Hello Parents! I hope your week is going well! I see some warmer temps coming our way! Woo hoo!!! So proud of the 5th graders for winning the Pizza Party for our Coin Wars! They raised just over $200!!!! The school raised around $1000! Go St. Malachy!
Okay this next week is one of my favorites-- Catholic Schools Week!!! Hold on! I know it will be crazy!
Sunday, Jan. 31- We kick it off with mass at Holy Spirit. If your child signed up for a part-- look for a blue sheet in their folder on Thursday. The PTO also has a great breakfast in the basement after mass!
Monday, Feb. 1- Wear your blue and gold day!!! The kids will eat their sack lunch with the Advent Angel in the gym. After that they will go to a classroom to watch a movie.
Tuesday, Feb. 2- Come As You Are Day-- Pajamas Day-- I told them they can wear slippers, a robe, have their favorite stuffed animal that day. If they wear shorts to bed-- they HAVE to have their snow pants for recess. They can wear sweats if they aren't comfortable wearing their pjs. We will also be doing a Living Rosary in the gym at 8:30. The 5th graders are in charge of that! We did a practice on Tuesday! I think it will be very cool. You are welcome to join us!
Wednesday, Feb. 3- Chamber Breakfast Day. Students will be doing activities in the afternoon with their Advent Angel. It is also Class Color Day-- 5th graders voted for Blue and Pink. They can wear one of those or BOTH! They can wear sweats if they have them in that color, no shorts.
Thursday, Feb. 4- 1:30-3 will be students vs teachers in some activities in the gym. It is also Sports Day--wear your favorite team colors or dress as an athlete in a certain sport. I am hoping this will be our Pizza Party Day if we can get it coordinated!
Friday- Dress Up Day. We will have our Grandparents/Special Guest mass at Holy Spirit at 1:30. Let me know if your child does not have someone coming to mass. I know sometimes the special guest or grandparent takes them home-- which is fine, just have them let me know. We usually have the bus there for kids who still need it. There is the cookie and punch reception after mass.
If you have questions, please email me! Thanks!!!
Math- This week they have started working on multiplying whole numbers and decimals. They are doing just fine, but they need to remember where to place that decimal. Some are needing to remember their multiplication facts again. This is good practice for our BizTown field trip in April.
Reading- This week's story was LAFFF. This is a science fiction story that deals with a time machine. Angela wants to use it to win a writing contest her school has every year. I enjoy the story because there is a slight twist at the end !! The grammar this week is adverbs. This is more challenging I think than the adjectives because they describe the verbs. Adverbs don't always come before or follow the verb. You have to do a little digging. They answer questions like: how? when? where? and how often? Many of the "how" adverbs end in -ly so it is kind of a clue.
Religion- They have finished the chapter on our works of mercy. They will be testing most likely on Monday. We are also using some of our religion time to practice the living rosary.
Next week will be chaotic in our schedules so they may have homework, but some days they won't be going to every class just because of our extra activities.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I hope to see you at the kick off mass on Sunday!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Hello Parents, Happy Thursday! I hope you are having a good week! I hope you are staying warm these days!
Reading- I have their scores from last week's unit test in their folders. This was a benchmark test which means more stories to read. They can also be more challenging. The scores weren't as good as I had hoped. I told them after I checked them that there is a huge advantage with these tests...you can go back and find your answers in the story, unless you are having to make an inference from what you learned in the story. I don't think many of them took the time to look back. There were other questions that were missed, but if they had really paid attention to the context clues within the sentence, they should have figured it out. I am not sure how to make sure they look back. The 2nd and 3rd tests of that week--the scores were much better! They really just need to look back on the comprehension questions.
This week we are reading a part of the story Lunch Money by Andrew Clements. This is about a boy that creates, draws, writes, and makes his own comic strips and then he sells them. I did notice that one of the kids has picked up the actual book and is now reading it! YAY! In grammar we are working on picking out adjectives. They are having to remember that adjectives answer the questions: how many, what kind, or origin. I tell them first to see if they can find the nouns or pronouns and then is there a word that describes that noun??
They have turned in their Harris Burdick stories and I am editing them. I am really pleased with what I have read so far. Some great imaginations! I am hoping to take them to the computer lab on Friday so they can begin typing them here.
Math- I thought they did great on their tests!!! We have started multiplication of decimals now. On Monday we worked on the patterns...showing how the decimals moves to the right when we multiply by the powers of 10. The decimal moves to the left when we multiply by tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. On Tuesday, they were given some graph paper and we colored in our multiplication problem. For example : 0.5 x 2. They had to color in 2 groups of 50 squares to find their totals. They did do some actual multiplication, but they could also have just added to find that total. They were picking up on it quickly!
Religion- This week we are discussing the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. This is great since this is the Year of Mercy declared by the Church. We are able to talk about things we do during Advent and Lent or throughout the year.
They did a GREAT job at mass !!! I was very proud of them!! They also enjoyed the donuts and juice reception afterwards. Thank you to all those who were able to join us!
Book Orders- I sent the forms home last week. If you are interested, please return them by Friday !
Auction-- Thank you to my volunteers! Katie Turner is taking care of the live auction basket. She will be sending home a flyer to give you some information. AnnMarie Kinsella and Kim Coen will be in charge of the silent auction item.
Just reminder that Catholic Schools Week kicks off with mass on January 31 at Holy Spirit. If your child is helping out with the mass, we will send home their job next week! Thanks again!
Have a great weekend!!!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Reading- I have their scores from last week's unit test in their folders. This was a benchmark test which means more stories to read. They can also be more challenging. The scores weren't as good as I had hoped. I told them after I checked them that there is a huge advantage with these tests...you can go back and find your answers in the story, unless you are having to make an inference from what you learned in the story. I don't think many of them took the time to look back. There were other questions that were missed, but if they had really paid attention to the context clues within the sentence, they should have figured it out. I am not sure how to make sure they look back. The 2nd and 3rd tests of that week--the scores were much better! They really just need to look back on the comprehension questions.
This week we are reading a part of the story Lunch Money by Andrew Clements. This is about a boy that creates, draws, writes, and makes his own comic strips and then he sells them. I did notice that one of the kids has picked up the actual book and is now reading it! YAY! In grammar we are working on picking out adjectives. They are having to remember that adjectives answer the questions: how many, what kind, or origin. I tell them first to see if they can find the nouns or pronouns and then is there a word that describes that noun??
They have turned in their Harris Burdick stories and I am editing them. I am really pleased with what I have read so far. Some great imaginations! I am hoping to take them to the computer lab on Friday so they can begin typing them here.
Math- I thought they did great on their tests!!! We have started multiplication of decimals now. On Monday we worked on the patterns...showing how the decimals moves to the right when we multiply by the powers of 10. The decimal moves to the left when we multiply by tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. On Tuesday, they were given some graph paper and we colored in our multiplication problem. For example : 0.5 x 2. They had to color in 2 groups of 50 squares to find their totals. They did do some actual multiplication, but they could also have just added to find that total. They were picking up on it quickly!
Religion- This week we are discussing the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. This is great since this is the Year of Mercy declared by the Church. We are able to talk about things we do during Advent and Lent or throughout the year.
They did a GREAT job at mass !!! I was very proud of them!! They also enjoyed the donuts and juice reception afterwards. Thank you to all those who were able to join us!
Book Orders- I sent the forms home last week. If you are interested, please return them by Friday !
Auction-- Thank you to my volunteers! Katie Turner is taking care of the live auction basket. She will be sending home a flyer to give you some information. AnnMarie Kinsella and Kim Coen will be in charge of the silent auction item.
Just reminder that Catholic Schools Week kicks off with mass on January 31 at Holy Spirit. If your child is helping out with the mass, we will send home their job next week! Thanks again!
Have a great weekend!!!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
If you are interested in the PTO's Trivia Night-- here is the link to get your spot!
Here is the link: http://www.signupgenius.com/
Happy Thursday Parents! I hope you are having a great week! The weather has shown us that it is definitely WINTER! Sounds like we get another round of cold this weekend. I miss June weather!
Reading- This week they are taking their unit test. I will send home score sheets next week. They will finish this up on Friday. They are also doing another creative writing story. Their rough draft is due on Friday. I think most are already done. I read them the book The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg. Inside were 14 pictures. Each picture had a title with a caption. They chose one. They wrote a story based on that title, and they had to include that caption somewhere in the story. Once I am done editing them, we will go to the computer lab here at school. They will type their story there. This will take a bit because we won't go to the lab every day.
Book Reports- They were assigned their next book report. They were to choose a Newbery winner or Newbery Honor book. I went over a list of them. This award has been around for a very long time. They get the award based on the writing. Most of them found books from my bookshelf, others had one already at home, or they checked one out of the library. They have until Monday to decide if they need to change their book. They will be due at the end of February. They were also given the list of book report ideas again. They cannot do the same project they did the first time. On Tuesday night I even found one on my bookshelf at home--so now I am reading a Newbery winner as well. So far mine is pretty funny! I told them a little about it on Wednesday!
Math- They are testing today (Thursday) over this chapter. I am not sure of what our next chapter will be because I need to look at the material I need to teach for their field trip in April. They have done a great job with their assignments for this chapter. I feel good about what they can do for the test.
Religion- They did great on their test. We started our next chapter discussing a story about a Pharisee and a tax collector. The point of the story was Jesus telling us to be humble and not exalt. We are also discussing what it means to show mercy towards others, to be able to forgive others who have hurt us.
Their mass is next week! Just a reminder that there will be a reception for you after mass! Join the 5th graders for juice, coffee, and donuts.
Auction- I am still looking for volunteers to help me out with the live auction basket and/ or the silent auction item. Please let me know ASAP if you are able to help out! Thanks!!!
Spirit Day on Friday!!!! $1 for sweats!! ;)
I am heading to Doon this weekend. It is my mom's 81st birthday- so my sister and I plan to take her out for dinner! Have a great weekend! Stay warm!!!!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Here is the link: http://www.signupgenius.com/
This is the link for the Trivia Game Night! Go here to sign up if you are planning to attend and play!
Hello Parents, Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great Christmas! It was nice to be home with Mom. We had plenty of snow up there, so I got my taste of shoveling! :)
Reading- This week we are reading our final story in this unit. This story is nonfiction. It is about two more people that participated in some way with the Revolutionary War. One of them was part of the militia. The other was a woman name Sybil Ludington. She was similar to Paul Revere in that she went back horseback to warn the men to prepare to fight in Connecticut. We are also reading the famous poem about Paul Revere this week. I found a little scene from The Andy Griffith Show that really explains what Paul did that night. It is kind of funny with Barney! I am not sure if your kids will know that show or not! I may be showing my age!
Next week will be the third unit test, so it will be test week. They will also be getting their next book report assigned. It won't be due until later in February. I am also going to try and use some of our time on Friday of next week to begin the next creative writing assignment. I will wait to see how things go.
Math- This week they learned how to add and subtract decimals using the standard algorithm. On Wednesday, they worked on sequencing numbers. I told them this is a good thing because I believe it is on the Iowa Assessments. Basically they are trying to figure out the sequence of the numbers and then fill in the missing number. Their numbers are all decimals.
Here is an example: $5.00 $6.75 $8.50 $10. 25 _____, _______, _______
They had to determine what pattern was created. They figured out that each time the number increases by $1.75. Now they can find the next three numbers.
They have a couple more lessons in this chapter. I think next week we might be testing. I believe the final lesson in this chapter is about teaching them how to fill out a checkbook's record book with deposits and withdrawals.
Religion- We came back to finish up our chapter. This chapter dealt mostly with the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. They will most likely test on Monday. Our next mass is coming up on January 20th. I wanted to let you know that after mass that day we will have a reception for you the parents or grandparents. You are welcome to join the 5th graders for juice, coffee, and donuts.
Catholic Schools Week is coming up on January 31-February 5. Keep an eye out for a calendar of events! We are doing some fun things that week!
Trivia Night-- The PTO is hosting a trivia night on Saturday, January 3oth at Crestmoor for adults! There will be food and drinks! Individual spots will cost $25 or you can reserve a table for your team of 8 for $200. Small groups can also come and they will join another table. There will be more info in Thursday's folder. Check it out! It could be a great night out for Moms and Dads as well as a good fund-raiser! I believe social hour is at 6:00 while the trivia game starts at 7:00.
The ST. Malachy Dinner and Auction is set for March 5. I am hoping to get some parent volunteers to take charge of the basket for the live auction and an item for the silent auction. You can choose the item you want to take care of! I will collect the monetary donations for you from the kids! Let me know if you can help out! It would be greatly appreciated!
I hope everyone is having a great week! It sounds like we may be getting a cold blast this weekend! Oh joy... I am ready for spring I think!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Reading- This week we are reading our final story in this unit. This story is nonfiction. It is about two more people that participated in some way with the Revolutionary War. One of them was part of the militia. The other was a woman name Sybil Ludington. She was similar to Paul Revere in that she went back horseback to warn the men to prepare to fight in Connecticut. We are also reading the famous poem about Paul Revere this week. I found a little scene from The Andy Griffith Show that really explains what Paul did that night. It is kind of funny with Barney! I am not sure if your kids will know that show or not! I may be showing my age!
Next week will be the third unit test, so it will be test week. They will also be getting their next book report assigned. It won't be due until later in February. I am also going to try and use some of our time on Friday of next week to begin the next creative writing assignment. I will wait to see how things go.
Math- This week they learned how to add and subtract decimals using the standard algorithm. On Wednesday, they worked on sequencing numbers. I told them this is a good thing because I believe it is on the Iowa Assessments. Basically they are trying to figure out the sequence of the numbers and then fill in the missing number. Their numbers are all decimals.
Here is an example: $5.00 $6.75 $8.50 $10. 25 _____, _______, _______
They had to determine what pattern was created. They figured out that each time the number increases by $1.75. Now they can find the next three numbers.
They have a couple more lessons in this chapter. I think next week we might be testing. I believe the final lesson in this chapter is about teaching them how to fill out a checkbook's record book with deposits and withdrawals.
Religion- We came back to finish up our chapter. This chapter dealt mostly with the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. They will most likely test on Monday. Our next mass is coming up on January 20th. I wanted to let you know that after mass that day we will have a reception for you the parents or grandparents. You are welcome to join the 5th graders for juice, coffee, and donuts.
Catholic Schools Week is coming up on January 31-February 5. Keep an eye out for a calendar of events! We are doing some fun things that week!
Trivia Night-- The PTO is hosting a trivia night on Saturday, January 3oth at Crestmoor for adults! There will be food and drinks! Individual spots will cost $25 or you can reserve a table for your team of 8 for $200. Small groups can also come and they will join another table. There will be more info in Thursday's folder. Check it out! It could be a great night out for Moms and Dads as well as a good fund-raiser! I believe social hour is at 6:00 while the trivia game starts at 7:00.
The ST. Malachy Dinner and Auction is set for March 5. I am hoping to get some parent volunteers to take charge of the basket for the live auction and an item for the silent auction. You can choose the item you want to take care of! I will collect the monetary donations for you from the kids! Let me know if you can help out! It would be greatly appreciated!
I hope everyone is having a great week! It sounds like we may be getting a cold blast this weekend! Oh joy... I am ready for spring I think!
God Bless, Miss Surma
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