Thursday, August 29, 2019
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Dear Parents, Hello and welcome to 5th grade! I hope this week has been going well and everyone is getting into the routine of school life again! I am glad to be back with the kids. I had a great summer, but am ready for a routine. I do my blog on Wednesdays and will post it to Facebook as well. The blog you receive will come to your email on Thursday mornings. I think it shows up really early. On here, I will keep you informed of things we are doing in our subject areas and I will let you know of upcoming events whether they are happening in our room or in the school.
Reading- This week they started with a pretest. This just gives me an idea of their basic skills. We will start our first story on Thursday. We have a weird schedule since we started on a Friday and next week is only 4 days. Normally, we do a story a week. So...this week they will have their spelling pretest on Thursday, and I will give them their post test in spelling next Thursday. I am spreading the work out for the next week. We will continue to take the weekly tests online. That will happen next Friday. They will do vocabulary words each week. I tend to change how they do those each week. They won't start with bonus words in spelling. I base that off their first few weeks of their pretest scores. I will let your child know if they will be getting them. I will also shorten the lists for the post tests for those I see who really struggle.
Handwriting-- we don't have a handwriting book. In my room they write in cursive for all subjects except math. There will be times I tell them to write in print. This cursive writing is their handwriting book in a way. They will do it everyday!
Technology- On Monday I got them on their chrome books and we bookmarked Google Classroom and Quizlet. I can use Google Classroom when I have a class wide assignment that I want them to do or if there is a link I want all of them to go to online. I believe they will use it with Mrs. Sickels as well because their Iowa history class is online now, it is no longer in print. Quizlet I use in reading. I post their vocabulary and spelling words there. They can get on it during their free time to practice knowing both!
Spirit Day- The first one is this Friday! The students can pay $1 for wearing sweats or a hat or both! The cost is only $1 even if they do both! 😁 The money we raise will be helping to STM families. 💙💛
Substitute- I will be gone next Wednesday afternoon. I will be going to a PLC meeting in Des Moines for the religion teachers. Mrs. Cline will also be going. This is our face to face meeting, but every month I will attend the meeting online. This will only be once a month that we do this and only in the afternoons.
Back to School Picnic- Next Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 6-7. There will be a flyer going home in folders with more information on it! I believe each family brings a dish! Look at the flyer for the details!
DEAR Time- I am currently reading the book called Because of Mr. Terupt. I read it last year for the first time. It is a wonderful book. I told your kids they would love it! Today I think they finally caught the hook! It is a 5th grade classroom and there are about 5-7 kids. They tell the story from their own point of view. Today my kids figured out that all of these kids come from backgrounds that aren't all happy. That life can be tough for different reasons. Right now they all dislike/ hate Alexia. She is pretty much a bully. There are three books in the series. I will read them all to them! They will watch the class grow. Your kids are very involved in the book and making their own predictions and judgments about it. I LOVE IT!!! This is probably my favorite part of the day!
Preschool lunch- Lesha showed them what they would do every day. There will be two people who go every day for a week. The next week its two more. They have two carts they will take down and bring back. We did tell them this was my idea...that I thought they could handle the task. We did also tell them that there be no messing around or they are off the list to help out. I have badges they will wear on the job. There is a schedule made out for the entire year. If they don't like doing it, they can let me know and I will readjust it. I think they are pretty excited.
Mass- Just so you know now, Father Adam is going to Europe in September. He has a sub priest coming in on the 18th and 25th. Those mass times we are going to move to 9:30 so that priest can get here. The 5th grade mass is on Sept. 18.
It has been a good week! I think we are establishing some routines to our day! I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys the 3 days off. I plan on sticking around and doing some work here at school, but also head to Des Moines for some shopping! I know it's the big ISU vs UNI game and with that I will say.... GO PANTHERS!!!! 💜💛💜
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reading- This week they started with a pretest. This just gives me an idea of their basic skills. We will start our first story on Thursday. We have a weird schedule since we started on a Friday and next week is only 4 days. Normally, we do a story a week. So...this week they will have their spelling pretest on Thursday, and I will give them their post test in spelling next Thursday. I am spreading the work out for the next week. We will continue to take the weekly tests online. That will happen next Friday. They will do vocabulary words each week. I tend to change how they do those each week. They won't start with bonus words in spelling. I base that off their first few weeks of their pretest scores. I will let your child know if they will be getting them. I will also shorten the lists for the post tests for those I see who really struggle.
Handwriting-- we don't have a handwriting book. In my room they write in cursive for all subjects except math. There will be times I tell them to write in print. This cursive writing is their handwriting book in a way. They will do it everyday!
Technology- On Monday I got them on their chrome books and we bookmarked Google Classroom and Quizlet. I can use Google Classroom when I have a class wide assignment that I want them to do or if there is a link I want all of them to go to online. I believe they will use it with Mrs. Sickels as well because their Iowa history class is online now, it is no longer in print. Quizlet I use in reading. I post their vocabulary and spelling words there. They can get on it during their free time to practice knowing both!
Spirit Day- The first one is this Friday! The students can pay $1 for wearing sweats or a hat or both! The cost is only $1 even if they do both! 😁 The money we raise will be helping to STM families. 💙💛
Substitute- I will be gone next Wednesday afternoon. I will be going to a PLC meeting in Des Moines for the religion teachers. Mrs. Cline will also be going. This is our face to face meeting, but every month I will attend the meeting online. This will only be once a month that we do this and only in the afternoons.
Back to School Picnic- Next Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 6-7. There will be a flyer going home in folders with more information on it! I believe each family brings a dish! Look at the flyer for the details!
DEAR Time- I am currently reading the book called Because of Mr. Terupt. I read it last year for the first time. It is a wonderful book. I told your kids they would love it! Today I think they finally caught the hook! It is a 5th grade classroom and there are about 5-7 kids. They tell the story from their own point of view. Today my kids figured out that all of these kids come from backgrounds that aren't all happy. That life can be tough for different reasons. Right now they all dislike/ hate Alexia. She is pretty much a bully. There are three books in the series. I will read them all to them! They will watch the class grow. Your kids are very involved in the book and making their own predictions and judgments about it. I LOVE IT!!! This is probably my favorite part of the day!
Preschool lunch- Lesha showed them what they would do every day. There will be two people who go every day for a week. The next week its two more. They have two carts they will take down and bring back. We did tell them this was my idea...that I thought they could handle the task. We did also tell them that there be no messing around or they are off the list to help out. I have badges they will wear on the job. There is a schedule made out for the entire year. If they don't like doing it, they can let me know and I will readjust it. I think they are pretty excited.
Mass- Just so you know now, Father Adam is going to Europe in September. He has a sub priest coming in on the 18th and 25th. Those mass times we are going to move to 9:30 so that priest can get here. The 5th grade mass is on Sept. 18.
It has been a good week! I think we are establishing some routines to our day! I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys the 3 days off. I plan on sticking around and doing some work here at school, but also head to Des Moines for some shopping! I know it's the big ISU vs UNI game and with that I will say.... GO PANTHERS!!!! 💜💛💜
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Hello Parents, Well, it is my final letter of the year. There isn't much to tell you so it will be short.
Math- We did some more work adding and subtracting mixed numbers. They still need the practice. Some of them aren't understanding simplifying fractions. I know they will get more practice with fractions next year in Mrs. Cline's math class, but if there is ever a reason to add or subtract fractions or mixed numbers this summer....have them solve it for you! The extra practice can't hurt.
Reading- We did a quick writing activity this week. I usually do this in January, but our winter was not cooperative! I read them the the book The Mysteries of Harris Burrdick by Chris Van Allsburg. Inside are 14 pictures along with a title and caption for each. They had to create a story based on that title and include the caption somewhere in their story. They wrote them on their chrome books on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they had to pair up and edit them. Then they sent them to me. I did a quick edit of them so they could read them aloud on Thursday. (They don't know this yet, but when they share them, we are also having a popcorn buffet). Mrs. Sickels and I are getting popcorn for our kids. I am offering toppings to the 5th graders to go with their popcorn. Shhh....it's a surprise. 😉😉 This is one of my favorite activities to do with them. I am sorry it had to be rushed, but they did a great job of getting to work and creating their story. I will send home their story in their folders.
We will be cleaning out their desks on Thursday before they go home. They should have an empty book bag when they come to school so they can take their stuff from their desks and lockers home with them.
Friday- We will have mass at 9:15 as usual. This is Father's last mass. We will also be celebrating Kay Boden's retirement. After mass, Mrs. Simmons will recognize the middle school students and their participation in activities. After that there will be a cookie reception. The students will have lunch at their normal times. The Glynn family is providing the main part of our meal by grilling out! We love this tradition, but it is probably the last time since Reese graduated! In the afternoon, we will do our Field Day activities. The 5th graders should make sure to wear tennis shoes, no sandals. We will have a Clap-Out for the 8th graders at 3:00. After that the kids will go home as usual.
I am working on progress reports. They will be done by June 3.
I hope everyone has a great summer! If you are traveling, have fun, but be safe! Enjoy the weather, sleeping in, spending time with family and friends. I will say...read a book once in awhile! Go to church. Visit the library. Do some math problems!
I leave on Tuesday to fly out to my sister in PA. My nephew graduates from high school next Thursday. I will be there for 11 days! I can't wait!!! I plan on reading books too! I will most definitely spend time with my family. I will be taking a writing class in August.
Thank you for choosing St. Malachy. Thank you for allowing me to spend a year with your kids. I think they did some growing up and learned some new things. This is a class full of talent! I am excited to see what they do next in middle school. I wish them all the best! 😊😊
Happy Summer Vacation!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Math- We did some more work adding and subtracting mixed numbers. They still need the practice. Some of them aren't understanding simplifying fractions. I know they will get more practice with fractions next year in Mrs. Cline's math class, but if there is ever a reason to add or subtract fractions or mixed numbers this summer....have them solve it for you! The extra practice can't hurt.
Reading- We did a quick writing activity this week. I usually do this in January, but our winter was not cooperative! I read them the the book The Mysteries of Harris Burrdick by Chris Van Allsburg. Inside are 14 pictures along with a title and caption for each. They had to create a story based on that title and include the caption somewhere in their story. They wrote them on their chrome books on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they had to pair up and edit them. Then they sent them to me. I did a quick edit of them so they could read them aloud on Thursday. (They don't know this yet, but when they share them, we are also having a popcorn buffet). Mrs. Sickels and I are getting popcorn for our kids. I am offering toppings to the 5th graders to go with their popcorn. Shhh....it's a surprise. 😉😉 This is one of my favorite activities to do with them. I am sorry it had to be rushed, but they did a great job of getting to work and creating their story. I will send home their story in their folders.
We will be cleaning out their desks on Thursday before they go home. They should have an empty book bag when they come to school so they can take their stuff from their desks and lockers home with them.
Friday- We will have mass at 9:15 as usual. This is Father's last mass. We will also be celebrating Kay Boden's retirement. After mass, Mrs. Simmons will recognize the middle school students and their participation in activities. After that there will be a cookie reception. The students will have lunch at their normal times. The Glynn family is providing the main part of our meal by grilling out! We love this tradition, but it is probably the last time since Reese graduated! In the afternoon, we will do our Field Day activities. The 5th graders should make sure to wear tennis shoes, no sandals. We will have a Clap-Out for the 8th graders at 3:00. After that the kids will go home as usual.
I am working on progress reports. They will be done by June 3.
I hope everyone has a great summer! If you are traveling, have fun, but be safe! Enjoy the weather, sleeping in, spending time with family and friends. I will say...read a book once in awhile! Go to church. Visit the library. Do some math problems!
I leave on Tuesday to fly out to my sister in PA. My nephew graduates from high school next Thursday. I will be there for 11 days! I can't wait!!! I plan on reading books too! I will most definitely spend time with my family. I will be taking a writing class in August.
Thank you for choosing St. Malachy. Thank you for allowing me to spend a year with your kids. I think they did some growing up and learned some new things. This is a class full of talent! I am excited to see what they do next in middle school. I wish them all the best! 😊😊
Happy Summer Vacation!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Hello Parents, I hope you are having a good week. We won't even discuss the weather. :)
Reading- This week our reading and religion time has been used for play practice. The play is this Friday at 2:15 in the gym.
Costumes:
Judge- mass clothes, a hat is optional, I have the robe
Manuel- mass clothes, I supply the rest
Pablo- Mass clothes, hat is optional
Carlos and Sisters-- they are to dress in their regular clothes...look like kids. No hoodies for the play. The girls can wear dresses if they like.
Villagers and Woman-- look like older people. Can wear mass clothes, overalls, caps, carry canes, walkers, etc. The woman-- can wear a dress, carry a purse. No hoodies for the villagers.
They DO NOT have to come to school in their costume. They will change before the play begins. They will probably do a dress rehearsal in the morning.
After they play, they will come back for cake and juice in the room, but if they choose to go home with you instead, that is fine, just let me know.
Math- This week I taught them to convert mixed numbers into improper fractions and vice versa. They also learned to add and subtract fractions. On Tuesday, they learned to add and subtract mixed numbers. The biggest hill for them is to remember to simplify their final answer. We will also be learning two other ways to subtract mixed numbers this week. This is in case you have to do some borrowing. I show them two ways to get the answer. They have to decide which way they like best. Both have some work involved.
Next week-- we will only have 3 full days really. I will keep them busy every day, but it doesn't look like they will do another reading or math test before the end of the year. They will clean out their desks at the end of the day on Thursday.
Many of them are starting to check out. I get it, but we still have work to do. I want them to try and stay focused as best they can.
Wednesday, May 29- They need to bring a sack lunch to school that day. Milk will be provided. No drinks necessary.
Friday, May 31- The Glynn family will be providing their annual lunch for the kids.
Mass will be at 9:15. It may last longer due to it being Father's last mass with us. We will be celebrating him and Kay Boden after mass.
Field Day will be around 12:45 or so. The 5th graders should make sure they have the right shoes. No sandals that day. They may wear shorts that last day of school as well.
We will do a Clap-Out for the 8th graders at dismissal time. Another great tradition we have started here!
Congrats to Caden Simmons on winning the essay contest for Dollars for Scholars for the 5th graders!
Congrats to Kaycie Britten-- she is going to compete in Worlds' Archery in June in the 3-D Category!
I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend! Hopefully the weather will cooperate with your plans! I believe I will be at work some of the time, getting things done for the end of the year.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reading- This week our reading and religion time has been used for play practice. The play is this Friday at 2:15 in the gym.
Costumes:
Judge- mass clothes, a hat is optional, I have the robe
Manuel- mass clothes, I supply the rest
Pablo- Mass clothes, hat is optional
Carlos and Sisters-- they are to dress in their regular clothes...look like kids. No hoodies for the play. The girls can wear dresses if they like.
Villagers and Woman-- look like older people. Can wear mass clothes, overalls, caps, carry canes, walkers, etc. The woman-- can wear a dress, carry a purse. No hoodies for the villagers.
They DO NOT have to come to school in their costume. They will change before the play begins. They will probably do a dress rehearsal in the morning.
After they play, they will come back for cake and juice in the room, but if they choose to go home with you instead, that is fine, just let me know.
Math- This week I taught them to convert mixed numbers into improper fractions and vice versa. They also learned to add and subtract fractions. On Tuesday, they learned to add and subtract mixed numbers. The biggest hill for them is to remember to simplify their final answer. We will also be learning two other ways to subtract mixed numbers this week. This is in case you have to do some borrowing. I show them two ways to get the answer. They have to decide which way they like best. Both have some work involved.
Next week-- we will only have 3 full days really. I will keep them busy every day, but it doesn't look like they will do another reading or math test before the end of the year. They will clean out their desks at the end of the day on Thursday.
Many of them are starting to check out. I get it, but we still have work to do. I want them to try and stay focused as best they can.
Wednesday, May 29- They need to bring a sack lunch to school that day. Milk will be provided. No drinks necessary.
Friday, May 31- The Glynn family will be providing their annual lunch for the kids.
Mass will be at 9:15. It may last longer due to it being Father's last mass with us. We will be celebrating him and Kay Boden after mass.
Field Day will be around 12:45 or so. The 5th graders should make sure they have the right shoes. No sandals that day. They may wear shorts that last day of school as well.
We will do a Clap-Out for the 8th graders at dismissal time. Another great tradition we have started here!
Congrats to Caden Simmons on winning the essay contest for Dollars for Scholars for the 5th graders!
Congrats to Kaycie Britten-- she is going to compete in Worlds' Archery in June in the 3-D Category!
I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend! Hopefully the weather will cooperate with your plans! I believe I will be at work some of the time, getting things done for the end of the year.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Hello Parents, I am so loving this weather more than last weekend's weather. I sat at my niece's soccer tournament in Waverly in the rain and cold all day on Saturday. I think I jinx that tournament! That's two times, we sit and freeze! I also got to meet my great niece Rosalina. I am pretty sure she told me I am her favorite great aunt! :)
Reading- This week they are taking their unit 5 tests. On Friday they will be trying out for a part in our Baker's Neighbor Play. They will use their scripts for the tryouts but once I give them their part, they need to start memorizing it! We will use reading time next week to practice the play. They will perform it for you on Friday, May 24 at 2:15 in the gym. It is only about 10 minutes. After the play, they come back to my room to celebrate and eat the pink frosted cake. If they would rather skip that and just go home with you, that is fine too. Just make sure you let me know before you leave. I will let you know about costumes once I have assigned the roles. The first graders will also be there to watch. If your 5th grader was here in 1st grade- they did the same thing! They won't have homework in reading next week--only to memorize their lines. I put a play announcement in your child's Thursday folder. If you can't make it, feel free to send a grandparent!
I am getting their book reports graded, slowly. I tend to go back and look through their book to make sure things were correct or if they couldn't find it and I do. I was really pleased with all of them. The costumes were great!
Math- This week they are comparing fractions to find if they are greater, less than, or equal to. They are also learning to write them in order from least to greatest.
Spring Concert- Don't forget the Spring Concert is next Wednesday, May 22 at the high school! There will be a special reception to follow for Father Halbur.
Reading Scores- In your child's folder are their reading fluency scores for the spring. I made notes on some of them. They will do these again in 6th grade with Miss Steinkamp.
Growth Talk- I have 3 kids who still need to turn in their permission form for the growth talk video. That is going to happen next Friday.
Spirit Day- This Friday they can wear sweats and/or a hat for $1!
Have a great weekend! Hopefully the weather stays as nice as it is this week! I know there are many sports and graduation parties going on.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Reading- This week they are taking their unit 5 tests. On Friday they will be trying out for a part in our Baker's Neighbor Play. They will use their scripts for the tryouts but once I give them their part, they need to start memorizing it! We will use reading time next week to practice the play. They will perform it for you on Friday, May 24 at 2:15 in the gym. It is only about 10 minutes. After the play, they come back to my room to celebrate and eat the pink frosted cake. If they would rather skip that and just go home with you, that is fine too. Just make sure you let me know before you leave. I will let you know about costumes once I have assigned the roles. The first graders will also be there to watch. If your 5th grader was here in 1st grade- they did the same thing! They won't have homework in reading next week--only to memorize their lines. I put a play announcement in your child's Thursday folder. If you can't make it, feel free to send a grandparent!
I am getting their book reports graded, slowly. I tend to go back and look through their book to make sure things were correct or if they couldn't find it and I do. I was really pleased with all of them. The costumes were great!
Math- This week they are comparing fractions to find if they are greater, less than, or equal to. They are also learning to write them in order from least to greatest.
Spring Concert- Don't forget the Spring Concert is next Wednesday, May 22 at the high school! There will be a special reception to follow for Father Halbur.
Reading Scores- In your child's folder are their reading fluency scores for the spring. I made notes on some of them. They will do these again in 6th grade with Miss Steinkamp.
Growth Talk- I have 3 kids who still need to turn in their permission form for the growth talk video. That is going to happen next Friday.
Spirit Day- This Friday they can wear sweats and/or a hat for $1!
Have a great weekend! Hopefully the weather stays as nice as it is this week! I know there are many sports and graduation parties going on.
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Dear Parents, I hope you are having a great week! It's hard to believe we are nearing the end!
Growth Talk- There is a permission slip in your child's folder from the school nurses. They will be giving the 5th graders a Growth Talk/Video on May 24. Please return the permission slip by May 17. This works perfectly with the chapter we read this week in Guidance.
Reading- This week they read a story called Lewis and Clark. This was about their expedition across America looking for a waterway that would get them from one side of the United States to the other. They never found such a waterway. They did have Sacagawea as their guide on this journey. They also had many obstacles along the way. Their grammar this week is creating contractions like we'd, wouldn't, and he's. Their spelling list is base words and and the suffix -ion. Elect and election. They will test on Friday.
Next week is their Unit 5 test week. They will not have spelling.
Book Reports- Their project is due on Monday! They should bring that along with their costume on that day. We will start sharing on Monday, but I doubt we get through all of them. The costumes will go home as soon as they are done sharing.
Spirit Day- There is another Spirit Day on Friday. They may wear hats and/or sweats for $1!!!
Math- They have been working on simplifying fractions, making equivalent fractions, and finding the common denominator in a pair of fractions. This week they will also be comparing fractions. It has been a little tricky keeping it all straight for some of them. When do we divide? When do we multiply? d
Substitute- I am gone on Friday. Mr. Bergstrom will be my sub. They are also going to the Food Pantry on Friday afternoon.
Elk's Track Meet is on Monday, May 13. Field Events begin at 5:30 and Running Events begin at 6:30. This takes place at the high school. I am not sure if any of the 5th graders plan on participating.
We wish Kaycie Britten the best of luck this week with going to nationals for Archery in Kentucky!
Have a GREAT weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms! I hope your family does something extra special for you or with you!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
Growth Talk- There is a permission slip in your child's folder from the school nurses. They will be giving the 5th graders a Growth Talk/Video on May 24. Please return the permission slip by May 17. This works perfectly with the chapter we read this week in Guidance.
Reading- This week they read a story called Lewis and Clark. This was about their expedition across America looking for a waterway that would get them from one side of the United States to the other. They never found such a waterway. They did have Sacagawea as their guide on this journey. They also had many obstacles along the way. Their grammar this week is creating contractions like we'd, wouldn't, and he's. Their spelling list is base words and and the suffix -ion. Elect and election. They will test on Friday.
Next week is their Unit 5 test week. They will not have spelling.
Book Reports- Their project is due on Monday! They should bring that along with their costume on that day. We will start sharing on Monday, but I doubt we get through all of them. The costumes will go home as soon as they are done sharing.
Spirit Day- There is another Spirit Day on Friday. They may wear hats and/or sweats for $1!!!
Math- They have been working on simplifying fractions, making equivalent fractions, and finding the common denominator in a pair of fractions. This week they will also be comparing fractions. It has been a little tricky keeping it all straight for some of them. When do we divide? When do we multiply? d
Substitute- I am gone on Friday. Mr. Bergstrom will be my sub. They are also going to the Food Pantry on Friday afternoon.
Elk's Track Meet is on Monday, May 13. Field Events begin at 5:30 and Running Events begin at 6:30. This takes place at the high school. I am not sure if any of the 5th graders plan on participating.
We wish Kaycie Britten the best of luck this week with going to nationals for Archery in Kentucky!
Have a GREAT weekend! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms! I hope your family does something extra special for you or with you!
God Bless,
Miss Surma
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