Wow! We have one more week together! I can't believe how quickly the year went by!  The schedule will be as normal as possible, but at the end of the year there are always things that pop up! 

Calendar Dates:

May 18- Book Reports Due/ Bring Costumes

May 19- 8th grade graduation/ Spirit Day

May 24- Spring Concert 6:00 pm

May 25- Clean Out Desks and Lockers

May 26- Last Day of School/ Field Day/ 3 hour early out

Book Reports- They are due on Thursday. Make sure they pack their costume.  They shouldn't wear it to school because they may not give theirs on Thursday so it will stay at school until they have presented. 

Reading- We are making some headway in our book. The book takes place in the 60s. As I was reading it the last couple of days I came across things I need to discuss with the kids that really don't happen anymore... government cheese as big as a loaf of bread, rubber boots with the 5 buckles ( my dad sold these in his store-- I helped many farmers get new pairs) and signing your name at the grocery store to charge your bill  which would be paid later. Even though I was born in 1970, I am feeling a little nostalgic. Kenny's mom had quite the threat for his brother Byron after he was caught playing with matches! 

Math- We have been adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. They have caught on to that pretty easily. The problem now is having to write their answers in simplified form. So I am adjusting my plans so we can spend some time on that skill and then we will keep moving! There are a lot of different little parts to fractions. The vocabulary words we use are hard to keep sorted : numerators, denominators, finding a common denominator with multiples, reducing fractions with the greatest common factor. 

Religion- We are finishing up our last chapter and we will have one more test. This one covers the Ten Commandments. We will finish the year with our Guidance class. 

May 26, 2023 is the last day of school. It is a 3 hour early out! There won't be lunch served that day! The morning will be Field Day. I don't have the schedule yet, but know that you are welcome to come and watch the fun! We will do the clap-out for the 8th graders before we leave! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am actually staying in town and not driving to Waterloo! I will probably be working on report cards and grading book reports. 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hi Parents, I hope you're having a good week! I think some of the 5th graders were shocked we are still doing work up until the end this week! LOL  Sorry to dash their hopes! 

Calendar Dates:

May 12-- I am gone

May 18- Book Reports Due

May 19- 8th grade graduation/ Spirit Day

May 24- Spring Concert

May 25- Clean Out Desks and Lockers

May 26- Last Day of School/ Field Day/ 3 hour early out

Reading- We started our book this week. The Watsons live in Michigan and are experiencing a very cold winter. Kenny is one of the kids and he is also the narrator of their story. In our first chapter Kenny and his older brother Byron are supposed to be cleaning off the car windows of snow and ice, but Byron isn't much help. Kenny discovers that Byron's lips are stuck to the mirror! The family has to try and pry them off. Dad isn't much help because he is laughing so hard. Mom is panicked, but she finally just pulls his mouth off! OUCH!!!!  The way they talk isn't always grammatically correct so the kids struggle with reading it aloud because they know it doesn't sound right! I gave them a packet of different things to work on about the story. We do that in class. They will have a spelling test on Friday. 

Religion- We are going over the commandments in our current chapter. We are also discussing the story of the sinful woman. They will probably get in one more test before the end of the year!  We will start our Guidance book on Friday. 

Math- This week they learned how to rename fractions so they have like denominators. On Wednesday we started adding fractions with unlike denominators. We are using fraction strips to do this before they do the actual work writing it out. This way is more hands-on and visual for them. 

Book Report Projects and Costumes due on Thursday, May 18. The earliest to drop off their project is the 17th. It will take us a couple of days to get them all presented.  I will probably use the weekend to grade them all.

Substitute- I am gone on Friday, not a doctor appointment finally! I am heading to Waterloo to see my niece play soccer. She finally has a game on a Friday! Susan Weight will be here as my sub. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms! Whether you hear it every day or just once in a while...know that your kids LOVE you!!!! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 17 Days left as I type this blog! WOW!!!! Hold on! They are really going to be busy! 

Calendar Dates:

May 5- Creston Arts Day/ Spirit Day

May 18- Book Reports Due

May 19- 8th grade graduation

May 24- Spring Concert

May 25- Clean Out Desks and Lockers

May 26- Last Day of School/ Field Day/ Early Out

Reading- This week they are working on their unit test! I will send home scores next week. We are also finishing up our FAST testing this week.  Next week I plan on starting a chapter book with them. I realize we won't finish it before the end of the year, but it will give them a taste of middle school reading class. We will still do spelling and tests, but the weekly tests won't be happening. They will have activities to do as we read that go along with the book. The book is called The Watsons Go to Birmingham. 

Book Reports are due on May 18

Math- We did a couple of lessons on dividing fractions. I am going to move on to fractions. We need to get some of that done before the end of the year. They are going to be adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. 

Religion- They are taking a test on Thursday. We will also be starting the Guidance book. It goes with our religion, but is more about building stronger relationships. 

Congrats to Indie and Karsi for being two of the bank poster winners! Harlow in 4th grade was the first place winner. 

Congrats to the 5th graders! They came in 2nd for most laps for the lap-a-thon!!! They will get a cookie party next week from the PTO!!! 

Creston Arts- On Friday, they need to wear something they can get dirty! They will be using dye on the project.  I also see rain in the forecast. If they have an umbrella for our walk there, make sure they have it with them on Friday! 

Spirit Day on Friday! Sweats and/or a hat for $1. 

I hope you have a GREAT weekend! I am off to Waterloo again. My niece has her prom on Saturday. 

God Bless, 

Miss Surma

 Happy Wednesday! We are definitely showing signs that the end is near. I keep reminding them that the work isn't over when they sigh because they have to get a textbook out! 

Calendar Dates:

Apr. 28- Clean Up Day! Need rakes and gloves! / Spirit Day

May 1- Lap-A-Thon/ Sack Lunch Day

May 3- Kindergarten/5th grade mass

May 5- Creston Arts Day/ Spirit Day

May 18- Book Reports Due

May 19- 8th grade graduation

May 25- Clean Out Desks and Lockers

May 26- Last Day of School/ Field Day/ Early Out

Religion- We are finishing up our chapter on the Spiritual Works of Mercy. One person this chapter really focuses on is Saint Maria Goretti. When she was 11 years old, her neighbor Alessandro attacked her. She tried to fight him off, but he stabbed her 14 times. Before she passed away, she forgave him. He did got to prison and had a conversion there. He dreamt that she gave him 14 flowers as a sign of forgiveness. He dedicated his life towards God after that. Her story was pretty shocking for the kids. They couldn't quite grasp how she forgave him. I showed them a video on her. Her body never decomposed and is something you can actually go see. They were pretty amazed at that as well! 

Reading- We are on our last story in this unit. This week we read a narrative nonfiction story called Lewis and Clark. It was about their expedition looking for a waterway that took them to the Pacific Ocean. Their grammar this week is working on negative contractions on verbs-- aren't , isn't, doesn't, etc. They also worked on pronouns with contractions- I'd, I'll, she's, they'd. The spelling this week is on suffixes. They have the base word as one and then the next is that same word with the suffix added. For example: express, expression, tense, tension. They will test on Friday. Next week is a unit test week. 

Book Reports- Many of the kids are done reading and taking notes. They are now typing up their papers or their facts for the book report. The project is due on May 18! 

Bank Poster Contest- I hope you saw the link on my Facebook page for voting. Harlow, Karsi, and Indie's  posters are in the running from our school. You can vote there! 

Math- This division might cause me to go gray! I was so thankful on Tuesday that I had 4 of the 5th graders who understood it so well that they could help their friends so that I could work with a few myself!!! 

Sack Lunch and Drink on Thursday!! We only had one extra ticket per grade for parents to go along. I drew sticks. We don't have room for them on the buses so they have to drive. Thank you, Stephanie, for joining us on Thursday. 

Clean up Day is set for Friday! Rakes and Gloves needed! $1 for flowers for outside on our school grounds! Hopefully it won't rain! 

Spirit Day on Friday, April 28!! Looking at temps- sweats might be good that day! They could also wear a hat. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I am heading to Waverly and Waterloo. We are doing a sisters weekend and watching my niece Olivia in her musical. 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

Dear Parents, I hope you are having a good week! I believe spring fever has hit this room! Definitely getting very chatty! :) 

Calendar Dates:

Apr. 21- Clean Up Day! Need rakes and gloves! 

Apr. 27- Field Trip to Civic Center

May 1- Lap-A-Thon/ Sack Lunch Day

May 3- Kindergarten/5th grade mass

Please turn in your child's permission form and the $5 for the field trip next Thursday. They will need a sack lunch and drink that day.

Reading- This week they read a story called Rachel's Journal. It is about a young girl traveling during the 1850s across America by wagon train. We get a glimpse of some of the difficulties they faced.  The grammar this week is using comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs which means adding -er or -est on the end of their words OR using more and most in front of them. Their spelling this week is dealing with 4 prefixes. They will test on Friday over spelling and the story! 

Congrats to Kinsley, Brock, and Sam! Their essays for the Dollars for Scholars essays have moved on to be judged. The winner is usually announced at mass sometime in May. 

FAST Testing begins next week. This is our final run for the year! 

Math- This week we finally got back into our book. We started working on dividing decimals using Base 10 Blocks. We start that way to figure out how we are really sharing our numbers. Next week they will be really dividing. I reminded them that they won't be using partial quotients. They will divide like we were taught!!! 

Religion-This chapter focuses on two main ideas. The first is discussing how Jesus showed mercy to the tax collectors because they felt bad for their sins. The next idea is learning to show mercy to those around us. The 5th graders are focusing on the Spiritual Works of Mercy. 

Rakes and Gloves needed on Friday!!! Clean up Day! 

Lap-A-Thon sheets are going home in your child's folder. The money raised will go towards next year's field trips! 

I hope you have a great weekend! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Hello Parents, I hope you had a great Easter! It was nice to spend time with family in Waterloo and Waverly! 

Calendar Dates:

Apr. 12- 5th grade mass with Kindergarten

Apr. 14- Spirit Day

Apr. 21- Clean Up Day! Need rakes and gloves! 

Apr. 27- Field Trip to Civic Center

May 1- Lap-A-Thon/ Sack Lunch Day

Reading- This week we read an informational text called Vaqueros. It is the history of the cowboy!  The story explains how we ended up with so many cattle and horses in the US and then how we needed workers to take care of them. This was before fences! The kids learned about the different things they wear for protection from the elements and the ride. This week is our 3rd story which means on Friday there will be a cold read. I decided since it is also ISASP week, that they would only test over the cold read and I wouldn't include the 10 comprehension questions of our story just to give them a little break. They will still test over vocabulary and grammar. 

We will be discussing the next book report tomorrow (Thursday). 

Field Trip- There is a permission slip in your child's folder for our field trip to Des Moines later this month. The entire school will be going! Please fill it out and return it ASAP! Thanks ! 

Clean Up Day- Next Friday we are cleaning up the school grounds! There is a paper that went home last week to inform you. The 5th graders will need to bring rakes and work gloves if possible! Make sure your rake has your name on it! The gloves will be helpful when picking up the leaves and sticks! 

Due to testing this week we haven't had math or religion very much! That will all be back to normal next week. 

Spirit Day on Friday! Hats and/or Sweats for $1

Mass- 5th graders did a great job with the kindergarten class. Our next mass will be on May 3. That is our class' last mass of the year. They will be with kindergarten again, but I told them that next time they won't all have a job! Mrs. Chesling and I will divide up the parts. 

The Blood of Christ will be coming back to our school masses! It took me a bit to figure out that your kids made their First Communion at the beginning of Covid. I am excited that they will be able to receive this again! I will remind them of how we do this! 

I hope you have a great weekend! The weather this week has been amazing! Hopefully the weekend will be too so we can all be outside to enjoy it! 

God Bless,

Miss Surma

 Happy Holy Week! I feel like the Lenten season flew by!!! I can't believe we are in April already!!! Do you realize we only have 7 Mondays left of our year?? 

Calendar Dates:

Apr. 6 - Seder Meal/ Cross Walk 

Apr. 7- Good Friday/ No School

Apr. 9- Easter

Apr. 10- ISASP Testing Begins

Apr. 12- 5th grade mass with Kindergarten

Apr. 14- Spirit Day

Apr. 21- Clean Up Day! Need rakes and gloves! 

Reading- This week we did our practice tests for ISASPS. Just letting you know that next week I will be assigning the 3rd book report. This one is different. They are to be taking notes as they read about their person. I have the questions they need to answer. Now, once they are done reading, they can always look up their person online to fill in any missing blanks. I will tell them not to use Wikipedia. It isn't reliable. A lot of these people have their own websites they can check out.  They will be turning in their notes page to me on the day of the report. 

I also will be giving them a rubric so they know how I will be grading them. This is NOT a book you wait until the end to read and do. There is too much work.   I have LOTS of books they can choose from and so does Mrs. Sorden in the library. There won't be any repeats so two people can't do the same person.  If they don't like what we have, they can find their own and get it approved by me. It has to be an autobiography or a biography. 

WEAR A WHITE SHIRT ON THURSDAY and good walking shoes! Pay attention to weather for coats or sweatshirts, etc. 

Seder Meal is on Thursday. No sack lunches that day unless they have a medical reason.  We will start the Cross Walk in the courtyard around 12:45. You are welcome to join us! 

Math- They finally got their test over this last chapter!  The next step will be finding time to make corrections! 

Religion- We are wrapping up our Lenten chapter. The 5th graders will be helping kindergarten next week with their mass. I am handing out their parts this week. Some of them have reading parts to practice! 

ISASPS- I told the kids this week that next week they should make sure they get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast (if they eat breakfast), and just remember to take their time and do their best. They will take one test a day. In 5th grade we have 4 tests. They do a science test that grades 3-4 do not. Most of the testing will take place in the mornings. On Wednesday, it will take place in the afternoon just because of mass and library time.  If they are sick that week, they may end up taking 2 tests a day or they will have to stay after school to complete them. 

No School on Friday, April 7! The teachers are going to the church to do some cleaning before the Easter services. 

I hope everyone has a blessed Easter! I am heading to Waterloo to see my brother and sister and their families. Last year we started a new tradition of an Adult Egg Hunt! Happy Easter!! Enjoy your family time. 

God Bless,

Miss Surma