Hello Parents, I hope you are having a great week! Our trip to St. Louis was GREAT! We had a lot of fun, plus we all took back a lot of great ideas for future activities at STM. Most of my sessions were religion based. They dealt mostly with ideas for service projects.
Field Trip- First, thank you to the parents that went with us to Des Moines. Your assistance was wonderful. The day went so great! Once again, I got a little teary eyed watching them all perform their jobs. They have been working so hard at school, it was just so great to see them put it all into action. They learned to value their lunch breaks! They were so busy. Mrs. Sickels and I helped in the book store. I couldn't believe how quickly we had to work. Our CEO was constantly paying bills after her lunch break!
Reading- We are reading our last story Lewis & Clark in this unit. We read about their expedition to find a waterway that went from one coast to the other. We learned about the barriers that slowed them down. In grammar they are working on contractions. In spelling we are working on the adding the suffix-ion. They will test on Friday. Next week will be our unit test week.
After that, we will be working on Unit 6, but I will also be doing the play with them. We most likely won't finish Unit 6. Most of them have also picked their latest autobiography or biography book. I told them they needed to make that choice by this Friday. They have a packet with the information needed to create this book report. They will have to have a costume. I told them NOT to go out and buy something...check their closet or yours! The Rerun may also have something they can use. If you have questions- shoot me an email. These will be due on May 24. The packet also includes questions for them to answer as they read their book. I did tell them that once they are done reading the book and if they still have questions that are unanswered, they can look those up online. They are required to read the book first.
Math- Now that Biz Town is done, we will get back to our division chapter!
Religion- I meant to show this before Easter, but I couldn't find my tapes. I did find them finally in the lounge! They are watching The Ten Commandments.
On Wednesday, Troy McBroom, Mrs. Kendrick's dad, came to our room to talk to the 3-5th graders about his trip to Israel. It was so cool. We saw pictures of the Jordan River, he showed us pictures of the cave in which Jesus was born. They had to put marble down on the floor because too many people were coming in to chip it away and take it with them. He showed us the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before he was arrested. We saw the place that Pilate most likely held the trial of Jesus. He showed us where David fought Goliath. He even brought some rocks back from that area. He gave each child a small bottle of shells from the Sea of Galilee. He taught them some common words to say in Hebrew.
Lap-A-Thon is set for Thursday, May 4. The kids should wear clothes that are comfortable to run in. They may want sweats in case it is chilly. I usually recommend 2 pairs of shoes and socks for that day. Many times that ground is really muddy. This way they can change when they get done. They can bring a water bottle and music to listen to while they run. They should return their pledge envelope by next week. There will be a sign up genius being sent out to all parents if you want to help that day.
Next week is May already!!! Where did our year go?? My time with your kids is running out!
Please continue to pray for Leisha Clark and her family with the passing of her mom. Father also announced that Father Pins' mother also passed away. We will keep them in our prayers.
Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Happy Thursday! I hope you are having a great week! This is such a crazy month! It is flying by us already!
Reading- Okay with these two weeks being really strange, I told the kids we would read our story like normal, but that I would not test them over this one. They will still have a spelling test next Friday. There are just too many things on our calendar this week and next week being gone, I don't feel it is fair to test them over it. We read a story called Rachel's Journal. It is historical fiction about a girl who records the accounts of her family's travel on the Oregon Trail in the 1800s. Again, they won't have to be tested over this story, but will have a spelling test next week.
Next Friday I will also talk to them about their final book report.
Math-- This week we worked on dividing decimals by whole numbers. The decimal part doesn't seem to be throwing them off too much, but some are struggling to remember how to divide. So, feel free to give them a problem to divide at home!
Biz Town- This week they received their job assignments. Mrs. Sickels and I spent a few hours on Sunday night going over their interviews. We decided that we needed to take into account our knowledge of each child's interests and capabilities when choosing their jobs. Some of the jobs were never applied for, which means some kids got a job they never asked for. They were all well received and I believe that day we are at Biz Town, they will be so busy and having so much fun, they will forget they may not have the job they really wanted. I can't wait to see them in action! This week they got together with the people they are going to be working with and had to create a name for their business. They also had to write up ads to be done for the magazine and radio in Biz Town. The CEO/CFOs had to fill out forms for the bank. They will also be writing some short articles that will be included in the Biz Town magazine!
When we go, they will need a sack lunch and drink. They will also need to wear mass day attire. They are going to work!
Clean-Up Day- The school will be cleaning up our school property on Friday, April 21. We are asking your kids to bring a rake to school that day if they have one! Make sure your family name is on it somewhere. If they have work gloves, they can bring those too. We will be raking along the fence and by Father Halbur's house.
Iowa Assessment scores are going home today. Please look in your child's folder for their results.
Religion- This week they worked in small groups to brainstorm ideas of how we can live out the Spiritual Works of Mercy. We then created an 8 page book to combine all of their ideas. I gave them the task of fulfilling one of them in the next week. I did take away the 7th one because technically they could all use that one because we do it every day in morning prayer. I want them to step out of the box and try to see what else they could do. They have until next Friday. If they are really struggling, they should talk to me on Thursday. I may be able to remind them of something they didn't even consider. I realize these are harder to do, but that doesn't mean that you can't do it. It just means you have to work harder.
I hope everyone has a blessed Easter! Safe travels if you are celebrating elsewhere! Enjoy the break! I will see your kids again on April 20!!!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reading- Okay with these two weeks being really strange, I told the kids we would read our story like normal, but that I would not test them over this one. They will still have a spelling test next Friday. There are just too many things on our calendar this week and next week being gone, I don't feel it is fair to test them over it. We read a story called Rachel's Journal. It is historical fiction about a girl who records the accounts of her family's travel on the Oregon Trail in the 1800s. Again, they won't have to be tested over this story, but will have a spelling test next week.
Next Friday I will also talk to them about their final book report.
Math-- This week we worked on dividing decimals by whole numbers. The decimal part doesn't seem to be throwing them off too much, but some are struggling to remember how to divide. So, feel free to give them a problem to divide at home!
Biz Town- This week they received their job assignments. Mrs. Sickels and I spent a few hours on Sunday night going over their interviews. We decided that we needed to take into account our knowledge of each child's interests and capabilities when choosing their jobs. Some of the jobs were never applied for, which means some kids got a job they never asked for. They were all well received and I believe that day we are at Biz Town, they will be so busy and having so much fun, they will forget they may not have the job they really wanted. I can't wait to see them in action! This week they got together with the people they are going to be working with and had to create a name for their business. They also had to write up ads to be done for the magazine and radio in Biz Town. The CEO/CFOs had to fill out forms for the bank. They will also be writing some short articles that will be included in the Biz Town magazine!
When we go, they will need a sack lunch and drink. They will also need to wear mass day attire. They are going to work!
Clean-Up Day- The school will be cleaning up our school property on Friday, April 21. We are asking your kids to bring a rake to school that day if they have one! Make sure your family name is on it somewhere. If they have work gloves, they can bring those too. We will be raking along the fence and by Father Halbur's house.
Iowa Assessment scores are going home today. Please look in your child's folder for their results.
Religion- This week they worked in small groups to brainstorm ideas of how we can live out the Spiritual Works of Mercy. We then created an 8 page book to combine all of their ideas. I gave them the task of fulfilling one of them in the next week. I did take away the 7th one because technically they could all use that one because we do it every day in morning prayer. I want them to step out of the box and try to see what else they could do. They have until next Friday. If they are really struggling, they should talk to me on Thursday. I may be able to remind them of something they didn't even consider. I realize these are harder to do, but that doesn't mean that you can't do it. It just means you have to work harder.
I hope everyone has a blessed Easter! Safe travels if you are celebrating elsewhere! Enjoy the break! I will see your kids again on April 20!!!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Happy Thursday Parents! I hope your week is going well. I feel like it is flying by! I have a feeling the entire month will feel like!
Literacy Night- Tonight is the night!!! It is a Come and Go! There will be a lot of games and activities for the kids! They can meet an author! They can stop by the Book Tasting for the 4th and 5th graders. The 5th graders do not have to stand by their book. If they come to the event...just go have fun and experience it all! I know the Literacy Committee has put a lot of effort into this event!
Dollars for Scholars-- The votes are in for the 5th grade essays! The three essays moving on to the contest belong to Ashlyn Baker, Austin Evans, and Dillon Starlin! Congrats! I believe the winner will be notified in May after a mass. We never know which one!
Math- This week they worked on estimating the quotient of decimals. They were using compatible numbers to get their answers. We don't do rounding when we divide, we get a much closer answer and no remainders when we use compatible numbers.
Today we will be working on Biz Town. We are going to practice interviewing. They will interview for their jobs tomorrow afternoon. We have asked a couple of parents from 4th and 5th grade to help us out. We asked parents who weren't attending Biz Town. We are also going to have the 5th grade parents interview the 4th graders, and the 5th graders will be interviewed by the 4th grade parents. We are just trying to make it more realistic for the kids. There is a good chance they won't know their future employer so we wanted to keep it as close to real as possible. Mrs. Sickels and I will make final job decisions and let the kids know some time next week.
Religion- We have started a new chapter that focuses on Jesus' mercy. The main points are the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. In 5th grade we really focus on the Spiritual Works, but it is always good to go over both of them. I found a short little video that I am going to show them. Besides using our book, it does a good job of explaining these and what we can do to help others "spiritually". It is coming out at a great time because I think we can easily relate what we do during Lent that is helpful.
Holy Thursday, April 13- Next week we will celebrate the Seder Meal as a school. It is one of my favorite traditions that we do here. That day there won't be an alternative at lunch. We will eat family style. That afternoon will be the Cross Walk. You are welcome to join us on that day. We are planning to leave around 12:30. This was a wonderful experience for all of us last year. I just hope the sun shines and the rain stays away. Miss Steinkamp is planning to take a picture of the entire student body in the church that day. It will be used in future ads and the newspaper next year. They would like students to wear a white shirt. If it is a t shirt-- it is to have as little writing on it as possible. We may also make them wear it inside out for the picture if there is too much on the front. I would also suggest tennis shoes and not sandals to walk in. That will be much easier to walk in. I believe we are doing this rain or shine, so if it is raining, they might to bring an umbrella to school.
Good Friday, April 14-- There is no school on that day! Remember no school on Monday- Wednesday the following week. The teachers will be in St. Louis.
Tomorrow, Friday, April 7 is a optional sack lunch day! Just remember we are still in Lent.
Have a great weekend. I am heading to Doon. I am meeting my sister there. Next week is the first year anniversary of my mom's passing, so we wanted to get home. I hope all of you have a GREAT weekend.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Literacy Night- Tonight is the night!!! It is a Come and Go! There will be a lot of games and activities for the kids! They can meet an author! They can stop by the Book Tasting for the 4th and 5th graders. The 5th graders do not have to stand by their book. If they come to the event...just go have fun and experience it all! I know the Literacy Committee has put a lot of effort into this event!
Dollars for Scholars-- The votes are in for the 5th grade essays! The three essays moving on to the contest belong to Ashlyn Baker, Austin Evans, and Dillon Starlin! Congrats! I believe the winner will be notified in May after a mass. We never know which one!
Math- This week they worked on estimating the quotient of decimals. They were using compatible numbers to get their answers. We don't do rounding when we divide, we get a much closer answer and no remainders when we use compatible numbers.
Today we will be working on Biz Town. We are going to practice interviewing. They will interview for their jobs tomorrow afternoon. We have asked a couple of parents from 4th and 5th grade to help us out. We asked parents who weren't attending Biz Town. We are also going to have the 5th grade parents interview the 4th graders, and the 5th graders will be interviewed by the 4th grade parents. We are just trying to make it more realistic for the kids. There is a good chance they won't know their future employer so we wanted to keep it as close to real as possible. Mrs. Sickels and I will make final job decisions and let the kids know some time next week.
Religion- We have started a new chapter that focuses on Jesus' mercy. The main points are the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. In 5th grade we really focus on the Spiritual Works, but it is always good to go over both of them. I found a short little video that I am going to show them. Besides using our book, it does a good job of explaining these and what we can do to help others "spiritually". It is coming out at a great time because I think we can easily relate what we do during Lent that is helpful.
Holy Thursday, April 13- Next week we will celebrate the Seder Meal as a school. It is one of my favorite traditions that we do here. That day there won't be an alternative at lunch. We will eat family style. That afternoon will be the Cross Walk. You are welcome to join us on that day. We are planning to leave around 12:30. This was a wonderful experience for all of us last year. I just hope the sun shines and the rain stays away. Miss Steinkamp is planning to take a picture of the entire student body in the church that day. It will be used in future ads and the newspaper next year. They would like students to wear a white shirt. If it is a t shirt-- it is to have as little writing on it as possible. We may also make them wear it inside out for the picture if there is too much on the front. I would also suggest tennis shoes and not sandals to walk in. That will be much easier to walk in. I believe we are doing this rain or shine, so if it is raining, they might to bring an umbrella to school.
Good Friday, April 14-- There is no school on that day! Remember no school on Monday- Wednesday the following week. The teachers will be in St. Louis.
Tomorrow, Friday, April 7 is a optional sack lunch day! Just remember we are still in Lent.
Have a great weekend. I am heading to Doon. I am meeting my sister there. Next week is the first year anniversary of my mom's passing, so we wanted to get home. I hope all of you have a GREAT weekend.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
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