September has been a very busy, challenging and fun month.  We are leraning about many new subjects in school and also learning about each other.  We have lots of of teachers this year so it is challenging to get to all our classes with all our books and papers organized and together.  We store our things in cubbies which is much more like high school lockers.  Ms. Gruss teaches us math and social studies.  Mrs. Selvaggi teaches us language arts, which is all English and reading subjects.  We have Mr. Massie for Science.  Mrs. Poelker is our religion and our music teacher.  Mrs. Behrle is our art teacher.  For physical education we have Mrs. O'Neill and she is also our homeroom teacher.  Since Mrs. O'Neill is a HUGE Cardinal fan, our homeroom is very cool with lots of Cardinal decorations.  There are World Series pennants on the wall, photos of Albert Pujols, statues of Lou Brock, and all the desk accessories are Cardinal as well. We have learned what the magic number is until the Cardinals win the division, which will happen soon.  We also have learned the Stan Musial is the "Greatest Cardinal of All Time"! 

We are also doing Top Twenty Training.  This program is designed to help us be future leaders.  Part of this training is helping us be aware of how our mood affects our learning possibilities.  We have a magnetic board with the letters ATL (above the line) and BTL (below the line).  Each one of us has a car magnet that we place on the board each day to indicate our feelings.  ATL means we are in a great mood and having a great day.  BTL means you aren't having a good day, you don't feel good, you are sad or you are upset.  This technique helps us to be BTL with dignity and helps us to help our classmates or to give them some space to help them get ATL. 

We are working on many different things in our classes.  In math we are learning to add and subtract decimals and whole numbers.  Social studies is concentrating on Lewis and Clark and all that they explored and mapped.  In English we recently had a test on a variety of grammar parts like sentences, subjects, predicates, quotations and using the thesaurus.  "Out of the Dust" is the book we are reading and discussing.  We are also in unit two of our vocabulary book.  Learning about the unique qualities of each of our classmates is what we are discussing in religion class.  Even though we are all different in some ways, we are all alike in many other ways.  A fun activity we just completed was to write three complimentary things about a classmate.  In science we are learning how to navigate with maps and compasses.   We are enjoying outside activities in physical education and learning to play games that require teamwork and cooperation.  We have played many different games that teach each player how to get open and how to work with each player on your team.  In computer class we worked on a power point presentation related to the dust bowl and the story we are reading.  We are taking standardized tests and know how important they are in helping us, our parents and the teachers plan for our education.  We also know that this is a test that high schools check to decide placement. 

The carnival was a great time for all of us.  There were lots of exciting rides and games and it was fun to see everyone enjoying the carnival with their families. 

Written by Amanda Erb