February Awards

Congratulations to our February award recipients: Kristen, Nettly and Charles.  Congratulations students!!!  Keep working hard!!!

Please come tomorrow at 10:45am to the Deltona Adventist Church to support the 7 DAS students that will be getting baptized.  What a joyous occasion that will be!  A potluck will be following that all are invited to attend.

Monday, the 5th graders will have their Pilgrim's Progress maps due and a mid-chapter math quiz.  EVERYONE will have their social studies project due on Tuesday.  Please make sure that it has the following components for a full grade: graphic organizer, report, travel/tourism packet, oral presentation, and state food.  The report will be counted as a writing grade.  The rest will be counted as a social studies grade. I gave the students some tips on their oral presentations.  You can view the grading rubric: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/30700_rubric.pdf  Here is a good video on how to give a good oral presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAsPR1CJ4wM.

Many of the students need to have their classroom supplies restocked.  Scissors, glue, crayons, markers, pencils, notebooks.  Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Today's quote is from L.M. Montgomery, "It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will."

Joy

I love this picture of joy on my student's faces!  We have been studying a lot about joy and how we all have something to be joyful about everyday!

Please be aware that in addition to their normal weekly assignments the 4th Graders have a chapter test in Math tomorrow and the 5th graders have their reading test.  Tomorrow is also our monthly awards ceremony.

On Monday, the 5th graders have their reading map test due and a math mid-chapter test.  On Tuesday, everyone will have their social studies projects due.  Please bring a food item that is vegetarian and prepared.  Cut up into 15 pieces would be ideal. 

This sabbath we will have 7 students from DAS baptized! What a wonderful day that will be!!! Please come support our students and their public declaration to follow Jesus.

Our quote today is from  Terry Pratchett, “Joy is to fun what the deep sea is to a puddle. It’s a feeling inside that can hardly be contained.”

Successful Program

Congratulations students on a tremendous job at the Art Extravaganza!!! Your artwork, individual performances and gymnastics routine were a success!!!

Practice Makes Perfect

Tonight the students will be able to display their artistic talents in art and gymnastics.  We have been practicing every day for weeks.  They have been doing a great job and I can't wait for them to make their debut tonight!!!

Please make a note on your calendar that this Friday our John Knox Nursing Home performance was cancelled due to sickness at the facility.  

Please make sure that your child is working on their Social Studies research project.  It is due one week from today.

The 5th graders were assigned a portion of their reading test today.  It is a mapping of the events in their literature book.  It will be due on Monday.  The questions and answers portion of their test will be this Friday.

In two weeks the students will be graded on their math facts and on their states (and capitals).  Another good website to study at is http://lizardpoint.com/geography/usa-quiz.php.  A good website to practice multiplication math facts is at: http://www.multiplication.com/games/all-games.

Our quote for today is from Democritus, “Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.”

Half Day

Today was a half day, but we still were able to get our Bible verse for the week, which is "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." Psalm 28:6-7 NIV

The students got their spelling words for the week and math assignments today.  The 4th graders have a mid-chapter test in math tomorrow and the 3rd graders have one on Wednesday.  Our smart goal for the week is CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.(3 & 4).1f and the NAD standard of knowing subjects and predicates.  

Tomorrow is the Art Extravaganza and the opening of the Book Fair.  Please come at 6:00 for the Book Fair and at 6:30 for the Art Extravaganza.  Please wear church attire but also bring a pair of khaki shorts and blue DAS shirt and white socks for the gymnastics performance.  Remember that we need EVERY student in attendance - our class routine is counting on it!!!

Also on Friday we will be going to the John Knox Nursing Home for a performance.  Any students who play or sing will also be encouraged to share their talents with the residents there.

Our quote today is from Todd Stocker, "If you walk in joy, happiness is close behind.”

Preparing for the Art Extravaganza

 The students are working hard at art and in gymnastics so that they can show off their hard work.

Next week we will have a Social Studies test.  The fifth graders also have a math test on Monday.  They will also have a test on Pilgrim's Progress next week.

Great job students on today's Bible verse quizzes and spelling and vocabulary tests!  I am also noticing the increase in levels in Reading Plus.  Keep up the hard work!!!

By the end of today I will have the Think Central assignments and Spelling City assignments up for next week.  That way they can get a head start for next week.  Please remember that Monday is a half day and that tonight at 7pm is vespers in Webster Hall at the church.

Our quote today is from Tagore, “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” 

Lamb Wins

 Yesterday we were able to gain a huge blessing from the concert of Lamb Wins.  A singing group that sings their way through the story of Revelation.  To buy a CD or hear them go to http://www.thelambwins.com/The_Lamb_Wins/Media.html.

The social studies project graphic organizer is due tomorrow.  Please be helping your student with research please.  This paper will need researched evidence and details.

On Tuesday, (February 25) the Book Fair will open at 6:00pm.  The Art Extravaganza will start at 6:30pm.  Please have your child there in church attire.  Then we will be changing for our gymnastics routine.  Blue school polo, khaki or blue school shorts and clean socks.  All students have a special part in our routine - it is important that ALL students are present.  Also, if any parents would like to donate some cookies for the event, that would be greatly appreciated.  Please let Mrs. Best know if you are able to help.

Fifth graders need to be done reading Pilgrim's Progress by next week.  We will be having our exam on the book.  Please make sure 3rd and 4th grade students are working on their reading packets.

On April 22, in the afternoon, our school will be having a run-off spelling bee.  The top 3 students from each grade will then be chosen to participate in a four school spelling bee at Beryl Wisdom on May 1st.  I will be giving the students spelling bee words very soon.

We have been studying the modal auxiliaries this week.  A great website to practice is at http://eslgamesworld.com/members/games/grammar/New_Snakes_%20Ladders/Mixed_Modals.html. We will have a test next week.

Today we made cards for an 18 year-old girl who has brain cancer.  We will also be praying daily for her.  I would like our class to "adopt" her and continue to encourage her through small gifts and cards.

Our joy quote today is from Chardin, “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”

Modal Auxiallaries & Concluding Paragraphs

Happy Birthday Jose!  Thank you for the yummy cupcakes.

This week our Bible verse is found in James 1:2-4 NIV, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

The two standards that we will be focusing on are  Literacy.W.(3,4,5).1d which focuses on how to write a concluding statement in the opinion paper.  

The other standard has to do with modal auxiliaries which have to with a special kind of helping verb - it conveys various conditions or functions such as can, could, or must. 
Literacy.L.(34,5).1c.

Third graders did well on their math test today.  5th Graders will have a mid-chapter test tomorrow and should study tonight!

I am still missing a few permission slips for Kennedy Space Center - please have those in as soon as possible.  

Parents and family members, thank you again for coming on Friday! It was such a joy to have you in our classroom and I know the students enjoyed having you in here as well.  Their big smiles spoke volumes!

Our quote for today is from E. E. Cummings,  “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.”

Parent's Day

Thank you parents!!!

Homophones

We have been working on homophones this week.  The students are being able to SPOT them.  They will have a test on them next week.

Please put SATURDAY, MARCH 1, down on your calendars.  We have approximately seven students getting baptized!!! Praise God!!!

Today your child will be sent home with permission slips for the Kennedy Space Center. I will need these back as soon as possible.  I also need to know exactly how many parents I have going.  We have to turn in a check very soon.  So far I have Kristen's parents, Collin's dad, Joshua's dad and Samantha's mom.

We are very excited - tomorrow is our Parent's Day.  Don't forget to bring your lunch and a pencil!

Our quote today is from Booker T. Washington, "“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” 

Library Day

This picture is of Samantha looking at her DAS library book.  Thank you to our volunteer librarians who make every Wednesday a day where our students can check out books.  

I gave the students a social studies packet to study the U.S. states and capitals.  The 3rd and 4th graders will be tested on the states and the 5th graders will be tested on the states AND capitals at the end of the quarter.  They were also given some extra credit to do if they so choose.  A great website to study is at http://www.abcya.com/us_states_and_capitals.htm.

The short research paper on what it takes to become an Olympic athlete is due tomorrow.  Next Friday, the graphic organizers for the research project are due. Tomorrow the 4th graders have a math test.  Today EVERYONE did a great job on their social studies test!!!  Great job students!

Today our quote is from Charles Morgan, "There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder."

Welcome Charles!

We want to make an official welcome to Charles, a new student in our class.  We are so happy to have him join our DAS family!

Tonight at 6:30pm at the AMF Deltona Lane in Orange City is a fundraiser for the DAS 8th graders and Journey's End Animal Sanctuary.  The cost is $10 per player.  Come join the fun!

Tomorrow all students will have a social studies test.  Thursday the 4th graders have their math chapter test.  Thursday all students also have a short research project due. Don't forget to join us on Friday for parent's day!!!

Our quote today is from Billy Graham, "God doesn't owe us anything-yet in His grace, He still gives us good things."

Switching Classroom Experiment

Thank you David for taking this picture during our Writer's Workshop.  Today we used similes to write our stories.

This week Mr. Barajas wanted to try an experiment and so the 3rd-5th graders went to his classroom for Bible while Mrs. Velbis taught 6th-8th graders writing.  I think the students enjoyed the change of scenario and teachers. 

In writing this week we are working on the writing standard CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.(3,4,5).7
This standard works on writing a short research project to build knowledge.  So all of the students will have a writing assignment for the week, which will be due on Thursday.

Tomorrow 5th graders have their math test.  We reviewed at length today in class - please encourage your 5th grader to study.  4th graders will have their math test on Thursday.

Remember that tomorrow is the school bowling night to support the 8th graders.  Please refer to your newsletter for more information.

Our love quote today is from St. Augustine, "God loves each of us as if there were only one of us."

Adventist Schools

 Thank you Samantha for taking this candid photo of Isabelle and Joey.  We have had to have lunch/recess inside a lot recently due to the cold, wet weather.  

Today we took our end of the week tests and I was very impressed with how well the students did on their Bible verses! 

5th graders will have their reading packets due on Monday and a math test on Monday or Tuesday.  Please STUDY!

Next week is our Parent's Day on Friday.  If you and your child (or independently) would be able to do a special music for our chapel on the 14th please let me know ASAP.  Parent participation is greatly encouraged.  Maybe you even have a story or some pictures you would like to share.  Please let me know.  Of course, the subject is LOVE.  God's love for us or how we need to extend brotherly love to others.

I wanted to share this incredible article about Adventist education with you.  Thank you for making sacrifices to send your child to an Adventist school!  I know that with the continued partnership between students, parents, staff and our creator God -  our students will be successful! http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/1115/.UvL-nZ1EcDA.gmail

Our love quote for today is from Brennan Manning, “We should be astonished at the goodness of God, stunned that He should bother to call us by name, our mouths wide open at His love, bewildered that at this very moment we are standing on holy ground.”

Parent's Homework

I took a picture of my 4th graders at our reading rotations.  They have all said that they really like the new book we are reading.

We started our gymnastics routine today.  We are first learning to do our routine to an eight count.  The students are very excited!

We are continuing to work on our homophones and using transitions in writing.  The students turned in a WPP online assignment - and many of them improved on their last assignment's score.  Ask to see their score and compare it to the last one.

Parents, please write down your February goal with your student.  They really enjoy having you intimately involved in their education.  The statistics show that they will be more successful too!

Our love quote today is from Steven Curtis Chapman, “I did nothing to deserve God's love; in fact, I was living as an orphan, without hope. Yet God chose to pursue a relationship with me, and through the death of his son Jesus, I was adopted into God's family.”

I did nothing to deserve God's love; in fact, I was living as an orphan, without hope. Yet God chose to pursue a relationship with me, and through the death of his son Jesus, I was adopted into God's family.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/stevencurt552477.html#KOuO4BArI2uFvS4D.99

God is LOVE

Thank you Erica for coloring this beautiful picture and Bible verse.  It is such a good reminder of how of gracious our God is, because His love is perfect we have nothing to fear!

Third and fourth graders were given new reading packets yesterday.  They will be due on Monday, March 10th.  Tomorrow the 4th graders will have a math mid-chapter test.

Since we have begun a new month I am asking students AND parents to make a new goal for the month.  Please write it down on your child's homework sheet.  Thank you for partnering with me in your child's education!

We are continuing to hone our skills on writing an opinion paper.  This week we are focusing on transitions. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1c , CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1c, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1c

We are also focusing on the correct use of homophones which is covered in Literacy.L.3.6, 4.6, 5.6.

Our quote today is from Dieter Uchtdorf,  “Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.” 

Frothy Monday

Today we did new word walls.  It is where the students have a selected vocabulary word, and then define and illustrate it.  I really like Nettly's illustration of froth. We have a wall that displays these creations of art.  We invite you to come in and take a look. 

This week's Bible verse is found in 1 John 3:16-18. "This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others!  If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?  My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action."