Holy Land Experience

We had a great time at the Holy Land Experience and here are a few pictures to demonstrate the beautiful moments. 




 Please remember that two weeks of Reading Plus are due during the Christmas break.  Thank you to the students who have been working on their assignments.  

I hope that you have had a wonderful vacation and I look forward to seeing you next year!!!

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”
― William Arthur Ward

Celebrating Christ's Birth

Thank you Kristen for a beautiful picture of the angels singing praises to our heavenly Lord!

Well, we took our end-of-semester quizzes.  The students did a great job!  

Tomorrow is the HolyLand Experience.  Make sure to bring enough food for the day or money to buy food.  Our class will not be coming back till around 7:00pm.

Your student is being sent home with a note to bring a food item for our pancake breakfast on Friday.  We would love it if you could join us!

Our quote for today is from Charles Schulz, "“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”

End of Second Quarter

Congratulations to the students for a tremendous job this past Saturday!!! The Christmas program was beautiful and a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season.

We have one more day of exams and projects to end the second quarter.  This week AND during the break they will still have ReadingPlus assignments.  

Tomorrow they will have a science test, capitalization test, reading test and they will be finishing up their writing projects.  WHEW!  They are working hard and doing a great job!  

Parents don't forget to bring a wrapped ornament appropriate for a boy or girl by tomorrow.  HolyLand is on Thursday and our awards program and pancake breakfast on Friday.

Our quote for today is from Janice Maeditere, "Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts."

Getting Ready for Christmas

Thank you Josue for the awesome job on this coloring page for Christmas.  What a priceless gift our Creator gave us when He came to this earth as a baby.  Mind boggling!!!

Fifth graders will be re-taking their math tests tomorrow.  We will also have spelling tests and memory verse tests.  

Today we did a diagram of a flowering plant.  Next week, the students will have a quiz on this information. 

Please remember to have your student bring back their permission slips for the Holy Land Experience.  Mrs. Best also needs to know by tomorrow if any parents, siblings or family member will also be attending.

Remember to have a wrapped ornament brought in by next Wednesday.

Our quote for today is from George F. McDougall, "Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God."

Practice Makes Perfect

 The students practiced very hard today for the Christmas Program.  Mrs. Kreiter has prepared a wonderful, uplifting cantata.  

Tomorrow the 4th graders are going to retake their math test and the 5th graders will have theirs.  Math facts tests, which are a large portion of their grade, is on Monday.

Today we started on a writing project that the students are very excited about!  We are also learning about point of view and the rules of capitalization. In science we are learning about germination.

Our quote for today is from John F. Kennedy, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

Giving is Better Than Receiving

Today Mrs. Velbis' classroom visited the John Knox Nursing Home to sing Christmas songs.  The residents really enjoyed the performance and were even heard singing and clapping along.  Afterwards the students mingled with the residents to give some personal greetings.  Both the students and residents received a blessing - reminding us all that Christmas is about sharing God's love.  

Today we also watched a presentation of the book "Christmas From Heaven" recited by Tom Brokaw about the life of Gail Halverson.  Here is the interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmJ0cmxoOcE

Our Bible verse this week is found in Philippians 4:11b-13, "I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Please remember to sign and bring back Holy Land Experience permission slips.  Remember that the students are free.  If parents, family members or siblings will be attending please let Mrs. Best know.

I sent home a note today with the students about an ornament exchange that we will be having.  Please have your child bring in a wrapped ornament that would be appropriate for a boy or girl.  Please do not spend more than $3 and bring it in by December 18th.

Next week will end the 2nd quarter.  We will be having quizzes and assignments due that will go on this grading card.  Please make sure that your student is completing assignments and studying for tests.

On Thursday the 5th graders will be having a math test.  All grades will have a math facts quiz on Monday.

Our quote for today is from Nelson Mandela, "A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of."

Chapel

Even though we had some technical difficulties I thought our class did a great job with chapel today.  Samantha and Isabelle did special music pieces, Collin read a scripture, the whole class led song service and did a Christmas reader's theater and Patrick ended with prayer.

Please make a note that the field trip next week to the nursing home is on December 10, from 10:30 to 11:30am.  There were some typos on the release form.  We will actually be leaving around 10:15am.

Next week the students will also be practicing a lot for the music program for Saturday the 14th.  Please make sure to look at the DAS newsletter for apparel details.


 





Our quote for today is from Nelson Mandela, "“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Science Night and Quizzes

Congratulations to all of the students who worked diligently on their science projects.  It was really fun to see all of them on display at the DAS Science Night.  Great job everyone!!!

We have such a short time between now and Christmas break.  Please be aware that we will be having many quizzes.  Today the students had a science quiz and tomorrow they will have a Bible, spelling and comma quiz.  Also all internet assignments will be due tomorrow morning along with spelling definitions and Bible verses.

Today your child will be giving you a release form for a short field trip to the John Knox Village nursing home on December 15th.  We will be singing Christmas songs to help spread God's love during this season that can actually be so difficult for some.  We will be leaving the school at 10:15am. Drivers would be appreciated.  Please also note that the DAS Christmas program is on December 14th and that all of DAS is going to HolyLand on December 19th.

Our quote for today is from Maya Angelou, “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”

Attitude of Gratitude

Well, our first day back from break went well.  We want to keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive by having "Attitudes of Gratitude!"  Our Bible verse this week is:"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Don't forget tonight is the DAS Science Night.  Your child's work will be displayed.  It will start at 6:30pm and light refreshments will be served.  Come support our budding scientists!

On Thursday the 3rd Graders will have a math test and on Thursday all students will have a science test.  Please continue to monitor that your child is completing their weekly assignments.  Mid-term grades will be emailed out today.

This Friday the Velbis classroom will be in charge of chapel.  Our students will be responsible for prayer, scripture reading, song service, special music and a reader's theater.  Your presence there would be greatly appreciated!

Our quote for today is from Joel Osteen, "Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life."

Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life.
Joel Osteen
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/grateful.html#7HzlhDcGX4Ctu4Et.99

Thanksgiving Celebration

What a great day celebrating our many blessings!  My students wrote poems and psalms of Thanksgiving this week.  Today we also made nature wreaths in celebration of God's awesome gift of creation. 

We played math challenge games at the below website.  Click on your grade on the left:
http://mathtop10.com/5th_Answers/5th_Ans2.htm.
We watched videos about the Pilgrim's challenging journey and life in America.  They will also be having a Thanksgiving webcast at the Plymouth Colony: http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/webcast.htm.

Congratulations to our November award recipients:  David for Student of the Month, Samantha for Most Improved and Joey for the Integrity award. 

Please remember that Monday is a half day - 11:30am dismissal.  Also students - please remember that ReadingPlus assignments will be due on Monday.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Science Projects

What a great day for science!  I really enjoyed ALL of the projects that the students turned in.  As I predicted, their curiosity and creativity shined!!!

Don't forget to come support the DAS Science Night on Tuesday, December 3rd, at 6:30.  Your child's project will be on display.  
But before that we would love it if you could join us on Tuesday, November 26th at 10:30am for our monthly awards ceremony and Thanksgiving Feast.

Our quote for today is from C.S. Lewis, "We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good; if bad, because it works in us patience, humility, contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country"

Successful Soccer

Thanks to Mr. Flores for some fun soccer clinics!  This Tuesday will be the last practice.

We have a Word Wall up in our room where the students illustrate and define some of their spelling words.  This one pictured about the word nutritious was made by Joshua - great job!!!

Today we got our new reading books, learned more about commas, angiosperms and literary elements.  We also started new chapters in 4th and 5th grade math.  

I cannot wait to see the science projects tomorrow.  The student's curiosity and creativity will definitely come out in their projects.

Our quote today is from Thomas Merton, "To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything."

Grateful & Giving

Part of Thanksgiving is the word "giving."  Please help us do this by bringing in change for our Pennies for the Philippines jar!!!  Thanks so much in advance for your generosity.

Give thanks for what you have
Resist complaining for you have all you need
Always be thankful even for the little things
The Lord will help you to know what being thankful means
Everything you do, do it for the Lord
For being thankful is what God wants you to do
Under God's control you do not need to worry, God will lead you to do the right thing
Live only for the Lord
By Josue Ocasio, 5th Grade

Today we had math and reading tests, studied ferns, and are learning the different uses for commas.  We have also been studying literary tools.  Ask your child what an onomatopoeia is! 

Today the office is sending home student information sheets.  Please check them to make sure all information is correct and updated.

Next Tuesday is our DAS Thanksgiving feast.  All family members are invited.  We will also have our monthly award's ceremony that day.  Please join us!

Our quote for today is from Henry Ward Beecher,
"The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies;
but let the thankful heart
sweep through the day and,
as the magnet finds the iron,
so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"

Being Thankful

Being thankful is our Bible theme for the next few weeks.  The students did a coloring page where they added leaves of what they are thankful for.  Thanks Erica for this beautiful picture!  We also watched this video to help remind us of some things we take for granted but should be grateful for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO8FQzoESTc.

Reminder that many of the students will have a chance to retake their math tests tomorrow and that tomorrow they will have a reading test.  Please make sure your student is completing all of their weekly assignments.  And don't forget the science project due on Friday!

Our quote for today is from A.J. Jacobs, “I've started to look at life differently. When you're thanking God for every little thing- every meal, every time you wake up, every time you take a sip of water - you can't help but be more thankful for life itself, for the unlikely and miraculous fact that you exist at all.”

Field Trip

"This is was the best field trip ever," was the response I heard the most last Friday.  Our field trip to the FLEC science lab was a great success for our budding scientists.  A big thanks to Ms. Taylor for hosting us and our parent volunteer drivers.

Our Bible verse this week is, "I will tell of the Lord's unfailing love.
I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love." Isaiah 63:7 NLT

Tuesday the students will have a science test on plants and each grade will have a math test.  All students will have a reading test on Wednesday.  This is a busy week - science projects are due on Friday.  All projects must be turned in by 8:00 am on Friday morning.

A website that is fun to study up on the plants is:  http://www.neok12.com/quiz/PLANTS01

 

Today the students were also sent home with a note from the office asking them to bring a specific item for the DAS Thanksgiving Feast next Tuesday.  If you have any questions please ask Mrs. Best in the office.

Pennies for the Philippines

Thank you Isabelle for drawing this great cover for our Pennies for the Philippines jar.  Please encourage your student to bring in loose change.  Every penny will make a difference.  Or you can give directly to ADRA at www.adra.org.

Please make sure that your child is doing their Readingplus assignments.  To see what grade level they are reading go to this page: https://learn.readingplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/SeeReader-Rate-Goals-by-Level.pdf.

Please remember that science projects are due on November 22!

This Friday we will be going to FLEC for science labs.  Make sure your child packs a sack lunch.  We will return by 2:00pm.

Tomorrow is our punctuation test.  Here is a site where your child can practice: http://www.timeforkids.com/homework-helper /punctuation-practice/rules/10411.

Today's honesty quote is by Max Lucado, "I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness"

Can Collecting

What an awesome way to start off our day - collecting donations from the neighborhood for the less fortunate.  Because of the generosity of the local neighborhood many people will be helped this holiday season!  Great job students on this year's can collecting.

Today we also started Pennies for the Philippines to help out the people affected by one of the world's worst natural disasters.  For the next few weeks we will be collecting monies to send to the Philippines. Please help us help others by sending in your extra coins.

Today our students did an AWESOME job on their prefix/suffix test.  Thursday will be a punctuation test.  

Please remember that this Friday is the field trip to FLEC for science experiments.  Have your child bring a sack lunch.  I am still missing a few permission slips.

Our quote today is from the Bible, "
An honest answer is like a warm hug." Proverbs 24:26 MSG.

Prefix/Suffix Bingo

Today we started off by passing out grocery bags in the surrounding neighborhood.  The bags included a note requesting non-perishable food items for the less fortunate.  We had a great time - especially knowing that it was for a good cause! Tomorrow we will be going back out into the neighborhood to collect the donations.  I need one more driver if I have any parents that would like to volunteer.

Today we played prefix/suffix Bingo and we also made a prefix/suffix garden.  Tomorrow the students will have a quiz on prefix/suffixes.  Thursday they will have a quiz on punctuation.  

No SpellingCity or Bible Verse this week but they will still have ThinkCentral and ReadingPlus assignments.

Today's quote is by Abraham Lincoln, "No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar."

Twin Day

We had a couple sets of twins and even a set of triplets today!  Tomorrow is "Turn back the clock day."  It will be interesting to see what kind of history figures will come to school tomorrow.

Tomorrow there will be a verb tense quiz.  To study for it we played Verb Tense Jeopardy.  The students really enjoyed it.  Here is the link: http://www.eslgamesplus.com/verb-tenses-interactive-grammar-game-for-esl-jeopardy-quiz-game/

The students will have their Science Cell quiz on Thursday.  Today we drew a picture of Cell City - making the cell look like a city.  Ask your child what the function of the nucleus is or the mitochondria.

Today's quote is a Yiddish proverb, "A half truth is a whole lie."

Fall Fest and Spirit Week

What a fun weekend!  DAS had a great turn out at the Fall Festival.  Thanks to parental support we were able to raise $75 for our spring field trip.  The goal is to be able to go to the Kennedy Space Center.  We will probably do a few more fund raisers to help defray the costs.

This week is the DAS spirit week. Today was crazy hair day. Tomorrow is twin day! Thanks to those who are participating.

Please make sure that your child is doing all of their online homework.  Tomorrow the 5th graders will have a Mid- Chapter math test.  The 3rd graders will have their chapter math test on Wednesday.  This week we will also have a quiz on verb tenses.

Please make sure that your child has turned in their release forms for the Can Collecting and FLEC field trips.

Our Bible verse this week is: "For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth." Psalm 33:4,5 NLT

Similes and Metaphors

Isabelle took a picture of her certificate of authenticity.  The students made these last week as a reminder of their promise to tell the truth. 

Today we continued our study on similes and metaphors.  Here is a cute song to help your child remember the difference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoSBVNUO2LU.  They will have a quiz tomorrow.

Tomorrow spelling definitions and writing their words 5X each are due plus their memory verse and illustration.

The students are working on their readingplus in class a few minutes each day. In order to complete all of the assignments they will need to spend time every evening at home working on these.  

Remember that this weekend is the Fall Fest.  It is required attendance.  Also our class will be doing a rummage sale - any help would be appreciated.

Our quote for today is from Franklin D. Roosevelt,

“Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.”

Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/f/franklind132559.html#80xPZixAS6TucjcL.99

Plant Cells

Thank you to Josue for taking this candid of his classmates.  They love to get in the picture of the day.

I am sending home another permission slip for our field trip to FLEC.  So you should have two permission slips - one for can collecting and one for FLEC.  Please return those ASAP.  I appreciate your timely cooperation.

The 4th graders will have a mid-chapter quiz tomorrow.  Please make sure they study for it.  All students will have a quiz on metaphors and similes on Thursday.  And because I will be absent on Friday, I am asking all of my students to turn in their definitions and bible verses on Thursday this week. 

We have been studying the plant cell in science.   A fun website that they can explore on is at cellsalive.com/.

Our quote for the day is from Louisa May Alcott, "Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won."

Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/louisa_may_alcott.html#zLHrcPcjDweqG4C2.99

Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/louisa_may_alcott.html#CJisku55T1FlW4Ky.99

Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/louisa_may_alcott.html#CJisku55T1FlW4Ky.99

Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/louisa_may_alcott.html#CJisku55T1FlW4Ky.99

Monday Assignments

The students came in today coughing and sneezing.  Please make sure they do not come to school with a fever.  Plenty of water, sleep and good healthy food.

Today they are adding readingplus to their weekly online assignments.  Hopefully you were able to look at the reading evaluation they brought home on Friday.  Many of the students are behind grade level.  Please make sure that they are doing their readingplus assignments AND reading for pleasure.  Encourage them by getting books at the library or bookstore on subjects they are interested in.

I have not heard back from any of the parents whether they would like to participate in the garage sale on Sunday at the Fall Fest.  Please let me know if you are interested in helping or donating. 

I am sending home a permission slip today that will need to be returned ASAP.  It is for can collecting on November 11 & 12.

Our Bible verse this week is, "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him." Proverbs 2:6-8 NLT

Awards

  

Congratulations to our October award recipients!  Joshua is our Student of the Month, Patrick won the Honesty award and Nettly the Most Improved award.  Collin was awarded perfect attendance.  Dylan took a picture of his 3 friends today that also won Mrs. Velbis' reading and math awards: Collin, Patrick and Joey.  Great job students!

Today I am sending home the Readingplus evaluation results.  I also sent a sheet home explaining the meaning of each section of the test.  On Monday the students will be assigned 3 assignments in each section for a total of 9 assignments a week.  I am excited about the extended learning this program will give them.

On Monday I will need the bottom portion of their science project letters returned with your signature and their topic.

Our quote for today is from Laura Ingalls Wilder, “The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”                                                                       

Keep Healthy

Today the weather turned cooler.  It feels great  but it also means that people start getting sick.  David took this picture of Josue while we were wiping down our desks with a sanitizing wipe.  Keep eating well, drinking enough water and getting enough rest.

Today, I sent home a note with the students about our class Rummage Sale.  Please fill it out and send back.  Any donations and help would be extremely appreciated.

Tomorrow is the last day of our Week of Prayer and it is also our October Awards Ceremony.  All parents are encouraged to attend and support our students. 

We finished our Reading Plus entrance exams today.  Next week they will start doing assignments.

Our honesty quote for today is from William Shakespeare, "No legacy is so rich as honesty."

Rummage Sale

What a beautiful sky God greeted us with this morning.  He is constantly giving us beautiful reminders of His love. 

Pastor Figueroa is reminding us everyday this week about how awesome God is.  Today He talked about how we know we are God's people - because He is with us!  I love His promise in Matthew 28:20, " And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Thanks to Joshua for taking this super picture of some of classmates.  He took a long time posing them.  Great job Joshua!

On Sunday, November 3, it is the DAS Fall Festival.  To raise money for our spring class field trip, our class will be hosting a rummage sale.  If anyone is interested in volunteering to help organize, run and/or donate please let me know!  Clean, workable and priced donations will be welcome.  All money raised will benefit Mrs. Velbis' 3-5 Grade Class.

Tomorrow our class will be taking a parts of speech quiz.  Please make sure to study!

Here is a great video that we watched in class about honesty, http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1101415446001.

Today's quote is from Oprah Winfrey, "Truth allows you to live with integrity. Everything you do and say shows the world who you really are. Let it be the truth."