Picture Day

Lots of bright smiles were seen at Daystar today - it was picture day!  Lauricella Photography will have proofs and available packages for purchase soon.

In Bible we talked about our last letter in CHERISH. It was the H for heroism. Ask your student what they think heroism means.

During history we talked about India and the history of this second most populated country. Ask your student some of the things they learned about India and the "caste" system. Also ask them why cows are so popular in this country. Here is a short video we watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpMHvvDM9yU

In writer's workshop we focused our writing skills on having bold beginnings, mighty middles and excellent endings.  In addition, we need to have good organization so that our story makes sense.

Spelling City assignments for all students is due tomorrow. The spelling notebook assignment for 5th-7th graders is also due. We will take our first spelling tests tomorrow.

Our quote for today is from Joseph Campbell, "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."

Music

Today we had our first music class of the year with Ms. Nancy. She is teaching us two new songs. Plus we got an awesome surprise - chimes!!! An anonymous donor bought us a new set of chimes for our music program - whoever you are - THANK YOU!!!

Today the students worked on math facts, math & English lessons, the 5W's of writing, Spellingcity and ReadingPlus. Remember that spelling homework and Spellingcity is due on Thursday morning.

Please remember that tomorrow is picture day!

In Bible we talked about the S in CHERISH which stands for service. Ask your students what that means. My 5th-7th graders read a story about a 5 year-old who definitely knows what that means!  Ask them about the story.

Our quote today is from Albert Schweitzer, “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”  

Reading Comprehension

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/william-evertz-jr-sandwich-lunch-police-allowance-money_us_57c44e5ce4b085c1ff2a4d75?section=&section=us_good-news

English

Tuesday
5th Grade:(pages 5-6) actions verbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jwYTZdUVi0

6th Grade:(page 5) sentence 4 purposes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf9LWnnADzw

7th Grade: (pages 11-12)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDXdMmLZGxI

Wednesday
5th Grade:(pages 7-8) compound verbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkHvrkkrZck

6th Grade:(pages 6-7) subject and predicates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3p6_9DZPi0

7th Grade:(pages 13-14) capitalization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVAKf-4W_iI

Thursday
5th Grade:(page 9) state of being verbs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUBnQ60uIig

6th Grade:(pages 8-9) understood you and verb phrases  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U9vPsGDPoM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LxhEcNg2pQ

7th Grade: (pages 15-16) capitalization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hveCKGkuSJI

Art

Each day a student picks out a worship song to sing. I promised to start putting up the song from that day. What an awesome way to start our day with praises, prayers and worship. Today's song is a beautiful song about how God takes care of the stars and thus He can definitely take care of us!https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=f173w-0aSnM

The students got their spelling words today for the week. They have Spellingcity.com assignments that they will need to do before Thursday morning. Plus the 5-7th graders have some spelling notebook work also that is due on Thursday morning. Then on Thursday they will have their spelling test.

My 5th-7th graders also worked on Reading Plus today. They will have assignments that will be due on Sunday at midnight. I am sending some paper work home with them today about the program. If they have not finished their tests yet they need to do that tonight and start on their weekly assignments.

Our students had their first art class of the year with Ms. Patton. They worked on relating their goals through art.

I want to say a big thank you to everyone who came out yesterday to support our open house and ice cream fundraiser. It was a huge success!

Our quote for today is from Martin Luther,

"God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars."

English

5th grade - subject & predicate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAUKYp6PnII

6th grade - fragments - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_loC2XMeqxc

7th grade - capitalization - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kshfSh7TJNw

Math for the week of August 29

Monday  (MATH FACTS)

1^st – pages 13-16 & wkbk 3-4, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIOOIx822Mw
2^nd - pages 13-16 & wkbk 3-4, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuD5JlrMnAk
5^th –pages 5-8, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtggVmnwxVI&list=PLOJnQwI9yjLAedLjY5fPHqn--H86dRA59
6^th –pages 4-7 evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjs-PlCtKgQ
7^th –pages 4-7 evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQCNC97Y-mw
Tuesday

1^st –pages 17-20 & wkbk 5-6, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhp8-Q8xMfo

2^nd – pages 17-20 & wkbk 5-6, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR2vbLD605Q
5^th –pages 9-12, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DUd7Flvg-o
6^th –pages 10-13 evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6jeSuHYhyY
7^th –pages 10-13 evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BgblvF90UE

Wednesday

1^st –pages 21-24 & wkbk 7-8, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKD148lpBAE
2^nd  - pages 21-24 & wkbk 7-8, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omkDLmfvetk
5^th –pages 13-16, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMxB27cMnR4
6^th –pages 16-19 evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD1je3fT_j8
7^th –16-19 evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMIJkFV1uw

Thursday

1^st –pages 25-28 & wkbk 9-10, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9NsDttF6hE
2^nd  - pages 25-28 & wkbk 9-10, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IR39AQD1aY
5^th –pages 17-20, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7BeVxknXkw
6^th –page 21 Quiz
7^th –page 21 Quiz

Computers & Brainstorming

Today, we had our first chapel of the year with Pastor Brad. He even sang our new theme song with us. Then we talked about responsibility which is the R in CHERISH.  Ask your student what they think responsibility means.

Today, I also  introduced Spelling City, Qwerty Town, Khan Academy and Reading Plus. These are the main websites that we will use in our classroom. I will be sending home some information about these sites. Spelling City and Reading Plus (RP is for 5-7 graders) will have weekly assignments.

Then we continued to talk about brainstorming and how we can get ideas for our writing. We spent some time cutting out words and pictures to put in our writer's notebooks. I think you'll enjoy looking at their notebooks at the open house.

Don't forget the open house is this Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

(5-7 graders only need to write quotes during the school week) Our quote for today is from Marie Curie, "“Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.” 

Math Facts

We took our math facts practice test today and the students were sent home with a letter explaining the process. Tonight they will have a little bit of math homework as they work on their math facts.  1st and 2nd graders need to complete 30 facts on both sides and 5th grade and above 100 facts on both sides.

The students could practice math facts at http://www.mathplayground.com/ASB_Index.html.

We talked about why writer's write today. Ask your student that question and I am sure they will give you some great answers!

I also sent home an open house invitation. Please make plans to attend and invite your friends and family. There will also be an ice cream float fundraiser. It is this Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Our quote for today is from Louis L'Amour, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

Learning Through Failure

We had some great discussions today!  These students are deep thinkers. After practicing our theme song and having a devotion on God's instruction manual https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ycQ3BaprA, we had a great assignment about history. Ask your student why they think history is important and what are some things that happened on this day in history.

We also made a dodecahedron.  Ask your student what that is!  And we talked about how important failure is - especially when we learn from it. Here is a great video on famous failures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLYECIjmnQs  We talked about setting goals and how important that is for reaching our dreams.  Your student made three goals - ask them what they were.

Our quote today is from Winston Churchill, “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”  

First Day of School

Praise God for an amazing first day of school!  We started our day with praises and prayers - what is so awesome is that many of our prayers from the end of last school year have been answered.  We also shared what we did this past summer, starting learning our new theme song for the year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgGKs_kxPkU, went over school policies, had blueberries and whipped cream for a snack, decorated our writer's notebook and talked about what the acronym CHERISH means.  Please ask your student what the C means.

Your student went home with a "take home" folder that had some papers in it - some needed to be signed and returned.  Please send the folder back to school every day.

Please continue to pray daily for Daystar - students, teachers, board members and supporters. Thank you!

Our quote for today (each day the 5th - 7th graders need to write down in their reading notebooks and bring back) is from Sydney Harris,  "The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."

First Day Assignment - Get to Know Your Teacher

For your first day assignment I would like you to write down three things that you didn't know about me from this blog post.  Bring them with you on the first day of school. I can't wait to get to know you better too!!!

My middle name is Rose.
I like chocolate - a lot!
My favorite number is 7.
My favorite color is blue.
My favorite Bible verse is Zephaniah 3:17.
My favorite food (besides chocolate) is curry.
My favorite scent is vanilla.
I love the smell and sounds of a campfire.
My favorite animals are horses and dolphins.
My favorite past times are sharing Jesus, reading, exercising, discovering new places and adventures, and spending time with my family.
I used to be a high level competitive gymnast and diver.
My previous jobs include being a newspaper reporter, hostess at Olive Garden, actress, business owner and professional choreographer.
I grew up in Dayton, Ohio.
I was a missionary in South Korea for one year.
I have six amazing children - 3 boys and 3 girls.

Upcoming Dates for the New School Year

August 22          First Day of School
August 28          Open House & Ice Cream Social - 2:00 pm
August 31          Picture Day
September 19    Pizza Ranch Fundraiser
October 4          PIE Night
November 8,9   Can Collecting

*Please put these dates on your calendar
**Also note that we are collecting clean empty aluminum cans for recycling