Hello Parents! We made it a week! Whew! I think we are slowly establishing a routine to our days! They have even had a little homework to do for me! 

Calendar Dates:

Aug. 31- Picture Day

Sept. 1- 3 hour early out/ Spirit Day

Sept. 4 Labor Day/ No School

Sept. 6- Welcome Back Picnic 5-7 pm

Sept. 20- 5th grade mass

Spirit Day- This Friday is Spirit Day. The 5th graders can wear sweatpants and/or a hat and/or sunglasses for $1. The sunglasses will be worn out at recess only...not during class time. I know it is supposed to be pretty warm on Friday, so they may not want to wear sweats. It is optional. They don't have to do either! 

Reading- Okay, this new series is sending the teachers into panic mode almost daily. There are a lot of online tools that we can use with the kids...as long as the website is up and running. I don't have a certain flow established yet like I did with the other series. That will come in time. Our story this week is a narrative nonfiction story about Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and their inventions, but it also gives us a tidbit of their friendship. In grammar we are focusing on writing complete sentences that include a subject and predicate. We are also looking at the sentences to see if they are complete, fragments, run-on, or a comma splice. That is a NEW one for me! A comma splice sentence is when you combine two complete sentences with just a comma! I always thought that was a comma and a conjunction- and, but, or or. This one I have to get used to! Their spelling words are using short vowel sounds. They did a worksheet on Wednesday with the group sorting their spelling words  based on the sounds. I do plan on giving them a post test on Friday. They were given a list on Monday. I told them to take it home and put it on the fridge so they could practice their words with you. Some of them got a highlighted list.  The new series has a weekly assessment, but it is more like a cold read story they need to read and answer questions. Some of the questions will be about the story and others will be about the skills we have worked on. 

Math- They took a readiness test on Tuesday. This just shows me what they remember from 4th grade math. On Wednesday, they did another little review and then we dived into the chapter! Our first lesson was on exponents. I told them this is a teaser for Algebra!  They had to solve multiplication problems  using the number 10 with an exponent.  I think I need to learn how to type exponents on here so I can show you! They really seemed to catch on and enjoy it! I know not every day will be like this, but don't worry. I told them if they don't get it, they will work with me one on one!  I don't want them frustrated to the point of tears! Although, I know there will be days like that in the future. Those are math growing pains. 

Religion- We discussed the Bible and how it is made up. They will be working on an assignment searching for certain verses in the Bible and then recording the title for me. 

Early out on Friday- it is 3 hours early so lunch will not be served.  Mrs. Burg, Mrs. Sickels, and I did talk and I will take them out for a short recess before they go home. 

🚗🚘🚙 Just a reminder for parents and grandparents who pick up  their kids in the car line. Please make sure you look over the directions on the website or that Mrs. Simmons sent home last week. We are trying to provide the quickest and safest pick up for your kids. If you have someone new to the routine picking them up, please make sure to go over that with them as well. Thank you!!! 

Welcome Back Picnic is set for next Wednesday from 5-7 here at school. We have it in the courtyard. Keep a look out for more information! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Enjoy that extra day! If you are planning on going to Fridays After Five at the Elks on Friday, I may see you there! This is the last one and it is for the STM Foundation! Other than that, I don't have big plans...cleaning my house! 🤣🤣

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, This is my first blog of the year! They usually go out on Wednesday or Thursdays. I will email you the link as well as post it on our Facebook page. If you have Facebook invite me to be your friend so that I can send you the invite for our page. It is a private page only for those I have invited! 

Calendar Dates:

Aug. 30- Mass Day

Aug. 31- Picture Day

Sept. 1- 3 hour early out

Sept. 4 Labor Day/ No School

Reading- We have a new series this year! We (the teachers) will be learning along with the kids how this series works and what we can get through. I am really not starting that until next week. On Friday I plan on giving them a qualitative spelling test. This just lets me know the kind of spellers they are and what kinds of things throw them if they misspell. 

They will have 3 book reports to do this year. I give one each trimester. I will let you know when I assign it and when it is due. I also give them a little packet of choices for their projects. 

Math- there is a readiness test that I give at the beginning of the year just to see what they remember from last year the concepts they know. It isn't anything they get a grade on or have to correct. 

Religion- In 5th grade we do focus on the Rosary during the month of October. They will be learning some new prayers and all of the decades. The decades aren't something they need to memorize. It is more about what is really happening during that decade. 

Picture Day- Next Thursday, the 31st is picture day! They usually take their pics before they have PE. If they want to wear a certain shirt for the pictures and then change into a T-shirt afterwards, that is totally fine! We can handle that! The picture order form is going home this week in the Take Home Folder. Please return it by Tuesday or Wednesday next week. 

Homework Expectations- The 5th graders will have homework, but I try really hard to make sure they get class time to work on. Typically, I don't have a lot of kids that take it home, but that doesn't mean they won't every once in a while.  It also depends on how they "use" their work time. 

This year will be the goal of getting them ready for life in middle school. They need to make sure they are getting their assignment books signed each night. They need to make sure their homework or projects are done.  They need to remember their band instruments. They need to take on some responsibility. They don't get to call home to have Mom or Dad bring them something they forgot. 

Water bottles are optional. Our drinking fountains are open so they can use those throughout the day! 

I think we will have a great year! I'm excited to have them in my room. I am excited to welcome Jude and Ava to our class and school. I hope they love it as much as I do! 

We had a really good first day, I think! I hope they did too! Have a great weekend! Stay cool!!!

God Bless,

Miss Surma