Hello Families! I hope you're having a good week! 

Calendar Dates: 

Oct. 28-31 Parent Teacher Conferences

Oct. 30- Halloween Parade @ 2:30

Oct. 31- No School/PTC

Nov. 1- No School / Holy Day of Obligation

Book Report Project Due on Friday, November 8! Some of the kids have been doing their project work here at school, but not everyone. 

Ala Carte at Lunch- We made a decision with our grade band of 3-5 when it comes to buying ala carte. We decided that they can buy for themselves, they can buy for one friend, or their entire class. They can no longer bring in money and buy for a larger random group of kids. We know they are being generous and sharing, but kids get left out that way. Kids start to feel bad because they aren't getting chosen. This goes into effect immediately.  

Reading- We started a new story this week. The second week always has two stories. The first story is just an excerpt from The Secret Garden. I wish we could read more of it!  The second story is actually a play. We are going to be talking about personification in this story because there are animals and plants that can talk like humans. It is a cute little play with lots of characters. It will be fun to read with the 5th graders. It's called The Miracle of Spring.  The grammar this week will be working on writing nouns in the plural form. I tell them that spelling will count on this because sometimes we have to change the spelling of a word to make it plural. 

I will not be sending home the latest reading test scores because I see you next week at conferences. I will show you then. 

Math- Multiplication begins! On Tuesday we worked on estimating the two factors and then finding the product. I heard lots of "Oh this is easy! I like this!" I hope they feel that way when we start to actually multiply three digits times two digits! I know they learned the partial product method with Mrs. Sickels last year. I stick with the standard algorithm so this is stuff you know how to do! 

Religion- We finished with the Mysteries of the Rosary. Check out their posters next week during conferences.  We are in a new chapter that covers all 7 sacraments. They are back in their religion books. 

Social Studies- Mrs. Sickels told me their Iowa History is wrapping up this week. They will be back in their regular textbooks on Friday. This will mean they will now have homework once in a while and chapter tests. 

Halloween Parade is next Wednesday at 2:30! You are welcome to come and take your child home afterwards. They should pack their costumes that day! They still have to dress up for mass. Bishop Joensen will be here for our mass. He is also doing the Catholic Radio Show here afterwards. I believe some of the 5th graders will be on it!

November 1- there is no school , but I wanted to remind you that it is a Holy Day of Obligation because it is All Saints Day. We typically have mass at school that day. Check the church's calendar to find the time to attend mass. 

Biz Town- Please check your child's folder for information on our field trip in November. We are looking for parents to go and drive! This will be first come, first serve. We need a lot of parents this year because our kids will be running a majority of the businesses.  It is such a great experience! A permission form will be coming home later. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am going to lay low at home since next week is so busy with conferences. I see some book reading in my future! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Happy Thursday Everyone! I hope you are having a good week! I am enjoying the cool temps! 

Calendar Dates: 

Oct. 18- Spirit Day

Oct. 28-31 Parent Teacher Conferences

Oct. 30- Halloween Parade @ 2:30

Oct. 31- No School/PTC

Nov. 1- No School

Conferences- Make sure you sign up for a time for conferences on JMC. They start on October 28 and go through the 31st. I can't believe we are already doing this! Where has the time gone?  I sent out an email earlier this week to the people I am missing. 

October 30- The Halloween Parade will be at 2:30. Kids should pack their Halloween costumes in their bags that day. You are welcome to come! Kids can go home with their parents after the parade. 

November 1- Dress Code change- no more shorts until March. 

Reading- This week we are continuing to work on our story Airborn.  The spelling posttest was today! Sorry, I forgot to send out an email yesterday to let you know so they could practice with you!  They will probably be testing over the story next week. After that I'd like to start working on Halloween stories. 

Math- We are finishing up our adding and subtracting of decimals and moving into multiplication. That will actually start on Friday! There may be times I allow them to use a calculator or do the multiplication mentally, but most times they will show their work. I will also be giving them a multiplication table to use when they are working their problems out. I still want them to learn their facts, but when we are working the problems- they need to work at solving it. I don't want them wasting their time trying to figure it out. The faster they get at knowing them automatically, the easier it will be in the future for them. 

Religion- They are working on their posters for the Mysteries of the Rosary. They will be hung in the halls for you to see during conferences!

Class Meeting- Today we had an impromptu class meeting. The end of recess was busy for Mrs. Sickels with the 5th graders. I won't go into those details, but we had a conversation about our class rules and expectations. Mainly we treat each other with kindness and respect. We include others. We don't judge others because they aren't like us. We accept each other for who we are.  It's typical at this time of year that we start to get bossy or a little short with our classmates because we've been with each other now for a while. We also tend to forget that not everyone likes the same things or has the same abilities or talents. That's okay! We are all different, but made in God's image. We need to remember that.  It's easy to judge others , but wouldn't it be nicer if we could just accept everyone for who they are and not for what they wear, how they look, or things they say? I told them that they are my kids during the day at school. Mine! I want them to be able to come into my room and know that they are loved and accepted by me and their classmates. They can be free to be who they are in my room! I won't put up with the other stuff. I LOVE your kids! This is a TERRIFIC bunch! I love that they can make me laugh or smile at any moment! I love how they will try anything new! They will do their best even if it means they don't always like it! They make coming to work each day a joy and not really "work" at all. So hopefully tomorrow at recess when I am on duty- I won't see the issues they had today! Please know it didn't involve everyone, but I just thought it was time to have a Come to Jesus meeting. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am going to Indianola on Saturday. My niece's soccer team is playing against Simpson. I know Olivia probably won't see any playing time, but I just want to see her face! 

God Bless, 

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents! I hope you had a great weekend and were able to enjoy the parade last Friday. I had a great time in Waterloo. I loved watching the soccer game at Loras even though my niece never saw any play time. We had fun celebrating her birthday! 

Calendar Dates: 

Oct. 14- No School/ PD Day

Oct. 16- Noisy Change Collection at Mass

Oct. 18- Spirit Day

Oct. 28-31 Parent Teacher Conferences

Oct. 31- No School/PTC

Nov. 1- No School

Noisy Change Collection- The 3rd graders are having a Noisy change collection at their mass on the 16th. They are donating their money to two organizations. There is a flyer in your child's take home folder explaining all the details. 

Math- We completed the first test. Our next chapter is on adding and subtracting decimals. I am not going to do every lesson in the chapter. We will hit on doing those two things as well as estimating decimals because that is just a harder concept for some kids to do. 

They are working on their X-tra math too! You will see certificates in their folders as they pass each one. 

Reading- This unit is about different genres in reading. Our first story is called Airborn. It is a longer story than we have had in the past. I have learned we cannot read it all in one day.  This story is fantasy. It is about a boy reading the journal of someone who took a ride in a hot air balloon and discovered a new animal. The animal flies in the air like a bird, but it looks like a bat and a panther mixed together! 

Grammar- We are working on identifying common and proper nouns. This is harder than you think. Sometimes proper nouns can really be used as an adjective. In the sentence- The American soldier returned home. American is an adjective describing the soldier.  Even some common nouns are so simple that we overthink it and miss it. For example: boys, girls, triangles steps. 

Spelling- The list this week has words sounding like oo or yoo. 

Book Reports- A number of them are finishing their books and working on their reports! Some of the projects can be done here at school. Some of the kids are using their free time to work on them. 

Religion- Most of the kids have passed their prayer tests. I have a few that only have one more to pass. I keep telling them they need to practice at home too, not just wait until religion class. On Friday, I will take them to the chapel and we will say a rosary there. 

Current Events- your kids have really been paying attention to the news and Hurricane Milton! Lots of prayers are being said each day for the people in Florida and surrounding areas.  Keep it up! 

They started working on their fire posters for the contest again. This is something they will work on at school. Lots of great ideas are happening! I am excited to see the posters! 

No school on Monday! PD day for the teachers! Enjoy your long weekend! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am heading to Sioux Falls to have a sisters weekend. My oldest sister had back surgery in August. My sister Penny and I are going to see her and hang out! 

God Bless, 

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents. 

 I hope you're having a great week! Lots of information in my blog today! 

Calendar Dates: 

Oct. 4- Homecoming/3 hour early out/Spirit Day

Oct. 14- No School/ PD Day

Oct. 18- Spirit Day

Oct. 28-31 Parent Teacher Conferences

Reading- They are taking their spelling posttest on Thursday. They will also take their weekly computer test then too. On Friday, they will take their first Module test. It's like a  unit test. I do let them use any notes they've taken through this unit . They have them in their composition notebook. Scores on weekly tests haven't been great, but I want to see how they do with the fiction stories in the next module. I still think some of them aren't going back to the story to look up the possible answers. Next week we will start our next unit. It has some fiction stories, which can be easier to read. 

Book Reports-Some have already finished their book report books and are starting to work on their projects. Some of those can be done at school. I have a few that I'm not sure they are really reading much of their book yet. They tell me their page numbers. They should be further along by now. They have had their books for a couple of weeks now. 

Book It- They have their Book It calendar for October. The goal is 600 minutes. That comes to about 20 minutes a day. I told them that if they read in their free time at school, they can keep track of those minutes and count them. 

Math- We are at the end of our chapter. They will most likely have a math test on Tuesday of next week. The next chapter is on adding and subtracting decimals. I think they will like this one a lot better. I don't know that I will test them in that chapter. I want to give them the practice of doing those things,  but we also need to be moving into multiplication and division. 

X-tra Math- This week we also started working on X-tra math to work on our basic facts. The time tests are good, but I think they need more daily practice with these skills.  Many of them did this in 3rd grade and at their old schools so it really isn't anything new. 

On Wednesday, we had extra time due to the rosary. I had them work in groups to play Kaboom. It is working on their multiplication facts. Ask them about the game! I think they had some fun! 

Religion- We are going to step away from the book for a bit. A couple of the standards they have to know in 5th grade deal with the Rosary. The first part will be memorizing two prayers we say in it. They have a purple sheet with those on it. Starting on Thursday they will work with a partner to practice memorizing it. They choose one prayer to focus on at a time. They have to say it to me in order to pass. They should also be taking that prayer home at night and practicing with you. The first chance to pass a prayer will be on Monday! They keep practicing and testing with me until they have it passed! 

The second thing they will be working on are the Mysteries of the Rosary. They don't memorize those, but there will be some posters being created on them. We also talk about what was happening at the time of each mystery with Jesus and Mary.

They did a FABULOUS job with the Rosary today!!! 

Spirit Day on Friday- wear your red and black to support the Panthers!  It is also a 3 hour early out! No lunch that day. 

The Parent Teacher Conference Sign-up will be happening soon. Don't forget to pick your day and time .

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Enjoy the parade if you're going. I am heading to Waterloo and Dubuque. My niece Olivia has a birthday on Friday and a soccer game at Loras on Saturday. I want to see her play. Most likely she won't see any playing time- she is a freshman, but I will get to see her with her team! Plus, I love the Loras campus. 

God Bless, 

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, 

I hope everyone is having a great week! I am loving these fall temps! Did you enjoy Balloon Days? I am glad the rain held off for a little while! 

Calendar Dates: 

Oct. 2- Rosary led by 5th grade

Oct. 4- Homecoming/3 hour early out/Spirit Day

Oct. 14- No School/ PD Day]

Oct. 18- Spirit Day

Mass- 5th graders did a GREAT job at mass today! I was so proud. Next week they will be doing the Rosary. You're welcome to join us then too. We will be working on the rosary during  class in religion too. 

Rosary parts were handed out on Thursday! They should be practicing at home with you!!!! Not everyone has a part. 

Math- We have been working on rounding decimals this week. They are also problem solving with decimals. We are at the end of our chapter. They will most likely be taking a test  over this chapter sometime next week. 

We do time tests on Wednesdays- I am starting to see some scores going home each week, but I think some of them need to work on them at home too. If you have flashcards or just want to ask them facts for multiplication or division up to 10...that would be good too. Math is a lot easier for them when they know their facts quickly. 

Reading -This week we read a fantasy story called Captain Arsenio. He had many jobs, but wasn't able to really do any of them well. He decided he was going  to create a way to fly. We read three of his attempts. He tried really hard, but none of them worked. It was kind of funny to read and then look at the pictures of his journeys into the sky. I told the kids that reading a fantasy is different than reading a nonfiction story like the past two were. We are going to talk about the problems he faced each time and how he attempted to solve them with the next try. 

Grammar- This week is about finding the complete subject and the complete predicate in a sentence. 

Spelling- the list has words with a long I or a long O sound. They do have lists so you quiz them at home if you'd like. 

October 1 - Pep Rally in the gym for homecoming! Kids can wear their Black and Red or Panther gear that day if they want to. 

October 4 is a 3 hour early out for the Homecoming parade. No lunch that day at school. Kids can dress up in their Panther gear or their black and red to support the Panthers! It is also a Spirit Day! They can wear sweats and/or hats for $1. 

Have a great weekend! I am going to the Christ Your Life Convention at Wells Fargo on Sunday. 

God Bless, 

Miss Surma

 Dear Parents, I hope you're having a good week! Monday was weird with K-4 gone to Green Valley, but we enjoyed the day! 

Calendar Dates: 

Sept. 20- Spirit Day

Sept. 20-22 Balloon Days

Sept. 25- 5th grade mass

Oct. 2- Rosary led by 5th grade

Oct. 4- Homecoming/3 hour early out/Spirit Day

Religion- They have a test on Thursday. I have given out mass parts for next week. The people with reading parts should practice at home. I hope you can join us next week at mass.

Father will be gone on October 2 so we are doing a rosary instead of mass. I am having some of the 5th graders lead it. Not everyone will have a part. This leads us into our next part in religion class rather well. October is the month of the Rosary. In 5th grade they have to memorize 2 of the prayers of  the rosary. I will give them a paper with both prayers on it. They should work on this at home as well as at school. They also work on learning more about each mystery of the Rosary. 

Reading- They will take their next reading test on Friday. On that day I am also going to assign their first book report. They will have 6 weeks to complete the book and project. I give them a packet with a bunch of ideas for what kind of project they want to create. They can only choose one. They will keep that packet in their homework folder to look back at it when they need more information. You can find it there if you want to check it out. 

In our story this week they learned about a young girl who was paralyzed in a hang gliding accident. She hated her wheelchair because it was big and ugly. She talked to her friends who built hang gliders. They used their materials to build a better wheelchair. These wheelchairs can be seen being used by Paralympians! That's so cool that she made that happen! 

Math- This week we have been working on writing decimals in expanded and standard form. This has been harder because they have to figure out the decimal value.  Today (Wednesday) they had to read the decimals to me how you say them. I have taught them to say "and" in place of the word  "point".  For example, the decimal might be 12.345. They have to say it to me as twelve and three hundred forty-five thousandths.  We worked on comparing decimals and writing them from least to greatest. They thought today's lesson was  easy! 

Computers- This week I did have an incident where two of the 5th graders were trying to use the camera on their Chromebook to take pictures of themselves when they were supposed to be working on Successmaker. I told them they signed a technology contract on the appropriate way to handle them  and this wasn't part of that. I also warned them that if they continue to sneak to do things on their Chromes... I can and will take them away. I am just letting you all know this so you are aware. 

Spirit Day is this Friday, September 20. Hats and or sweats for $1.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Enjoy Balloon Days! I hope the rain doesn't stop activities! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, I hope you're having a good week! We sure had a great time at Green Valley State Park! It was such a beautiful day! I hope grades K-4 have a great time on Monday!

Calendar Dates: 

Sept. 20- Spirit Day

Sept. 20-22 Balloon Days

Sept. 25- 5th grade mass

Oct. 4- Rosary led by 5th grade

Reading- They took their first test this week. Scores were not that good. First, I am not surprised. They need to get back into these and remember how they work. Second, they need to take more time. I am stressing that they read or listen and read the stories more than one time before they answer questions. Third, they need to remember to go back and look up things in the story or ask me questions if they don't understand what it being asked. I can sometimes reword it in a way that makes sense. 

Spelling- they took their next pretest on Wednesday.  We will start our new story this week. Week 2 is always two short stories. We will read both of them, but I will focus more on one than the other.  The grammar this week will focus more on identifying the four kinds of sentences.  They do DOL every week to work on fixing sentences, so my hope is that this will help with the grammar lessons too. 

Math- We are working on decimals and their place values now. This gets a little bit trickier for them to understand. Tenths and Hundredths are easier to relate to because I can talk about money -- dimes and pennies. Thousandths is harder to understand. They are learning how to write it as a decimal and as a fraction. 0.25 = 25/100   0.6= 6/10   0.874= 874/1000.

I see scores rising for the most part on our weekly time tests. If there is something you want to do to help- quiz your child on their facts when you're riding in the car, hanging out, doing chores, etc. I think some of them need some more regular practice. 

Religion- We have been talking about the Incarnation - God being made flesh by sending us Jesus.  We also talked about the Blessed Trinity. They had to draw a picture of one thing and then label the parts Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Once I have them all, I will post a picture on my Facebook page. (If you're on Facebook, remember to sign up for my page so you can see the pictures I post of different things they do. St. Malachy Fabulous Fifth Grade is what you want to search up!  This week they learned about Saint Damien. He was missionary priest who volunteered to go to Molokai, Hawaii to teach and help the lepers that were forced to move there so they wouldn't spread the disease. He is one of my favorites. We are nearing the end of our chapter. They will be getting a study guide soon! 

Next week I will hand out their mass parts for September 25. I was able to give everyone a job! They will also be leading the Rosary for the school on October 4. We don't have mass that day because Father will be gone.  Not everyone will have a part for that service. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  I plan on cleaning my house! I know...so exciting! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma