September 15

Preston, Lincoln and Tanner finding out what lives in the Crossett Brook

Project Based Learning - first unit  There has been a lot of interest about endangered species on our team.  We will begin a Project Based Unit next week with this topic as our focus.

Google Classroom
Within the next few days you will be receiving an email from Google Classroom.  Sign up for parent alerts if you would like to know about POW assignments or other writing assignments being assigned in class.

Independent Reading at Home  
Students will be required to read a book in class, and a book independently each month.  Students will record their books and their reading in school on a "workshop schedule."  If your student is struggling to meet this requirement, please email Mrs. Williams, and we can figure out strategies for helping.

Math Homework
Today, we sent home a packet regarding Math homework.  Over the past two weeks, all students were assessed on their understanding and fluency with multiplication facts.  The results of that assessment are included in the packet that was sent home.  Please look over these results as it suggests specific multiplication facts that your student should be practicing at home.  Based on the results of the assessment, students were assigned one of two homework worksheets (included in the packet).  If students have a solid understanding of most of their facts then they received a mixed review worksheet.  If students were identified as needing more practice with their multiplication facts, they received a recording sheet.  If they received the recording sheet, please have your student practice their multiplication facts at least four times per week for homework.  Directions on what they can do for practice is included in the packet.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Taylor.


Quest Clothing
Every two years, Quest students participate in a logo contest to try and design our Quest logo.  Congratulations to Ella M for designing the winning logo.  We will be ordering t-shirts and sweatshirts with that logo on it to show our team pride.  Here is the link to all of the information.  We will make our final order after the first week in October.  If this is a financial hardship for you and your family please let us know.  We would love for every member of our team to have a shirt.

Scholastic Book Orders: Scholastic Book order forms are available. See Mrs. LaRock to get one. Book orders will be due by 9/22

September 2017

Students write down questions they have regarding ecosystems

Welcome to Quest!

   
     We have had a fabulous two weeks with your students.  This blog is a way for us to communicate important information to you.  As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email us.  Email is usually best.  We are printing this newsletter as well, to make sure everyone receives this information.  We are asking that you either sign this paper copy or email us to assure that you have received this letter.  Quest Website can be found at https://sites.google.com/wwsu.org/quest/home.  This will provide you with more information about the team.

First Unit  Our first unit is a study of ecosystems.  On our first Friday of school, we presented the students with short videos about ecosystems.  Students then wrote questions on sticky notes.  We gathered these and organized them to co-create our first unit.  We will be covering the basics of food chains, photosynthesis, and interdependence.  We will study these through a study of our outdoors at CBMS, through a study of endangered species, and a focus on wetlands.
     During the reading part of our day, students are reading independent books.  Many of our students may finish within the next week.  We are requiring that every student finish at least one book by September 28th.  For our next book, students will be able to choose a book which focuses on the connection of people to animals, or people to their environment.  This will connect with our overall theme.
      We are working with multiplication and have applied it to populations of crayfish, and will continue to apply it throughout our first unit.  Students will also be writing a piece about an endangered species, and will focus on a piece of artwork on this endangered species throughout the month of September and early October.  As you can see, our work is integrated.

Homework Your child will have homework each week.  This includes silent reading and any additional math facts practice your child needs.
      They will also have a POW or Paragraph of the Week.  The purpose of the POW is to give students writing practice.  All research says the best way to become a better writer is to write.  This assignment will be posted on Google Classroom.  The topic will be given each Friday, and will be due the following Friday.  You are welcome to sit with your student to help him / her with work.  We will provide feedback.  Thank-you for your support with helping your student finish these.
     We are working with our tech department to find the best way for you to access Google Classroom.  When we have this information, we will email you through Blackboard Connect.  For now, you can have your student show you their account.
     They will also have a math assignment.  This will also be a week long assignment.
     Both assignments should be written in their planners.  We will work with students with their planners each Monday during CPR in the morning.

Quizlet - Students have signed up for a Quizlet account.  Quizlet is a study tool which we use on Quest for studying vocabulary words and sometimes spelling.  You may have received an email regarding this account.  This is to let parents and guardians know about the account for students under 12.  If you did not receive an email, you should within the next week.

Penpals - One part of our curriculum is to learn geography, the other is to learn writing, and so we write to penpals.  We are working with schools in Puerto Rico, Texas, Tennessee, and South Korea at this time.  Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this.  We have not written to our penpals yet, as two of those schools are having difficulties with the recent hurricanes.  We hope for their safety, and that we will be able to write to them soon.

Chaperones / Fingerprints  The Washington West Supervisory Union has mandated that all chaperones have background checks which includes fingerprinting.  We are hoping to schedule a short hike for sometime in October.  We are looking at the marshes up by Lake Champlain as a possibility, as we are studying wetlands as a part of our unit on ecosystems.  Please contact Central Office to find out further details if you are interested in chaperoning a field trip sometime this year.  Refer to Mr. Drake's Cougar Comments for more information.

We are very excited to have your student on Quest.  Please sign below (if this is a paper copy) or email us so we know you have received this.

Guardian / Parent Name ____________________________________________

Your student's name __________________________________________

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