Happy Thursday Parents! I hope you are having a great week!
Reading-- We have been running lines and practicing for the play with every spare minute! I think you will enjoy it! It is only about 10 minutes long once it starts! The kids will celebrate afterwards in the room with the pink frosted cake! They will have a spelling posttest on Friday. There is no weekly test! They should bring their costumes to school on Friday morning.
Book Reports-- These are due on Monday! They should have their project and costume with them when they come to school. I believe we will be able to get through all of them on Monday, but if not we will finish them up on Tuesday.
Math- This week they are working on renaming fractions with common denominators and then adding and subtracting them. They will be getting to add and subtract mixed numbers as well. If everything goes as planned, they will finish this chapter and test over it before our year ends.
Library Books-- All library books must be returned by May 19. The 5th graders will still need to have something to read during free time in the classroom. They can get a book off of my shelf or something from home. I don't mind if it is a magazine either.
Middle School Day- I believe the 5th graders will be spending part of a Wednesday with the middle school kids to get a feel of what that will look like next year. I don't have an exact date yet, but I will let you know.
Iowa Assessments-- The scores are back. We will be sending home their scores soon.
I hope you have a great weekend! I can't believe our year is ending soon. Where did it go???
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Hello Parents, It is so nice to see the sun again!!! I hope you are all having a great week!
Math- We are working on our fractions. This week we focused on estimating fractions to the nearest Benchmark number (0, 1/2, and 1). Once they estimated the fractions they had to add or subtract them. We are also going to start working on finding the common denominator and creating an equivalent fractions.
Reading- This week they read a story called Mysteries at Cliff Palace . This is located in the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Their spelling list this week is dealing with suffixes. The words are more difficult because the suffixes sound similar. I told them they would really need to study for their post test on Friday. In Grammar we are covering the rules for creating abbreviations for places and titles.
On Wednesday, we read our play The Baker's Neighbor aloud together. I wanted them to get a feel for the play and their lines. They are trying out on Thursday with me and possibly Mrs. Mitchell. I will tell them which part they got on Friday. I have to do some switching because I have more kids then parts. They will be practicing with me all week next week. They will perform it for you on Friday, May 13 at 2:15 in the gym. Afterwards we will celebrate with the pink frosted cake and some juice or water. They will also perform for 1st grade. They might be with you or we will do a dress rehearsal on Friday morning with them. They will be needing costumes, but it isn't anything you should have to shop for. IF they get the part of Manuel, Pablo, or the Judge-- mass clothes. Pablo could wear a hat. If they are Carlos or one of his sisters-- their own clothes. They are supposed to look like kids! One of the women or villagers-- be creative! They are to look older! I've had kids dress up as cowboys or wear hats. I have had girls raid their grandma's closet and find a dress. I have seen wigs, mustaches, hats, scarves, canes, or walker
Their book reports will be due on Monday, May 16. I will do as many as we can that day, but we may have to run into Tuesday as well. We will see. They should come to school on Monday with their costume and report or poster.
In their folder is a score sheet of the Unit 5 test they took while I was gone. You will notice that on the revising section I had to adjust the scoring. I guess they didn't copy a page of the test. I am not going to give that to them now. This was a benchmark test which means more stories to read. I believe this was also given the week after Iowa Assessments.
I know these weeks are going to fly by! I keep reminding them we have a lot to cover before it is over!
Have a great weekend! To all the mothers-- I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! From this daughter-- there was no greater gift from God, then my mom. You do more and mean more than you will ever know! I am heading to Waterloo to see my niece Gracelyn get ready for her prom.
God Bless, Miss Surma
Math- We are working on our fractions. This week we focused on estimating fractions to the nearest Benchmark number (0, 1/2, and 1). Once they estimated the fractions they had to add or subtract them. We are also going to start working on finding the common denominator and creating an equivalent fractions.
Reading- This week they read a story called Mysteries at Cliff Palace . This is located in the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Their spelling list this week is dealing with suffixes. The words are more difficult because the suffixes sound similar. I told them they would really need to study for their post test on Friday. In Grammar we are covering the rules for creating abbreviations for places and titles.
On Wednesday, we read our play The Baker's Neighbor aloud together. I wanted them to get a feel for the play and their lines. They are trying out on Thursday with me and possibly Mrs. Mitchell. I will tell them which part they got on Friday. I have to do some switching because I have more kids then parts. They will be practicing with me all week next week. They will perform it for you on Friday, May 13 at 2:15 in the gym. Afterwards we will celebrate with the pink frosted cake and some juice or water. They will also perform for 1st grade. They might be with you or we will do a dress rehearsal on Friday morning with them. They will be needing costumes, but it isn't anything you should have to shop for. IF they get the part of Manuel, Pablo, or the Judge-- mass clothes. Pablo could wear a hat. If they are Carlos or one of his sisters-- their own clothes. They are supposed to look like kids! One of the women or villagers-- be creative! They are to look older! I've had kids dress up as cowboys or wear hats. I have had girls raid their grandma's closet and find a dress. I have seen wigs, mustaches, hats, scarves, canes, or walker
Their book reports will be due on Monday, May 16. I will do as many as we can that day, but we may have to run into Tuesday as well. We will see. They should come to school on Monday with their costume and report or poster.
In their folder is a score sheet of the Unit 5 test they took while I was gone. You will notice that on the revising section I had to adjust the scoring. I guess they didn't copy a page of the test. I am not going to give that to them now. This was a benchmark test which means more stories to read. I believe this was also given the week after Iowa Assessments.
I know these weeks are going to fly by! I keep reminding them we have a lot to cover before it is over!
Have a great weekend! To all the mothers-- I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! From this daughter-- there was no greater gift from God, then my mom. You do more and mean more than you will ever know! I am heading to Waterloo to see my niece Gracelyn get ready for her prom.
God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Hello Parents,
I am back. I am still trying to figure out what they have done while I have been gone. Next week we will for sure be on a more regular plan. I am glad that Mrs. Bearden was here to be with the 5th graders. I know she loves them! She had great things to say! It also sounded like Biztown went really well! I loved seeing the pictures on Facebook. They looked so professional! Thank you to my parents for going along! I hope you had fun too!!!
I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being supportive of my absence over the last 3 weeks. Thank you for your prayers, your texts, the cards. It has been a very difficult time, but I was also very comforted knowing your kids were okay. I miss my mom more than I can say, but I do think getting back into the routine will be good. I know for sure she would say the same thing!
Make sure to look at the calendar for upcoming events.
Below are the notes from the music teacher about next week's concert.
Dress for the concert is: Mass appropriate slacks or skirts and a nice top that is primarily red, white, and/or blue.
Lap-A-Thon
On Monday, the kids can wear sweats for the lap a thon. I would strongly advise two pairs of tennis shoes and socks. I have a feeling that ground will still be wet and possibly muddy. They can run in shorts as well. They can have their devices to listen to music as they run. They should also have a water bottle. 5th graders will now be running in the afternoon.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
I am back. I am still trying to figure out what they have done while I have been gone. Next week we will for sure be on a more regular plan. I am glad that Mrs. Bearden was here to be with the 5th graders. I know she loves them! She had great things to say! It also sounded like Biztown went really well! I loved seeing the pictures on Facebook. They looked so professional! Thank you to my parents for going along! I hope you had fun too!!!
I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being supportive of my absence over the last 3 weeks. Thank you for your prayers, your texts, the cards. It has been a very difficult time, but I was also very comforted knowing your kids were okay. I miss my mom more than I can say, but I do think getting back into the routine will be good. I know for sure she would say the same thing!
Make sure to look at the calendar for upcoming events.
Below are the notes from the music teacher about next week's concert.
Dress for the concert is: Mass appropriate slacks or skirts and a nice top that is primarily red, white, and/or blue.
Remember, we are asking each family to bring one personal care item (toothbrush, toothpaste, bath soap, shampoo, etc.,) that will be donated to a shelter in Des Moines as well as locally.
Have your children arrive at Creston High School no earlier than 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday, May 4.
Preschool-2nd grade children will meet their teachers in the commons area. Grades 3-8 will meet their teachers in the music rooms.
Lap-A-Thon
On Monday, the kids can wear sweats for the lap a thon. I would strongly advise two pairs of tennis shoes and socks. I have a feeling that ground will still be wet and possibly muddy. They can run in shorts as well. They can have their devices to listen to music as they run. They should also have a water bottle. 5th graders will now be running in the afternoon.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! God Bless, Miss Surma
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Hello Parents, I hope everyone had a GREAT spring break! I had a nice relaxing week in Doon and the snow seemed to miss us there! Yahoo! We also went to Waterloo for Easter. It was great to see my sister and her kids from PA!!
Field Trip Change- There was a miscommunication with Howe Elementary on the date of our trip. We are now moving it to Tuesday, April 26. I have one parent for sure as a volunteer, possibly 2, but could still use one more. Does the date change help??? You would still need to attend the training on April 5 or 6. Please let me know by Monday! I apologize for the mix-up!
Iowa Assessment Week- Next week they will be taking these tests. I will remind your children to just do the best they can-- that is all I want from them. I will remind them to get a good night's sleep each night. Eating a good breakfast that fills them up is helpful as well. I know the PTO is creating the snacks for our break. They should also have a free reading book or a magazine to look at when they are finished with each test so they don't distract others. I will do my best to create a stress free environment. Their schedule will be a little crazy this week due to the testing. They won't have every class every day. We are developing a schedule. They will continue to get their specials and library time.
Mass- The 5th grade mass is next week. I will assign them their parts this Friday. You are welcome to join us!!!
Reading- We are reading a story that is historical fiction this week. It is from a little girl named Rachel. She is writing a journal of her traveling in the 1800s with a wagon train.
Our grammar this week is focusing on using the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs. For example: good, better, best or bad, worse, worst. You can also use the words more or most with an adjective...more beautiful or most beautiful.
They will take their weekly test on Friday. Next week during assessment week we will not have a story to read. We are going to take a break.
Math- They are beginning to divide decimals by decimals this week. They are doing really well! In fact, I have even heard some of them say, " I like this kind of math!" That makes me smile because they didn't really say that when they were doing basically the same thing a couple of chapters ago! :)
Substitute-- There will be a sub here on Friday afternoon. I am leaving at noon to head back to Waterloo. My niece is being confirmed on Friday night. Mom and I will be there for the weekend. Mrs. Bearden will be my sub. I know the kids will love that!
I hope you have a GREAT weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Field Trip Change- There was a miscommunication with Howe Elementary on the date of our trip. We are now moving it to Tuesday, April 26. I have one parent for sure as a volunteer, possibly 2, but could still use one more. Does the date change help??? You would still need to attend the training on April 5 or 6. Please let me know by Monday! I apologize for the mix-up!
Iowa Assessment Week- Next week they will be taking these tests. I will remind your children to just do the best they can-- that is all I want from them. I will remind them to get a good night's sleep each night. Eating a good breakfast that fills them up is helpful as well. I know the PTO is creating the snacks for our break. They should also have a free reading book or a magazine to look at when they are finished with each test so they don't distract others. I will do my best to create a stress free environment. Their schedule will be a little crazy this week due to the testing. They won't have every class every day. We are developing a schedule. They will continue to get their specials and library time.
Mass- The 5th grade mass is next week. I will assign them their parts this Friday. You are welcome to join us!!!
Reading- We are reading a story that is historical fiction this week. It is from a little girl named Rachel. She is writing a journal of her traveling in the 1800s with a wagon train.
Our grammar this week is focusing on using the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and adverbs. For example: good, better, best or bad, worse, worst. You can also use the words more or most with an adjective...more beautiful or most beautiful.
They will take their weekly test on Friday. Next week during assessment week we will not have a story to read. We are going to take a break.
Math- They are beginning to divide decimals by decimals this week. They are doing really well! In fact, I have even heard some of them say, " I like this kind of math!" That makes me smile because they didn't really say that when they were doing basically the same thing a couple of chapters ago! :)
Substitute-- There will be a sub here on Friday afternoon. I am leaving at noon to head back to Waterloo. My niece is being confirmed on Friday night. Mom and I will be there for the weekend. Mrs. Bearden will be my sub. I know the kids will love that!
I hope you have a GREAT weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Hello Parents, I hope you are having a great week! The weather has been wonderful! Thank you so much for your help with the silent auction and live auction donations! The 5th grade basket did really well. It was a very successful auction overall. Thank you for your support.
Spring Concert Date Change-- Please mark your calendars--the new date is Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at 7pm. It will be held at the high school.
Cross Walk-- On Friday we will be walking the Stations of the Cross as an entire school. You are more than welcome to join us. The students will be walking with their Lenten Angels. We will have some stops along the way where they will be picking up some mementos of Jesus' journey. We will finish the stations at the church. We are walking rain or shine. Students should dress appropriately for the walk... they may need a light jacket that day. We haven't done this before, but we are very excited about it. If you want to join us, we are gathering in the courtyard at 12:45.
Reading- This week they read a story called The Birchbark House. It is about an Indian girl who is walking through the woods and tries to befriend to bear cubs, but the mother bear puts a stop to that. This is another historical fiction story. They are also working on Past Perfect Tense, Present Perfect Tense, and Future Perfect Tense verbs in sentences. These are verbs that usually have a helping verb in front of it--has, have, had, or will have. They are also working on picking out a theme of the story based on what they have read. A theme is kind of a lesson we learn from the story. They will test over it on Friday. I do plan on doing another story next week even though we will only have 4 days. I will need them to stay focused next week, even though we are all ready for spring break.
Math- We started back in the book this week. Their first lesson was learning how that decimals moves to the left when we are dividing a decimal by 10, 100, or 1000. On Wednesday and Thursday, I gave them Base 10 blocks. They are working in groups to solve division problems with decimals. They are having some fun with this because it is different and they are still solving the problem, but now they may have to trade out their ones for tenths to make it doable or they exchange their tenths for hundredths. All of these problems work out evenly so we aren't in the world of remainders right now. This does give them a visual of just how small their answers really will be.
Religion/Biztown-- We finished our unit on Lent, so I am now using my religion time for work on Biztown. They are currently figuring out the different kinds of jobs there are to choose from in life. Do they want to work with people, ideas, things, or data? They will be working on building a resume for their job at Biztown. They are also working on this with Mrs. Sickels during social studies.
Conferences- If you haven't signed up for a time, please do so, or let me know if next Thursday doesn't work! We can schedule something else!!
Friday Lunch-- Sack lunch is optional. The school will still provide their Friday menu for those without sack lunches. Ala Carte will be available. Milk will be provided. No drinks needed.
Have a great weekend! I will see you next week at conferences!!!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Spring Concert Date Change-- Please mark your calendars--the new date is Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at 7pm. It will be held at the high school.
Cross Walk-- On Friday we will be walking the Stations of the Cross as an entire school. You are more than welcome to join us. The students will be walking with their Lenten Angels. We will have some stops along the way where they will be picking up some mementos of Jesus' journey. We will finish the stations at the church. We are walking rain or shine. Students should dress appropriately for the walk... they may need a light jacket that day. We haven't done this before, but we are very excited about it. If you want to join us, we are gathering in the courtyard at 12:45.
Reading- This week they read a story called The Birchbark House. It is about an Indian girl who is walking through the woods and tries to befriend to bear cubs, but the mother bear puts a stop to that. This is another historical fiction story. They are also working on Past Perfect Tense, Present Perfect Tense, and Future Perfect Tense verbs in sentences. These are verbs that usually have a helping verb in front of it--has, have, had, or will have. They are also working on picking out a theme of the story based on what they have read. A theme is kind of a lesson we learn from the story. They will test over it on Friday. I do plan on doing another story next week even though we will only have 4 days. I will need them to stay focused next week, even though we are all ready for spring break.
Math- We started back in the book this week. Their first lesson was learning how that decimals moves to the left when we are dividing a decimal by 10, 100, or 1000. On Wednesday and Thursday, I gave them Base 10 blocks. They are working in groups to solve division problems with decimals. They are having some fun with this because it is different and they are still solving the problem, but now they may have to trade out their ones for tenths to make it doable or they exchange their tenths for hundredths. All of these problems work out evenly so we aren't in the world of remainders right now. This does give them a visual of just how small their answers really will be.
Religion/Biztown-- We finished our unit on Lent, so I am now using my religion time for work on Biztown. They are currently figuring out the different kinds of jobs there are to choose from in life. Do they want to work with people, ideas, things, or data? They will be working on building a resume for their job at Biztown. They are also working on this with Mrs. Sickels during social studies.
Conferences- If you haven't signed up for a time, please do so, or let me know if next Thursday doesn't work! We can schedule something else!!
Friday Lunch-- Sack lunch is optional. The school will still provide their Friday menu for those without sack lunches. Ala Carte will be available. Milk will be provided. No drinks needed.
Have a great weekend! I will see you next week at conferences!!!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Hello Parents, I hope you are having a great week! I can't believe we are in March already! Where is our year going?? I know we will be busy up until Spring Break!!
Conferences- Last week I sent out an email with a link for you to sign up for conferences. Please make sure you do that!! If you can't get it, call Sarah. She should be able to help you out! If that Thursday doesn't work, let me know. We will make other arrangements.
Reading - This week we read a story called Tuck's Travels. It was about a boy and two other children escaping from the Comancheros. These were kids that were traveling with wagon trains with their families, but were separated from them for different reasons. After one of the 5th graders checked out this unit's stories-- he asked me if they were all "old-timer" stories. :) I would call them historical fiction, but I guess we can call them "old-timer" stories too. ha ha
They are working with verbs again, but are focusing on the verbs be and have. We are using the different forms of those words: am is are was were has have had.
Their Harris Burdick stories are slowly going up on the wall outside our room. I will have them up during conferences, so you can check them out!
Religion- They are working on a Lent chapter right now. We will be going to confession on Friday. I also plan on showing them the very old movie The Ten Commandments. As a school we celebrate the Seder Meal which is what Moses and the Israelites did before leaving. We will also do the Stations of the Cross before they leave for break.
Math- We have finished up our math part of Biztown this week. The next part is more about getting that job in Biztown. We will be getting back into our math book next week. The next chapter is dividing decimals. I told the kids that on Tuesday. They weren't too happy. :)
Stations of the Cross Walk- Next Friday we will be walking the entire school to the church and back for the Stations of the Cross. We will walk rain or shine so the kids should dress accordingly.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I hope to see you at the auction on Saturday night. I will be there with my mom.
God Bless, Miss Surma
Conferences- Last week I sent out an email with a link for you to sign up for conferences. Please make sure you do that!! If you can't get it, call Sarah. She should be able to help you out! If that Thursday doesn't work, let me know. We will make other arrangements.
Reading - This week we read a story called Tuck's Travels. It was about a boy and two other children escaping from the Comancheros. These were kids that were traveling with wagon trains with their families, but were separated from them for different reasons. After one of the 5th graders checked out this unit's stories-- he asked me if they were all "old-timer" stories. :) I would call them historical fiction, but I guess we can call them "old-timer" stories too. ha ha
They are working with verbs again, but are focusing on the verbs be and have. We are using the different forms of those words: am is are was were has have had.
Their Harris Burdick stories are slowly going up on the wall outside our room. I will have them up during conferences, so you can check them out!
Religion- They are working on a Lent chapter right now. We will be going to confession on Friday. I also plan on showing them the very old movie The Ten Commandments. As a school we celebrate the Seder Meal which is what Moses and the Israelites did before leaving. We will also do the Stations of the Cross before they leave for break.
Math- We have finished up our math part of Biztown this week. The next part is more about getting that job in Biztown. We will be getting back into our math book next week. The next chapter is dividing decimals. I told the kids that on Tuesday. They weren't too happy. :)
Stations of the Cross Walk- Next Friday we will be walking the entire school to the church and back for the Stations of the Cross. We will walk rain or shine so the kids should dress accordingly.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I hope to see you at the auction on Saturday night. I will be there with my mom.
God Bless, Miss Surma
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