Hello Parents!!! Where did October go??? WOW! I cannot believe the time has gone by so quickly!
Halloween- We will do our regular Halloween activities tomorrow on Halloween.The students should bring their costume to school that day. The parade of costumes will be at 2:30 in the gym. You are more than welcome to join us! If you are going to take your child home afterwards, please let me know before you leave. Thanks!
Reading-- This week we read a story called Storm Warriors. It takes place in the 1800s. It is about a boy named Nathan who wants to become a surfman. That is someone who would rescue people from accidents on the water. I think nowadays we call that the Coast Guard! In their center time this week, I had 3 groups reading different stories. Each story dealt with the weather somehow. One group had tsunamis, another had a blizzard, and the final group dealt with rain and flooding. After they read their stories that had to pick out details and draw a conclusion from that. They were given a question to focus their answers on. The spelling list was fun to give on Monday! I gave them the hint that is was compound words, but also had to add that some are written as one word, some are two words, and others are separated with hyphens! They didn't that was so easy after they heard that I wasn't going to tell them which was which. :)
Math-- We have moved on to estimating quotients this week using compatible numbers. This is something I have done every year. It is a good way to get them to begin the process of the standard algorithm that you know from your childhood. I know partial quotients made you uncomfortable because it wasn't what you were taught. We were taught a shortcut, but remember this is just one more strategy for your children to have in their pockets. In reality, when they are adults they will grab a calculator to do their division, but I still want them to know all the different ways to solve a problem. Partial quotients may have seemed like a longer process because we started by taking groups of 10 out of the dividend. But once they realized they didn't just have to do 10s, some were taking out 20s or 15s and a bigger chunk of that dividend was taken away each time. I want our kids to grow up with more choices. I think it's important to keep an open mind and realize that even the standard algorithm will cause kids pain. I have been teaching it for 19 years now, I know this to be true. It also forces us to step out of our comfort zone and try something new. If your child is struggling at home, please have them come in to see me in the morning. We can work on it together.
Religion- We are wrapping up our Rosary section. Next week is Vocation Awareness Week. I will be doing a lesson or two on that in class.
Don't forget to set your clocks back this weekend!
I am heading home this weekend. Have a great Halloween and weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Hello Parents, I hope you are having a good week!
Halloween- We will do our regular Halloween activities on Halloween.The students should bring their costume to school that day. The parade of costumes will be at 2:30 in the gym. You are more than welcome to join us! If you are going to take your child home afterwards, please let me know before you leave. Thanks!
Math- This week we worked some more on division with single digits, but then we moved into a new strategy. It is called Partial Quotients. I know Mrs. Sickels taught partial products last year when they were doing multiplication. I did warn your kids that this strategy would most likely be new to you! They are still dividing, multiplying, and subtracting. This works with double digit divisors pretty easily. It eliminates a lot of the guess work because they are using 10s. I will make sure to put an example in your child's folder, so you can see what I mean. This doesn't mean we won't go back to the old strategy to divide with double digits. This is just another way of doing it, and for some kids it may be easier. It really gets rid of try, check, and revise your work. I learned this strategy a few years ago when Mrs. Meisenheimer and I took all those math classes over 3 years. I find this one a lot of fun. It really does test them on their subtraction skills.
Reading-- You will find their scores aren't as great as the week before. This was mainly due to the testing on Adages and Proverbs and Indirect Objects. We will be doing more of that work throughout the year. In my opinion, the test should give them some context to try and figure out what the meaning is of that proverb or adage. This week's story is about trying to restore the Everglades in Florida. It is a nonfiction piece with some domain specific vocabulary. The spelling test was fun to give on Monday because it was over homophones. They really had to listen to the context of the sentence. They were hoping for easy words like whole and hole or dear and deer. :)
Religion- This week they are playing a matching game of the all 20 decades of the rosary. They have to match them to the correct mystery. Today they are taking a quiz on the Sorrowful Mystery.
In your folder you will find a letter about Mobymax.com. This is something they work on in technology time, as well as Type to Learn. Mobymax can be done from home too. It is games and activities in math and language arts.
We have had a few share their Halloween stories. I will be hanging them in the hallway. If you are here and want to read some, please do!
Book Reports- This is just a reminder that book report projects are due November 7. They have about 2 more weeks to complete the book and their project.
Our continued prayers go out to Kirk Levine who is having a difficult battle with cancer.
I hope you have a great weekend! I am actually staying in town! God Bless, Miss Surma
Halloween- We will do our regular Halloween activities on Halloween.The students should bring their costume to school that day. The parade of costumes will be at 2:30 in the gym. You are more than welcome to join us! If you are going to take your child home afterwards, please let me know before you leave. Thanks!
Math- This week we worked some more on division with single digits, but then we moved into a new strategy. It is called Partial Quotients. I know Mrs. Sickels taught partial products last year when they were doing multiplication. I did warn your kids that this strategy would most likely be new to you! They are still dividing, multiplying, and subtracting. This works with double digit divisors pretty easily. It eliminates a lot of the guess work because they are using 10s. I will make sure to put an example in your child's folder, so you can see what I mean. This doesn't mean we won't go back to the old strategy to divide with double digits. This is just another way of doing it, and for some kids it may be easier. It really gets rid of try, check, and revise your work. I learned this strategy a few years ago when Mrs. Meisenheimer and I took all those math classes over 3 years. I find this one a lot of fun. It really does test them on their subtraction skills.
Reading-- You will find their scores aren't as great as the week before. This was mainly due to the testing on Adages and Proverbs and Indirect Objects. We will be doing more of that work throughout the year. In my opinion, the test should give them some context to try and figure out what the meaning is of that proverb or adage. This week's story is about trying to restore the Everglades in Florida. It is a nonfiction piece with some domain specific vocabulary. The spelling test was fun to give on Monday because it was over homophones. They really had to listen to the context of the sentence. They were hoping for easy words like whole and hole or dear and deer. :)
Religion- This week they are playing a matching game of the all 20 decades of the rosary. They have to match them to the correct mystery. Today they are taking a quiz on the Sorrowful Mystery.
In your folder you will find a letter about Mobymax.com. This is something they work on in technology time, as well as Type to Learn. Mobymax can be done from home too. It is games and activities in math and language arts.
We have had a few share their Halloween stories. I will be hanging them in the hallway. If you are here and want to read some, please do!
Book Reports- This is just a reminder that book report projects are due November 7. They have about 2 more weeks to complete the book and their project.
Our continued prayers go out to Kirk Levine who is having a difficult battle with cancer.
I hope you have a great weekend! I am actually staying in town! God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Hello Parents! Hopefully your week is going well for you!
Reading-- Please take a look at your child's reading test score from last week! Overall, these were the highest scores I have seen yet! I was so excited and proud of them! I thought the test questions were a little harder, but I guess that shows you what I know! HA! This week we read an excerpt from Old Yeller. We are talking about how the two boys in the story react to the situation, trying to pick up on similarities and differences.We also talked about the dialect. The story takes place in Texas many years ago! I told them this is a classic and was made into a movie. One of the other things we are focusing on are Adages and Proverbs. What is that you ask??? Haste makes waste. All good things must come to an end. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Do any of those sound familiar? We worked on those in our center times. Many of them hadn't heard of them before, while others said, "My mom says that all the time!" Feel free to replace "mom" with dad, grandma, or grandpa!;)
Math-- We have started division! We are only dividing by one digit so far. I really want them to understand the process before we move on. There will be other division strategies they will learn in this chapter. Just like in the last chapter, when they told me they couldn't divide, and I reminded them they know the Divisibility Property now! That is a strategy they can use to divide. It wouldn't hurt to quiz them on their math facts at home, or while you're out running errands, or on a car ride somewhere. I am still working on corrections with some of the kids and their math tests. Sorry for the wait, but I usually have to wait for some free time to be able to sit down with them.
Halloween Stories-- I am also near the end of editing the stories. Some of the kids have gotten their story back and are supposed to type it up. I gave them a week to do that. I let them know their due date as well. Due dates are different depending on what day they get it back. If you are having computer problems, please email me and we can set up some time before and/or after school time. They can work in the library to get it typed up.
Religion- This week they are looking up the mysteries of the rosary in the Bible. All of these mysteries stem from something that happened to Mary or Jesus. They are finding those stories now before they have to really learn or memorize them.
Book Orders- Just a reminder that I sent home the order forms last week. They are due on Friday. You can also place your order online instead of turning in the money and order slip to me.
Book Reports-- These are due November 7,2014. That is 3 weeks from Friday.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. I head to Doon again on Friday. This should be the last time I HAVE to go. I think my sister should be driving next week. God Bless, Miss Surma
Reading-- Please take a look at your child's reading test score from last week! Overall, these were the highest scores I have seen yet! I was so excited and proud of them! I thought the test questions were a little harder, but I guess that shows you what I know! HA! This week we read an excerpt from Old Yeller. We are talking about how the two boys in the story react to the situation, trying to pick up on similarities and differences.We also talked about the dialect. The story takes place in Texas many years ago! I told them this is a classic and was made into a movie. One of the other things we are focusing on are Adages and Proverbs. What is that you ask??? Haste makes waste. All good things must come to an end. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Do any of those sound familiar? We worked on those in our center times. Many of them hadn't heard of them before, while others said, "My mom says that all the time!" Feel free to replace "mom" with dad, grandma, or grandpa!;)
Math-- We have started division! We are only dividing by one digit so far. I really want them to understand the process before we move on. There will be other division strategies they will learn in this chapter. Just like in the last chapter, when they told me they couldn't divide, and I reminded them they know the Divisibility Property now! That is a strategy they can use to divide. It wouldn't hurt to quiz them on their math facts at home, or while you're out running errands, or on a car ride somewhere. I am still working on corrections with some of the kids and their math tests. Sorry for the wait, but I usually have to wait for some free time to be able to sit down with them.
Halloween Stories-- I am also near the end of editing the stories. Some of the kids have gotten their story back and are supposed to type it up. I gave them a week to do that. I let them know their due date as well. Due dates are different depending on what day they get it back. If you are having computer problems, please email me and we can set up some time before and/or after school time. They can work in the library to get it typed up.
Religion- This week they are looking up the mysteries of the rosary in the Bible. All of these mysteries stem from something that happened to Mary or Jesus. They are finding those stories now before they have to really learn or memorize them.
Book Orders- Just a reminder that I sent home the order forms last week. They are due on Friday. You can also place your order online instead of turning in the money and order slip to me.
Book Reports-- These are due November 7,2014. That is 3 weeks from Friday.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. I head to Doon again on Friday. This should be the last time I HAVE to go. I think my sister should be driving next week. God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Hello Parents! I hope you have had a good week!
Reading- In your child's folder will be a letter and a score sheet from last week's unit test. I tried to explain in the letter what each test covered. I don't need those score sheets back. That is for you to keep. This week we are reading a story on a team of scientists researching the tree kangaroo or tree 'roo. We are also beginning to work on verbs: action and helping verbs. We also read a myth about how the koala bear got its short tail. They are taking the weekly test and spelling test due to not having school tomorrow. Next week will be back to regular schedule.
Math- I have scored the tests, but I am now working with kids individually on the corrections. As soon as I have met with your child and they make the necessary corrections, I will send their test home. We will start our next chapter today. It begins with division. They will learn the traditional strategy for division, but they will also learn new ways to divide. This last chapter taught them to divide using the Distributive Property. I think giving them more than one to solve the problem will help those kids who struggle. They can pick a way that works for them in the end, but should try to do all the possible ways.
Religion- Most of the kids have already passed their two prayers! Woo hoo! The next step will be learning the Mysteries of the Rosary. There are 20 total. We will learn one mystery at a time. We will do a little research in the Bible to find where the stories are located.
Book Orders- They are in your child's folder. They will be due by next Friday, October 17.
Class Meeting- I am reading the book Wonder aloud to the class. They are really enjoying it. It is a great story about bullying. The boy August has some facial deformities from birth. He was homeschooled, but then ends up going to school in 5th grade when his parents decide it is time. The kids have been very sympathetic to August as I read. Last week, he was totally shocked when he heard his "best friend" talking about him very negatively. I told the kids to write August's friend Jack a letter from August's point of view expressing what he had heard and how it made him feel. They shared their letters yesterday! WOW! They were so good! I will be sharing them with you at conferences.
Have a great weekend! I brought Mom home last weekend because she was ready to be at home, but my sister is still unable to drive. I am heading there tomorrow after work so that I can take care of the meds,etc. I will be back on Sunday! Mary should be driving in another week or so.
God Bless, Miss Surma
Reading- In your child's folder will be a letter and a score sheet from last week's unit test. I tried to explain in the letter what each test covered. I don't need those score sheets back. That is for you to keep. This week we are reading a story on a team of scientists researching the tree kangaroo or tree 'roo. We are also beginning to work on verbs: action and helping verbs. We also read a myth about how the koala bear got its short tail. They are taking the weekly test and spelling test due to not having school tomorrow. Next week will be back to regular schedule.
Math- I have scored the tests, but I am now working with kids individually on the corrections. As soon as I have met with your child and they make the necessary corrections, I will send their test home. We will start our next chapter today. It begins with division. They will learn the traditional strategy for division, but they will also learn new ways to divide. This last chapter taught them to divide using the Distributive Property. I think giving them more than one to solve the problem will help those kids who struggle. They can pick a way that works for them in the end, but should try to do all the possible ways.
Religion- Most of the kids have already passed their two prayers! Woo hoo! The next step will be learning the Mysteries of the Rosary. There are 20 total. We will learn one mystery at a time. We will do a little research in the Bible to find where the stories are located.
Book Orders- They are in your child's folder. They will be due by next Friday, October 17.
Class Meeting- I am reading the book Wonder aloud to the class. They are really enjoying it. It is a great story about bullying. The boy August has some facial deformities from birth. He was homeschooled, but then ends up going to school in 5th grade when his parents decide it is time. The kids have been very sympathetic to August as I read. Last week, he was totally shocked when he heard his "best friend" talking about him very negatively. I told the kids to write August's friend Jack a letter from August's point of view expressing what he had heard and how it made him feel. They shared their letters yesterday! WOW! They were so good! I will be sharing them with you at conferences.
Have a great weekend! I brought Mom home last weekend because she was ready to be at home, but my sister is still unable to drive. I am heading there tomorrow after work so that I can take care of the meds,etc. I will be back on Sunday! Mary should be driving in another week or so.
God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Hello Parents, I hope you have had a good week so far! I can't believe we are in October already! WOW!
Reading- The kids are still finishing up the first unit test. I will send you scores next week when I am done checking everything. I also gave them their first book report assignment. This isn't due until November 7. That gives them plenty of time to read a book and put together the project. I changed up my projects this year. I was getting tired of the same ones so I found some new ways to share the book. They only choose 1. They have a packet with all the projects listed and what is expected for each one. I am excited to see what they come up with! If you need poster paper or construction paper, I can supply that to them. If you do more than that, you will have to do some shopping. Some of the students have already picked out the book they want to share.
On Friday, I will share with them some of my favorite Halloween stories that my 5th grade teacher read to us. They will then begin writing their own Halloween story. This is one of my favorite projects. I do tell them that their story cannot have any blood or gore described in detail. I am not wanting Nightmare on Elm Street kinds of stories. I like scary or surprising, fun stories...keep it age appropriate.
Math- We will be finishing this chapter up this week. They should be testing on Tuesday of next week. We will be working on reviewing on Friday and Monday. This week they wrote algebraic expressions and learned about the order of operations in algebraic problems.
Religion- I have given them a copy of the two prayers they are to memorize. I told them that starting on Thursday, we will use one of those as our closing prayers before going home. I will quiz them on it beginning next week with Hail Holy Queen. They were quick to remember this was TJ's favorite prayer last year. We will also be saying a decade of the rosary each day.
Homecoming-- Friday is black and red day! It is time to show your support for the Creston Panthers. We are dismissing at 1:10 on that day.Homecoming Float: The Civics Club is putting together a float for the Homecoming parade tomorrow. Any St. Malachy student may ride the float and help distribute candy. Students can get on the float at the beginning of the parade - on Prairie Street east of Sycamore. Students are to be picked up at the Holy Spirit Church parking lot following the parade.
I hope you have a great weekend. I am heading to Doon with my mom. We are going to my niece's wedding, but Mom will be staying in Doon. I think she is tired of being here with me! :) She wants to be in her yard, raking! God Bless, Miss Surma
Reading- The kids are still finishing up the first unit test. I will send you scores next week when I am done checking everything. I also gave them their first book report assignment. This isn't due until November 7. That gives them plenty of time to read a book and put together the project. I changed up my projects this year. I was getting tired of the same ones so I found some new ways to share the book. They only choose 1. They have a packet with all the projects listed and what is expected for each one. I am excited to see what they come up with! If you need poster paper or construction paper, I can supply that to them. If you do more than that, you will have to do some shopping. Some of the students have already picked out the book they want to share.
On Friday, I will share with them some of my favorite Halloween stories that my 5th grade teacher read to us. They will then begin writing their own Halloween story. This is one of my favorite projects. I do tell them that their story cannot have any blood or gore described in detail. I am not wanting Nightmare on Elm Street kinds of stories. I like scary or surprising, fun stories...keep it age appropriate.
Math- We will be finishing this chapter up this week. They should be testing on Tuesday of next week. We will be working on reviewing on Friday and Monday. This week they wrote algebraic expressions and learned about the order of operations in algebraic problems.
Religion- I have given them a copy of the two prayers they are to memorize. I told them that starting on Thursday, we will use one of those as our closing prayers before going home. I will quiz them on it beginning next week with Hail Holy Queen. They were quick to remember this was TJ's favorite prayer last year. We will also be saying a decade of the rosary each day.
Homecoming-- Friday is black and red day! It is time to show your support for the Creston Panthers. We are dismissing at 1:10 on that day.Homecoming Float: The Civics Club is putting together a float for the Homecoming parade tomorrow. Any St. Malachy student may ride the float and help distribute candy. Students can get on the float at the beginning of the parade - on Prairie Street east of Sycamore. Students are to be picked up at the Holy Spirit Church parking lot following the parade.
I hope you have a great weekend. I am heading to Doon with my mom. We are going to my niece's wedding, but Mom will be staying in Doon. I think she is tired of being here with me! :) She wants to be in her yard, raking! God Bless, Miss Surma
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