Hello All- We have 7 days left before break! I can't believe I am noting January calendar dates already! 

Calendar Dates: 

Dec. 11- 5th grade sings at Holy Spirit

Dec. 17- 5th grade mass

Dec. 19- Need Sack Lunch

Dec. 20- Jan. 4- Christmas Break

Jan. 5- Classes Resume

Christmas Dress-up Days

Dec. 15- Dress as a Christmas Character

Dec. 16- Christmas Plaid

Dec. 17- Dress up for mass

Dec. 18- Shining, Bright, Festive

Dec. 19- Christmas Vacation (The Griswalds)  gear, ugly sweaters, and Christmas PJs

These days are optional for them! They don't have to dress up (except on Wednesday)! 

Friday after lunch and caroling in the gym we will go back to my room for a movie. I have a birthday celebration so that will be their treat that afternoon before we leave for break! 

Reading- They are taking their Module Test this week. I have broken it up over 3 days this time. I am hoping that helps with scores. I also read them the story The Mystery of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg. He is the author of The Polar Express and Jumangi. Inside are 14 different sketches. Each has a title and a caption. The kids are going to pick one of them and create a story around it. The caption that goes along with it will be in their story somewhere. I want them to have their rough draft done before we gone on break. My hope is that I will be able to edit them over break so they can fix them when we return.  

They also wrote their cinquain poem. This poem is 5 lines and is based on so many words and syllables per line. I want them to read them aloud first and then you will see them. They are written about someone they know. They will be giving them their poem when done. 

Math- We are working on multiplying decimals by decimals this week. The multiplying is fine, but remembering we need to count places to put the decimal in our final answer is the trick! 

Religion- We have been focusing on Mary this week since her holy day of obligation was on Monday. On Tuesday, the kids used their computers to research the different titles the church has given Mary. They found 15, but some found more than that! We will be getting back to our chapter study guide tomorrow ( Thursday) . They will test over the Beatitudes chapter next week on Monday.  I want to finish that chapter before we go on break. 

I gave out the mass parts today to those who will have a job. Many have more than one job. 

Reconciliation is on Friday for the 5th graders. We are going out with the middle school students this time to the chapel. 

Music- Just a reminder that we go to the church tomorrow to sing for the CDA and guests. They will provide us lunch. I told the kids if they were unsure then they should pack a sack lunch. It is usually a wonderful lunch! 

Pre-Christmas behaviors- We have not started off this week very well. Tempers are flaring. I know most of this comes because Christmas break is just around the corner and they are excited. They are ready to be away from each other. We are getting annoyed by things that normally wouldn't bother us.  I did rearrange desks again- hoping to make things a little better in that way. We also just need to remember to look for patience and walk away when things or people start to drive us crazy. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am heading to see my sister Penny. This week hasn't been a good one for her, lots of pain and panic attacks. I am hoping my presence will keep her calm for a couple of days anyway. 

God Bless,

Miss Surma