Mrs. Vella's 1st Grade Super Stars

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Posted on March 5, 2016 by darsie.vella

MONDAY IS LIBRARY DAY. Please make sure you have your library book(s) with you Monday so you can check out a new book.

Farm Bureau and Quest Team Up!
Join our Reading Challenge during Dr. Seuss Week! Students can win either a bike or an

iPad!!

We are pleased to announce that The Farm Bureau has teamed up with Quest Academy to run Dr. Seuss Week and Spirit Week!! They will be giving away a free bicycle and helmet to the highest reader in grades K-5 and a free iPad mini to the highest reader in grades 6-9!

Please click on, print, and return the forms below:

Read-A-Thon Permission Slip

Daily Reading Log

ANY reading done outside of school, from Monday, February 29th through Sunday, March 6th, can count and be included on the Daily Reading Log (including Book Buddy reading!). The Reading Log is due back to the school on Monday, March 7th. If your child reads the most hours, parents will be contacted regarding a choice in which bike your child would like purchased and the bike will be delivered to your child in class, during school hours. Happy Reading!

I know that I visit often with may of you to go over your students’ progress however there are still a few parents that I would love to meet with that haven’t scheduled a conference in a while. Please look over your schedule for this months scheduled PTC Thursday, March 24th and let’s get together so you can see all the amazing things your student is doing and what we can do to make sure they finish up the year ready for 2nd grade.

PTC SCHEDULE:
3:30
3:50
4:10
4:30
4:50
5:10

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Homework for March 7th-11th

Posted on March 5, 2016 by darsie.vella

ALL HOMEWORK IS DUE FRIDAY MARCH 11TH

For this weeks homework, there are 4 required components:
Please make sure all components are together and complete for credit.
1. Math: COMPLETE ALL PROBLEMS THIS WEEK. PRINT AND TURN IN 4 MATH TIMINGS (One timing per day)
2. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!) Record on February Book It Calendar
and the Farm Bureau Log id you are interested.
3. High Frequency Timed Reading
4. Spelling

1. MATH HOMEWORK:
Monday Lesson 4: Problem Solving: Guess, Check and Revise
Tuesday Lesson 5: Time to the Hour: Analog
Wednesday Lesson 6: Time to the Hour: Digital
Thursday Lesson 7: Time to the Half Hour: Analog

*MATH FACTS WEEKLY TIMINGS*
The goal is to finish 25 problems in 1 minute and 30 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct). To print the timed test click here: Timings-ALL
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK TO SEE WHICH MATH TIMING YOUR STUDENT IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON.

TWO’s
Quintin
Tyson
Nash
Rayne
Noah
Azylin
Zavian
Denver
Jason
Kambree
Adaliah
Bryan
Corbin

Doubles
Tyce
Lexie
Grayson
Rusty
McKylie
Ryllie

Near Doubles
Ryker
Charlee
Oaklee

I Love to Read!!
2. Reading 20 minutes or more per day
RECORD YOUR READING EVERY DAY YOU READ ON YOUR “BOOK IT” READING LOG located in your green folder.

There are several sources for reading: “Reading for all Learners” also known as”Baggy books” from school, books from home or the public library and our online reading program Raz-Kids. Our class Raz-Kids login is: dvella0 (that’s a zero)

***REMEMBER that in order for your student to pass off a “Baggy Book”, they must have fewer than 2 mistakes per book or 3 per chapter. Please be sure to sign the “Baggy Book” log when your student has successfully mastered each book/chapter.

3- Click here to print this week’s reading fluency: Timed Reading Fluency Practice

4. High Frequency Words
Here is the link to print our weekly spelling homework form: New Weekly Spelling Homework **Remember if you choose not to print off and use this form you need to make sure your student is writing each word and the sentence daily on paper, and that all the papers get turned in on Friday for credit.

NEW WORDS:
because
back
where
know
little
REVIEW WORDS:
and
through
after
SENTENCE:
I only have two cats.
This week the sentence is worth 7 points, spelling words are worth 8. Total points possible for the test this week will be 15.

Posted in Class News, Homework Posts, Language Arts Homework, Math Homework, Spelling and Weekly High Frequency Words | Leave a comment

Supporting STEM

Posted on March 2, 2016 by darsie.vella

This year Quest wanted to provide our students with additional learning opportunities by providing clubs and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. We unfortunately did not have unlimited funds and were limited with the number of students who could participate. In the future, we would like to offer additional club opportunities for everyone to enjoy. POQA has taken on the task of raising money and has chosen not to sell cookie dough or gift-wrap but to provide an opportunity to showcase what our students have done at a dinner event and silent auction.

Basket Fundraiser (in support of STEM activities for our students)

•Each grade has provided a theme basket with gifts, treats, gift cards, etc. Baskets can be viewed in the Q1 foyer.

•Anyone can purchase ticket(s)

Ticket prices
$1=1 ticket & a sticker
$5=6 tickets & a pencil
$10=15 tickets & a ball

•Tickets can then be placed in the bucket that coordinates with the basket of their choice

•The evening of the Gala, a ticket from each basket will be drawn and the basket will be awarded to the ticket holder (need not be present to win).

Gala tickets are on sale again this week, before and after school, in the foyer of Q1. If you are unable to purchase tickets at that time, please email lblakely@questac.org with your name and phone number and we will contact you to make arrangements.

Thank you!

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Homework for February 29th-March 4th

Posted on February 29, 2016 by darsie.vella

ALL HOMEWORK IS DUE FRIDAY MARCH 4TH

For this weeks homework, there are 4 required components:
Please make sure all components are together and complete for credit.
1. Math: COMPLETE ALL PROBLEMS THIS WEEK. PRINT AND TURN IN 4 MATH TIMINGS (I only need one timing per day that’s only 2 pages or one if you print it double sided LOL)
2. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!) Record on February Book It Calendar
and the Farm Bureau Log id you are interested.
3. High Frequency Timed Reading
4. Spelling

1. MATH HOMEWORK:
Monday Lesson 1: Review Am I Ready and Foldable done in class. (You don’t need to return these as they were done in class just talk about it with your student)
Tuesday Lesson 1: Compare and Lengths
Wednesday Lesson 2: Compare and Order Lengths
Thursday Lesson 3: Non Standards Units of Lengths

**NEW ADDITION TO WEEKLY MATH HOMEWORK**We are going to be working hard on math and reading fluency the rest of the year. Please add this short 1 1/2 minute math timing exercise into your nightly homework routine. The goal is to finish 25 problems in 1 minute and 30 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct). To print the timed test click here: Timings-ALL
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK TO SEE WHICH MATH TIMING YOUR STUDENT IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON.

TWO’s
Quintin
Tyson
Nash
Rayne
Noah
Azylin
Zavian
Denver
Jason
Kambree
Adaliah
Bryan
Corbin

Doubles
Tyce
Ryker
Oaklee
Lexie
Grayson
Rusty
McKylie
Ryllie
Charlee

Please check your child’s work for ACCURACY.

I love to read!!!

2. Reading 20 minutes or more per day
RECORD YOUR READING EVERY DAY YOU READ ON YOUR “BOOK IT” READING LOG located in your green folder.

There are several sources for reading: “Reading for all Learners” also known as”Baggy books” from school, books from home or the public library and our online reading program Raz-Kids. Our class Raz-Kids login is: dvella0 (that’s a zero)

***REMEMBER that in order for your student to pass off a “Baggy Book”, they must have fewer than 2 mistakes per book or 3 per chapter. Please be sure to sign the “Baggy Book” log when your student has successfully mastered each book/chapter.

3. Click here to print this week’s reading fluency: Timed Reading Fluency Practice

4. High Frequency Words
Here is the link to print our weekly spelling homework form: New Weekly Spelling Homework **Remember if you choose not to print off and use this form you need to make sure your student is writing each word and the sentence daily on paper, and that all the papers get turned in on Friday for credit.
just
after
water
through
get
REVIEW WORDS:
that
for
was
SENTENCE
This is my best work!
This week the sentence is worth 7 points and the spelling word are worth 8. Total points possible for the test this week will be 15.

Tomorrow is Library day. Please make sure you student has their book packed and ready to return in the morning.

WAY TO GO, MRS. DUNMEYER’S CLASS!!! However Mrs. Vella’s Stars, Let’s see if we can take back the lead this week. I encourage each of you to participate. Let’s see how high our book stack can go!!
First Step– Print the challenge form: 1st Grade Tower of Books Challenge
Second Step– Read 5 books from the listed categories
Third Step– Bring the challenge form WITH parent signature to the library (before or after school)
Fourth Step- Assemble the foldable paper book you will receive from the librarian
Fifth Step– Return assembled paper book, receive a PRIZE and begin again

Book Categories (choose any 5)
1 Alphabet book
1 Story that rhymes
1 Book of poems
1 Fairy tale
1 Magazine article
1 Book from a series you have not read
1 Mystery
1 Holiday
2 “Non-fiction” books on the same topic

Posted in Class News, Homework Posts, Language Arts Homework, Math Homework, Spelling and Weekly High Frequency Words | Leave a comment

Reading Challenge: Win a bike or ipad!

Posted on February 28, 2016 by darsie.vella

A special message from Farm Bureau Financial:

We are pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Quest Academy to run Dr. Seuss Week and Spirit Week!! We will be giving away a free bicycle and helmet to the highest reader in grades K-5 and a free iPad mini to the highest reader in grades 6-9!

4 simple steps to enter:
1- Complete permission form: Read-A-Thon Permission
2- Read, read, read
3- Record reading here: Daily Reading Log
4- Return Reading Log and Permission Slip to school
DUE MONDAY, MARCH 7th

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Dr Seuss Week and Book Fair

Posted on February 28, 2016 by darsie.vella

                                                                    Copy and paste the link for a fun surprise:
                                                                     http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/

Monday—Cat in the Hat Day
Wear a hat to school.

Tuesday –Fox in Socks Day
Wear wild socks today.

Wednesday—Wacky Wednesday
Wear wacky hair to school.

Thursday— One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Wear red or blue uniforms.

Friday— Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
Wear Spirit shirts with uniform pants today.

In honor of Dr. Seuss the Book Fair will be open this week, Monday-Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm. Come check out the Book Fair and find great books to read!

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Weekly Reminders and Improtant School Business

Posted on February 25, 2016 by darsie.vella

1. WE STARTED CHAPTER 7 TESTING TODAY.
*PLEASE make every effort to have your student in class and on time everyday. It is disruptive to the class when students arrive late and makes getting started or trying to catch up with missed concepts difficult and frustrating. Students do better when they stick to a regular routine whether it’s mealtime, bedtime or school time.

2-FRIDAY: Early Out 1pm
*Homework due
*Spelling and sort test
*$1.00 dress down day

3- Scholastic Book Order due February 29th. Use your $5 Free Book Coupon NOW (it expires at the end of this month). Your Scholastic orders help our classroom library earn FREE books. Orders can be sent to school or click here for easy online ordering, our class code is JBTR2: Scholastic Book Club

4- We have a collection of lost and found items in our school, if your child is missing gloves, hats, a sweater, or other items they may be in our school bin located across from the office by the mac lab.

5- There has been an increase with students not meeting school dress code. For your convenience here is the link for our dress code. Quest Dress Code
**Many of the students in our classroom have either lost of destroyed their name tag. Quest policy is that students wear their name tag at all times and, if it gets lost, be replaced within a day or two for a cost of around $5
The following students still have their name tags here at school and are good to go.
Zavian
Rayne
Tyson
Oaklee
Charlee
Ryker
Mckylie

If your student isn’t on the list PLEASE feel free to look for it at home or visit the office so that a new one came be created for them.

6. With the (slightly) warmer weather the students are getting thirstier after recess. Please send a WATER BOTTLE with your child that they can keep in their cubbies. Thank you!

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Scholastic Book Orders

Posted on February 20, 2016 by darsie.vella

IF you are ordering books for a gift let me know and I will allow you to come pick them up in the classroom so they can remain a surprise. Click here for easy online ordering, Our class code is JBTR2: Scholastic Book Club

I am ssssooo Sorry I thought I had closed out the January order but somehow it didn’t ….I got tired of seeing everyone get their books but us and did some digging…I am taking care of it today. The next book order due date for February is Monday February 29. If you want any, and there are some some great books and deals going on please have your order submitted by Monday the 29th. Again I apologize for any inconvenience my mistake may have caused.

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Parent Teacher Conferences

Posted on February 20, 2016 by darsie.vella

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE TIMES AVAILABLE for Thursday February 25th
Please feel free to call or email if you would like to set up a time to come in. Below is a list of the times currently available.

3:30
3:50
4:10 Zavian
4:30 Kambree
4:50
5:10 Nash

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE TIMES AVAILABLE for Thursday March 24th
Please feel free to call or email if you would like to set up a time to come in. Below is a list of the times currently available.

3:30
4:10
4:30
4:50
5:10

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Homework for February 22nd-26th

Posted on February 20, 2016 by darsie.vella

ALL HOMEWORK IS DUE FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22ND
This weeks homework, there are 4 required components:
Please make sure all components are together and complete for credit.
1. Math: COMPLETE ALL PROBLEMS THIS WEEK. PRINT AND TURN IN 4 MATH TIMINGS (I only need one timing per day that’s only 2 pages or one if you print it double sided LOL)
2. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!) Record on February Book It Calendar
3. High Frequency Timed Reading
4. Spelling

1. MATH HOMEWORK:
Monday Chapter 7 Lesson 5 Make a Bar Graphs (Complete ALL Problems)
Tuesday Chapter 7 Lesson 6 Read Bar Graphs (Complete ALL Problems)
Wednesday Chapter 7 My Review (Complete ALL Problems)
Thursday Chapter 7 My Review Continued (Complete ALL Problems)

***FYI***Advance notice…There are some students who will be moving on to the next group of math timings next week. You will need to watch for any changes that your student may be making at that time but for this week just continue to have your student work on their “TWO’S” math timings.

**NEW ADDITION TO WEEKLY MATH HOMEWORK**We are going to be working hard on math and reading fluency the rest of the year. Please add this short 1 1/2 minute math timing exercise into your nightly homework routine. The goal is to finish 25 problems in 1 minute and 30 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct). To print the timed test click here: Timings-ALL Just do the “TWOS” for now. MAKE SURE TO TURN TIMINGS IN FOR FULL MATH CREDIT!

Please check your child’s work for ACCURACY.

I LOVE TO READ!!!
2. Reading 20 minutes or more per day
RECORD YOUR READING EVERY DAY YOU READ ON YOUR “BOOK IT” READING LOG located in your green folder.

There are several sources for reading: “Reading for all Learners” also known as”Baggy books” from school, books from home or the public library and our online reading program Raz-Kids. Our class Raz-Kids login is: dvella0 (that’s a zero)

***REMEMBER that in order for your student to pass off a “Baggy Book”, they must have fewer than 2 mistakes per book or 3 per chapter. Please be sure to sign the “Baggy Book” log when your student has successfully mastered each book/chapter.

3- Click here to print this week’s reading fluency: Timed Reading Fluency Practice

4. High Frequency Spelling Words
Here is the link to print our weekly spelling homework form: New Weekly Spelling Homework **Remember if you choose not to print off and use this form you need to make sure your student is writing each word and the sentence daily on paper, and that all the papers get turned in on Friday for credit.

High Frequency Words for this week are:
now
way
each
called
did
REVIEW WORDS:
made
over
family
SENTENCE
Run as fast as you can.