Hello Parents, I hope everyone enjoyed their spring break. I know I did. I was able to get some stuff done at home that I had been procrastinating on forever! I also got some school work done!

Book Report #3- I gave them a pink packet on this report on Monday. It has their 3 options for the reports in it. The due date is May 13. I haven't let them choose their book yet because I want them to look at the books in the library on Wednesday. As I told them, they should keep that pink packet with the book so that they can take notes as they read. The internet is the backup source AFTER they have finished reading the book. Sometimes dates aren't in the books. If your child picks the poster as their project, I am talking about those big ones they use for the science fair.They have the sides that fold in.  You can find them in Wal-Mart or something really big. My 12x18 paper won't be big enough to show everything. They can use any stencils or scrapbook accessories to add to it to make it colorful. 

Reading- This week they are reading a story called Tucket's Travels. This young boy Francis was kidnapped on the Oregon Trail by the Pawnee. He escapes and ends up helping two other children who lost their dad due to cholera. They are traveling thru a desert like area and trying to keep away from the Comancheros. They find a group of trees to hide in and a thunderstorm hits. They are pelted with rain and hail the size of his fist. The good thing is they have water to drink and their tracks have been washed away. Their grammar this week is verb usage in a sentence...using the forms of be and have. 

Math- They are testing this week. We will start on Thursday and Friday with dividing decimals. They do some hands on activities first before we really get back into the pencil and paper. It is a fun way to ease into the topic. 

Religion- We started a chapter on Lent this week. On Tuesday I broke them into pairs, groups, or working alone to create a poster that describes and shows an important day during the Lent season. They will be posted outside our room if you are in school and want to check them out. 

Next week Wednesday, April 3, the 5th graders will be in charge of leading the rosary before mass. It will start at 8:50. I will give them their part on Friday. We will practice in the classroom then and next week. Not everyone will have a part. You will have to ask your child if they are helping with it. It is NOT our mass day. We are only leading the rosary. You are more than welcome to join us!! 

Spirit Day is this Friday! $1 for sweats or a hat or BOTH  and I hear rain is in the forecast, so that's a perfect day for cozy sweatpants! :) The money from Friday is going towards the Nigerian Seminary. 

Fish Fry- I know an email went out looking for volunteers to help with the Fish Fry. Please sign up if you are able! It is a yummy meal! 

Have a great weekend! I am heading to Waterloo for my niece Emily's confirmation on Saturday. 

God Bless, 
Miss Surma