Hello Parents, 
I hope your week has been going well. We have really been enjoying Catholic Schools Week, even the snow day!

Due to it being CSW and our snow day...the scheduling of things has kind of been off all week. 

Reading- This week they read an autobiography called The Dog Newspaper by Peg Kehret. This is the story to show how she got into writing. She started her own newspaper, but it didn't last long. All of her stories were about her dog BJ or the dogs in the neighborhood. She discovered that writing about dogs didn't lead to very exciting stories. I believe the 5th graders did some research on Peg in their library classes last fall. I have also talked to them about some of the books I have read by her. She writes great little mysteries for their age level.  This week we also worked on the skill of identifying facts and opinions in the story. Their grammar this week has focused on prepositions and prepositional phrases. They can give you details, or answer questions like: how, when, or where?  We did do some more work on adverbs as well. They will test over this story on Friday. 

Book Reports-- These are due at the end of the month. I think many of them have already finished their books and have started the work on their project! 

Math- They are working on multiplying decimals by decimals this week. I talked to them briefly about this is how we figure out the sales tax we pay on items in the store.  The trick is remembering where to put the decimal and that it is different than when they multiplied decimals by whole numbers.  On Wednesday they were making up problems for everyone to solve. They soon discovered some of their suggestions led to a lot of multiplying. :)  We should be finishing this chapter next week some time. 

Religion- They did great on their test over the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Next week Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. We will be working on making our promises for what we plan to give up for Lent this year. It is also important to note that you don't have to give up something...you can make a promise to do more of something... setting time aside to pray each day, write a letter each week, donate time or money to a cause or an organization, read more. I remind them that whatever they do or give up...shouldn't bother the people in their life. They shouldn't be making your life difficult because they give up something.  :)

Energy Game-- Please make sure you've turned in your permission slip for the game on Tuesday. We will be wearing our STM colors or gear!!! The school will be providing the kids with their lunches. If you are going to go to the game and plan on taking your kids home with you afterwards, please just let me know! Thanks!!! 

Valentine's Day Party- The 5th graders will celebrate on Friday, February 12 in the afternoon. They will trade their Valentines then. Would anyone be able to help donate a snack or a drink to our party? If so, please email me or write it in your child's assignment book. It doesn't have to be big-- a  Little Debbie treat or juice boxes??

Auction- Please do what you can to help our class with their auction basket and silent auction item.  I will collect any donations and give them to Katie. Thank you!!!

Mass on Friday is at 1:30. If you are taking your child home afterwards, please let me know! 


Have a great weekend!!! God Bless,
Miss Surma