February Awards

Congratulations to our February award winners!  Joey for the Friendly Award, Jose for Student of the Month and Patrick for Most Improved.  I am very proud of these students and their hard work!

We want to invite parents, siblings, neighbors - anyone who would like to come - to a free Lamb Wins concert at our school on Wednesday, February 19th at 1:00pm.  Here is a link to one of their videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn1URINJJeM

Please remember parents to join us on February 14th for our Parent's Day.  Adults only please.  If you can't come - any adult who has a vested interest in your child or is a role model would also be welcome.  Remember to pack your lunch and bring a pencil!

Our love quote today is from Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

Surveys

Thank you Collin for taking this picture of the map of the United States.  Very timely since we are studying the different states - specifically the Southeast Region this week.

Parents please return surveys and social studies agreement forms by tomorrow.  Your help in this matter is VERY appreciated!

Tomorrow is our monthly awards ceremony.  We also have math tests, an opinion article assignment, online work and spelling, vocabulary and bible quizzes tomorrow.  A very busy day!  

I bragged to the students today that in my meetings yesterday, which included different schools from the region, I was able to see their reading progress compared to some of the other schools.  I am SO proud of my students and the progress they are making.  They are doing incredibly well!!!  Thank you parents and students for your continued hard work!!!

Our love quote for today is from Martin Luther King, Jr, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Tour of the United States

Thank you Joshua for taking this picture of Patrick and the reminder of the promises of God.  We serve an incredible Lord, who has promised us a beautiful future with Him!

Today, we took a video tour of the United States.  You can view it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E2CNZIlVIg.  This quarter the students will be memorizing their states and capitals. The students are excited to start their social studies projects and it will be really enjoyable when they share the knowledge and yummy foods from their state.  On March 4th (the due date), we will have a States Potluck. Make sure that this week you request your state's tourism packet.  Each state has a travel bureau of some kind where you can do this.  Information is easily located on the internet.  Usually you will need to click on the "contact us" section.

We will not have school tomorrow but make sure that your student is working on their online assignments.  This week the 3rd and 4th graders will be reviewing their reading books and will have a test on Friday.  3rd graders will also have a math test on Friday.

Our love quote today is from Thomas Merton, "Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.”

Social Studies Project

Thank you Nettly for taking this "heart-warming" picture of Isabelle! :)

This week's Bible verse is found in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these."

As you can see in the picture of Isabelle, our main common core goals (for L.A.) for the week will be posted on the door each Monday.  I hope that you can come into the school and take a look.  It's another great way to communicate with your child about what is going on in the classroom.

One thing that we will be focusing on is how to write an opinion paper.  Today the students were given a social studies project.  Please look it over.  I need you to sign the paper along with your student and return the agreement by this Friday.

We are continuing our fruits of the spirit lessons in Bible and this week's focus is on love.  Our quote today is from Corrie Ten Boom, a holocaust survivor, “There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still.”

Online Assignments

Thank you Joseph for taking a picture during our writer's workshop.  Writer's workshop is one of our favorite parts of the day!  My student's creativity is incredible!

Please double check with your students that their online assignments and written definitions and spelling words are ready for tomorrow.  They also have their vocabulary and spelling tests.  Could you take a moment and study with them tonight?

Today we continued to discuss the Holocaust. We read a story of a little girl who survived during that time because of the kindness of strangers who took her in.  Hate and bitterness can be overcome by unselfish love and compassion.

Our quote for today is from Anne Frank, a victim of the Holocaust, “No one has ever become poor by giving.”

Invitation to Parent's Day

Thank you Kristen for taking a great snapshot of Joshua.  He loves to make us smile and laugh.

Parents, today you will be getting a personal invitation from your child for our Parent's Day.  On February 14th, you are invited (or another caring adult) to join us for the whole school day!!!  We would love for you to experience one of our school days and take an intimate look into your child's world.  If you can also participate with your child in our chapel service (musical number) please let us know. 

Each grade will have a reading packet due on Monday that is a large portion of their grade.  Next week they will have tests over this same book.  Please ask them about the book they are reading.

Today we had the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida come do an assembly at our school.  Mr. Bloomer, the speaker, spoke with knowledge and passion about the events that led to the Holocaust.  At the root were lies and selfishness but similar events can be prevented with love.  Paul precisely said in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."


Our patience quote for today is from Samuel Wells, "Patience is woven into the web of the universe because this universe reflects–in dim and fractured ways–the divine patience of its creator."

Patience is woven into the web of the universe because this universe reflects--in dim and fractured ways--the divine patience of its creator.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/p/patience_quotes.html#7MMz2Uipo8vc4Qxb.99

Patience is woven into the web of the universe because this universe reflects--in dim and fractured ways--the divine patience of its creator.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/p/patience_quotes.html#7MMz2Uipo8vc4Qxb.99

WPP Online

Thank you Jose for taking our candid picture today.

Parents,  your child was sent home with a gymnastics permission slip and a Step Up information sheet.  Please return the permission slip as soon as possible.

Our students have started a new online program called WPP Online.  It is a website that provides writing practice. It gives immediate evaluation of writing samples. Based on over 40 years of research, the celebrated PEG scoring software used in WPP Online provides instant scoring that shows the skill level of each writing sample. A perfect score is a 36.  So an A=33 B=29 C=26 D=22  It gives instant feedback to the specific areas of the student's writing piece. They can also watch tutorials to help them refresh the areas they need to work on.  Since writing is such a HUGE portion of a student's career this program is a great asset to our students.  They will be using this program and being graded on it.  They must write for the FULL 60 minutes.  They understand the writing process and the steps needed to prewrite, write and edit.  Please ask your child to show you their first piece of writing and their score.  Encourage them and continue to check on their progress to support them and hold them accountable.

In Bible we are going to begin an in-depth study on the fruits of the spirit.  Since we have been focusing on patience our quote today is from Leonardo da Vinci, "Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold."

Kennedy Space Center and Gymnastics

Our field trip for Kennedy Space Center is planned for Thursday, March 6th. We will be going for the whole day.  Exact times of arrival and departure will come at a later time.  We will pack a lunch for the day and will hopefully be able to experience the IMAX, simulators, bus tour, astronaut encounter and other shows and exhibits.  Depending on time and show availability.  Parents who want to attend will be charged the $50 visitor rate.  I will need to know ASAP if there are any parents who are planning on coming. I am excited about this opportunity for our students.  To help make this happen I will need help putting together and delivering the Candy Grams we will be selling on February 14th.  If you could donate a bag of snack M&M's, Starbursts or Jolly Ranchers it would be greatly appreciated.

Your child will be sent home with a permission slip for the gymnastic's routine I will be teaching them for the DAS Art Extravaganza on February 25th.  I would like all of my students to be able to participate.  Please send back the permission slip as soon as possible.  Also, if your child would like to do a solo performance of any kind please let Mrs. Best know.

Thank you for keeping up to date on our class information!

100 Days of School!!!

Today we celebrated our completion of 100 days of school!!!  A great accomplishment.  Parents thank you so much for partnering with me in your child's education.  I really appreciated seeing the goals that you and your child put down for this month.

Your child has three websites now that can assist them in math comprehension.  Think Central, Study Island and Khan Academy.  Study Island can also be used to reinforce the common core standards that we are learning in class. Spelling City and Readingplus and now WPP online are writing, reading and vocabulary and spelling sites.  Your child is definitely equipped with lots of FREE tutoring and learning websites.  DAS is excited to offer these websites to you and your child to ensure their educational success.

Please remember that there is no school on Monday and that 5th graders have a test and reading packet due on Tuesday.  I will have online assignments put up as soon as possible so that they may begin their assignments. ALL students have a WPP online assignment due on Tuesday.

Our patience quote of the day is from Max Lucado, "I choose patience . . .
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage."

Homework for Parents

Thank you Patrick for taking this picture during our inside lunch break. 

Parents please make sure that you do your homework with your child tonight!  They will get to pick from the treasure box if you do.  The assignment is described on yesterday's post.

Tomorrow we are going to be celebrating our completion of 100 days of school!  We are going to have some fun activities and each class will rotate through all of the teachers.

Please make sure your child has completed all of their online homework assignments for the week plus definitions and Bible verse.

Our patience quote comes from Leo Tolstoy, “The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.”

Teachers and Parents are Partners

Today I was at a teacher's conference.  Something that I believe in was reinforced today - and it is that teachers and parents are partners.  There were some great ideas on how we can work together to insure the success of your student.  This article had numerous ideas and I hope you get a chance to read it.
http://www.ohea.org/parental-involvement

Another great idea was for the parent and child to work together on goals.  Since we have just begun a new year, it is a time when some people make New Year's resolutions.  Each parent and child can make one goal for each month.  For example: Parent - I will study math facts with my child every school night for 10 minutes.  Child - I will improve on my math facts score this month.  If parent and child feel like they have met their goals, the child will get to pick from the treasure box at the end of the month and the family will get recognition on the blog and school newsletter. So parents - your homework this week is to discuss what you and your child's goals are for this month.  Please write them down on your child's homework sheet.  Thank you for partnering with me!!!  I appreciate you!!!

Candy Grams and Headphones

Our class made posters today to sell our "candy grams" for our upcoming field trip to the Kennedy Space Center.  We will begin taking orders next week.  I would appreciate assistance.  Donations of fun size m&m's, starbursts or jolly ranchers and also help making the grams would be great!  They will be selling for $.25.  A Valentine's message and piece of candy will be delivered to students, staff members and teachers.  They can also be purchased for family members. 

I also need all students to bring in a pair of headphones that they can keep at school.  We will be keeping them in individual bags and stored in a central location.  Please bring these in by Monday.

Our patience quote for today is from a  Dutch proverb, "A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains."

DIBELS

Thank you to Erica for taking this picture of some of her classmates.

This week we are doing our reading fluency test called DIBELS.  Some of the students have greatly improved and I appreciate their continued efforts in improving their reading skills.  Reading Plus and reading for pleasure are great ways to improve their skills.  Reading aloud and having someone ask them comprehension questions are also great exercises.

Tomorrow all online assignments, spelling definitions and quiz, Bible verse and quiz are due.  3rd and 4th graders are also having their math chapter tests.

Our class will be doing a Valentine fundraiser to help with the cost of the Kennedy Space Center field trip.  Any volunteer help would be greatly appreciated.  We are going to sell "candy grams" for Valentine's Day. We will need donated small packages of M&M's, jolly ranchers and Starbursts.

Also DAS is still needing all of the Income Verification Forms turned in by TOMORROW.  Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Our patience quote for today is from Peter Marshall, "Teach us, O Lord, the discipline of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work."

Creative Cars of the Future

It was fantastic to see my student's creations for their "Cars of the Future" project.  They had to create a vehicle that could be powered by a renewable resource.  This is a picture of Isabelle's "Volcano Dodger" that is powered by carrots. Some of the cars were powered by water, sun, vegetable oil, fans and tidal waves.

Today the 5th graders had a math Mid-Chapter Test and on Friday the 3rd and 4th graders have a math Chapter Test.

I am SO excited to announce that 8 students from our class were notified today that their poems will be published in the Celebration of Poets book that is published by Creative Communications.  Our published poets are: Kristen, Joseph, Samantha, Collin, Joshua, Josue, Dylan and Patrick.  Please make sure to see the forms they will bring home to give permission to publish.

Our theme in Bible this month is patience.  Here's a wonderful quote by Edmund Burke, "Our patience will achieve more than our force."

Hot in the Classroom

Thank you Isabelle for taking this fun photo of the boys.

Even though it is cold outside it is HOT in the classroom - the brain power in our classroom is burning bright!!!

The students came in so excited today talking about the information they learned in their "Cite Your Sources" homework assignment. Did you know that John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator???

Today we talked about renewable and non-renewable resources.  They have an assignment to design a new vehicle using a renewable resource that is environmentally friendly.  I can't wait to see what they come up with!

The Reading Plus program that our school is using is an incredible tool to help our students excel. I love this promo from another excellent school that describes all the ways it is helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIdIiWI9joA.

Our quote for today is from Aristotle, "“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”

Happy New Year!

I was so happy to see my students this morning. As you can see from this picture, they are diligently back to work.  It was fun to hear what they did during break. 

We are hitting the ground running - full online assignments are due this week.  Every grade will have a math test this week.  We did a review of math facts today and it was obvious some students were a little rusty.  Please have them practice at home on a regular basis.

In Bible we are studying the character trait of patience.  Our Bible verse is, "Be patient and wait for the Lord to act; don't be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their evil plans. Don't give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble." Psalm 37:7-8 GNT