Mrs. Vella's 1st Grade Super Stars

Day Light Saviings Time is Coming

Posted on February 28, 2018 by darsie.vella

It has been our experience that daylight savings time can be a challenging transition for our young students. The time change can really affect a child’s attention span, appetite, and overall mood.

There are several things you can do now to help:

Gradually set bedtime a little earlier each night (15 min a night works well)
Gradually wake them up a little earlier each morning (15 min a morning also)
Dim lights and turn off electronics 30-60 minutes before bedtime
In the morning, give them light (turn on lights, open blinds, enjoy breakfast outside, go for a sunrise walk)
Stick with a bedtime routine (warm bath, read a book together, lights out)
Be patient (Understand that time change can change their overall mood; they can be grumpy, easily frustrated, and challenging)
Take care of yourself, get plenty of sleep. If you are tired, you will be sluggish, irritable, and cranky too.

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Homework for February 26th-March 2nd

Posted on February 28, 2018 by darsie.vella

I have to apologize to everyone. For some reason the scheduled homework post…didn’t post…Not sure why but here it is…Better Late Than Never I suppose! Again I am SO SORRY for any confusion this may have caused.

There are 5 Components to Homework this week.
1. My Math Homework Worksheets: Chapter 6 Lessons 7-8 AND Chapter 7 Lesson 1
2. Math Timings: Addition within Ten
3. Reading 20-3o minutes/day
4. Timed Fluency Passages
5. Spelling/Vocabulary Words

All Homework is Due Friday, March 2nd.
Reading Homework will be checked on Monday, Monday March 5th.

1. Math Homework:
Monday Lesson Lesson 7: Count Back by Tens
Tuesday Lesson 8: Relate Addition and Subtraction
Wednesday Lesson : Review Adding Tens and Ones, Adding Tens and Ones with Regrouping (covered last week) and Subtracting Tens
Thursday Lesson 1: Tally Charts

1. Worksheets: Please look in the FRONT of your child’s GREEN FOLDER on Monday for worksheets with concepts that will be taught in class. The purpose of this homework is for a quick review, some practice, and a chance for parents to see what their child is learning in math. Please complete every other problem (alternate between evens and odds so your child gets practice doing story problems AND “Vocabulary Check”/ “Test Practice” problems each week). If your child wants to do every problem they are certainly free to do so! Please help your child read the directions/example problems and allow them to talk about the problems as they figure out the answers. Please check your child’s answers for accuracy.
2. Fluency Timings: This week, we will be working (again) on the first grade standard: Fluency for addition within 10. With your timing in the plastic sheet protector (included in your green folder), use a dry-erase marker to practice. When you’re ready, have a parent time you while you complete two lines of 11 problems with pencil (write directly on the paper this time). Work on 2 lines each day. Record your time and score at the end of two lines and turn in the full page with your math homework at the end of the week. The target goal in first grade is to finish 22 problems in 1 minute (or the full page in 3 minutes).

I Love to read!
3. Reading 20 minutes/5 days or a total of 100 minutes/week.

YOU CAN USE ANY TIME SPENT ON READING THE FLUENCY PASSAGE WITH YOUR STUDENT TOWARDS YOUR 100 WEEKLY MINUTES.

***Reading comprehension strategy: Help your child read a story and think of a title for it.
Then ask your child to RETELL the STORY IN THEIR OWN WORDS. The DETAILS need to be IN ORDER from the story.UNDERSTANDING what you are reading is just as important as how fast you read (FLUENCY)!!!

PLEASE use these Re-Tell Ropes whenever you are reading with your student checking for understanding. THIS HELPS STUDENTS PREPARE FOR OUR LANGUAGE ARTS WORK ON AND DIBELS TEST COMPREHENSION.

4. Reading Fluency Passages:

I talked with the kids for a long time today about how to do the reading fluency page. Please follow the steps below EXACTLY for greater success

Have your student go through and HIGHLIGHT EVERY WORD THEY KNOW.
Talk about the other words, looking for words within words, words with vowel teams (ai, oa, ea, oi, oy etc), CVCe (Tickle E Words bike, ) etc.
Read the entire passage with your student. They should be pointing to each word as you are reading together. They should also be reading ALL the words that they knew and HIGHLIGHTED.
Lastly, talk about all the fun, cool, interesting facts from the passage. There will be many!!!
You may count this time towards your reading minutes for the day as it is more lengthy AND if done the right fun for your student!
Time your student for 1 minute and see how far they get each day. Circle the last word they read each night.

5. Spelling/Phonics and High Frequency Words This week’s phonic sound is the r-controlled vowel ar, as in park.

NEW PHONICS FOCUS WORDS:
art
cart
barn
yarn
arm
harm

REVIEW WORDS:
night
key

VOCABULARY HF WORDS:
four
none

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Happy Birthday Holden!

Posted on February 28, 2018 by darsie.vella

Happy Birthday Holden!

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Grown Ups AND Goodies AND Parent Teachers Conference Schedule Tomorrow

Posted on February 21, 2018 by darsie.vella

http://qacblogs.org/ronda.hills/files/2016/04/book-fair.jpg

http://qacblogs.org/ronda.hills/files/2018/02/download.jpeg

We invite you to bring your special “Grown Up” during the Scholastic Book Fair and enjoy a “Goodie” before school.
Q1 Lunchroom
8:00-8:25am

Suggested schedule (Come a different day if needed):
Last names A-M: Tuesday, February 20
Last Names N-Z: Thursday, February 22

4:00 Jocelyn
4:20 Keiana
4:40 Cham
5:00 Kylie
5:20 Lucas
5:40 Dominicus
6:00 Elias
6:20
6:40 Holden
7:00 Keldon
7:20
7:40 Kayson

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Regrouping Chant

Posted on February 21, 2018 by darsie.vella

Here is a little chant I taught the kids today to help them remember the steps to regrouping:

REGROUPING, REGROUPING, REGROUPING, REGROUPING
MAKE A TEN AND MOVE IT, MAKE A TEN AND MOVE IT, MAKE A TEN AND MOVE IT, MAKE A TEN AND MOVE IT,
LEAVE THE LEFT OVERS, LEAVE THE LEFT OVERS, LEAVE THE LEFT OVERS, LEAVE THE LEFT OVERS

JUST FOR FUN…Ask them to do the actions too!!!!!

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Homework for February 20th-23rd

Posted on February 21, 2018 by darsie.vella

There are 5 Components to Homework this week.
1. My Math Homework Worksheets: Chapter 6 Lessons 4-6
2. Math Timings: Addition within Ten
3. Reading 20-3o minutes/day
4. Timed Fluency Passages
5. Spelling/Vocabulary Words

All Homework is Due Friday, February 23th.
Reading Homework will be checked on Monday, February 26th.

1. Math Homework:
Monday Lesson : Review counting by Tens and counting on Tens and Ones (Presidents Day)
Tuesday Lesson 4: Problem Solving Strategy: Guess, Check, Revise
Wednesday Lesson 5: Add Tens and Ones with Regrouping
Thursday Lesson 6: Subtract Tens

1. Worksheets: Please look in the FRONT of your child’s GREEN FOLDER on Monday for worksheets with concepts that will be taught in class. The purpose of this homework is for a quick review, some practice, and a chance for parents to see what their child is learning in math. Please complete every other problem (alternate between evens and odds so your child gets practice doing story problems AND “Vocabulary Check”/ “Test Practice” problems each week). If your child wants to do every problem they are certainly free to do so! Please help your child read the directions/example problems and allow them to talk about the problems as they figure out the answers. Please check your child’s answers for accuracy.
2. Fluency Timings: This week, we will be working (again) on the first grade standard: Fluency for addition within 10. With your timing in the plastic sheet protector (included in your green folder), use a dry-erase marker to practice. When you’re ready, have a parent time you while you complete two lines of 11 problems with pencil (write directly on the paper this time). Work on 2 lines each day. Record your time and score at the end of two lines and turn in the full page with your math homework at the end of the week. The target goal in first grade is to finish 22 problems in 1 minute (or the full page in 3 minutes).

I talked with the kids for a long time today about how to do the reading fluency page. Please follow the steps below EXACTLY for greater success

Have your student go through and HIGHLIGHT EVERY WORD THEY KNOW.
Talk about the other words, looking for words within words, words with vowel teams (ai, oa, ea, oi, oy etc), CVCe (Tickle E Words bike, ) etc.
Read the entire passage with your student. They should be pointing to each word as you are reading together. They should also be reading ALL the words that they knew and HIGHLIGHTED.
Lastly, talk about all the fun, cool, interesting facts from the passage. There will be many!!!
You may count this time towards your reading minutes for the day as it is more lengthy AND if done the right fun for your student!
Time your student for 1 minute and see how far they get each day. Circle the last word they read each night.

5. Spelling/Phonics and High Frequency Words This week’s phonics sound is long e, as in key, sandy, penny
NEW PHONICS FOCUS WORDS:
key
bumpy
puppy
funny
penny
sandy

REVIEW WORDS:
night
my

VOCABULARY HF WORDS:
was
would

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Weekly Reminders

Posted on February 16, 2018 by darsie.vella

1- FRIDAY: Early Out 1:30pm
Homework due
$1.00 Dress Down Day for Pennies for Patients (Student participation is optional. Students are welcome to wear a Quest Spirit shirt with uniform pants or traditional uniforms).

2- Parent Teacher Conferences will be held 4-8pm on Tuesday, February 20 and Thursday, February 22. We are so excited to meet with you and your student(s) to show off all the great things they have accomplished so far, as well as set some goals for the rest of the year. Please click on the link below to sign up for ONE TIME SLOT on either Tuesday, February 20th OR Thursday, February 22nd.

Parent Teacher Conference Sign-up

3- Scholastic Book Order. Click here for easy online ordering, our class code is JBTR2: Scholastic Book Club

4- We are doing a S.T.E.M Challenge this month for which we need some cardboard tubes, so please consider dropping them into your child’s backpack to donate to our class by Tuesday, February 20.

5- Elementary yearbooks on sale now for only $17! Only online orders accepted. Order until March 22, 2018. Click here to pay: Yearbook Online Orders

6- Daddy Daughter Masquerade Ball Friday, February 23. Tickets available now online at: POQA Online Store or they can be purchased on February 20th before and after school.

Upcoming: No School- Monday, February 19th for President’s Day

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Valentines Day Reminders

Posted on February 11, 2018 by darsie.vella

Our Valentine’s Party will be Wednesday, February 14th from 1:30-2:45pm. We will be serving candy and treats. You have already signed a permission slip giving your permission for student participation at the beginning of the year however, I know health needs and concerns can change. If your student has any allergies or special dietary needs I need to be aware of, PLEASE let me know before Wednesday so other options can be made.

Valentine’s Helpful Hints:
1- We have 25 students in our class.
2- Only write who the Valentine is FROM. Do NOT address Valentine’s to each student (this will help the students distribute their Valentine’s in a more orderly manner).
3- Your student will be making AND decorating a SPECIAL Valentines Day sack to put ALL their valentine cards etc in while in class Wednesday. PLEASE DO NOT SEND A BOX OR OTHER CONTAINER with your student for the reason mentioned above.
4- To follow Quest’s wellness policy, only nonfood Valentine’s. Thank you.

“Per Quest’s wellness policy, all food in the classroom must be preapproved. Furthermore, parental permission is also required for students to consume food during class parties. Due to this policy—as in years past—student Valentines cannot contain edible items. Suggestions for nonfood Valentines include pencils, erasers, bubbles, stickers, etc. Please note that such items, including Valentine cards, are in no way required.”

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STEM Challenge Supplies Needed

Posted on February 11, 2018 by darsie.vella

http://qacblogs.org/ronda.hills/files/2015/11/paper-towel.jpeg

We are doing a S.T.E.M Challenge this month for which we need some cardboard tubes, so please consider dropping them into your child’s backpack to donate to our class by Wednesday, February 21 . Thank you!! 🙂

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Homework for February 12th-16th

Posted on February 11, 2018 by darsie.vella

There are 5 Components to Homework this week.
1. My Math Homework Worksheets: Chapter 6 Lessons 1-3
2. Math Timings: Addition within Ten
3. Reading 20-3o minutes/day
4. Timed Fluency Passages
5. Spelling/Vocabulary Words

All Homework is Due Friday, February 16th.
Reading Homework will be checked on Monday, February 19th.

1. Math Homework:
Monday Lesson 1: Add Tens
Tuesday Lesson 2: Count On Tens and Ones
Wednesday Lesson : Review Lessons 1 & 2 (Happy Valentines Day)
Thursday Lesson 3: Add Tens and Ones

1. Worksheets: Please look in the FRONT of your child’s GREEN FOLDER on Monday for worksheets with concepts that will be taught in class. The purpose of this homework is for a quick review, some practice, and a chance for parents to see what their child is learning in math. Please complete every other problem (alternate between evens and odds so your child gets practice doing story problems AND “Vocabulary Check”/ “Test Practice” problems each week). If your child wants to do every problem they are certainly free to do so! Please help your child read the directions/example problems and allow them to talk about the problems as they figure out the answers. Please check your child’s answers for accuracy.
2. Fluency Timings: This week, we are working on the first grade standard: Fluency for addition within 10. With your timing in the plastic sheet protector (included in your green folder), use a dry-erase marker to practice. When you’re ready, have a parent time you while you complete two lines of 11 problems with pencil (write directly on the paper this time). Work on 2 lines each day. Record your time and score at the end of two lines and turn in the full page with your math homework at the end of the week. The target goal in first grade is to finish 22 problems in 1 minute (or the full page in 3 minutes).

I talked with the kids for a long time today about how to do the reading fluency page. Please follow the steps below EXACTLY for greater success

Have your student go through and HIGHLIGHT EVERY WORD THEY KNOW.
Talk about the other words, looking for words within words, words with vowel teams (ai, oa, ea, oi, oy etc), CVCe (Tickle E Words bike, ) etc.
Read the entire passage with your student. They should be pointing to each word as you are reading together. They should also be reading ALL the words that they knew and HIGHLIGHTED.
Lastly, talk about all the fun, cool, interesting facts from the passage. There will be many!!!
You may count this time towards your reading minutes for the day as it is more lengthy AND if done the right fun for your student!
Time your student for 1 minute and see how far they get each day. Circle the last word they read each night.

5. Spelling/Phonics and High Frequency Words This week’s phonics sound is long i, as in hi, sky, light, and tie..
NEW PHONICS FOCUS WORDS:
find
kind
right
night
pie
by

REVIEW WORDS:
boat
no

VOCABULARY HF WORDS:
caught
listen