Hello Parents,

Happy Wednesday! So much energy this week with fun clothing and the realization that Christmas break is around the corner! 

Calendar Dates:

Dec. 22- Bring a Sack Lunch

Dec. 23- Jan. 2- Christmas Break

January 3- Classes Resume/ Mass Day

Reading- We finished our story about the Wild West this week. We enjoyed the biscuits from Mrs. Clark in the kitchen! The struggle was real for moving west back then. I don't know that I could have handled all the hardships. Those people were so strong! They will test over this Wild West story on Thursday. On Friday morning we will do the weekly assessment, but we are doing it on paper this time. They are going to work with me to figure out how to look up hints or answers in the story. I am hoping they will learn that there is no rush. They have plenty of time. They will also have a spelling test on Friday. 

Math- We finished our chapter! They took a test on Wednesday! When we get back from break I am going to start the multiplication of decimals chapter. Most likely I will be jumping around in that chapter a little bit because I want us to get to division and fractions! 

Religion- this week we have been covering Advent. On Monday, we discussed the people we remember on the Jesse Tree. I did show them two short little videos on Ruth and Queen Esther because we don't know them as well. On Tuesday, we discussed our own family trees. They may have questions about their ethnicity. We also talked about traits that we pick up from our parents: height, hair color, etc. When we return we will do a short chapter on Christmas. 

Mass- Starting in January the first graders and kindergarten kids will start to do mass. The 5th graders will be helping the kindergartners with their masses. Some of the 5th graders will have reading parts, some may only hold the microphone. Not all 5th graders will have a job. We do have mass that first day back in January! Dress up! Maybe we will have some snow by then! 

Thank you so much for the nice Christmas presents!!! They are so great! The snacks I am probably going to share with my family! I am heading to Waterloo to spend it with my brother and sister and their families.  I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! 🎄✝❤

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents! Happy Wednesday! I hope your week is going well! We are busy little elves I feel like this week! I can't believe we only have one more week until Christmas break! 

Calendar Dates:

Dec. 11-15- Coin Wars 

Dec. 14- Sing for CDA at Holy Spirit

Dec. 15- Spirit Day

Dec. 23- Jan. 2- Christmas Break

January 3- Classes Resume/ Mass Day

Dress Up Days Next Week: 

Dec. 18- Grinch Day/ Wear Green

Dec. 19- Pajama Day/ Slippers/Robe

Dec. 20- Dress up- Mass Day

Dec. 21- Dress Up as your favorite Christmas Carol

Dec. 22- Ugly Sweater/ Favorite Christmas Shirt

Don't forget to wear your winter coats etc., on these days! Recess will be chilly in PJs. 

Reading- In their folders you will find their scores from their Module test last week. They did better! We took time on Monday to go over the test question by question and discussed possible hints that might have helped them or using their composition notebook for help too. On Tuesday, we started our next module. This one covers the Wild West. They had to discuss what they already knew about the move out west years ago and we focused on some key vocabulary words. We are going to be reading a story that is informational-nonfiction. It is about the things the pioneers had to experience on their travels west. I found it really interesting, but I like learning about that time period in our nation's history. This is another longer story, so we won't be on a 5 day cycle. I will make sure we get this done before Christmas break. 

Book Report- They were given their next project last week. They all have a Newbery Winner or Newbery Honor book. The final day to switch books is Friday. I know a couple of them have already finished reading!  The project is due on January 26. Those that have finished reading might want to start on their project now before they forget all the details. 

Religion- They did a great job on their chapter test! We will be focusing on the Advent season before break. 

Math- Our schedule this week has been a little off. I am still hoping we can get the chapter test in next week before break. Multiplying 3 digits by 2 digits has thrown some of them off a bit. 

Congratulations to the 5th graders! They won the cookie party for the

 Read-A-Thon for most minutes read! Thank you to those who participated!!! 

Friday, December 22- The kids will need a sack lunch. Milk will be provided so they do not need a drink. The kids will eat lunch with their Advent Angels in the gym. After lunch is when we do the caroling. You are welcome to come and sing along. That will start around 12:30.  In the past SOME Angels like to get their Angel partner a Christmas gift. This is NOT required. Please remember to make the gift something simple and easy for their buddy to carry home that day! Please don't spend more than $5. Again, this is optional! No worries, I will remind you again next week! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I need to finish up wrapping gifts and maybe start some holiday baking! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, 

Well, it's been an off and on couple of weeks since coming back from Thanksgiving. Lots of short fuses and picking at each other. Not every day, but it feels like it sometimes. It's nothing horrible! Don't worry. I just think we are getting on each other's nerves.  I think we are just in that Christmas mode and ready for a longer break. We will make it through! Only 2 more weeks! They may nag at each other in one minute, but then they are all giggles  the next! I love your kids! ❤

 Calendar Dates:

Dec. 6- Christmas Program 6 pm

Dec. 8- Mass/ Holy Day of Obligation/Noisy Change Collection

Dec. 11-15- Coin Wars 

Dec. 14- Sing for CDA at Holy Spirit

Dec. 15- Spirit Day

Dec. 23- Jan. 2- Christmas Break

Permission  Slip- Another one in your child's folder! This one is an invite to the church to sing for the CDA. The ladies are also super sweet and make lunch for us! I told the kids they usually make really good dishes, but if your child is worried...tell them to pack a sack lunch. We usually walk away feeling stuffed. The 5th graders will also sing their Christmas songs for the ladies. I feel lucky that I get to go every year with the 5th graders. Please return ASAP. 

Reading- They took their selection quiz on Tuesday over our hurricane story. They took their weekly module test on Wednesday. They also took their spelling test. On Thursday, we will take the Module Test (unit test).

Religion- We finished up our chapter on the Beatitudes. On Monday we had to create hashtags for what we could do to live like Jesus. That was fun to write! They will test next week! We will then start working on Advent. 

Math- We are working on multiplying larger numbers by two digit numbers. We are also working on some of our factors have 0 in them! They have the process down for the most part, but when it became a number in the hundreds that slowed some of them down. We also have some little errors in adding or not dropping the 0. They are making great strides! 

Coin Wars will start next week!

Don't forget if you can help out by donating to the nursing homes, please do!  We have more people this year! 200! Please help out if you can and thank you to those who already have sent items in ! They are so appreciated! 

Advent Angels activity will begin this Friday! Don't forget we have mass on Friday. It is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. There will also be a Noisy Change Collection at mass. This money goes to help our adopted families. We buy some Christmas presents for them. 

Prayers- I just wanted to let you know that your kids are great at praying for you and others! I feel like every morning during our morning prayer, they keep adding more people to their list. It makes our prayer take a little more time, but I don't care! I love that they care so much for others! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma