Hello Parents! We had a wonderful first day, I think! They gave me a "Thumbs-up" before they went home! I think it is going to be a great year!!! Tomorrow the learning will really begin! PE is tomorrow, so don't forget tennis shoes!
There is also a band meeting, but they do NOT need instruments!
My first letter to you is in paper form! You will receive it in your child's folder tomorrow! Next week I will start my blog!
Have a great night!
Miss Surma
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Hi Parents, It is the final letter of the year!! I can't believe it!
I am not going to write a lot...I think!
On Friday we will be cleaning out the desks!
On Tuesday, they will need a sack lunch and drink. They can have soda, but nothing bigger than 20oz. They should wear tennis shoes and not sandals due to the running they might do for field day.
Tuesday is a full day...we don't dismiss early. We have a gathering in the gym at 2:40, if you'd like to come for the closing time! You can also come and watch field day activities. That will start at 10:00.
In your child's folder is an envelope. That is their results for Iowa Assessments. You might also find a sheet with BRI-- the reading inventory test that Mrs. Mitchell gives.
Just a final note to you... I know I have said it before, but I have truly enjoyed your children! They have been such a fun group to work with this year. They certainly made me laugh more times than I can count. Each of them is a special kid with their own wonderful personality. I have really loved getting to know them better each and every day. Thank you so much for sending them here and letting me be a part of their world for a time. I will treasure this year when I look back. While I am excited for summer, I am sad to see them go. It's always a tough one to let them move on and face that they are really growing up! I am sure you know what I mean!
I hope everyone has a wonderful summer! I am planning on heading to Doon next Friday or Saturday. I will spend the summer there with Mom. We will probably do some small trips, but nothing major is planned. Oh wait...I know I will be reading!!!! That is my favorite thing about summer break! :)
Have a great Memorial Day weekend! I will see your kids on Tuesday for our last day!
God Bless, Miss Surma
I am not going to write a lot...I think!
On Friday we will be cleaning out the desks!
On Tuesday, they will need a sack lunch and drink. They can have soda, but nothing bigger than 20oz. They should wear tennis shoes and not sandals due to the running they might do for field day.
Tuesday is a full day...we don't dismiss early. We have a gathering in the gym at 2:40, if you'd like to come for the closing time! You can also come and watch field day activities. That will start at 10:00.
In your child's folder is an envelope. That is their results for Iowa Assessments. You might also find a sheet with BRI-- the reading inventory test that Mrs. Mitchell gives.
Just a final note to you... I know I have said it before, but I have truly enjoyed your children! They have been such a fun group to work with this year. They certainly made me laugh more times than I can count. Each of them is a special kid with their own wonderful personality. I have really loved getting to know them better each and every day. Thank you so much for sending them here and letting me be a part of their world for a time. I will treasure this year when I look back. While I am excited for summer, I am sad to see them go. It's always a tough one to let them move on and face that they are really growing up! I am sure you know what I mean!
I hope everyone has a wonderful summer! I am planning on heading to Doon next Friday or Saturday. I will spend the summer there with Mom. We will probably do some small trips, but nothing major is planned. Oh wait...I know I will be reading!!!! That is my favorite thing about summer break! :)
Have a great Memorial Day weekend! I will see your kids on Tuesday for our last day!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Hello Parents, I hope you are having a great week! I hope all the moms had a great day on Sunday! I think my mom enjoyed our weekend together! I am posting the blog early because tomorrow I will be on a field trip!
Math- I was really pleased with the test scores! I plan on us starting our multiplication of fractions this Friday. I know we won't get far, but we will do some every day!
Reading- They are nearing the end of our book. I feel like I am rushing it a bit, but I want them to know how it turns out for Matt. Matt is really learning a lot about the Indian's way of life and what the white people have done to them. Attean has taught him how to make a fire without flint, make a snare, a bow and arrow. His father still has not come back from Quincy with his family. His dad told him it would be about 7 weeks and now it is more like 10 weeks. He is beginning to wonder if his dad ever made it back to his mom and sister. Matt also helped Attean kill a bear. Today I read a chapter to them about Matt discovering Attean's dog in a trap. He and Attean's sister rescued him.
Middle School Day- They shadowed the 6th graders today in middle school after mass. It was a lot of fun. In science they read an article and then did a lab. In math they learned about how they are working with equations and then played BINGO with them. Some even won prizes! In language arts they watched them get into their Google Docs and work on their research papers. They went to lunch and recess with them!
Field Trip-- We leave tomorrow around 8:15 and should be back between 4:15 and 4:30. If you need to let me know something before we get back...you can text me at 641-344-3299 or call Sarah. She will text me the info. They don't need a sack lunch! They can have their gadgets in the cars for the ride. There is a 100% chance of rain tomorrow and by the sound of it, it is supposed to be pretty much all day. I told them to take an umbrella if they have one! They should also wear a light jacket or sweatshirt with a hood! I think we will be wet by the end of the day!
Have a great weekend! I am planning on going to Des Moines to watch my niece play soccer! God Bless, Miss Surma
Math- I was really pleased with the test scores! I plan on us starting our multiplication of fractions this Friday. I know we won't get far, but we will do some every day!
Reading- They are nearing the end of our book. I feel like I am rushing it a bit, but I want them to know how it turns out for Matt. Matt is really learning a lot about the Indian's way of life and what the white people have done to them. Attean has taught him how to make a fire without flint, make a snare, a bow and arrow. His father still has not come back from Quincy with his family. His dad told him it would be about 7 weeks and now it is more like 10 weeks. He is beginning to wonder if his dad ever made it back to his mom and sister. Matt also helped Attean kill a bear. Today I read a chapter to them about Matt discovering Attean's dog in a trap. He and Attean's sister rescued him.
Middle School Day- They shadowed the 6th graders today in middle school after mass. It was a lot of fun. In science they read an article and then did a lab. In math they learned about how they are working with equations and then played BINGO with them. Some even won prizes! In language arts they watched them get into their Google Docs and work on their research papers. They went to lunch and recess with them!
Field Trip-- We leave tomorrow around 8:15 and should be back between 4:15 and 4:30. If you need to let me know something before we get back...you can text me at 641-344-3299 or call Sarah. She will text me the info. They don't need a sack lunch! They can have their gadgets in the cars for the ride. There is a 100% chance of rain tomorrow and by the sound of it, it is supposed to be pretty much all day. I told them to take an umbrella if they have one! They should also wear a light jacket or sweatshirt with a hood! I think we will be wet by the end of the day!
Have a great weekend! I am planning on going to Des Moines to watch my niece play soccer! God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Hello Parents, Wow, our year is really winding down! First, I'd like to wish all the mothers a very Happy Mother's Day this weekend! Speaking from a daughter's point-of-view-- there aren't enough words to describe how thankful I am for my mom!!!! I am not sure what I would do without mine, even if our roles have reversed these days. She has done more for me over the years than I could ever begin to thank her for doing! :) Enjoy your day!!!
Reading- We are busy reading our book! I love the discussions we are having each day. I love it more when I hear them say,"Miss Surma! I don't want to stop after this chapter!" So exciting! In your child's folder you will see their first quiz from last week! They did really well! They will have another one today. Last week I brought in my homemade molasses cookies because they were talking about molasses in social studies, but it is also talked about in our book. I told them if they want to make them, look in the STM Cookbook! I put the recipe in there. On Tuesday, I brought in cornbread muffins. In our book they discuss corn cake or Johnny cakes. I let them top it with a jelly or honey or both! I did tell them, Matt most likely didn't have this, but they reminded me he had molasses!!
Friday is BOOK REPORT DAY!!!! When they get to school, they should drop off their posters, projects,and costumes before they go outside to wait for the 8:10 bell. They should plan on bringing their costume home that night. I will keep the posters or projects at school until I am done grading them. I know I won't be able to get them graded that day. At some point next week they will be able to take them home.
Library-- All library books that have been checked out will be due back on May 15. There won't be any books checked out after that date. They will still need a chapter book to read in the classroom. They can bring from home, use their Kindle, take off my shelf, or get one from the public library.
Math- They are testing over this chapter today! We will start our next chapter on multiplying fractions, but I doubt we get to finish it. Time is running out. I will get as far as I can with them.
Middle School Information Night is tonight from 6-7p.m. in the 7th grade room/science/ Mrs. Root's room.
Field Trip- Our trip is next Thursday. We will leave around 8:15. Our last session ends at 2:40. We will take a bathroom break and then get to our cars shortly after that. We should be home between 4:15 and 4:30. They do NOT need lunches or money. Lunches and Water will be provided! They should wear tennis shoes, not sandals. They should dress appropriately for temps. No sweats!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am heading to Doon to spend it with Mom! Happy Mother's Day!!!!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Reading- We are busy reading our book! I love the discussions we are having each day. I love it more when I hear them say,"Miss Surma! I don't want to stop after this chapter!" So exciting! In your child's folder you will see their first quiz from last week! They did really well! They will have another one today. Last week I brought in my homemade molasses cookies because they were talking about molasses in social studies, but it is also talked about in our book. I told them if they want to make them, look in the STM Cookbook! I put the recipe in there. On Tuesday, I brought in cornbread muffins. In our book they discuss corn cake or Johnny cakes. I let them top it with a jelly or honey or both! I did tell them, Matt most likely didn't have this, but they reminded me he had molasses!!
Friday is BOOK REPORT DAY!!!! When they get to school, they should drop off their posters, projects,and costumes before they go outside to wait for the 8:10 bell. They should plan on bringing their costume home that night. I will keep the posters or projects at school until I am done grading them. I know I won't be able to get them graded that day. At some point next week they will be able to take them home.
Library-- All library books that have been checked out will be due back on May 15. There won't be any books checked out after that date. They will still need a chapter book to read in the classroom. They can bring from home, use their Kindle, take off my shelf, or get one from the public library.
Math- They are testing over this chapter today! We will start our next chapter on multiplying fractions, but I doubt we get to finish it. Time is running out. I will get as far as I can with them.
Middle School Information Night is tonight from 6-7p.m. in the 7th grade room/science/ Mrs. Root's room.
Field Trip- Our trip is next Thursday. We will leave around 8:15. Our last session ends at 2:40. We will take a bathroom break and then get to our cars shortly after that. We should be home between 4:15 and 4:30. They do NOT need lunches or money. Lunches and Water will be provided! They should wear tennis shoes, not sandals. They should dress appropriately for temps. No sweats!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am heading to Doon to spend it with Mom! Happy Mother's Day!!!!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Hello Parents, I hope you are enjoying this wonderful weather we are having this week! Thank you so much for making it to our play last week! I am so proud of them! They did a terrific job! I hope they had as much fun performing it for you as they did eating the cake afterwards! HaHa!
Reading- We started our book this week. We have read about 3 chapters so far. Each day they do some vocabulary and comprehension questions based on the chapter. We are having a good discussion as well. So far, Matt and his father moved from Maine to Massachusetts. Matt's dad got some land there. He and Matt built the cabin for their family and planted their first crop of corn. Matt's dad left to go back to Maine to get Matt's mom, sister, and the new baby. Matt is in charge of taking care of the cabin and the crops until he returns. Matt is discovering there aren't really enough hours in the day to do everything! We just met a man named Ben who pretty much made himself welcome in Matt's cabin for the night. Matt awakened the next day to find Ben gone...along with the gun his dad had left him. On Wednesday, they had to create a WANTED poster for Ben. They have been really good about going back into the story to find the proof they need for their answers!
Math- They are continuing to subtract mixed numbers this week, but now they have to do renaming. The first thing they have to remember is that they need to have common denominators. I taught them 2 different ways to do the subtraction-- either through renaming or creating improper fractions before they subtract. Most of them thought the creating improper fractions was the easier of the two, but now through more practice, I see many of them using renaming!!! I have to agree... I grew up learning the improper fraction way, but the renaming is actually easier and faster. We don't have much more to this chapter. I think they could be testing over it next week. I will move on to the next chapter, which I believe will be multiplying fractions, but I doubt we finish it before the end of the year.
Field Trip--In your child's folder is the permission form for their field trip on the 14th. Please fill it out and return it to me by May 11. Thank you!
Book Reports- Just a reminder that they are due next Friday! They should come to school with their project and their costume on the 8th. I will do my best to get all presentations done that day. If not, they will have to finish the next Monday.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Reading- We started our book this week. We have read about 3 chapters so far. Each day they do some vocabulary and comprehension questions based on the chapter. We are having a good discussion as well. So far, Matt and his father moved from Maine to Massachusetts. Matt's dad got some land there. He and Matt built the cabin for their family and planted their first crop of corn. Matt's dad left to go back to Maine to get Matt's mom, sister, and the new baby. Matt is in charge of taking care of the cabin and the crops until he returns. Matt is discovering there aren't really enough hours in the day to do everything! We just met a man named Ben who pretty much made himself welcome in Matt's cabin for the night. Matt awakened the next day to find Ben gone...along with the gun his dad had left him. On Wednesday, they had to create a WANTED poster for Ben. They have been really good about going back into the story to find the proof they need for their answers!
Math- They are continuing to subtract mixed numbers this week, but now they have to do renaming. The first thing they have to remember is that they need to have common denominators. I taught them 2 different ways to do the subtraction-- either through renaming or creating improper fractions before they subtract. Most of them thought the creating improper fractions was the easier of the two, but now through more practice, I see many of them using renaming!!! I have to agree... I grew up learning the improper fraction way, but the renaming is actually easier and faster. We don't have much more to this chapter. I think they could be testing over it next week. I will move on to the next chapter, which I believe will be multiplying fractions, but I doubt we finish it before the end of the year.
Field Trip--In your child's folder is the permission form for their field trip on the 14th. Please fill it out and return it to me by May 11. Thank you!
Book Reports- Just a reminder that they are due next Friday! They should come to school with their project and their costume on the 8th. I will do my best to get all presentations done that day. If not, they will have to finish the next Monday.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Hi Parents, I hope this week has been going well for you! The great news we got this week is that Deborah Pope is home!!!! Our prayers continue for a smooth recovery!
Reading- This week they are taking the unit 5 test. I have chunked the test throughout the week because they are also rehearsing for their play! The rehearsals are going well! Wednesday was our official day of practicing without scripts! They did really well. There are still some areas that need a little work, but overall they are doing GREAT!!! I look forward to you seeing their performance on Friday! Remember it only lasts about 10 minutes once it starts! Afterwards, we will come back to the classroom and enjoy some of that cake!
Next week I will be starting a new unit with them in reading. We are going to read the book The Sign of the Beaver. I have ordered books from the AEA. I will be giving each student a folder that will hold all the the activities and worksheets we will be using. I am posting a picture for you! We will do some reading and discussing in class. They will also be assigned reading and assignments. I am excited about doing this! It will be different from our units. They will still have grammar and spelling worksheets and tests. They won't have those weekly tests over the story. I will be giving them quizzes throughout the book, but those won't be weekly. There will be a final test in the end! We will have a lot to cover in a short time, but the chapters aren't very long!
Book Report- They have two more weeks to be working on those!!! The due date is just around the corner! May 8!!!!
Math- This week they were adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators. On Wednesday, I threw them the curve ball I had warned them about! They started learning about subtracting fractions with renaming and not only that, but they still had to find that common denominator! :) For example once they found the common denominator it might look like 12 2/8- 10 5/8=??? We just spent Wednesday practicing it over and over again. Today we will do some more of that with trying to do a couple on their own!
Field Trip- If you notice in the dates box I posted they have a field trip coming up in May. I have my drivers lined up. We will be going to DMACC in Ankeny to attend the Iowa Children's Water Festival. This is held every year at DMACC. UNI puts this on! Go Panthers! ;) It is just a day for 5th graders. There will be close to 2,000 kids there! It is a day where we walk the campus and attend little workshops or listen to speakers. They talk anything related to water or animals. It is a big science day! They won't need a sack lunch or drink!!! That is provided for them there! It doesn't cost anything to go! It does happen rain or shine, and I have endured plenty of rainy cold days, probably more than I like to think about! I will send home a permission slip next week.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Reading- This week they are taking the unit 5 test. I have chunked the test throughout the week because they are also rehearsing for their play! The rehearsals are going well! Wednesday was our official day of practicing without scripts! They did really well. There are still some areas that need a little work, but overall they are doing GREAT!!! I look forward to you seeing their performance on Friday! Remember it only lasts about 10 minutes once it starts! Afterwards, we will come back to the classroom and enjoy some of that cake!
Next week I will be starting a new unit with them in reading. We are going to read the book The Sign of the Beaver. I have ordered books from the AEA. I will be giving each student a folder that will hold all the the activities and worksheets we will be using. I am posting a picture for you! We will do some reading and discussing in class. They will also be assigned reading and assignments. I am excited about doing this! It will be different from our units. They will still have grammar and spelling worksheets and tests. They won't have those weekly tests over the story. I will be giving them quizzes throughout the book, but those won't be weekly. There will be a final test in the end! We will have a lot to cover in a short time, but the chapters aren't very long!
Book Report- They have two more weeks to be working on those!!! The due date is just around the corner! May 8!!!!
Math- This week they were adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators. On Wednesday, I threw them the curve ball I had warned them about! They started learning about subtracting fractions with renaming and not only that, but they still had to find that common denominator! :) For example once they found the common denominator it might look like 12 2/8- 10 5/8=??? We just spent Wednesday practicing it over and over again. Today we will do some more of that with trying to do a couple on their own!
Field Trip- If you notice in the dates box I posted they have a field trip coming up in May. I have my drivers lined up. We will be going to DMACC in Ankeny to attend the Iowa Children's Water Festival. This is held every year at DMACC. UNI puts this on! Go Panthers! ;) It is just a day for 5th graders. There will be close to 2,000 kids there! It is a day where we walk the campus and attend little workshops or listen to speakers. They talk anything related to water or animals. It is a big science day! They won't need a sack lunch or drink!!! That is provided for them there! It doesn't cost anything to go! It does happen rain or shine, and I have endured plenty of rainy cold days, probably more than I like to think about! I will send home a permission slip next week.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Happy Thursday Parents! I hope you are having a good week!
We are almost finished with the Iowa Assessments! I think they will be done by the end of the day on Thursday!
Reading-- Just a reminder that they will be taking Unit 5 test next week. I postponed it a week due to IA Assessments. They also have the script for our play. On Friday they will try out! They will know their part before they leave on Friday. That will give them the weekend to start memorizing their lines. They are already asking me about what to wear so here are my suggestions for the roles:
Manuel-- Mass Day Attire
Pablo- Mass Day Attire, maybe add a hat of some kind to make you look like an older guy
Carlos and his sisters-- wear what you would wear to school! Look like a kid!
Women or Villager-- Be creative! You are the older people in town. I've had girls dress up like little old ladies and boys use canes! Carry a purse or cane! Wear a hat! Mass day clothes or raid your parents or grandparents closets!
Judge-- I will take care of! I have a robe to put over your clothes.
Props- We will need toy food, a small purse, and a gavel or toy hammer.
Math- They worked on estimating fractions using benchmark numbers this week. They also used what I had taught them earlier about finding a common denominator to create an equivalent fraction before you can add or subtract them. They have no problem with this since we did it earlier! The hardest part is remembering to simplify!
Religion- We finally finished the epic The Ten Commandments movie! We are also starting Guidance. I did some on Wednesday, but this will be a Friday thing most weeks!
Lap-A-Thon- I sent home the Lap-A-Thon letter with the pledges' envelope. That will be due back on April 23. They run that day! They can bring their music to listen to as they run if they want! They might also want another pair of shoes. I know shoes get really muddy.
Our prayers continue to be said for Deborah Pope and Kenneth Rhone. We hope they both get well soon!
I just want to say again....that I really love your kids! They made my day yesterday when they gave me the scrapbook! It will be treasured always. They are such a great group of individuals! Each is unique and special in their own way, I love that about them. I know we all look forward to summer, but that last day might be really tough for me!
Have a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
We are almost finished with the Iowa Assessments! I think they will be done by the end of the day on Thursday!
Reading-- Just a reminder that they will be taking Unit 5 test next week. I postponed it a week due to IA Assessments. They also have the script for our play. On Friday they will try out! They will know their part before they leave on Friday. That will give them the weekend to start memorizing their lines. They are already asking me about what to wear so here are my suggestions for the roles:
Manuel-- Mass Day Attire
Pablo- Mass Day Attire, maybe add a hat of some kind to make you look like an older guy
Carlos and his sisters-- wear what you would wear to school! Look like a kid!
Women or Villager-- Be creative! You are the older people in town. I've had girls dress up like little old ladies and boys use canes! Carry a purse or cane! Wear a hat! Mass day clothes or raid your parents or grandparents closets!
Judge-- I will take care of! I have a robe to put over your clothes.
Props- We will need toy food, a small purse, and a gavel or toy hammer.
Math- They worked on estimating fractions using benchmark numbers this week. They also used what I had taught them earlier about finding a common denominator to create an equivalent fraction before you can add or subtract them. They have no problem with this since we did it earlier! The hardest part is remembering to simplify!
Religion- We finally finished the epic The Ten Commandments movie! We are also starting Guidance. I did some on Wednesday, but this will be a Friday thing most weeks!
Lap-A-Thon- I sent home the Lap-A-Thon letter with the pledges' envelope. That will be due back on April 23. They run that day! They can bring their music to listen to as they run if they want! They might also want another pair of shoes. I know shoes get really muddy.
Our prayers continue to be said for Deborah Pope and Kenneth Rhone. We hope they both get well soon!
I just want to say again....that I really love your kids! They made my day yesterday when they gave me the scrapbook! It will be treasured always. They are such a great group of individuals! Each is unique and special in their own way, I love that about them. I know we all look forward to summer, but that last day might be really tough for me!
Have a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
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