying their vocabulary note cards instead of waiting until the night before.

Pep Rally

Next week on Tuesday, October 1st we will have a pep Rally at St. Malachy. This is so the kids can help cheer and fire up our football players for their game on Friday night against Atlantic for Homecoming. It also maybe gets the kids excited about going and watching the game at Panther Field. Students are encouraged to wear red and black on this day to show support.

Friday, October 4th

This is Homecoming Day so it is an early dismissal. I am hoping to remind you now rather then just next Thursday. I will remind you then, also. The dismissal is a 3 hr. early out so dismissing at 12:10 instead of the normal 3:10. It is also a Spirit day to pay a $1.00 to wear sweats or a hat with your Panther gear!

I hope everyone is enjoying the Fall temps. They have been nice. I get to spend some time with some of my kids this weekend. Today I am actually with Jami and Molly. Saturday I will be with Josie. I truly enjoy any time I get to spend with them. They honestly really do grow up so fast. October is just around the corner. Ready or not here it comes! Soon people will be harvesting and trying to beat the weather. Be safe in all that you do

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels