Hello Parents, I hope your week is going well. It's hard to believe that next week is Christmas break! We will have some busy days before break!
Religion- We finished up our chapter on the Beatitudes this week. They will be taking a test on Monday. We will also be going to confession on Friday with Father Halbur.
Math- We have finished our chapter on division! I can hear the cheer now! They are testing over it on Thursday and Friday, if needed. I won't start a new chapter until we get back from break! Their next chapter will be covering decimals.
Reading- This week we read a story about Molly Pitcher. Her real is name is Mary Hays. She worked alongside her husband in a battle during the Revolutionary War. I think we all really loved this story. They gave us an idea of what the conditions were like for the soldiers during the winter and the summer. We found out that wives and children were often on the war front with their husbands. Mary was called Molly. She ended up running back and forth to the streams to fill a pitcher of water. She would then run through the battle front and serve the men in the Continental Army a drink of water. Pretty soon the men would yell,
Molly--PITCHER!" We also read about another woman who was a Patriot spy and was able to get information to General Washington that ended up helping them in a battle. We had some great discussions on how these ordinary women did extraordinary things. In grammar this week we are learning more about regular and irregular verbs.
This week is our 3rd week in this unit. This will mean they get a cold read in their test on Friday. We will not be doing a story next week or spelling words.
Next Wednesday, they will need a sack lunch,but milk will be provided. They will be eating with their Advent Angels. We will be caroling after lunch. Then we will go back to our rooms for afternoon activities. I believe we will be showing a movie to 3-5. They will have to dress up on Wednesday because it is a mass day.
Spirit Day- This Friday is Spirit Day! Sweats for $1
I don't know if I will write a blog next week. So, let me wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope everyone's holidays are bright and cheery. If you are traveling, please have a safe trip there and back home! I will see you in 2017!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Friday, December 9, 2016
Good Morning Parents,
I just realized I forgot to put in my blog that in your child's folder is a permission slip. They have been invited to go sing for the Catholic Daughter's on Monday at Holy Spirit. They will have lunch there with the ladies as well! I told them they will really love all the home cooking!
Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
I just realized I forgot to put in my blog that in your child's folder is a permission slip. They have been invited to go sing for the Catholic Daughter's on Monday at Holy Spirit. They will have lunch there with the ladies as well! I told them they will really love all the home cooking!
Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Hello Parents, I hope you are having a good week! I believe we are seeing the signs of winter approaching! I know I felt it during recess duty on Wednesday! Brrrrr!
Food Pantry- There was a mix up in the scheduling. They are getting their shipment on Thursday instead of Friday. So the 5th graders won't be helping this week. Thank you to those who have donated shampoo and conditioner! If you can help us out, please do! Donations need to be brought to the school by December 16.
Reading- So last week they took their first weekly test on their Chromebooks. After a few glitches it went smoothly! They seemed to like it a lot too! The first I've ever heard about test taking! Even though their tests are on paper, I will continue to fill out the forms I send to you. You will find them in your Take Home Folder. I did talk to them again this week about the difficult topic with this unit. Every story deals with the Revolutionary War and that isn't always the easiest of topics. I talked to them about how we all need to make sure we stay focused. This week's story is about King George. He just couldn't seem to understand why the American Colonists wouldn't pay his taxes. He thought since he was a good king, he should be treated as such. This is the story of the Boston Tea Party as well. King George has all the perks, but can't make any real rules because it is the monarchy that does that, the king no longer holds that power. He seems kind of like he is a little crazy which is what they thought back in that time period. Today he would be diagnosed with porphyria. We also read a short nonfiction piece on the events of the Boston Tea Party. We read of two accounts of men that actually took part in the event. We did talk about how this really was a quieter version of a protest versus some of those we see today. They will test over this on Friday. In grammar we are working on present, past, and future tense verbs. There is some figurative language in our story this week. We focused on idioms on Wednesday. They each chose one and then had to draw the literal version of what it said. We discussed what each one really means. For example: It's raining cats and dogs. They will share their pictures on Friday. You will be able to see them outside our room.
Math- We are continuing our division work. This week we worked on story problems together and then had to figure out how we can use that remainder. For example: if the problem dealt with food we took that remainder and made a fraction out of it. If it was something like kids going on a camping trip and splitting up into cabins..sometimes you have to get another cabin to take care of the leftover kids. Some of the questions just asked them what was the remainder or those left out. Some asked how many were full. They had to really pay attention to what the question is asking. We might be nearing a test next week!
Religion- They made an 8-page booklet this week. In it we listed ways we could live out the Beatitudes. We had some really GREAT discussions! It also led us into talking about our Bully program. We discussed the bucket fillers and how they should be looking out for kind acts within our room and our school. I told them to keep this booklet. They will be able to use it when we test over this chapter.
Dec. 16- It is an optional sack lunch day!
Have a great weekend! Stay warm!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Food Pantry- There was a mix up in the scheduling. They are getting their shipment on Thursday instead of Friday. So the 5th graders won't be helping this week. Thank you to those who have donated shampoo and conditioner! If you can help us out, please do! Donations need to be brought to the school by December 16.
Reading- So last week they took their first weekly test on their Chromebooks. After a few glitches it went smoothly! They seemed to like it a lot too! The first I've ever heard about test taking! Even though their tests are on paper, I will continue to fill out the forms I send to you. You will find them in your Take Home Folder. I did talk to them again this week about the difficult topic with this unit. Every story deals with the Revolutionary War and that isn't always the easiest of topics. I talked to them about how we all need to make sure we stay focused. This week's story is about King George. He just couldn't seem to understand why the American Colonists wouldn't pay his taxes. He thought since he was a good king, he should be treated as such. This is the story of the Boston Tea Party as well. King George has all the perks, but can't make any real rules because it is the monarchy that does that, the king no longer holds that power. He seems kind of like he is a little crazy which is what they thought back in that time period. Today he would be diagnosed with porphyria. We also read a short nonfiction piece on the events of the Boston Tea Party. We read of two accounts of men that actually took part in the event. We did talk about how this really was a quieter version of a protest versus some of those we see today. They will test over this on Friday. In grammar we are working on present, past, and future tense verbs. There is some figurative language in our story this week. We focused on idioms on Wednesday. They each chose one and then had to draw the literal version of what it said. We discussed what each one really means. For example: It's raining cats and dogs. They will share their pictures on Friday. You will be able to see them outside our room.
Math- We are continuing our division work. This week we worked on story problems together and then had to figure out how we can use that remainder. For example: if the problem dealt with food we took that remainder and made a fraction out of it. If it was something like kids going on a camping trip and splitting up into cabins..sometimes you have to get another cabin to take care of the leftover kids. Some of the questions just asked them what was the remainder or those left out. Some asked how many were full. They had to really pay attention to what the question is asking. We might be nearing a test next week!
Religion- They made an 8-page booklet this week. In it we listed ways we could live out the Beatitudes. We had some really GREAT discussions! It also led us into talking about our Bully program. We discussed the bucket fillers and how they should be looking out for kind acts within our room and our school. I told them to keep this booklet. They will be able to use it when we test over this chapter.
Dec. 16- It is an optional sack lunch day!
Have a great weekend! Stay warm!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Dear Parents, I hope this finds everyone doing well! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!!! First, congratulations to Heidi and Matt Rohrig on the birth of their daughter! We are all excited for you and your family!!! 👶
Reading- This week we started Unit 3. This unit is all about the Revolutionary War. The story they read is about John Adams and his son sailing to England to have some "talks" before the war starts. It is historical fiction. This unit is great for history, but probably not that exciting all the time. I know they will be ready for social studies after this unit!!! In grammar we are discussing subject and object pronouns.
This Friday we are testing differently! They will be taking the same test, but doing it online! They will be using their Chromebooks for this test. Once they are done, they check the test right away! I will also be able to get more data on what is being covered by the questions. I will still send home that scoresheet, but you will also be able to see their scores online.
Math- We worked on estimating quotients by finding compatible numbers. That doesn't mean rounding. They only round the divisor to the nearest ten. Once they do that, they are to figure out what compatible number on their multiplication table would be a reasonable choice. For example: 832➗ 24=? They would change it to 800 ➗20=40 0r 1000➗20=50.
2x5=10 and 2x4=8 are all compatible numbers and there would be no remainder.
They are now learning to divide with a two digit number. There are some that are getting a little lost, but overall they are all doing really well!
Religion- This week we started going over each of the 8 Beatitudes. They will also be doing a class activity on this to show ways to LIVE those Beatitudes.
Advent Angels- This started on Wednesday. Most of the 5th graders said they had a good time, but their angel is really quiet. I am betting for some that will change!
Advent Season- One of the things we are doing for this Advent Season is purchasing items to donate to our local Food Pantry (where 3-5 donate their time). The 5th graders are being asked to donate shampoo and conditioner. They would like to get all donations collected by December 16. Please do what you can to help out.
Christmas Concert- This is set for next Wednesday, December 7 at 6:30 at the Creston High School. The kids should find their teachers no sooner than 6:15. The 5th graders will be sitting on chairs on the stage during the concert-- much like they did last spring.
Art- On Wednesday, I showed the kids what I wanted to do for our door for December! They made it! They created a tree made from paper chains! There are presents below it! That just wasn't enough! They went to town and decorated any available space in our room. It looks very festive! They had such fun!!! They did a great job of working together as well! Super proud of them!!!
Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reading- This week we started Unit 3. This unit is all about the Revolutionary War. The story they read is about John Adams and his son sailing to England to have some "talks" before the war starts. It is historical fiction. This unit is great for history, but probably not that exciting all the time. I know they will be ready for social studies after this unit!!! In grammar we are discussing subject and object pronouns.
This Friday we are testing differently! They will be taking the same test, but doing it online! They will be using their Chromebooks for this test. Once they are done, they check the test right away! I will also be able to get more data on what is being covered by the questions. I will still send home that scoresheet, but you will also be able to see their scores online.
Math- We worked on estimating quotients by finding compatible numbers. That doesn't mean rounding. They only round the divisor to the nearest ten. Once they do that, they are to figure out what compatible number on their multiplication table would be a reasonable choice. For example: 832➗ 24=? They would change it to 800 ➗20=40 0r 1000➗20=50.
2x5=10 and 2x4=8 are all compatible numbers and there would be no remainder.
They are now learning to divide with a two digit number. There are some that are getting a little lost, but overall they are all doing really well!
Religion- This week we started going over each of the 8 Beatitudes. They will also be doing a class activity on this to show ways to LIVE those Beatitudes.
Advent Angels- This started on Wednesday. Most of the 5th graders said they had a good time, but their angel is really quiet. I am betting for some that will change!
Advent Season- One of the things we are doing for this Advent Season is purchasing items to donate to our local Food Pantry (where 3-5 donate their time). The 5th graders are being asked to donate shampoo and conditioner. They would like to get all donations collected by December 16. Please do what you can to help out.
Christmas Concert- This is set for next Wednesday, December 7 at 6:30 at the Creston High School. The kids should find their teachers no sooner than 6:15. The 5th graders will be sitting on chairs on the stage during the concert-- much like they did last spring.
Art- On Wednesday, I showed the kids what I wanted to do for our door for December! They made it! They created a tree made from paper chains! There are presents below it! That just wasn't enough! They went to town and decorated any available space in our room. It looks very festive! They had such fun!!! They did a great job of working together as well! Super proud of them!!!
Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
I will send the first place posters on to Jewell for voting. If they win there, the students will be notified by mail.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Happy Thursday Everyone! I hope you are having a great week! It seems to be flying by! I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving already...didn't we just have Halloween?
Reading- This week they are taking their unit 2 test. I will be able to send scores home next week. They are also doing their first book reports on Thursday. We will finish them up on Friday if we need to do so. Next week with only 2 days-- we won't do another story. I will have other things planned for that time.
Math- This week they used Base 10 blocks to solve division problems with 2 digit divisors. They worked in groups to solve them. It was a fun couple of days. On Wednesday, I started teaching them the strategy of Partial Quotients. We did take the long route, but on Thursday we will learn to shorten that up. I like this strategy. I learned it about 5 years ago in a math class I was taking. I know this isn't something you will know how to do and I did tell your children that. :) Having said that, this is a great 2nd option for the kids to use if the original strategy is too difficult. With partial quotients I can easily multiply by 10s, 20s, 100s and do it all mentally. It also allows me to take out more of the dividend at one time. They will learn the strategy you and I were both raised with, but this will give them two options to solve a division problem. They will be able to choose what works for them and that is what is key here. It needs to work for them, not me or you, I'm afraid. Most of them will most likely choose the strategy we know, but if they really like partial quotients, I won't stop them from using it. Division is division and as long as they are comfortable with it and can do it--go for it!
Religion- They have all finished the quizzes over the mysteries! We will be heading back into the book now!
Geography Bee- We will hold the first round on Monday! We will let you know when the 2nd round will be held. You will be invited to that round!
Advent - This will begin right after Thanksgiving. The kids will do activities with an Advent Angel again this year! They are already asking me about it! I think they are excited!
Mass- They did a GREAT job with mass today. I had two adults guests come up and tell me they did a wonderful job! They were really impressed. I shared that with the kids. It's always good to hear! I thought they did an amazing job too, but I might be a little biased!
Food Pantry- I just wanted to say that the kids did a GREAT job last week helping out at the Food Pantry. They unloaded the truck and then unpacked all the groceries. Another set of kids were separating frozen food items and breads into smaller bags. There was a moment that I got to just stand back and watch and I was near tears. It was just such a sweet moment watching your kids do their jobs with such kindness and excitement. Moments like those are extra perks for my job! They make my heart melt. Love love love your kids!
Have a great weekend! Don't forget the Vendor Fair at STM on Saturday!!! Get some of your Christmas shopping done and support the STM PTO!
Let me also add-- I won't do a blog next week, so please let me wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. I know I am adding your kids to my list of things I am thankful for this year!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reading- This week they are taking their unit 2 test. I will be able to send scores home next week. They are also doing their first book reports on Thursday. We will finish them up on Friday if we need to do so. Next week with only 2 days-- we won't do another story. I will have other things planned for that time.
Math- This week they used Base 10 blocks to solve division problems with 2 digit divisors. They worked in groups to solve them. It was a fun couple of days. On Wednesday, I started teaching them the strategy of Partial Quotients. We did take the long route, but on Thursday we will learn to shorten that up. I like this strategy. I learned it about 5 years ago in a math class I was taking. I know this isn't something you will know how to do and I did tell your children that. :) Having said that, this is a great 2nd option for the kids to use if the original strategy is too difficult. With partial quotients I can easily multiply by 10s, 20s, 100s and do it all mentally. It also allows me to take out more of the dividend at one time. They will learn the strategy you and I were both raised with, but this will give them two options to solve a division problem. They will be able to choose what works for them and that is what is key here. It needs to work for them, not me or you, I'm afraid. Most of them will most likely choose the strategy we know, but if they really like partial quotients, I won't stop them from using it. Division is division and as long as they are comfortable with it and can do it--go for it!
Religion- They have all finished the quizzes over the mysteries! We will be heading back into the book now!
Geography Bee- We will hold the first round on Monday! We will let you know when the 2nd round will be held. You will be invited to that round!
Advent - This will begin right after Thanksgiving. The kids will do activities with an Advent Angel again this year! They are already asking me about it! I think they are excited!
Mass- They did a GREAT job with mass today. I had two adults guests come up and tell me they did a wonderful job! They were really impressed. I shared that with the kids. It's always good to hear! I thought they did an amazing job too, but I might be a little biased!
Food Pantry- I just wanted to say that the kids did a GREAT job last week helping out at the Food Pantry. They unloaded the truck and then unpacked all the groceries. Another set of kids were separating frozen food items and breads into smaller bags. There was a moment that I got to just stand back and watch and I was near tears. It was just such a sweet moment watching your kids do their jobs with such kindness and excitement. Moments like those are extra perks for my job! They make my heart melt. Love love love your kids!
Have a great weekend! Don't forget the Vendor Fair at STM on Saturday!!! Get some of your Christmas shopping done and support the STM PTO!
Let me also add-- I won't do a blog next week, so please let me wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. I know I am adding your kids to my list of things I am thankful for this year!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Dear Parents, Happy Thursday! I hope this week has been going well for you! We have two full weeks of school! I'm not sure we know how to act! :)
Book Reports- Just a reminder that the first book report is due on Thursday, November 17. I think there are about 5-6 kids are still reading their books. They need to get going on that. If they lost the packet I gave them with the report ideas, just have them ask me for another one. That isn't a problem.
Reading- This week we read an informative piece called Cougars. This is a nonfiction piece, but I think it keeps the kids pretty interested in the different facts about cougars. On Tuesday they worked in pairs or small groups and were assigned a topic from the story. They had to jot down the important details on a piece of paper. They then had to report back to the class what they felt were things they should all know. I have turned their notes into packets for them. They can always use this to review the story before the test on Friday.
On Wednesday, we tried something different. We reread the story together (in unison). I talked about fast readers will need to slow down to stay at the pace, slower readers will have to work to keep up. This is supposed to help build their comprehension of the story while it keeps all of them involved. They are forced to follow along. Plus it doesn't give any one student added pressure of having to read aloud or to keep track because they should be! We stopped at certain points to go over facts as well. We had a good discussion on our senses. The cougars strongest ones were hearing and seeing. I asked them if they had to live without one---which one would it be? Many said touch because then pain would no longer be a factor even if they grabbed onto something HOT! We didn't quite finish it, but we will on Thursday. Our grammar this week is putting in quotation marks around things people say, to cite a quote from a book, or when we use interjections. There wasn't much of a clue for spelling. This week is the final schwa sound +r. We did figure out that the final letter in every word is an R and the letter before it is a vowel!
Next week they will be taking Unit 2 test. There will not be any spelling. They will also share their book reports.
Religion- They have taken quizzes over the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries. On Thursday, they will take the quiz on Joyful Mysteries. They are also working on cards. I wanted the kids to do something for the police departments in Des Moines and Urbandale just to let them know we are thinking of them. The kids have been praying for the two officers and their families since the shootings last week. The kids in 3-5 are making cards and I will send them to each police department this weekend. It is a small gesture, but as Catholics we are called to Bury the Dead in the Corporal Works of Mercy. This is our step towards that. Plus, a past student, Luke Eblen, works for the Des Moines Police Department and worked with Sgt. Tony Bemino. I thought it might do him some good as well to see his hometown is thinking of him and his work family.
Math- We are working on that division! This week they learned how to check their division by multiplying! I told them that this will eliminate the question, "Miss Surma, did I do this right?" Now they can check their work!!! This should also help eliminate corrections because they will know if they have it right or not! Next up? Double digit divisors!
Food Pantry- This Friday will be our first time walking down and helping the Food Pantry unload their items! You signed a permission slip quite a while ago! We will go down around 1:15 to help out! I told them to wear tennis shoes for the walk that day.
STEM Night- Don't forget tonight is STEM Night! It is a come and go! You don't have to be there at 5:30! Come any time and leave when you are ready! Enjoy the fun night that some of the staff and Mrs. Simmons have planned!
Muffins with Mom is on Tuesday, November 15!!! Can't wait to see you then!
Have a great weekend!
God Bless, Miss Surma
Book Reports- Just a reminder that the first book report is due on Thursday, November 17. I think there are about 5-6 kids are still reading their books. They need to get going on that. If they lost the packet I gave them with the report ideas, just have them ask me for another one. That isn't a problem.
Reading- This week we read an informative piece called Cougars. This is a nonfiction piece, but I think it keeps the kids pretty interested in the different facts about cougars. On Tuesday they worked in pairs or small groups and were assigned a topic from the story. They had to jot down the important details on a piece of paper. They then had to report back to the class what they felt were things they should all know. I have turned their notes into packets for them. They can always use this to review the story before the test on Friday.
On Wednesday, we tried something different. We reread the story together (in unison). I talked about fast readers will need to slow down to stay at the pace, slower readers will have to work to keep up. This is supposed to help build their comprehension of the story while it keeps all of them involved. They are forced to follow along. Plus it doesn't give any one student added pressure of having to read aloud or to keep track because they should be! We stopped at certain points to go over facts as well. We had a good discussion on our senses. The cougars strongest ones were hearing and seeing. I asked them if they had to live without one---which one would it be? Many said touch because then pain would no longer be a factor even if they grabbed onto something HOT! We didn't quite finish it, but we will on Thursday. Our grammar this week is putting in quotation marks around things people say, to cite a quote from a book, or when we use interjections. There wasn't much of a clue for spelling. This week is the final schwa sound +r. We did figure out that the final letter in every word is an R and the letter before it is a vowel!
Next week they will be taking Unit 2 test. There will not be any spelling. They will also share their book reports.
Religion- They have taken quizzes over the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries. On Thursday, they will take the quiz on Joyful Mysteries. They are also working on cards. I wanted the kids to do something for the police departments in Des Moines and Urbandale just to let them know we are thinking of them. The kids have been praying for the two officers and their families since the shootings last week. The kids in 3-5 are making cards and I will send them to each police department this weekend. It is a small gesture, but as Catholics we are called to Bury the Dead in the Corporal Works of Mercy. This is our step towards that. Plus, a past student, Luke Eblen, works for the Des Moines Police Department and worked with Sgt. Tony Bemino. I thought it might do him some good as well to see his hometown is thinking of him and his work family.
Math- We are working on that division! This week they learned how to check their division by multiplying! I told them that this will eliminate the question, "Miss Surma, did I do this right?" Now they can check their work!!! This should also help eliminate corrections because they will know if they have it right or not! Next up? Double digit divisors!
Food Pantry- This Friday will be our first time walking down and helping the Food Pantry unload their items! You signed a permission slip quite a while ago! We will go down around 1:15 to help out! I told them to wear tennis shoes for the walk that day.
STEM Night- Don't forget tonight is STEM Night! It is a come and go! You don't have to be there at 5:30! Come any time and leave when you are ready! Enjoy the fun night that some of the staff and Mrs. Simmons have planned!
Muffins with Mom is on Tuesday, November 15!!! Can't wait to see you then!
Have a great weekend!
God Bless, Miss Surma
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