September 30, 2021

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! Wow! My weeks seem to be going quickly. It is all ready Thursday! This week has been okay. There have been some with recess time on the wall due to behavior. I hate to do this but when they waste class time due to their behavior then I am going to waste some of their recess time. This will help some of them learn a little more quickly that they need to make better choices. As for homework and getting things done on time they know what they need to do. Some students have yet to figure out that if they rush through it the first time and don't do well, they get it back to do again. I thought they would take their time a little more, maybe this is yet to come. I try to celebrate any gains in our room so others see it and may think I want to do that. I want Mrs. Sickels to be able to talk about me. I celebrate sometimes for the littlest things so that all of them feel some sort of success. I feel that boosts them to want to do more and try harder. This doesn't always work for everyone either. We will keep plugging away each week. I will say during read aloud I have all of them paying attention. They are truly enjoying Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. They love to have me read. Which is great because it is my favorite time of the day.

Language Arts

This week is the last story in Unit 1. We are reading a story called "Stormalong". It is a tall tale that deals with sailors. Tall Tales always tell us a story about how something came to be. They are not true they are just fun exaggerated stories. This one is about Alfred Bulltop Stormalong. A sailor who was a giant and had extraordinary strength. They say the A.B.S. behind a sailors name stands for able-bodied seaman but the legend of this story is that it is after the name of our character. It also talks about how the white cliffs of Dover got their name and why there is white foam in the water there. Our grammar this week is all on Capitalization. They worked on capitalizing historic events and documents, titles of stories, essays and books, and Languages, Nationalities, and people's names. They will be faced with all of these tomorrow on their end of the week test.

Next week will be the Unit Benchmark Test for Unit 1. I break it up into 3 sections and just spend a little bit of time each day to take the test. I will also assigning their first book report to them. I will go over the book report in full with them and help them choose books that will interest them. This is always my favorite time!

Math

This week we have finished up Topic 1 and practiced on some basic fact tests. I have also had them work harder on SuccessMaker which is our online support to help fill in any gaps in the students learning. I have 2-3 students still taking the pretest so I am trying to get them moved on into the programs they need. We will begin Topic 2 next week. This topic is on adding and subtracting larger numbers but it starts with mental math which can be very hard and frustrating for some. I am trying to come up with a good plan and maybe use some other resources to make this better for the students. I am not about setting kids up to fail! I try my best to give them a positive learning experience and for them to be successful.

Social Studies

We finished up chapter 2 this week. They have their tests in their folders to be signed and returned. We will begin the Northeast Region tomorrow! I am so excited. I love when we really begin learning about each region. W will also begin learning our States and Capitals song which will help them to memorize the states and their capitals. They will also begin taking map tests to get themselves ready for the end of the year map test where they have to label all 50 states on a map and give their capital. As the year goes we do that in each region. I have learn a region at a to make it easier on them instead of learning all 50 at once.

Friday, October 8, Homecoming

We will be getting out 3 hours early on Friday, October 8th due to Homecoming and the parade. Dismissal begins at 12:10 with bus and Trolley kids. The car line will follow when buses leave. Same routine just 3 hours sooner. If your child will be doing something different than normal please send a note or email so I know, otherwise I will send them the way they always go home.

Tomorrow is not a Spirit Day. So we are not paying $1.00 to wear hats or sweats. That is saved for next week. I hope everyone enjoys the weekend. Cooler weather is coming and so we all need to try and enjoy the outdoors as best as we can. You will find me sitting outside sitting on my porch reading if I can stand the little black bugs. I have not plans this weekend and I plan to enjoy it. Maybe I will accomplish some extra things.

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels