Dear Parents, I hope this week is going well for you! I feel like it is flying by quickly and we only have 4 days! Has everyone finished their Christmas shopping?? Sadly, I am not. 😀
Reading- This week we are reading a story about King George. He was a king who thought what he was doing was just fine and the colonists should be okay with his decisions. He couldn't understand why they were upset about paying taxes on tea and other things. After the Boston Tea Party occurred he decided he would just be more strict thinking that would make them change their minds. Did you know that he really suffered from a disease that caused mental illness? People back then didn't realize it and just thought he'd gone mad. In our grammar lessons we are working on the tenses of verbs-- present, past, and future. On Monday, they made two big lists of present and past tense verbs on the chalkboard... while doing that they hopefully noticed that most of the past tense verbs ended in -ed. Tomorrow morning (Thursday) they will test over their spelling words and a test over the story. When we return from break for those two days, we will do other things. I won't start a new story until the first full week in January.
Math- They have been working on rounding decimals to the nearest whole number, tenth, and hundredth. The hardest concept for them to understand is that when the directions say round to the nearest tenth or hundredth...the whole number doesn't disappear, Many kids do this....8.718 rounded to the nearest hundredth is 0.02. They also have a hard time remembering that when we say the whole number that means the number in the ones column. I am not sure they totally understand that the decimal part is only part of a whole.
Religion- This week they went to reconciliation with Father Adam. This was our first experience with him and this sacrament. Congrats to Jace on receiving the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation for the first time! In class we are doing activities around Advent. Yesterday they worked with a partner on writing an Advent Acrostic poem. They also had to compare the season of Advent to some other celebration of their choosing.
Thursday-- Christmas Caroling from 12:15-12:45 in the gym.
They will need a sack lunch tomorrow. No drink.
Wear your Ugly Christmas Sweater or Christmas Festive clothing and/or accessories
After the caroling, we will go back to our room to play games. I told the kids they can bring their favorite board game or card game from home. We will have a treat from Melanie for her birthday.
I also told them the games along with their boots and snow pants would go home over break. It doesn't look like we will be having a white Christmas.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas! I will be spending it in Waterloo at my brother's house. My sister Eva and her kids will join us from Pennsylvania and my sister and her girls from Waverly. It will be a full house! Merry Christmas!!!!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Hello Parents! I hope all is well with you! We are trying to hold on with some normalcy before Christmas break kicks in!
Reconciliation- The 5th graders will have the opportunity to go to confession on Monday with Father Adam. As always the non-Catholics can receive a blessing from him.
Reading - Last Friday we started our new unit. This one is all about the Revolutionary War. The story we are reading is called Dangerous Crossings. It is historical fiction. The main characters are John Adams and his son Johnny. It is about their trip aboard The Boston on their journey to France where John Adams is supposed to meet with King George and discuss getting the French's help with the war. Even though it is fiction, they do include some writings from his personal diary. Their trip is not without some problems: stormy seas, three British ships following them, and a merchant ship which they take over. We also discuss how long it took them to get to France. There was no GPS. In grammar we are discussing pronouns and the different kinds. They made a notebook page with key information in it that they can use on Thursday for the test. We will be testing on Thursday for the story and the spelling words.
Religion-they finished their Beatitudes chapter. Our next one is learning about the Church calendar which I go over every year with 3-5th. We will then get into an Advent chapter.
Math- we are digging into our decimals chapter. The first lesson was for them to be able to get used to the place value names, especially thousandths. They have also learned to write the value of a digit in a decimal-- telling me what it is worth. This week they learned to write the decimals in expanded form and written form. For example: 2.345 in expanded form looks like (2x1)+(3x1/10)+(4x1/100)+(5x1/1000). In written form it is is two and three hundred forty-five thousandths. We are also going to be working on comparing and ordering decimals. This is usually a confusing area for some kids. They tend to think that since the decimal has more numbers in it... it must be bigger. 0.3 and 0.003. I do a lot of comparisons with money because it is easy for them to picture that in their heads.
Thursday, December 19- the kids will need a sack lunch for that day. Milk will be provided. If they want to dress up in their ugly Christmas sweater or wear their Christmas accessories-- they are more than welcome to do so! Christmas caroling will begin around 12:15 and go to 12:45. You are welcome to join us. I don't have our afternoon fully planned out, but I know that I am going to give us time to play board games and card games. If they have a favorite game at home and want to bring it to school that day that would be great. They will bring it home that day. I will also make sure they take home their boots and snow pants for the break. It gives me a chance to clean out the closet. 😉
Advent Angels- During the season of Advent, our students spend quality time with their angels and build great relationships. Over the years students like to purchase their angel a gift for Christmas. We appreciate the kindness and generosity students show to one another. We encourage students to keep their gifts small (under $5) and easy for students to take on the bus. Thank you for your consideration. If you've already purchased gift that is fine, but consider this for the future.
Christmas Dress Up Days-- Kids can participate if they want to! Monday- Wear Red
Tuesday- Wear Green Wednesday- Dress Up for mass Thursday- Ugly Christmas Sweater or Christmas Accessories!
I feel like I am forgetting something...if I remember what that is, I will send out another blog! Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reconciliation- The 5th graders will have the opportunity to go to confession on Monday with Father Adam. As always the non-Catholics can receive a blessing from him.
Reading - Last Friday we started our new unit. This one is all about the Revolutionary War. The story we are reading is called Dangerous Crossings. It is historical fiction. The main characters are John Adams and his son Johnny. It is about their trip aboard The Boston on their journey to France where John Adams is supposed to meet with King George and discuss getting the French's help with the war. Even though it is fiction, they do include some writings from his personal diary. Their trip is not without some problems: stormy seas, three British ships following them, and a merchant ship which they take over. We also discuss how long it took them to get to France. There was no GPS. In grammar we are discussing pronouns and the different kinds. They made a notebook page with key information in it that they can use on Thursday for the test. We will be testing on Thursday for the story and the spelling words.
Religion-they finished their Beatitudes chapter. Our next one is learning about the Church calendar which I go over every year with 3-5th. We will then get into an Advent chapter.
Math- we are digging into our decimals chapter. The first lesson was for them to be able to get used to the place value names, especially thousandths. They have also learned to write the value of a digit in a decimal-- telling me what it is worth. This week they learned to write the decimals in expanded form and written form. For example: 2.345 in expanded form looks like (2x1)+(3x1/10)+(4x1/100)+(5x1/1000). In written form it is is two and three hundred forty-five thousandths. We are also going to be working on comparing and ordering decimals. This is usually a confusing area for some kids. They tend to think that since the decimal has more numbers in it... it must be bigger. 0.3 and 0.003. I do a lot of comparisons with money because it is easy for them to picture that in their heads.
Thursday, December 19- the kids will need a sack lunch for that day. Milk will be provided. If they want to dress up in their ugly Christmas sweater or wear their Christmas accessories-- they are more than welcome to do so! Christmas caroling will begin around 12:15 and go to 12:45. You are welcome to join us. I don't have our afternoon fully planned out, but I know that I am going to give us time to play board games and card games. If they have a favorite game at home and want to bring it to school that day that would be great. They will bring it home that day. I will also make sure they take home their boots and snow pants for the break. It gives me a chance to clean out the closet. 😉
Advent Angels- During the season of Advent, our students spend quality time with their angels and build great relationships. Over the years students like to purchase their angel a gift for Christmas. We appreciate the kindness and generosity students show to one another. We encourage students to keep their gifts small (under $5) and easy for students to take on the bus. Thank you for your consideration. If you've already purchased gift that is fine, but consider this for the future.
Christmas Dress Up Days-- Kids can participate if they want to! Monday- Wear Red
Tuesday- Wear Green Wednesday- Dress Up for mass Thursday- Ugly Christmas Sweater or Christmas Accessories!
I feel like I am forgetting something...if I remember what that is, I will send out another blog! Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Monday, December 9, 2019
Happy Monday!!! A few reminders: 1.)Tomorrow students can vote on the decorated doors. Each vote is $1. The civics club is giving the money to a charity they have chosen. 2.) They need to make sure they have their WINTER clothes for recess this week! Tomorrow is going to be COLD!!!! Please bundle up! 3.) This is the last week for bringing in donations for the Food Pantry. Please help out if possible!
Thanks so much!!!
Miss Surma
Thanks so much!!!
Miss Surma
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Hello Parents, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I enjoyed my time in Waterloo with my brother and sister-in-law and their kids!
Reading- This week they are taking the unit test. I will send scores home next week. Typically they score higher on this one than the first one. They have the same number of questions but fewer stories to read. We are also starting our new unit on Friday. This way I can get two stories in before we go on Christmas break. Our next unit is a favorite of mine. Every story deals with someone from the Revolutionary War time. If you haven't heard from your child or others, they will also be listening to the songs from the musical Hamilton. The songs are a great of way of telling the story of Alexander Hamilton. If you're ever given the chance, I would go to the musical. It is amazing! One man created the story and wrote the songs. Many are raps. I think that is part of the attraction for the kids. I know some of the boys already know the songs because of their older brothers. :)
Math- They did GREAT on their chapter tests. I wanted to let you know that before Thanksgiving I gave them the exact same test ...as a practice test. We did that on a Friday. On the next Monday we went over every problem and discussed common errors made. I showed them what their grade would be,but it was not something I put in the grade book. Then on Tuesday, they took the exact same test. Everyone's scores improved! Some made huge leaps! Normally, the kids do the chapter review and we go over that, but the conference I attended in Des Moines in September told us that we should have a "dress rehearsal". We shouldn't set the kids up for failure and we should try to address the issues before the test. I didn't let them go home with the test as a study guide though. I don't think they could've memorized answers because they had to show all their work to get the credit. I just found that to be such an A-HA moment! I really think it worked too based on the scores. The kids were shocked to see that it was the same test, even though I had told them it would be. I think there was some relief too. We started our new chapter on decimals on Tuesday! They first learn about the place value names and the value of each one.
Book Reports- I assigned their next report. They should all have a book picked out. This time they had to choose a book that was either a Newbery Winner or a Newbery Honor book. They have the same list of projects to choose from, but this time they must choose another activity. These are not due until January 29, 2020, so they have some time!!!
Writing- This week I assigned their next creative writing assignment. I read the story The Mysteries of Harris Burdick to them by Chris Van Allsburg. They are doing their rough drafts on their chromes this time. To explain it here would be too difficult, but your child can certainly tell you! Their rough draft will be shared to me by Dec. 19. They are to have at least one full page typed. From what they are telling me, these will be great stories! There is a lot of creativity here!
Religion- We are finishing up our chapter this week on the Beatitudes. They will test over it early next week! My plan is to go into a discussion about our church calendar and Advent next.
Spirit Day is Friday! We are also working at the Food Pantry then!
Advent Angels started on Wednesday!
Food Pantry Donations- We are collecting personal hygiene products to take to the Food Pantry. If you are able to help out, please send them to school by Friday, Dec. 13. Thanks!!!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I know the kids are on the countdown to Christmas break! We wish Sadie and Ethel a safe trip to London and we hope they have a wonderful time!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reading- This week they are taking the unit test. I will send scores home next week. Typically they score higher on this one than the first one. They have the same number of questions but fewer stories to read. We are also starting our new unit on Friday. This way I can get two stories in before we go on Christmas break. Our next unit is a favorite of mine. Every story deals with someone from the Revolutionary War time. If you haven't heard from your child or others, they will also be listening to the songs from the musical Hamilton. The songs are a great of way of telling the story of Alexander Hamilton. If you're ever given the chance, I would go to the musical. It is amazing! One man created the story and wrote the songs. Many are raps. I think that is part of the attraction for the kids. I know some of the boys already know the songs because of their older brothers. :)
Math- They did GREAT on their chapter tests. I wanted to let you know that before Thanksgiving I gave them the exact same test ...as a practice test. We did that on a Friday. On the next Monday we went over every problem and discussed common errors made. I showed them what their grade would be,but it was not something I put in the grade book. Then on Tuesday, they took the exact same test. Everyone's scores improved! Some made huge leaps! Normally, the kids do the chapter review and we go over that, but the conference I attended in Des Moines in September told us that we should have a "dress rehearsal". We shouldn't set the kids up for failure and we should try to address the issues before the test. I didn't let them go home with the test as a study guide though. I don't think they could've memorized answers because they had to show all their work to get the credit. I just found that to be such an A-HA moment! I really think it worked too based on the scores. The kids were shocked to see that it was the same test, even though I had told them it would be. I think there was some relief too. We started our new chapter on decimals on Tuesday! They first learn about the place value names and the value of each one.
Book Reports- I assigned their next report. They should all have a book picked out. This time they had to choose a book that was either a Newbery Winner or a Newbery Honor book. They have the same list of projects to choose from, but this time they must choose another activity. These are not due until January 29, 2020, so they have some time!!!
Writing- This week I assigned their next creative writing assignment. I read the story The Mysteries of Harris Burdick to them by Chris Van Allsburg. They are doing their rough drafts on their chromes this time. To explain it here would be too difficult, but your child can certainly tell you! Their rough draft will be shared to me by Dec. 19. They are to have at least one full page typed. From what they are telling me, these will be great stories! There is a lot of creativity here!
Religion- We are finishing up our chapter this week on the Beatitudes. They will test over it early next week! My plan is to go into a discussion about our church calendar and Advent next.
Spirit Day is Friday! We are also working at the Food Pantry then!
Advent Angels started on Wednesday!
Food Pantry Donations- We are collecting personal hygiene products to take to the Food Pantry. If you are able to help out, please send them to school by Friday, Dec. 13. Thanks!!!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I know the kids are on the countdown to Christmas break! We wish Sadie and Ethel a safe trip to London and we hope they have a wonderful time!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
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