CONGRATULATIONS TO RYAN ROWLEY, OUR READING CHALLENGE CHAMP!

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What an exciting moment to discover that the winner of the reading challenge is a member of our class!  We sincerely congratulate Ryan on his spectacular achievement! Ryan is certainly deserving of this honor, having woken up every morning at 5:45 this past week to read an entire chapter book each day!  Ryan read over 1,000 minutes this past week and won a beautiful brand new bike, complete with a sparking brake and helmet!

We are so proud of all of the many other members of our class who entered the challenge – we definitely were well-represented in the contest, and many of our classmates read a LOT!  Hats off to you all!

IMG_0038IMG_0040IMG_0042IMG_0041IMG_0037

Homework for the Week of March 14th-17th

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This week, only

1. Reading Homework
2. the Leprechaun Trap Project (DUE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH), and
3. the Heredity Photo Project (DUE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH)

are required.  

It is not necessary to fill out a Homework Form for this week’s homework.  Please complete the following activities:

Screen Shot 2016-03-11 at 10.00.12 AM



We are preparing for a possible visit from leprechauns!  Please help your child with the project as described on the worksheet that your child brought home on Friday, March 11th.  The leprechaun trap is due back in class on WEDNESDAY, March 16th.


If your children are adopted or in a blended family, your pictures are most welcome!  My own children are adopted and I bring in their pictures to show that even though we don’t share the same genetic traits, we share the same traits that make us humans.  Even biological families often don’t look like each other and it gives us lots of examples to talk about.

Leprechaun Trap Instructions
Screen Shot 2016-03-11 at 11.17.37 AM



Heredity
In our next science unit, we will be exploring the similarities and differences in characteristics when comparing offspring to parents and siblings to siblings.  This is especially fun for the students if they can bring in pictures of themselves and their families.  If you are able to send in a family photo, or a one page collage of the members of your family in a protective plastic sleeve by WEDNESDAY, March 16th, I will hang them up for the students to observe, but not touch.  Bonus points if you have a picture of yourself around your child’s age! :) 

If your children are adopted or in a blended family, your pictures are most welcome!  Even biological families often don’t look like each other and it gives us lots of examples to talk about.


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 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. 

It is not necessary to fill out a Homework Form for this week’s homework.  Simply initialing the form that comes home with your child’s Book Buddy is sufficient.

Screen Shot 2016-01-09 at 7.04.45 PM





This activity should be completed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  It is not necessary to fill out a Homework Form for this week’s homework – I trust that you will do it.
  1. Visit the following website: http://www.haslett.k12.mi.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=11283&: 
  2. Select a “Level 100” reading passage. For this week, please read passage # 119 (Bike Safety) for MONDAY and TUESDAY, and passage #120 (Walking to School) for WEDNESDAY. 
  3.  Complete a one-minute timed reading and record your score on the Homework Form. Feel free to use this online timer: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/timer/1minute/ . Find your score by subtracting the number of incorrect words read from the total number of words read in one minute (for instance, if you read 98 words, but read 5 of the words incorrectly, your score would be 93).   
  4. Re-tell the story with as much detail as possible, and in your own words, to a parent, using the guidelines described below:
Non-Fiction Re-tell Rope 3Fiction Re-Tell Rope 3














If you are able to read the entire passage in less than a minute: start again at the top of the passage and read as many more words as you can until the one-minute timing is over.  For scoring, include the total words read during the entire minute. For instance, if you read the entire passage (137 words) and then read part of it again (39 words) before the one-minute timing was over, your score would be 176 (if you had no mistakes).

Tower of Books Challenge Update

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Here are the latest totals.  The challenge will continue until the end of April. The winners will get awesome prizes so keep checking those lists off!!!!!  If you need more lists, please let me or Mrs. Anderson, our librarian, know and we’ll be sure to get copies for you.
Tower of Books
Thank you! And Happy Reading!
  
1st Grade
Bischoff – 3
Dunmeyer – 40
Hills/Teichert – 12
Nelson – 10
Vella – 25

Homework for the Week of March 7th-11th

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For this week’s homework, there are 5 components required:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math, including Addition and Subtraction Fact Memorization
5. Timed Reading

Each week, print out the Homework Form With Timed Reading (CLICK HERE). 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 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 on the appropriate link below.  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).

Word Sorts: 
Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.33 PMHunches Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 12
(Anna, Adriel)


Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.11 PMSneetches Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 17
(Deklyn, Zoey, Logan, Vincent, Christopher, Dea, Khloee, Saidi, Tanner) 


Screen Shot 2015-11-19 at 10.11.32 AMBarbaloots: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 23
(Kaylee, Xander, London, Jax, Keagan, Rowdy, Ryan, Quinnlyn)

Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.24 PMThings Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 28
(Aaron, Raya, Mason)


Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.00.51 PMWhos Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 32
(Ava, Rock, Maylee)




Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.40 AM




  • Study the following “High Frequency 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 spelling words in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.   
Screen shot 2013-09-23 at 12.14.05 PM 




after
water
through 
get
because
back

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM





Screen Shot 2015-12-23 at 3.08.47 PM




This activity should be completed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  
  1. Visit the following website: http://www.haslett.k12.mi.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=11283&: 
  2. Select a “Level 100” reading passage. For this week, please read passage # 117 (If You Are Lost) for MONDAY and TUESDAY, and passage #118 (Fire Safety) for WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY. 
  3.  Complete a one-minute timed reading and record your score on the Homework Form. Feel free to use this online timer: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/timer/1minute/ . Find your score by subtracting the number of incorrect words read from the total number of words read in one minute (for instance, if you read 98 words, but read 5 of the words incorrectly, your score would be 93).   
  4. Re-tell the story with as much detail as possible, and in your own words, to a parent, using the guidelines described below:
Non-Fiction Re-tell Rope 3Fiction Re-Tell Rope 3














If you are able to read the entire passage in less than a minute: start again at the top of the passage and read as many more words as you can until the one-minute timing is over.  For scoring, include the total words read during the entire minute. For instance, if you read the entire passage (137 words) and then read part of it again (39 words) before the one-minute timing was over, your score would be 176 (if you had no mistakes).

Fundraising Baskets for Clubs

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Gift basketThis 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!

Reading Challenge: Win a Bike or iPad!

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Join our Reading Challenge during Dr. Seuss Week!  Students can win either a bike or an BikeiPad!!

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! 🙂

Homework for the Week of February 29th-March 4th

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For this week’s homework, there are 5 components required:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math, including Addition and Subtraction Fact Memorization
5. Timed Reading

Each week, print out the Homework Form With Timed Reading (CLICK HERE). 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 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 on the appropriate link below.  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).

Word Sorts: 
Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.33 PMHunches Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 11
(Anna, Adriel)


Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.11 PMSneetches Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 16
(Deklyn, Zoey, Logan, Vincent, Christopher, Dea, Khloee, Saidi, Tanner) 


Screen Shot 2015-11-19 at 10.11.32 AMBarbaloots: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 22
(Kaylee, Xander, London, Jax, Keagan, Rowdy, Ryan, Quinnlyn)

Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.24 PMThings Sort: CLICK HERE for yellow sort 27
(Aaron, Raya, Mason)


Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.00.51 PMWhos Sort: CLICK HERE for yellow sort 31
(Ava, Rock, Maylee)




Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.40 AM




  • Study the following “High Frequency 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 spelling words in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.   
Screen shot 2013-09-23 at 12.14.05 PM 




now
way
each
called
did
just


Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM





Screen Shot 2015-12-23 at 3.08.47 PM




This activity should be completed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  
  1. Visit the following website: http://www.haslett.k12.mi.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=11283&: 
  2. Select a “Level 100” reading passage. For this week, please read passage # 115 (Fish: Water Pets) for MONDAY and TUESDAY, and passage #116 (Safety Plans and Rules) for WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY. 
  3.  Complete a one-minute timed reading and record your score on the Homework Form. Feel free to use this online timer: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/timer/1minute/ . Find your score by subtracting the number of incorrect words read from the total number of words read in one minute (for instance, if you read 98 words, but read 5 of the words incorrectly, your score would be 93).   
  4. Re-tell the story with as much detail as possible, and in your own words, to a parent, using the guidelines described below:
Non-Fiction Re-tell Rope 3Fiction Re-Tell Rope 3














If you are able to read the entire passage in less than a minute: start again at the top of the passage and read as many more words as you can until the one-minute timing is over.  For scoring, include the total words read during the entire minute. For instance, if you read the entire passage (137 words) and then read part of it again (39 words) before the one-minute timing was over, your score would be 176 (if you had no mistakes).

Please Read Book Buddies EVERY Night!

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I am noticing a sharp decrease in the number of students reading and returning Book Buddies every day.  This is concerning because, of all home activities that will positively impact the success of your child, reading is absolutely at the top of the list.  

Children who read every day typically:Better Reader

1. Have reduced stress.
2. Have greater content knowledge.
3. Are more mentally stimulated.
4. Have a more expansive vocabulary.
5. Have greater memory.
6. Have stronger analytical thinking skills.
7. Have better focus and concentration.
8. Have better writing skills.
9. Have greater development of life goals.
10. Have better developed empathy for others.

This is the short list!  Many, many research studies show countless other benefits from reading every day!  

Believe me: I know that the Book Buddy books are not the absolute most exciting books ever written (although, I do think that, when given a chance, many of the stories can be quite entertaining!), but please also believe me when I say that, after searching the world over, I have not found a single better source for systematically developing a fluent reader by gradually and consistently introducing phonograms, than the Reading for All Learners books that we use in the Book Buddies.  

Please feel free to have your child read any books you deem appropriate each night AFTER your child finishes the nightly reading of his/her Book Buddy book.  Please always ensure that the Reading for All Learners book is read every single day and returned to school.  I remind students to turn in their Book Buddies every single day – usually multiple times each day!  Once your child has finished the program (after reading the purple book set), his/her daily reading can be completely chosen by a parent.

I know that the vast majority of students in our class scored at or above benchmark for our January DIBELS test, but please know that the Spring benchmark (for the test that will be administered in late April or early May) is much more of a stretch and will prove difficult for even some of those who tested successfully in January.  

Thank you so much for helping your child to be a successful reader!

Please Keep All Pokemon Cards and Other Toys at Home! Thank you!

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We are having a Pokemon card epidemic.  As with all other toys (and even toy-like school supplies or distracting jewelry), these items should stay home for the following reasons:

  • They can interfere with your child’s ability to focus and complete work.
  • They can interfere with your child’s need to get exercise during recess.Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 11.49.38 AM
  • They can get lost here at school.
  • They can get broken.
  • They can be taken by another child, in which case it is very difficult to determine who the actual owner is.
I am happy to allow students to bring recess equipment, such as balls or jump ropes, to be used at recess time, as long as it is well-labeled with the child’s name.

Dr. Seuss Week Activities and BOOK FAIR: Feb. 29th-March 5th

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Here are the Dr. Suess Week Events!Cat

Monday, February 29th :Cat in the Hat

  • Wear a hat to school

Tuesday, March 1st: Fox in Sox

  • Wear wild socks to school

Wednesday, March 2nd:Wacky Wednesday

  • Wear wacky hair to school

Thursday, March 4th: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

  • Wear red and blue uniforms

Friday, March 5th: Oh the Places You’ll Go

  • Wear Spirit Shirts 

Homework for the Week of February 22nd-26th

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For this week’s homework, there are 5 components required:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math, including Addition and Subtraction Fact Memorization
5. Timed Reading

Each week, print out the Homework Form With Timed Reading (CLICK HERE). 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 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 on the appropriate link below.  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).

Word Sorts: 
Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.33 PMHunches Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 10
(Anna, Adriel)


Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.11 PMSneetches Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 15
(Deklyn, Zoey, Logan, Vincent, Christopher, Dea, Khloee, Saidi, Tanner) 


Screen Shot 2015-11-19 at 10.11.32 AMBarbaloots: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 21
(Kaylee, Xander, London, Jax, Keagan, Rowdy, Ryan, Quinnlyn)

Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.01.24 PMThings Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 26
(Aaron, Raya, Mason)


Screen shot 2013-09-08 at 5.00.51 PMWhos Sort: CLICK HERE for Yellow Sort 30
(Ava, Rock, Maylee)




Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.40 AM




  • Study the following “High Frequency 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 spelling words in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.   
Screen shot 2013-09-23 at 12.14.05 PM 




new
very
my
also
down
make



Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM





Screen Shot 2015-12-23 at 3.08.47 PM




This activity should be completed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  
  1. Visit the following website: http://www.haslett.k12.mi.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=11283&: 
  2. Select a “Level 100” reading passage. For this week, please read passage # 113 (Cats: Purring Pets) for MONDAY and TUESDAY, and passage #114 (Birds: Flying Pets) for WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY. 
  3.  Complete a one-minute timed reading and record your score on the Homework Form. Feel free to use this online timer: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/timer/1minute/ . Find your score by subtracting the number of incorrect words read from the total number of words read in one minute (for instance, if you read 98 words, but read 5 of the words incorrectly, your score would be 93).   
  4. Re-tell the story with as much detail as possible, and in your own words, to a parent, using the guidelines described below:
Non-Fiction Re-tell Rope 3Fiction Re-Tell Rope 3














If you are able to read the entire passage in less than a minute: start again at the top of the passage and read as many more words as you can until the one-minute timing is over.  For scoring, include the total words read during the entire minute. For instance, if you read the entire passage (137 words) and then read part of it again (39 words) before the one-minute timing was over, your score would be 176 (if you had no mistakes).