Category Archives: Uncategorized

Halloween Activities and Costumes: Friday, October 28th. Uniforms on Oct. 31st

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We will be holding our Halloween festivities (Halloween parade and party) on Friday, October 28th.  Costumes are encouraged on this day! 🙂 (Please no gore or masks). The Halloween parade is at 9:00, and parents are invited to attend; please be in the Q2 gym to view the parade.
halloween-kids-clip-art-image-group-of-kids-dressed-up-for-halloween-1lamk3-clipartWe have requested a $12 donation for the three holiday parties we will host this year (Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s).  These donations help pay for party costs such as; sugar cookies and supplies to decorate the cookies.  If you haven’t already, you may pay $4 for the Halloween party or you may pay the complete party donation of $12 now at the Q1 office.

On Halloween (October 31st) please be sure to wear a uniform. We will be watching the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this day.

Homework for the Week of October 24th-28th

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For this week, there are 6 components required for weekly homework:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math
5. Timed Reading
6. MOON JOURNALS (from last week’s homework) are DUE!

Each week, print out the HOMEWORK FORM, which is found here or under the “Homework Form” tab above. 

If you would like to reduce the number of necessary printed papers, you may choose to print only page 1 of the Homework Form and use any blank paper for Tuesday’s Writing Sort and Thursday’s Glue Sort (see below).  
  • This form does NOT need to be printed or turned in for credit during weeks that we are doing only READING homework.  Simply initialing the form that comes home with your child’s Book Buddy is sufficient during those weeks.

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.27 AM




A Reading for All Learners (Book Buddy) leveled book will be sent home with your child DAILY. Please have your child read the book (or one story from the books that contain more than one story) at least two-three times and then sign the included form. You may supplement your child’s reading using books at home, library books, etc. to fulfill the minimum requirement of 20-30 minutes of reading per day. 

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.34 AM




Each week, print your student’s assigned Word Sort by clicking here:
CLICK HERE for Sort 1-21

Use the Word Sort for the following activities:
  • Monday: Print, cut, and sort your words with an adult and explain this week’s rule. Sort each word under the correct guide word. Some guide words have a C or V combination on them – C stands for consonant and V stands for vowel.
  • Tuesday: Practice the sort and write it (using the grid on page 2 of the Homework Form).
  • Wednesday: Blind Sort (Lay down the guide words and then read the rest of the words aloud without showing them to your child. Your child must indicate where the word goes without seeing it.
  • Thursday: Sort and glue (sort the words and glue them using the grid on page 3 of the Homework Form).
IMPORTANT: Students do not need to study the spelling of individual Sort Words.  They need only be familiar with the “rule” for each of the guide words so that they can phonetically figure out the spelling for related words.  

CHALLENGE WORDS: Students do NOT need to know how to spell Challenge Words.  They only need to practice reading them as they sort them under the “Challenge” guide word. Thanks!

Be sure to include “sight words” and “challenge words” in the sort. Students should always read every word when sorting. Here is an example of a completed sort:
scan
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-10-00-30-am




  • Study the following spelling and phonics words using any method you wish in order to prepare for the weekly spelling test on Fridays.
  • There is a list of recommended spelling study activities that you can access BY CLICKING HERE for Spelling Word Activities, but, again, you may use any method you wish.  
  • Please write the second list of spelling words (5 words) in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.    
screen-shot-2016-09-15-at-11-59-59-pm




The spelling words will sometimes repeat:

down
children
for
look
about
out
if



Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM



1.)  Complete this week’s My Math homework pages and staple them to the homework form. The assigned pages are: 

CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 9
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 10
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 11

2.) Practice math skills for 20 minutes (in total for the week) using any “Math Activity” listed here: CLICK HERE for Math Activities

3.) Complete the math facts fluency timing each day, Monday-Thursday, and record the scores for the week on your homework form.  We are on “Adding Fives.”
  • With the fluency timing in the plastic sheet protector, use a dry-erase marker to practice repeatedly.  Record your time (number of minutes and seconds) and number of correct answers each day on your Homework Form. (No need to calculate a percentage score.)
  • The target goal is to finish all 25 problems in 1 minute and 15 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct).
  • Addition & Subtraction Fluency Timings
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-12-26-16-am




These daily one-minute timed fluency readings will help your student become a fluent reader. Time your student for one minute Monday-Thursday and record the number of words they were able to read in one minute on the front page of the Homework Form.

This week: use the “Lesson 21” page; no need to print it out, unless you’d like to.  You 

Important Reminders

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1- End of 1st term is next week.  Please get all missing work completed and turned in now.  1st term grades will be locked on Wednesday, October 19th.

2- October Parent/Teacher Conferences Thursday, October 27th. If you’d like to schedule a time, please send an e-mail to me. Here is the schedule so far:
3:30 – Terra Bowden
3:40 – Jennifer and Marc Gardner
3:50 – Shelly Hemmelgarn
4:00 – Alyson Hall
4:10
4:20
4:30 – Chantill Luthi
4:40
4:50 – Chelsea and Tyler Bonney
5:00 – Kati Hammond
5:10 – Jessica Russell
5:20 – Shai Palmer
5:30 – Harmony Bateman

3- Upcoming FALL BREAK: Early out Wednesday, Oct. 19. No school Thursday and Friday, Oct 20-21. 

4- Mark your calendars for our annual Quest Halloween Parade and 1st Grade Party: Friday, October 28th. 

6- Scholastic Book Order DUE Friday, October 28th.  Remember to use your FREE book coupon before October 31st.  Click here for easy online ordering, our class code is NL9MM: Scholastic Book Club

10 More, 10 Less Help

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hundreds-chart

For lesson 8 in math we used a Hundred Charts to help students figure out what ten more and ten less is. If your child is struggling with the “Ten More, Ten Less” concept, you may have your child look at this chart for help. 

You can also have your child draw how many groups of ten there are and how many ones. Then, for 10 more, add a group of ten.  Erase the extra one, and then cross out a group of ten for “ten less.” 

Here is an example of this: 

screen-shot-2016-10-07-at-3-37-52-pm

Homework for the Week of Oct. 10th – Oct. 14th

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For this week, there are 5 components required for weekly homework:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math
5. Timed Reading

Each week, print out the HOMEWORK FORM, which is found here or under the “Homework Form” tab above. 

If you would like to reduce the number of necessary printed papers, you may choose to print only page 1 of the Homework Form and use any blank paper for Tuesday’s Writing Sort and Thursday’s Glue Sort (see below).  
  • This form does NOT need to be printed or turned in for credit during weeks that we are doing only READING homework.  Simply initialing the form that comes home with your child’s Book Buddy is sufficient during those weeks.

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.27 AM





A Reading for All Learners (Book Buddy) leveled book will be sent home with your child DAILY. Please have your child read the book (or one story from the books that contain more than one story) at least two-three times and then sign the included form. You may supplement your child’s reading using books at home, library books, etc. to fulfill the minimum requirement of 20-30 minutes of reading per day. 

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.34 AM




Each week, print your student’s assigned Word Sort by clicking here:
CLICK HERE for Sort 1-20

Use the Word Sort for the following activities:
  • Monday: Print, cut, and sort your words with an adult and explain this week’s rule. Sort each word under the correct guide word. Some guide words have a C or V combination on them – C stands for consonant and V stands for vowel.
  • Tuesday: Practice the sort and write it (using the grid on page 2 of the Homework Form).
  • Wednesday: Blind Sort (Lay down the guide words and then read the rest of the words aloud without showing them to your child. Your child must indicate where the word goes without seeing it.
  • Thursday: Sort and glue (sort the words and glue them using the grid on page 3 of the Homework Form).
IMPORTANT: Students do not need to study the spelling of individual Sort Words.  They need only be familiar with the “rule” for each of the guide words so that they can phonetically figure out the spelling for related words.  

For instance, if the student knows the sound that the “ch” phonogram makes, and practices sorting words with a “ch” spelling, then he/she should be able to spell a newly introduced word that includes the same sound (i.e. after sorting the word chop, a student should be able to spell the word chat).  

The weekly phonics test will sometimes include words that are not found in the sort, but that have the same “rule” as the sort words. Please don’t drill your students on spelling individual Sort Words; simply ensure that they are familiar with the related “phonics rules” so that they know how to spell the sounds.

CHALLENGE WORDS: Students do NOT need to know how to spell Challenge Words.  They only need to practice reading them as they sort them under the “Challenge” guide word. Thanks!


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  • Study the following spelling and phonics words using any method you wish in order to prepare for the weekly spelling test on Fridays.
  • There is a list of recommended spelling study activities that you can access BY CLICKING HERE for Spelling Word Activities, but, again, you may use any method you wish.  
  • Please write the second list of spelling words (5 words) in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.    
screen-shot-2016-09-15-at-11-59-59-pm




The spelling words will sometimes repeat:

from
down
very
work
about
out
if



Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM



1.  Complete this week’s My Math homework pages and staple them to the homework form. The assigned pages are: 

CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 4
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 5
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 8

2. Practice math skills for 20 minutes (in total for the week) using a “Math Activity” listed here: CLICK HERE for Math Activities

3. Complete the math facts fluency timing each day, Monday-Thursday, and record the scores for the week on your homework form.  We are on “Adding Fours.”
  • With the fluency timing in the plastic sheet protector, use a dry-erase marker to practice repeatedly.  Record your time (number of minutes and seconds) and number of correct answers each day on your Homework Form. (No need to calculate a percentage score.)
  • The target goal is to finish all 25 problems in 1 minute and 15 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct).
  • Addition & Subtraction Fluency Timings
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-12-26-16-am




These daily one-minute timed fluency readings will help your student become a fluent reader. Time your student for one minute Monday-Thursday and record the number of words they were able to read in one minute on the front page of the Homework Form.

This week: use the “Lesson 20” page; no need to print it out, unless you’d like to.  You can report daily scores on the front page of the Homework Form instead.
CLICK HERE for Timed Reading Passages

FAQ for Homework: Week 2!

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I was asked the following questions during our 2nd week of homework, and I thought I faqwould post them in case you may have similar questions in mind:

Question #1. Should my child be studying the spelling of “spelling words” AND studying the spelling of “word sort words?”

Answer: Students do not need to study the spelling of individual Sort Words.  They need only be familiar with the “rule” for each of the guide words so that they can phonetically figure out the spelling for related words.  

For instance, if the student knows the sound that the “ch” phonogram makes, and practices sorting words with a “ch” spelling, then he/she should be able to spell a newly introduced word that uses the same sound (i.e. after sorting the word chop, a student should be able to spell the word chat).  

The weekly phonics test will sometimes include words that are not found in the sort, but that have the same “rule” as the sort words. Please don’t drill your students on spelling individual Sort Words; simply ensure that they are familiar with the related “phonics rules” so that they know how to spell the sounds.

Question #2: Should my child be studying the spelling of “challenge words,” too?

Answer: Students do NOT need to know how to spell Challenge Words, and I apologize for including them under the Spelling Words heading, which probably added to the confusion.  Students only need to practice reading them as they sort them under the “Challenge” guide word. Thanks!

Question #3: How often will the “math timing” sheet be changed or updated?

Answer: That depends entirely on the progress of the class, or on the progress of individual students.  Sometimes we will switch the math fluency timing sheets every week, sometimes we will switch them every other week, and sometimes we will switch them for some students, while other students remain on the same fluency sheet.

Question #4: How quickly should my student be able to finish the math timing?

The goal by the end of the year is to finish each fluency sheet in 1 minute and 15 seconds or less.  Before the end of the year, any progress toward that goal is great!

Blue Folders

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Hello, Fabulous Parents!

This week we tried to add new math timings to each student’s blue Communication two-pocket-folder-clipart-free-clipart-imagesFolder, but we discovered that many students did not have their blue folders in their backpacks, which is where I have told them to always keep them so that we can pack important papers and assignments to go between school and home. 

I realize that students will need to take their blue folders out of backpacks to do homework, but if you could please remind your child to re-pack the blue folder into his/her backpack each night, that would be helpful!  Thanks so much for your help with this!

Homework for the Week of October 3rd-7th

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IMPORTANT: Parents, I am so sorry: I did not have a chance today (Friday) to send home the new math fluency worksheet in the students’ blue folders.  I will be sending it home on Monday!  Thank you for your patience! 

If you would like to print out a copy, click on the link below.  We are working on “Adding Threes” this week. 
CLICK HERE for Addition/Subtraction Fluency Timing Sheets

For this week, there are 5 components required for weekly homework:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math
5. Timed Reading

Each week, print out the HOMEWORK FORM, which is found here or under the “Homework Form” tab above. 

If you would like to reduce the number of necessary printed papers, you may choose to print only page 1 of the Homework Form and use any blank paper for Tuesday’s Writing Sort and Thursday’s Glue Sort (see below).  
  • This form does NOT need to be printed or turned in for credit during weeks that we are doing only READING homework.  Simply initialing the form that comes home with your child’s Book Buddy is sufficient during those weeks.

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.27 AM





A Reading for All Learners (Book Buddy) leveled book will be sent home with your child DAILY. Please have your child read the book (or one story from the books that contain more than one story) at least two-three times and then sign the included form. You may supplement your child’s reading using books at home, library books, etc. to fulfill the minimum requirement of 20-30 minutes of reading per day. 

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.34 AM




Each week, print your student’s assigned Word Sort by clicking here:
CLICK HERE for Sort 1-19

Use the Word Sort for the following activities:
  • Monday: Print, cut, and sort your words with an adult and explain this week’s rule. Sort each word under the correct guide word. Some guide words have a C or V combination on them – C stands for consonant and V stands for vowel.
  • Tuesday: Practice the sort and write it (using the grid on page 2 of the Homework Form).
  • Wednesday: Blind Sort (Lay down the guide words and then read the rest of the words aloud without showing them to your child. Your child must indicate where the word goes without seeing it.
  • Thursday: Sort and glue (sort the words and glue them using the grid on page 3 of the Homework Form).
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-10-00-30-am




  • Study the following spelling and phonics words using any method you wish in order to prepare for the weekly spelling test on Fridays.
  • There is a list of recommended spelling study activities that you can access BY CLICKING HERE for Spelling Word Activities, but, again, you may use any method you wish.  
  • Please write the second list of spelling words (5 words) in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.    
screen-shot-2016-09-15-at-11-59-59-pm




friend
there
their

The following spelling words will sometimes repeat:
children
into
play
school
of

CHALLENGE WORDS: backup, polish, publish, bucket, hammock


Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM



1.  Complete this week’s My Math homework pages and staple them to the homework form. The assigned pages are: 

CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 11
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 12
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 13

2. Practice math skills for 20 minutes (in total for the week) using a “Math Activity” listed here: CLICK HERE for Math Activities

3. Complete the math facts fluency timing each day, Monday-Thursday, and record the scores for the week on your homework form.   
  • With the fluency timing in the plastic sheet protector, use a dry-erase marker to practice repeatedly.  Record your time (number of minutes and seconds) and number of correct answers each day on your Homework Form. (No need to calculate a percentage score.)
  • The target goal is to finish all 25 problems in 1 minute and 15 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct).
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-12-26-16-am




These daily one-minute timed fluency readings will help your student become a fluent reader. Time your student for one minute Monday-Thursday and record the number of words they were able to read in one minute on the front page of the Homework Form.

This week: use the “Lesson 19” page; no need to print it out, unless you’d like to.  You can report daily scores on the front page of the Homework Form instead.
CLICK HERE for Timed Reading Passages

FAQs for Homework

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I was so impressed by the caliber of homework that was turned in this past week! FAQ Parents, thank you so much for your efforts in helping your children complete their homework.  It has such an impact on your child’s learning.  Here are some Frequently Asked Questions that I received last week that may be helpful to you:




Question #1. Should ALL homework papers be stapled together?

Answer: Yes, PLEASE!  Please try to imagine 26 six-year-olds cramming their homework papers into the tray and you can easily see why it would be beneficial for your child to have his/her homework all stapled neatly together.  Paper clips are not as helpful because papers still tend to slide in and out of the paper clip. Feel free to purchase a small, inexpensive stapler for home – I know that even Dollar Tree sells staplers.

Question #2: Should I have my child turn in a Homework Form during the weeks that there is only reading homework?

Answer: No, that is not necessary.  During “Reading Homework Only” weeks, simply sign the reading slip in your child’s Book Buddy bag each day.  Your signature each day is sufficient.

Question #3: Why do you post the My Math Homework pages to the blog when copies of the pages are being sent home with my child for each unit?

Answer: Every time we begin a new unit, I will have your child bring home the copies of their My Math Homework pages that are needed for that unit’s math homework.  However, sometimes accidents happen!  I post the pages on the blog in case your child is absent the day the pages are sent home,  or in case your child loses the pages, etc.  That way, you can print the pages at home, if necessary.

Question #4: What should the goal be for math fluency timings, and why is math fluency important?

Answer: By the end of first grade, the target goal is to finish all 25 problems in 1 minute and 15 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct).  Math fact fluency, or the ability for students to recall basic math facts quickly, accurately, and effortlessly, is an essential component of students’ math knowledge. It would take you ages to write a paper if you had to look up the spelling of each individual word: In the same way, lack of fact fluency can slow down students’ processing of more complex math problems and situations. Research shows the importance of fact fluency as a foundation for more difficult math, and even as a predictor of future math success. For these reasons, fact fluency is one important component of our math curriculum in first grade.

Homework for the Week of September 26th

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For this week, there are 5 components required for weekly homework:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math
5. Timed Reading

Each week, print out the HOMEWORK FORM, which is found here or under the “Homework Form” tab above. 

If you would like to reduce the number of necessary printed papers, you may choose to print only page 1 of the Homework Form and use any blank paper for Tuesday’s Writing Sort and Thursday’s Glue Sort (see below).  
  • This form does NOT need to be printed or turned in for credit during weeks that we are doing only READING homework.  Simply initialing the form that comes home with your child’s Book Buddy is sufficient during those weeks.

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.27 AM





A Reading for All Learners (Book Buddy) leveled book will be sent home with your child DAILY. Please have your child read the book (or one story from the books that contain more than one story) at least two-three times and then sign the included form. You may supplement your child’s reading using books at home, library books, etc. to fulfill the minimum requirement of 20-30 minutes of reading per day. 

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.34 AM




Each week, print your student’s assigned Word Sort by clicking here:
 CLICK HERE for Sort 1-17  

Use the Word Sort for the following activities:
  • Monday: Print, cut, and sort your words with an adult and explain this week’s rule. Sort each word under the correct guide word. Some guide words have a C or V combination on them – C stands for consonant and V stands for vowel.
  • Tuesday: Practice the sort and write it (using the grid on page 2 of the Homework Form).
  • Wednesday: Blind Sort (Lay down the guide words and then read the rest of the words aloud without showing them to your child. Your child must indicate where the word goes without seeing it.
  • Thursday: Sort and glue (sort the words and glue them using the grid on page 3 of the Homework Form).
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-10-00-30-am




  • Study the following spelling and phonics words using any method you wish in order to prepare for the weekly spelling test on Fridays.
  • There is a list of recommended spelling study activities that you can access BY CLICKING HERE for Spelling Word Activities, but, again, you may use any method you wish.  
  • Please write the second list of spelling words (5 words) in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.    
screen-shot-2016-09-15-at-11-59-59-pm




at
or
one

The following spelling words will sometimes repeat:
from
some
put
where
down

CHALLENGE WORDS: dishrag, bathtub, within, vanish, racket


Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM



  1.  Complete this week’s My Math homework pages and staple them to the homework form. The assigned pages are: CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 7, CLICK HERE for My Math Lesson 8, CLICK HERE for My Math Lesson 9 
  2.  Practice math skills for 20 minutes (in total for the week) using a “Math Activity” listed here: CLICK HERE for Math Activities
  3.  Complete the math facts fluency timing each day, Monday-Thursday, and record the scores for the week on your homework form.   
  • With the fluency timing in the plastic sheet protector, use a dry-erase marker to practice repeatedly.  Record your time (number of minutes and seconds) and number of correct answers each day on your homework form. (No need to calculate a percentage score.)
  • The target goal is to finish all 25 problems in 1 minute and 15 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct).
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-12-26-16-am




These daily one-minute timed fluency readings will help your student become a fluent reader. Time your student for one minute Monday-Thursday and record the number of words they were able to read in one minute on the front page of the Homework Form.

This week: use the “Lesson 18” page; no need to print it out, unless you’d like to.  You can report daily scores on the front page of the Homework Form instead.
CLICK HERE for Timed Reading Passages

Field Trip Reminders

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Wear RED uniform shirts with uniform bottoms. PLEASE dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes! Tomorrow it will likely rain, but we are still planning on going, so bring jackets, hats, and umbrellas. Your child does NOT need a backpack tomorrow.

Parents who are coming: please bring a backpack to put students’ lunches in. 

Students need to PACK A COLD LUNCH, labeled with the child’s name, in a disposable bag. No microwaves will be available. No “school lunch” will be served. Please put lunches in a plastic or paper sack that can be thrown away. Please remember plastic silverware so parents aren’t hanging onto spoons and forks in their backpacks.  Thank you!

Be to school ON TIME so we can leave promptly when the buses arrive.