Velbis' Classroom: January 2017

With a sloshy playground, we decided to stay inside for recess today and have an indoor snowball fight. FUN!

Parents, please return permission slips for our field trip next week. Help your child study for their memory verse and spelling test, which are tomorrow.

Our quote for today is from Wade Boggs, "A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes."

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Rome and Transitions

We are tackling such topics as Rome in history and using transitions in our writing. The middle school students are working on their compare and contrast papers as well. Don't forget that reading packets are due on February 9th. In math, the young scholars are taking on adding, subtracting, fractions and algebra.

Parents please help them study for upcoming tests and quizzes. This shows them you want to be involved in their lives. One educator suggested, "No doubt homework can be a chore. But at its best, homework can also build a bridge between students' home lives and school lives." Ask them to explain the concept they learned in math. See if you can help them apply it to a real-life situation. Or ask them to act out a scene from the book they are reading in class. How about play hangman with their spelling words? Ask them to sing their memory verse to you. Mix it up and have fun. These years will go by before you know it.

Our quote for today is, "Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important. Capture the good moments, develop from the negatives, and if things don't work out, take another shot."

Monday, January 23, 2017

Playground Progress

Thank you to all who helped work on the playground this weekend and today. The Daystar students are super excited!

Our Bible verses for this week:

1^st & 2^nd graders

“Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind…So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! Exodus 14:21-22

5^th – 7^th graders

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6

5th-7th grade students please look ahead and see if you have any tests this week. If you do, make sure to write notes and study. Some of the students are bringing home math and English homework today.

This is a full week with all Spelling City, memory verse and Reading Plus assignments.

Today I sent home a permission slip for our upcoming field trip on February 2nd to the Pueblo History Musuem. Please return those ASAP.

Our quote for today is from Denzel Washington, "My faith helps me understand that circumstances don't dictate my happiness."

English Assignments for the Week of January 23rd

Monday

5^th –Test 6

6^th –Quiz 10, Test 6

7^th – 157-159, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkTIyVw_rM

Tuesday

5^th –133-135, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOwcovqtkGY

6^th –161-162, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTxL4oQgWFw

7^th – 160-163, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42cBEiLd4UY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC_-cnT2WGI

Wednesday

5^th –136-139, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5n74rXFDxk

6^th –163-166, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5n3bCpg1Ao

7^th – 164, 166-167, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8Nq88rcQok

Thursday

5^th –140-143, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1bX3d4McLw

6^th - 167-170, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNqtOQpy28s

7^th –168-171

Math Assignments for the Week of January 23rd

Monday (MATH FACTS)

1^st –290-292, wkbk 137-138, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZbniMGAVA

2^nd–342-344, wkbk 159-160, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU89SxQoFRA

5^th –244-246, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZEmFSP3Z0I

6^th –278-281, evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmuWR_LriQU

7^th –264-267, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXBPJnlrEIQ

Tuesday

1^st –294-296, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7D8glOsoYg

2^nd–346-348, wkbk 161-162, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aajLkveG750

5^th –248-250, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLIoZ7DhIyM

6^th –284-289, evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3XzepN03KQ

7^th –6.1, 6.2, 6.3 wkbk

Wednesday

1^st –298-300, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzf1-bGNLW4

2^nd–350-352, wkbk 163-164 (use manipulatives), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCkECqcSAcs

5^th –253-254, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeSPvJWstnU

6^th –292-295, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyd_v3DGzTM

7^th –Quiz page 269

Thursday

1^st –302-304, wkbk 143-144, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCcse3xL8Zs

2^nd–2270-272, wkbk 127-128, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s0vSt_r61Y

5^th –253-258, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arMAoktX804

6^th –wkbk 7.2 & 7.3

7^th –272-275 all, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7UwsHJoMME, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCf2yK4tzkk

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Construction

Thank you to Mr. Bennett, Mr. Wellman & Mr. Hayden for starting the construction of our playground. The beautiful weather today was a great addition to the progress.

We had fun today playing some games in math! Please continue to encourage your child's math by playing games at home. It also enhances family relationships which also help your child's educational and psychological development. https://geekdad.com/2014/01/play-games-kids/

Have a great weekend! Our quote for today is from Dr. Seuss, "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go."

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

New Test Policy for 5th-7th Graders

What a beautiful day! The students really enjoyed the awesome weather and blue skies. The 1st and 2nd graders are enjoying their new play structure and tomorrow the larger playground installation gets started.

5th-7th grade parents, the students were made aware today of a new test policy. In the past, I have let their tests be open book and open notes. This has seemed to enable them and they admit that they have not been studying for their tests. So the new policy, to help prepare them for high school, will be closed book tests. They will be able to bring in one page of notes on a separate piece of paper.

Tomorrow the 5th -7th grade students will have a history test and all students will be having their memory verse quizzes. Possible homework for 5th-7th graders is also: English workbook and writing outline.

The Bible verses for this week:
1^st & 2^nd graders:

“But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.” Exodus 14:13

5^th – 7^th graders:

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:24-25

Our quote for today is from Lebron James, "I'm going to use all my tools, my God-given ability, and make the best life I can with it."

Direct and Indirect Objects

https://www.quia.com/quiz/639643.html?AP_rand=953703241

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

English for the Week of January 16th

Tuesday

5^th –122-125, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BESM1yd_eAc

6^th –156-158, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAEauL2kSOA

7^th –130-132, exercise K (put in WPP)

Wednesday

5^th –126-129, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqDCvMym3bs

6^th –159-160

7^th – 133-135 & quiz 15

Thursday

5^th –130-132, http://www.arcademics.com/games/invasion/invasion.html

6^th –153-155, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Km_K5s6yQ&t=37s

7^th –Test 6

Math Assignments for the Week of January 16th

Tuesday

1^st –278-280, wkbk131-132, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1pPEiPBwYI

2^nd–Chapter 5 Test

5^th –231-234, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFZp5hDrEJI

6^th –267-269 review

7^th –258-261, evens, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agIV623B3nc, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aigefhb-1NM

Wednesday

1^st –Chapter 6 Test

2^nd–338-340, wkbk 157-158, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7hwaeaDk-I

5^th –Chapter 5 Test

6^th –Chapter 6 Test (page 270)

7^th –261a-261b, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb1HYyBfLfc&t=181s

Thursday

1^st –play BINGO

2^nd–play BINGO

5^th –play BUMP

6^th –play BUMP

7^th –play BUMP

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Sleep

Today we talked about how important sleep is for a healthier mind and body. The growing list of research about this subject and the possible negative effects are quite alarming. Parents, please read this article and make a family plan to make sure your child, and yourself, are getting enough sleep.
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/News/NewsAndFeatures/Pages/Growing-consequences-of-not-enough-sleep.aspx

Today Calvin Bennett, Delbert Hayden, and Tom Wellman went to Cesar Chavez to get the smaller playground for the 1st and 2nd graders. A big thank you to them and Cesar Chavez! The kids are already enjoying it!

Please remember that Spelling City, spelling words and memory verses are due tomorrow. Spelling, vocabulary and memory verse quizzes are tomorrow. 5th-7th graders also have a Venn Diagram due tomorrow about their compare/contrast subject.

Our quote for today is from Peyton Manning, "The most valuable player is the one who makes the most players valuable."

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Questions to Ask Your Child About Reading

Yesterday 5th-7th graders received their new reading books. Please note that their reading packets are due on February 9. Please check in with them periodically to make sure they are on track. I encouraged them to come up with a plan to ensure they finished on time. Also, ask them comprehension questions about what they are reading. Parents of younger students can do the same. The more they know you are involved and interested the better they will do. https://www.lexile.com/using-lexile/lexile-at-home/how-to-discuss-a-book-with-your-child/

It was a warmer day today and the students really enjoyed running around. Please make sure to send them with shoes and outdoor clothes that they can play outside in.

A big thank you to the Cesar Chavez Academy for donating their playground to us. Also thank you to those who have helped in dismantling and transporting it over to our school. Hopefully we will be able to use it before the end of this school year.

Our quote for today is from swimming legend Michael Phelps, "I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and you put the work and time into it."

Monday, January 9, 2017

First Monday

Our first Monday of school for 2017! And a windy one! Reminder that because of the MLK holiday we will not be having school next Monday, the 16th.

For Writer's workshop our older students will be working on a compare and contrast paper. They went to this website to get some ideas on what they want to write their papers on. http://place4papers.com/compare-and-contrast-essay-topics

This week we will have full spelling, SpellingCity and Bible verse assignments.

1^st & 2^nd graders:

“Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by God All-Powerful.” Psalm 91:1

5^th – 7^th graders:

“Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” John 8:31-32

Older students also received their new reading books and packets. These will be due on February 9.

Our quote for today is from William Jennings Bryan, “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”