Hello Parents,
I hope everyone is getting into the groove of school again! Welcome to 5th Grade!!! So, this blog is my main way of keeping you up to date on what we are doing. I very rarely send home paper stuff. I will post things on our Facebook page as well, but you should always check here for information.
Reading- This week they are reading an excerpt from Wayside School . This is a humorous fiction story. There are some silly things that happen in the school and with the teacher! We are focusing on creating a story map to identify the problem in the story , the events, and the resolution. We are also talking about irony. In grammar we are working on identifying the simple subject and simple predicate of a sentence. I am trying to get them to focus on finding the noun and the verb! They took a spelling test on Monday. They will have a posttest on Friday. I don't do bonus right away. I will base that on some pretest scores to see. Once they are doing bonus, they continue to do it. They are learning that in 5th grade everything but math is done in cursive, unless I tell them otherwise. This is great for many of them because it is forcing them to slow down. They will test over this story on Friday. They will take an online test as they did last year in 4th grade.
We also got them on Quizlet this week. They will be able to work on spelling and vocabulary words there.
Math- They took a pretest this week. On Wednesday we started our first chapter. It focuses on place value. They will be working with millions and eventually we will be working the place value positions of decimals.
Religion- We always begin our year discussing the Bible and how to locate readings or passages in the different books. We then move into the story of Creation and the Holy Trinity.
Spirit Day is next Friday! They can wear sweats for $1! It is also the big CY-Hawk game so they can support their favorite team! I will most likely be supporting the UNI Panthers. I might be "allergic" to those other colors! :)
I am reading the book Wonder to them. This is a fave of mine. I am also working with them on acts of kindness. In the book, August was born with some facial deformities and he is just beginning his 5th grade year. He was home-schooled up until this point. It is a great story on accepting differences and bullying. We will have a REAL-LIFE Auggie as our pen pal. His name is Mason. The kids will be sending him letters so we can get to know him better. He is 11 years old. I'm also trying to get them to catch some acts of kindness so we can fill our jar. It's kind of like the bucket fillers.
Facebook- If you are on Facebook, make sure to look for my page St. Malachy Fabulous Fifth Grade. Ask to join and I will take care of the rest!
Chromebooks are up and running! They are already typing letters up for their Iowa History project with Mrs. Sickels.
Holy Spirit International Food Fair is set for September 10.
I hope everyone enjoys the three day weekend whether you are staying put or traveling. I am heading to my hometown of Doon. My siblings and I will be putting our childhood home for sale this fall. I am going home to do some more packing, donating, and pitching this weekend. Have a great weekend!!!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Saturday, August 26, 2017
St.Malachy 5th
Grade “Our 9”
Each of the 9 months of the
school year all members of our 5th grade class are dedicating their
prayers/work to various individuals who have made a positive impact on their
lives.
August 24- September 1
Student/Teacher:
|
Praying/
Working for:
|
Fernando Acuna
|
My
dad
|
Ava Adamson
|
Uncle
Devin
|
Spencer Brown
|
Uncle
Tyler
|
Olivia Burwell
|
My
dad
|
Vincent Eblen
|
My
brother Joe
|
Tristan Evans
|
My
grandpa
|
Jersey Foote
|
My
mom
|
Ava Ford
|
My
mom
|
Taryn Fredrickson
|
Grandma
Tracy
|
Mila Kuhns
|
Cousin
Ellie
|
Aubrie Mohr
|
Grandpa
Moffitt
|
Charles Rudolf
|
Great
Grandpa
|
Josh Schaefer
|
Grandma
|
Mattias Schultes
|
Coach
B.
|
Taylor Smith
|
Great
Grandma
|
Parker Varner
|
Grandma
|
Sasha Wurster
|
Great
Grandma
|
Carley Zollman
|
My
brother
|
Miss Surma
|
Coen
Family
|
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Hello Parents ! Welcome to 5th Grade!!! This is your journey as well as your child's! I wanted to invite you to my 5th grade Facebook page, if you are on Facebook. That is where I will post pictures or videos of your kids during our year together. This is a CLOSED group, so you will have to click JOIN and then I will admit you in. I am keeping this just for us.
The group's name is St. Malachy Fabulous Fifth Grade. That is what you will search!
I am excited for our year!
Miss Surma
The group's name is St. Malachy Fabulous Fifth Grade. That is what you will search!
I am excited for our year!
Miss Surma
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Hello Parents,
Happy Thursday! I cannot believe I am writing my last blog to you! Where did our year go??
There isn't much to tell you this week...
Tuesday, May 30 - That morning we will be finishing some things up in our classes and cleaning out desks. They will need their book bag to take home their stuff. They will need to bring a sack lunch that day. Milk will be provided. They should wear tennis shoes for Field Day.
Wednesday, May 31- We will have mass that morning. After mass we will have a closing of the year instead of later that morning. The remainder of the day we will be in our rooms. Dismissal time is at noon. There will not be lunch for the kids.
Report Cards will be done and online for you next week.
Finally, let me say I have enjoyed this class immensely! I know there were 25, but it never felt like that to me. I couldn't imagine this class without one of them! They are all so special and so unique. I was lucky to be their teacher! I thank you for that! I thank you for choosing our school, our family. It was my pleasure to be their 5th grade teacher. I know they are ready to move on to middle school and all that it brings, but it is never easy to say goodbye to my kids. They will always be mine. I hope that all of you have a wonderful summer! Don't forget to have them pick up a book, newspaper, magazine once in awhile. Throw them a math problem to keep them on their toes. Tell them it's homework from Miss Surma! 😊 Enjoy sleeping in, softball and baseball games, camping, fishing, or just taking a vacation! For some of you, I know I am saying goodbye to you because now I have taught your youngest! That makes me a little sad as well!
I will be here for most of June, but I will spend the majority of my summer back home in Doon. It will be my final summer in my childhood home. I want to be there as much as I can before we sell it this fall.
Happy Thursday! I cannot believe I am writing my last blog to you! Where did our year go??
There isn't much to tell you this week...
Tuesday, May 30 - That morning we will be finishing some things up in our classes and cleaning out desks. They will need their book bag to take home their stuff. They will need to bring a sack lunch that day. Milk will be provided. They should wear tennis shoes for Field Day.
Wednesday, May 31- We will have mass that morning. After mass we will have a closing of the year instead of later that morning. The remainder of the day we will be in our rooms. Dismissal time is at noon. There will not be lunch for the kids.
Report Cards will be done and online for you next week.
Finally, let me say I have enjoyed this class immensely! I know there were 25, but it never felt like that to me. I couldn't imagine this class without one of them! They are all so special and so unique. I was lucky to be their teacher! I thank you for that! I thank you for choosing our school, our family. It was my pleasure to be their 5th grade teacher. I know they are ready to move on to middle school and all that it brings, but it is never easy to say goodbye to my kids. They will always be mine. I hope that all of you have a wonderful summer! Don't forget to have them pick up a book, newspaper, magazine once in awhile. Throw them a math problem to keep them on their toes. Tell them it's homework from Miss Surma! 😊 Enjoy sleeping in, softball and baseball games, camping, fishing, or just taking a vacation! For some of you, I know I am saying goodbye to you because now I have taught your youngest! That makes me a little sad as well!
I will be here for most of June, but I will spend the majority of my summer back home in Doon. It will be my final summer in my childhood home. I want to be there as much as I can before we sell it this fall.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Hello Parents, I am so sorry that last week I totally spaced off writing a blog. It was a crazy week! I hope you had a great weekend. I left Thursday afternoon and drove to Davenport where I met up with my sister Penny. We then took off for Butler, PA. We spent the night in Portage, Indiana and then took off again on Friday to finish the drive. We arrived in Butler around 5:15 their time. We went to watch our niece AnnMarie perform in the Youngstown Playhouse production of Hairspray. It was AMAZING! I thought my niece did an amazing job as "Penny" the best friend to the lead Tracy. My niece cried when she saw us after the show...that made the long drive totally worth it! We are heading back there in about 4 weeks to spend a week out there.
The Baker's Neighbor play is this Friday. We have two shows. Half of the class will do their play at 10:45 and the other group will be at 2:15. The afternoon show may end up in Mrs. Mitchell's room. We have a lot of different activities going on at STM on Friday and the forecast isn't helping. When you arrive for the afternoon play, I will have 5th graders greeting you at the door. They will tell you where to go for sure. They have done a great job of memorizing their lines! It is really coming together!
Costumes:
Manuel-- dress clothes you wear to mass
Pablo-- the same thing, but you can add a cap if you want. Just need to look like an older guy in the village
Carlos and Sisters-- they are kids. They can wear what they wear to school unless they want to do something special
Villagers and Women-- They are too look like older people in the village. If they want to wear dress clothes, be a farmer, wear caps, carry a cane, dress like an old lady or man...all good!
Judge- Mass clothes- I will supply the black robe
Math-- They are still finishing up the math test over dividing decimals. When we are all done with that, I do plan on starting a new chapter even though I know we won't finish it. I would like to get to some fraction stuff before they go. They have done a lot of that on ST Math, so they will probably catch on quickly.
Religion- We are doing guidance, but this week we have been using that time to practice for the play.
Book Reports- They are due on Wednesday, May 24. They will need to bring it to school along with their costume. They will start to share their reports on that day, but I know we won't be able to get through them all. We will use Thursday and Friday to get them all done.
Last Days of School-
Tuesday, May 30-- They can bring a sack lunch that day to school. Milk will be provided. We will have Field Day that afternoon from 1-3. You are welcome to join us for that. I will plan on them cleaning out their desks that morning. They should come with their book bag to take belongings home that day.
Creston Public School has now stated that we will have a 3 hour early out on May 31. There won't be lunch that day. We will be having mass that morning. They don't have to wear mass attire for this day.
I hope you have a great weekend! I plan on going to Waterloo. My niece Gracelyn is graduating from Columbus High School.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
The Baker's Neighbor play is this Friday. We have two shows. Half of the class will do their play at 10:45 and the other group will be at 2:15. The afternoon show may end up in Mrs. Mitchell's room. We have a lot of different activities going on at STM on Friday and the forecast isn't helping. When you arrive for the afternoon play, I will have 5th graders greeting you at the door. They will tell you where to go for sure. They have done a great job of memorizing their lines! It is really coming together!
Costumes:
Manuel-- dress clothes you wear to mass
Pablo-- the same thing, but you can add a cap if you want. Just need to look like an older guy in the village
Carlos and Sisters-- they are kids. They can wear what they wear to school unless they want to do something special
Villagers and Women-- They are too look like older people in the village. If they want to wear dress clothes, be a farmer, wear caps, carry a cane, dress like an old lady or man...all good!
Judge- Mass clothes- I will supply the black robe
Math-- They are still finishing up the math test over dividing decimals. When we are all done with that, I do plan on starting a new chapter even though I know we won't finish it. I would like to get to some fraction stuff before they go. They have done a lot of that on ST Math, so they will probably catch on quickly.
Religion- We are doing guidance, but this week we have been using that time to practice for the play.
Book Reports- They are due on Wednesday, May 24. They will need to bring it to school along with their costume. They will start to share their reports on that day, but I know we won't be able to get through them all. We will use Thursday and Friday to get them all done.
Last Days of School-
Tuesday, May 30-- They can bring a sack lunch that day to school. Milk will be provided. We will have Field Day that afternoon from 1-3. You are welcome to join us for that. I will plan on them cleaning out their desks that morning. They should come with their book bag to take belongings home that day.
Creston Public School has now stated that we will have a 3 hour early out on May 31. There won't be lunch that day. We will be having mass that morning. They don't have to wear mass attire for this day.
I hope you have a great weekend! I plan on going to Waterloo. My niece Gracelyn is graduating from Columbus High School.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Happy Thursday Parents! I hope you are having a great week! I am so glad it isn't raining!
Reading- This week they have been taking the Unit 5 test. You will see their scores next Thursday in your folders. Next week I plan on doing a story from our next unit. This next unit, they will be given another book to use. It is more like a magazine. They will have a spelling test and test on Friday. Next week I will also be giving them their scripts for our play. We will hold try outs next Thursday most likely. I would like them to know their roles by Friday so they can start memorizing their lines. So... I am looking at the plays being held on Friday, May 19. I will have to do one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I will let you know more when I have it all figured out!
Book Reports- They are due on May 24. I keep reminding those students are reading, they need to keep this going and not just do it while at school. They will run out of time. IF your child is doing the poster...they can use the tri-fold ones like at the science invention convention or just the big poster board paper found at Wal-Mart. You might also check out Dollar General or Dollar Tree.
Math- We are plugging away at our chapter. This dividing decimals by decimals is throwing some of them. They need to remember that the decimal has to be moved in the divisor and in the dividend and then they need to put it in their answer! :) We are getting near the end so there will be a test coming soon.
Religion- We finished the Ten Commandments so we are going to work on our Guidance book now until the end of the year.
Recess- This is just a story. I had duty on Wednesday and we stayed on this side. I had a big group of 5th graders that played 6-Square. Then I had another group on the hill. I looked up and noticed some of the girls doing tumbling stunts. Then the boys were trying their hand at it. Then I suggested wheelbarrow races. They did that and then moved onto building a boy pyramid and a girl pyramid. Then they did piggyback races. I didn't stay for anything more, but boy were they fun to watch. I was giggling at them constantly. I just loved how they were getting along! Then it dawned on me that we are running out of days. I got a little sad!!!!
The 5th graders will be visiting the middle school wing and spend time with the 6th graders next Wednesday after mass. They will eat lunch with them and go to recess. They will have their normal afternoon. I know the middle school information night is the next evening for you and them! I love this day for them, but I hate this day for me because I know I am going to lose them soon!
I will be gone on May 12. Mrs. Bearden will be here to sub for me. They will be going to the Food Pantry that day. That is also a Spirit Day. My sister and I are leaving Thursday night for Pennsylvania. Our niece AnnMarie is a freshman at Youngstown State and has the part as Penny in the musical Hairspray. We have never seen her perform. It will be a LONG drive and a short trip! I will be back on Monday!
On Tuesday after our testing I showed them the video of my niece's senior trip to France and Belgium. You can find it below. They visited sights of WWI and WWII. They saw battlegrounds and cemeteries,and Catholic churches. I also had to show them a quick video on the Christmas Truce so they would understand the significance of the soccer balls in the video. It's about 30 minutes...watch if you like history!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYevMi49nMk
Have a great weekend! I am heading to Waterloo on Friday. My niece Grace has her senior prom on Saturday.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reading- This week they have been taking the Unit 5 test. You will see their scores next Thursday in your folders. Next week I plan on doing a story from our next unit. This next unit, they will be given another book to use. It is more like a magazine. They will have a spelling test and test on Friday. Next week I will also be giving them their scripts for our play. We will hold try outs next Thursday most likely. I would like them to know their roles by Friday so they can start memorizing their lines. So... I am looking at the plays being held on Friday, May 19. I will have to do one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I will let you know more when I have it all figured out!
Book Reports- They are due on May 24. I keep reminding those students are reading, they need to keep this going and not just do it while at school. They will run out of time. IF your child is doing the poster...they can use the tri-fold ones like at the science invention convention or just the big poster board paper found at Wal-Mart. You might also check out Dollar General or Dollar Tree.
Math- We are plugging away at our chapter. This dividing decimals by decimals is throwing some of them. They need to remember that the decimal has to be moved in the divisor and in the dividend and then they need to put it in their answer! :) We are getting near the end so there will be a test coming soon.
Religion- We finished the Ten Commandments so we are going to work on our Guidance book now until the end of the year.
Recess- This is just a story. I had duty on Wednesday and we stayed on this side. I had a big group of 5th graders that played 6-Square. Then I had another group on the hill. I looked up and noticed some of the girls doing tumbling stunts. Then the boys were trying their hand at it. Then I suggested wheelbarrow races. They did that and then moved onto building a boy pyramid and a girl pyramid. Then they did piggyback races. I didn't stay for anything more, but boy were they fun to watch. I was giggling at them constantly. I just loved how they were getting along! Then it dawned on me that we are running out of days. I got a little sad!!!!
The 5th graders will be visiting the middle school wing and spend time with the 6th graders next Wednesday after mass. They will eat lunch with them and go to recess. They will have their normal afternoon. I know the middle school information night is the next evening for you and them! I love this day for them, but I hate this day for me because I know I am going to lose them soon!
I will be gone on May 12. Mrs. Bearden will be here to sub for me. They will be going to the Food Pantry that day. That is also a Spirit Day. My sister and I are leaving Thursday night for Pennsylvania. Our niece AnnMarie is a freshman at Youngstown State and has the part as Penny in the musical Hairspray. We have never seen her perform. It will be a LONG drive and a short trip! I will be back on Monday!
On Tuesday after our testing I showed them the video of my niece's senior trip to France and Belgium. You can find it below. They visited sights of WWI and WWII. They saw battlegrounds and cemeteries,and Catholic churches. I also had to show them a quick video on the Christmas Truce so they would understand the significance of the soccer balls in the video. It's about 30 minutes...watch if you like history!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYevMi49nMk
Have a great weekend! I am heading to Waterloo on Friday. My niece Grace has her senior prom on Saturday.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Hello Parents, I hope you are having a great week! Our trip to St. Louis was GREAT! We had a lot of fun, plus we all took back a lot of great ideas for future activities at STM. Most of my sessions were religion based. They dealt mostly with ideas for service projects.
Field Trip- First, thank you to the parents that went with us to Des Moines. Your assistance was wonderful. The day went so great! Once again, I got a little teary eyed watching them all perform their jobs. They have been working so hard at school, it was just so great to see them put it all into action. They learned to value their lunch breaks! They were so busy. Mrs. Sickels and I helped in the book store. I couldn't believe how quickly we had to work. Our CEO was constantly paying bills after her lunch break!
Reading- We are reading our last story Lewis & Clark in this unit. We read about their expedition to find a waterway that went from one coast to the other. We learned about the barriers that slowed them down. In grammar they are working on contractions. In spelling we are working on the adding the suffix-ion. They will test on Friday. Next week will be our unit test week.
After that, we will be working on Unit 6, but I will also be doing the play with them. We most likely won't finish Unit 6. Most of them have also picked their latest autobiography or biography book. I told them they needed to make that choice by this Friday. They have a packet with the information needed to create this book report. They will have to have a costume. I told them NOT to go out and buy something...check their closet or yours! The Rerun may also have something they can use. If you have questions- shoot me an email. These will be due on May 24. The packet also includes questions for them to answer as they read their book. I did tell them that once they are done reading the book and if they still have questions that are unanswered, they can look those up online. They are required to read the book first.
Math- Now that Biz Town is done, we will get back to our division chapter!
Religion- I meant to show this before Easter, but I couldn't find my tapes. I did find them finally in the lounge! They are watching The Ten Commandments.
On Wednesday, Troy McBroom, Mrs. Kendrick's dad, came to our room to talk to the 3-5th graders about his trip to Israel. It was so cool. We saw pictures of the Jordan River, he showed us pictures of the cave in which Jesus was born. They had to put marble down on the floor because too many people were coming in to chip it away and take it with them. He showed us the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before he was arrested. We saw the place that Pilate most likely held the trial of Jesus. He showed us where David fought Goliath. He even brought some rocks back from that area. He gave each child a small bottle of shells from the Sea of Galilee. He taught them some common words to say in Hebrew.
Lap-A-Thon is set for Thursday, May 4. The kids should wear clothes that are comfortable to run in. They may want sweats in case it is chilly. I usually recommend 2 pairs of shoes and socks for that day. Many times that ground is really muddy. This way they can change when they get done. They can bring a water bottle and music to listen to while they run. They should return their pledge envelope by next week. There will be a sign up genius being sent out to all parents if you want to help that day.
Next week is May already!!! Where did our year go?? My time with your kids is running out!
Please continue to pray for Leisha Clark and her family with the passing of her mom. Father also announced that Father Pins' mother also passed away. We will keep them in our prayers.
Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Field Trip- First, thank you to the parents that went with us to Des Moines. Your assistance was wonderful. The day went so great! Once again, I got a little teary eyed watching them all perform their jobs. They have been working so hard at school, it was just so great to see them put it all into action. They learned to value their lunch breaks! They were so busy. Mrs. Sickels and I helped in the book store. I couldn't believe how quickly we had to work. Our CEO was constantly paying bills after her lunch break!
Reading- We are reading our last story Lewis & Clark in this unit. We read about their expedition to find a waterway that went from one coast to the other. We learned about the barriers that slowed them down. In grammar they are working on contractions. In spelling we are working on the adding the suffix-ion. They will test on Friday. Next week will be our unit test week.
After that, we will be working on Unit 6, but I will also be doing the play with them. We most likely won't finish Unit 6. Most of them have also picked their latest autobiography or biography book. I told them they needed to make that choice by this Friday. They have a packet with the information needed to create this book report. They will have to have a costume. I told them NOT to go out and buy something...check their closet or yours! The Rerun may also have something they can use. If you have questions- shoot me an email. These will be due on May 24. The packet also includes questions for them to answer as they read their book. I did tell them that once they are done reading the book and if they still have questions that are unanswered, they can look those up online. They are required to read the book first.
Math- Now that Biz Town is done, we will get back to our division chapter!
Religion- I meant to show this before Easter, but I couldn't find my tapes. I did find them finally in the lounge! They are watching The Ten Commandments.
On Wednesday, Troy McBroom, Mrs. Kendrick's dad, came to our room to talk to the 3-5th graders about his trip to Israel. It was so cool. We saw pictures of the Jordan River, he showed us pictures of the cave in which Jesus was born. They had to put marble down on the floor because too many people were coming in to chip it away and take it with them. He showed us the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before he was arrested. We saw the place that Pilate most likely held the trial of Jesus. He showed us where David fought Goliath. He even brought some rocks back from that area. He gave each child a small bottle of shells from the Sea of Galilee. He taught them some common words to say in Hebrew.
Lap-A-Thon is set for Thursday, May 4. The kids should wear clothes that are comfortable to run in. They may want sweats in case it is chilly. I usually recommend 2 pairs of shoes and socks for that day. Many times that ground is really muddy. This way they can change when they get done. They can bring a water bottle and music to listen to while they run. They should return their pledge envelope by next week. There will be a sign up genius being sent out to all parents if you want to help that day.
Next week is May already!!! Where did our year go?? My time with your kids is running out!
Please continue to pray for Leisha Clark and her family with the passing of her mom. Father also announced that Father Pins' mother also passed away. We will keep them in our prayers.
Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
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