Mrs. Vella's 1st Grade Super Stars

Weekly Reminders

Posted on October 12, 2017 by darsie.vella

1– FRIDAY:
Homework: All math, spelling and reading fluency homework due tomorrow.
Optional Dress Down Day (fundraiser for Jen Jones, Quest’s coding lab specialist)

2- Upcoming: Fall Break
Early Out- Wednesday, October 18th
No School- Thursday & Friday, October 19-20th

3- We are collecting Box Tops, feel free to send them in a plastic bag labeled with student name and grade.

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

5- YEAH!!!! LOL…We started end of term 1 language arts and math assessments today. Testing will continue through next Tuesday, so PLEASE make every effort to have your student to school on time AND stay all day.

Posted in Class News | Leave a comment

Tardies

Posted on October 10, 2017 by darsie.vella

PARENTS,
PLEASE HAVE YOUR STUDENT ON TIME TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY!! I had 5 children late which really set things back instruction wise this morning!

Being on time sets the tone for the day. IMPORTANT MORNING/DAILY ROUTINES MATTER for each student!
Being consistently late SETS A BAD EXAMPLE to your children. It sends the message that other people and their time isn’t important.
Being tardy is VERY DISRUPTING to teachers and students.
Being tardy takes away from learning and class discussions that are already in progress.

To help with the morning rush at home and at school:

Have your student layout their clothes the night before.
Make sure backpacks are packed and ready to go AND by the door.
If for some reason your student is tardy, please remind them t0 ENTER the classroom WITH VOICES OFF!!!
PARENTS…PLEASE, Please, please say your good-byes BEFORE students enter the classroom. They know what to do and CAN and SHOULD DO IT WITHOUT ANY HELP. They are doing so well with the morning routine.

Posted in Class News | Leave a comment

Homework for October 9th-13th

Posted on October 6, 2017 by darsie.vella

Parents please make sure your student has their backpack, homework folder and Baggie Book EVERYDAY!!!

There are 5 Components to Homework this week.
1. My Math: Subtraction Lessons 9-12
2. Timed Addition Math Fluency
3. Reading 20-3o minutes/day
4. Timed Fluency Passages
5. Spelling/Vocabulary Words

All Math and Spelling Homework is Due Friday, October 13th
Reading Homework will be checked on Monday, October 16th.

1. Math Homework:
Monday Lesson 9: Subtract from 6 and 7
Tuesday Lesson 10: Subtract from 8
Wednesday Lesson 11: Subtract from 9
Thursday Lesson 12: Subtract from 10

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: We will be working on the “Count on 1, 2, or 3” Strategy again this week. With your timing in the plastic sheet protector (included in your student’s GREEN folder), use a dry-erase marker to practice MONDAY – THURSDAY. On THURSDAY, have a parent time you while you complete all 20 problems with pencil (write directly on the paper this time), THEN attach it to your student’s homework at the end of the week. [The target goal is to finish all 20 problems in 1 minute, with 90% accuracy (18 out of 20 problems correct).]
- Helpful Hint: Here’s how we’re learning to “count on” in class: Don’t COUNT bigger number, don’t count the ALL, JUST say the bigger number and count on the small…They totally loved this.
  (Example: 2 + 5. Snap your finger (or clap) and say “5” then count on 2 more: say 5 (with a snap)…6…7)
  (Example: 3 + 5. Snap your finger (or clap) and say “5” then count on 3 more: say 5 (with a snap)…6…7…8)

I Love to read!
3. Reading 20 minutes/5 days or a total of 100 minutes/week:
RECORD YOUR READING ON YOUR “BOOK IT” READING LOG located in your green folder.

***There are SEVERAL SOURCES for reading: Books from HOME LIBRARIES or the PUBLIC LIBRARY and “Baggy Books.” PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SEND YOUR STUDENT’S “BAGGIE BOOK” TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY.

***CHECK OUT THIS SITE FOR BOOK ON LINE READ BY FAMOUS PEOPLE It’s fantastic!!! http://www.storylineonline.net/

Don’t forget about reading comprehension! Understanding what you are reading is just as important as being a fluent reader!!! 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 W AND DIBELS TEST COMPREHENSION.

4. Reading Fluency Passages:
Please read over each sentence several times with your student so they become familiar with the words. Have them practice sounding out words that follow “Regular Rules” and then stop and think about the words that are “Red or Rule Breakers.” Time them for ONE, one-two minute timing to see how far they can read on their own. Their accuracy/fluency should increase each time.
Write done how long you timed them (ie 1.3 minutes) then circle the last work they read each night. Encourage them to read further each night when timing. I am only requiring ONE, one-two minute timing/night for now. AS they become more comfortable, confident, successful readers, I will have you time them up to the three times/night with the idea that they will eventually be able to completely read each passage in one minute.
***You may count the timings toward your student’s required weekly reading minutes.***

5. Spelling/Phonics and High Frequency Words
Last week we worked on words with the r and s blends, which we will be reviewing this again week. Our new focus for this week is words with short /e/ sounds.

Help your child spell each word as you say it and identify the one letter that is in every AND sound in the word in the Phonics Spelling List (below). This week’s phonic sound is the short e sound, as in

NEW PHONICS SPELLING WORDS:
leg
beg
men
hen
head
bread

REVIEW WORDS:
grass
spin

VOCABULARY WORDS:
again
there
Please take a few minutes to review what your student has written as well as how. I am starting to get VERY picky about where the letters go, and how they are formed AND that there is a space between words.
Your student should NEVER BEGIN ANY LETTER FROM THE BOTTOM!!!! ***NO BOTTOM DWELLERS!!! It’s so important that students form good writing habits now. Bad habits are VERY hard to break!

6. I Love Science!

WE will continue to study rocks, soil and water. We will continue to work on our pet rocks and explore what is in (makes up) different types of soil.

Posted in Homework Posts | Leave a comment

Weekly Reminders

Posted on October 6, 2017 by darsie.vella

1- Check your child’s green folder nightly.

2- Please keep all toys at home (i.e. stuffed animals, toy cars, Pokemon cards, game/phone watches, etc.).

3- LABEL belongings. Please label lunch boxes, sweaters, jackets, water bottles, etc.

4- FRIDAY:
Homework due: All math an spelling homework. (Please record reading minutes Sunday night for the past week ie.Monday-Saturday)
*Students are welcome to show their Quest pride by wearing their school spirit shirts (with uniform pants)

5- Volunteers needed Monday-Friday mornings to help with “Baggie books,” centers and read with students. I am also looking for volunteers to help in the computer STEM lab Thursdays from 2-3:00. If those times don’t work, let me know so we can plan another time.

6- We are collecting Box Tops, feel free to send them in a plastic bag labeled with student name and grade.

6- Scholastic Book Order: October orders are due October 31st. When you purchase books for your home library, we also earn books for our classroom library.
Click here for easy online ordering, our class code is JBTR2: Scholastic Book Club

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

School Business Partnership

Posted on October 6, 2017 by darsie.vella

At Quest Academy we believe in being an integral part of the community. We know our students will achieve more with the help and support of local businesses. We invite all interested parties to take part in assisting the rising generation at Quest Academy to succeed.

The student body at Quest Academy would benefit from local businesses in many ways. The greatest needs are as follows:

donating time at the school by reading with students
donating time at the school by teaching students college and career ready skills especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math
opening business for field trip experiences especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math
monetary donations
resource donations–especially those resources to assist in teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math

Each grade is required to obtain a business partnership. 1st Grade is currently seeking a partnership. We are requesting your assistance to help us identify a business willing to partner with our 1st grade students.

If you are interested in helping the students at our school, feel free to see the tax-deductible donation options: Business Partnership

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

BIG QUEST DISCOUNT THURSDAY @ Green Acres Farm

Posted on October 3, 2017 by darsie.vella

http://qacblogs.org/ronda.hills/files/2017/10/quest-academy-flyer-20171.jpg

Posted in Class News | Leave a comment

Parent Volunteers

Posted on October 3, 2017 by darsie.vella

Here’s a shout out to all the amazing volunteers I have had so far this year. Your help in the classroom and on our field trip to the zoo was/is VERY much appreciated

I can always use more help with centers and reading with the kiddos in the morning from 9:15-10:30. YOU DON’T NEED TO STAY THE ENTIRE TIME, even 20-30 minutes helps. If you prefer to stay when school starts that works too. Please let me know if you would like to help in the classroom in the morning, or, if there is another time that may work better for you.

HELP!!! LOL I also need volunteers to help Mrs. Jones in the STEM lab on Thursday’s from 2:00-3:00 starting this Thursday.

Its time to start thinking about our 1st grade Halloween party. I will be creating a google form for sign-ups but here is a little heads up. I need a lead parent volunteer to work and coordinate with other volunteers both in our class and the other classrooms. CURRENTLY we are working on what each class will be doing so any fun quick EASY ideas are welcome.

Posted in Class News | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday Alli!

Posted on October 3, 2017 by darsie.vella

Happy Birthday Alli!

Posted in Class News | Leave a comment

Library Day Tomorrow

Posted on October 2, 2017 by darsie.vella

Image result for free school library day clip art

Your student’s should have a new little book mark, with some important library reminders, in their backpacks.

Just FYI …Mrs. Anderson said that our class has been doing so well in the library.

Please let your student know that tomorrow is library day, and that they need to be on their best behavior.

Posted in Class News | Leave a comment

Picture Retakes

Posted on October 2, 2017 by darsie.vella

If your student missed picture day at the beginning of the year, please plan on having their picture taken tomorrow for our yearbook and name badge. You may also purchase a school picture package.
Students need to wear their QUEST UNIFORM for pictures.