Hello Parents! I hope you are having a great week! I am so looking forward to the warmer weather they keep talking about this weekend! I know it won't feel like winter, but I will suffer through just fine!
Reconciliation- Next week Thursday we will have students receive this sacrament. We try to do this during Advent and Lent. So, I will be talking to them about examining their conscience and the things they want to share with Father. In religion we are working on a chapter that covers the Advent season.
Geography Bee- The final round will be next Friday, December 19 at 10:15 in the morning. We will be in the gym. If your child is in the final round you are welcome to come watch! If your child didn't make it that far, but you love geography, you are more than welcome to come watch! If you just want to get out of the house for a little while, come and watch! I have 3 of my 5th graders in it this year! Good luck Aliyah, Megan, and Rowan! We will be cheering you on!
Reading- This week we are reading a nonfiction piece about Molly Pitcher. She actually helped the soldiers during the Revolutionary War alongside her husband William Hays. She took care of the injured and helped the sick, but she is most known for carrying a pitcher of water to the soldiers during the battle! They would yell out, "MOLLY---PITCHER!" That is how she got her name! The day was very hot and humid! She ran around giving them drinks of water from a nearby spring. At one point, she was helping load a cannon. She was remarkable! I think the 5th graders enjoyed this story! We are also working more with verbs- specifically irregular verbs. These verbs don't add -ed or -d to form the past tense of the verb. For example: go:went, buy:bought, and leave:left.
Math- We are finishing up our chapter on adding and subtracting decimals today. Tomorrow we will review for the test. The test will be on Monday. I will tell them to take the sample review home tomorrow to do some more practicing over the weekend. I know they have the adding and subtracting down. The key things they need to remember are to drop the decimal into their answer and pay attention to the addition and subtraction signs. An area that may need practice is estimating by rounding and using benchmark numbers. I create a number line for them to compare benchmark numbers. I will make a copy for them to use over the weekend. The last thing they need to work on is reading the story problems and trying to focus on what is being asked of them. Do they need to add or subtract? Many of them in the end of our chapter have been multi-step problems.
Music- The 4th and 5th graders will be singing at the Congregate Meal Site at the depot on Monday, December 22. We are just planning to walk there. Mrs. Mullin will be sending out a permission form I believe. We will be back in time to eat lunch here at school.
Christmas Program-- We will be going to the YMCA next Friday as a school to do a dress rehearsal. The program is on Sunday, December 21 at 2:00. If you are not able to make it, please let Mrs. Mullin know ASAP. There will be a permission form going home for that today I believe.
December 23- It is an hour early out. Students will need a sack lunch that day. Milk will be provided. We will be caroling in the gym before we leave for break, if you'd like to come and join us from 1:30-2:00.
I hope you have a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Friday, December 5, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Hello Parents! Happy Advent Season!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I did! I think the prayer service and pizza party we had in memory of TJ and Nate on Monday went very well. It was good to sit and share some happy memories, but they are always in our thoughts and prayers. We will never forget.
St. Nicholas Project- Once again we are donating items for this project from the Des Moines Diocese. Students in 5th grade are asked to donate bars of soap or diapers. Please help out if you are able to!
Mass- Next week we are having masses on Monday and Friday. Monday is a holy day of obligation with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On Friday we are celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The students are expected to dress up on both days. There will be no mass on Wednesday.
Christmas Program- This year's Christmas Program is Sunday, December 21 at the YMCA at 2:00 p.m. We realize the lateness of this year's program, so if you are going to be celebrating a family Christmas that day and unable to attend, please have your child let Mrs. Mullin know as soon as possible. Thank you!
December 23- Students will need a sack lunch. Milk will be provided.
Reading- This week's story deals with King George during the Revolutionary War. He thought since he was king and told people he was making decisions that he thought were good for everyone, they would all just agree with him. He couldn't understand why the Americans were unhappy with being taxed. Go figure! We are also talking about figurative language. Today we discussed similes, metaphors, and idioms. Similes and metaphors are 2 things being compared, but a simile will use the words like or as. Metaphors use words to say one thing "is" another. Idioms were fun! We discussed ,"It's raining cats and dogs!" I told them that in Africa they have a similar one. They say," It's raining old women and clubs!" We all thought that was pretty funny. Idioms are sentences that cannot be taken literally. Another example would be telling an actor or singer to "break a leg".
Math- They were busy this week with estimating decimals by rounding and using benchmark numbers such as: 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1. Of course that could go on to 1.25, 1.50,etc. They also worked on adding and subtracting decimals. We should be finishing up this chapter next week. As of right now, they will be having a test on Monday, Dec. 15, but we will see if things change next week.
Religion- They did fantastic on their last test. We are now discussing the liturgical calendar and the Advent Season.
I have a book order in your child's folder. Please make sure your order is in by next Friday. That way you should be able to get them before Christmas break. If your order is a surprise for Christmas, let me know. That way I will email you instead of giving them the book!
Have a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
St. Nicholas Project- Once again we are donating items for this project from the Des Moines Diocese. Students in 5th grade are asked to donate bars of soap or diapers. Please help out if you are able to!
Mass- Next week we are having masses on Monday and Friday. Monday is a holy day of obligation with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On Friday we are celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The students are expected to dress up on both days. There will be no mass on Wednesday.
Christmas Program- This year's Christmas Program is Sunday, December 21 at the YMCA at 2:00 p.m. We realize the lateness of this year's program, so if you are going to be celebrating a family Christmas that day and unable to attend, please have your child let Mrs. Mullin know as soon as possible. Thank you!
December 23- Students will need a sack lunch. Milk will be provided.
Reading- This week's story deals with King George during the Revolutionary War. He thought since he was king and told people he was making decisions that he thought were good for everyone, they would all just agree with him. He couldn't understand why the Americans were unhappy with being taxed. Go figure! We are also talking about figurative language. Today we discussed similes, metaphors, and idioms. Similes and metaphors are 2 things being compared, but a simile will use the words like or as. Metaphors use words to say one thing "is" another. Idioms were fun! We discussed ,"It's raining cats and dogs!" I told them that in Africa they have a similar one. They say," It's raining old women and clubs!" We all thought that was pretty funny. Idioms are sentences that cannot be taken literally. Another example would be telling an actor or singer to "break a leg".
Math- They were busy this week with estimating decimals by rounding and using benchmark numbers such as: 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1. Of course that could go on to 1.25, 1.50,etc. They also worked on adding and subtracting decimals. We should be finishing up this chapter next week. As of right now, they will be having a test on Monday, Dec. 15, but we will see if things change next week.
Religion- They did fantastic on their last test. We are now discussing the liturgical calendar and the Advent Season.
I have a book order in your child's folder. Please make sure your order is in by next Friday. That way you should be able to get them before Christmas break. If your order is a surprise for Christmas, let me know. That way I will email you instead of giving them the book!
Have a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Happy Thursday Everyone! This week seems to flying by for some reason! I hope you are having a great week!
Mass- Just a reminder that the 5th graders will be doing the mass next week. You are more than welcome to come!!! I will assign them their parts on Friday. In the beginning of the year, they filled out a card for me with their first 3 mass job preferences. I am trying to stick to it, unless I just can't because more than one signed up for it. Hopefully, they will get to do that job at a later mass.
Reading- This week we read a story called Dangerous Crossing. It's an historical fiction story with John Adams and his son Johnny. They are on a boat ride to France. In our small group center time, we read an historical fiction story on the Boston Tea Party. While both stories are fiction, we had some great discussions on what life was like back for the adults and the kids. We are also focusing on cause and effect again. Our grammar lessons have been about subject pronouns and object pronouns and their antecedents.
Math- We have started the decimal chapter, but we are only two lessons in. We have covered discussing what decimals are and their places behind the decimal. We have talked about when we use decimals in real life-- money, when I am looking for a percentage, times being taken in a swim meet, track meet, or even racing cars. On Wednesday, they learned how to write the number in standard form, written form, and expanded form. The expanded form was different than the way I have taught it in the past, but I must admit!I really liked it better today! It gave them a better picture of what it actually means. 4.268= 4x1+ 2x(1/10)+ 6x (1/100) + 8 x (1/1000). The old way just consisted of us adding the decimals together 4+ 0.2 +0.06 + 0.008. That could be just as confusing because of all the zeros.
Book Reports- Will need to be picked up by Friday. Mrs. Sickels will let you or your child know when they can take the social studies project home.
Next week I don't plan on doing another reading story in 3 days. My plan is to do some work with grammar and some writing activities. The first round of the geography bee will be next Wednesday after mass.
I don't plan on blogging next week. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you are traveling, have a safe trip. Enjoy the break and time with your families. We will continue our prayers for the Frey family as the one year anniversary is the 30th.
I will be going to Mom's house for the weekend. I think we will be with my sister and her family and in-laws in Madison, SD on Thanksgiving.
I hope you have a great weekend! Hopefully, it will warm up! These January temps in November... I am not enjoying at all!!!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Mass- Just a reminder that the 5th graders will be doing the mass next week. You are more than welcome to come!!! I will assign them their parts on Friday. In the beginning of the year, they filled out a card for me with their first 3 mass job preferences. I am trying to stick to it, unless I just can't because more than one signed up for it. Hopefully, they will get to do that job at a later mass.
Reading- This week we read a story called Dangerous Crossing. It's an historical fiction story with John Adams and his son Johnny. They are on a boat ride to France. In our small group center time, we read an historical fiction story on the Boston Tea Party. While both stories are fiction, we had some great discussions on what life was like back for the adults and the kids. We are also focusing on cause and effect again. Our grammar lessons have been about subject pronouns and object pronouns and their antecedents.
Math- We have started the decimal chapter, but we are only two lessons in. We have covered discussing what decimals are and their places behind the decimal. We have talked about when we use decimals in real life-- money, when I am looking for a percentage, times being taken in a swim meet, track meet, or even racing cars. On Wednesday, they learned how to write the number in standard form, written form, and expanded form. The expanded form was different than the way I have taught it in the past, but I must admit!I really liked it better today! It gave them a better picture of what it actually means. 4.268= 4x1+ 2x(1/10)+ 6x (1/100) + 8 x (1/1000). The old way just consisted of us adding the decimals together 4+ 0.2 +0.06 + 0.008. That could be just as confusing because of all the zeros.
Book Reports- Will need to be picked up by Friday. Mrs. Sickels will let you or your child know when they can take the social studies project home.
Next week I don't plan on doing another reading story in 3 days. My plan is to do some work with grammar and some writing activities. The first round of the geography bee will be next Wednesday after mass.
I don't plan on blogging next week. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you are traveling, have a safe trip. Enjoy the break and time with your families. We will continue our prayers for the Frey family as the one year anniversary is the 30th.
I will be going to Mom's house for the weekend. I think we will be with my sister and her family and in-laws in Madison, SD on Thanksgiving.
I hope you have a great weekend! Hopefully, it will warm up! These January temps in November... I am not enjoying at all!!!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Happy Thursday Everyone!!!! I hope you are having a great week!
Book Reports- These are due on Friday!!!! They won't all share them on Friday. I am going to do a few a day so we can keep going with the other things we need to do.
Reading - This week they read a story called Cougars. This was another nonfiction story that shared information about cougars. I think we all found it pretty interesting. Our grammar this week dealt with quotation marks and where we place them in different situations. We did this together rather than assigning it because I think it can be a difficult task. On Friday's test, they will be given 4 sentences with quotations, commas, and interjection words. They will have to pick out the sentence that is written correctly. This is the final story in this unit. That means next week we will be using the week to do book reports and a unit test. There won't be any spelling next week.
Math-This week we worked on the standard algorithm in division again, but with double digit divisors. They also worked on story problems and figuring out what do you do with that remainder? They learned that the remainder can be written as a fraction in some situations. They also learned that sometimes that fraction causes you to add another number to your quotient, but it depends on what is leftover. For example, if I am dividing my kids up to go in cars and I have 2 kids left out..does that mean they don't get to go along? No, that means I need one more car so they can go along. We are nearing the end of this chapter. They could also be testing in this next week. Our next chapter deals with decimals--adding, subtracting, multiplying, and probably dividing decimals.
Religion- This week is Vocations Awareness . We did a couple of lessons on vocations and realizing what our gifts and talents are and how we can use them in our vocations. We now have a wall in the classroom that states what they consider to be their talents and gifts. I used that in our class meeting on Wednesday as well. They were to write down a talent or gift of each person. I will be making signs for us to have in the classroom with their descriptions.
Social Studies -Their Iowa History project and paper are due on Monday!!! They did a great job with their counties!!! The state of Iowa is now posted in the hallway. It looks awesome! It is fun to see all the kids in grades 3-5 stop and check it out.
Spaghetti Supper is Saturday!!! Civics Club will have games in the classrooms!
Book Fair-- It will be going on during conferences. Please check it out! I won't be sending home any book orders this month because we have the book fair.
Have a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Book Reports- These are due on Friday!!!! They won't all share them on Friday. I am going to do a few a day so we can keep going with the other things we need to do.
Reading - This week they read a story called Cougars. This was another nonfiction story that shared information about cougars. I think we all found it pretty interesting. Our grammar this week dealt with quotation marks and where we place them in different situations. We did this together rather than assigning it because I think it can be a difficult task. On Friday's test, they will be given 4 sentences with quotations, commas, and interjection words. They will have to pick out the sentence that is written correctly. This is the final story in this unit. That means next week we will be using the week to do book reports and a unit test. There won't be any spelling next week.
Math-This week we worked on the standard algorithm in division again, but with double digit divisors. They also worked on story problems and figuring out what do you do with that remainder? They learned that the remainder can be written as a fraction in some situations. They also learned that sometimes that fraction causes you to add another number to your quotient, but it depends on what is leftover. For example, if I am dividing my kids up to go in cars and I have 2 kids left out..does that mean they don't get to go along? No, that means I need one more car so they can go along. We are nearing the end of this chapter. They could also be testing in this next week. Our next chapter deals with decimals--adding, subtracting, multiplying, and probably dividing decimals.
Religion- This week is Vocations Awareness . We did a couple of lessons on vocations and realizing what our gifts and talents are and how we can use them in our vocations. We now have a wall in the classroom that states what they consider to be their talents and gifts. I used that in our class meeting on Wednesday as well. They were to write down a talent or gift of each person. I will be making signs for us to have in the classroom with their descriptions.
Social Studies -Their Iowa History project and paper are due on Monday!!! They did a great job with their counties!!! The state of Iowa is now posted in the hallway. It looks awesome! It is fun to see all the kids in grades 3-5 stop and check it out.
Spaghetti Supper is Saturday!!! Civics Club will have games in the classrooms!
Book Fair-- It will be going on during conferences. Please check it out! I won't be sending home any book orders this month because we have the book fair.
Have a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
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