Monday, December 15, 2008

December 15, 2008

Dear Parents,

I can't believe that this year is almost over! It has flown by quickly. Hopefully you have safe holiday plans and are getting all those last minute things done!

Library Books
Since we will be going off track next week, ALL books need to be returned this week. Thanks for your help in getting these back in!

Off Track Packets
I will be sending home off track packets instead of homework next Monday. Please be watching for these. They will be due back when we come back on track in January. Please remember that Off Track Packs are not mandatory--but just suggested activities to help your child to maintain and continue their growth we have made so far this year.

Survey
I am sending home a survey this week for me to help me with our class blog. I just need to know if you use it, what you like, and what you think can be better. Thanks for you help with this--this is information I need to gather for my National Boards program I am working on!

Poems and Calendars
Poems will be passed off next Monday! Keep the reading calendar until we come back on track so your child can continue to earn minutes while we are off for our break!

Classroom Donations
Around this time of year, parents always like to know what we can use more of in our classroom. For now I think we mostly can use more hand sanitizer and more bandaids! We also could maybe use a few more boxes of kleenex. And if any time you run across something you feel would make my life easier or help the kids more--I always love those too!

Thanks for all you do for us in our classroom! I enjoy working with you and your children!

Miss Merritt

No comments:

Writing Prompt

This weekly writing prompt is to give you some ideas of things you can write about at home. To make this time more meaningful, maybe have a writing night once a week and have a writing journal that your child can use at home. Have them answer the prompt (it doesn't have to be polished and perfect--our goal is to just write). Modeling along with your child can motivate them to write more! I find that it usually works best with the kids to give them a time limit (like 10-15 minutes). That way they are writing for a duration and if they go longer, that is fine. But--usually when we have to stop at a time limit--there are a few of them that really want to keep going. Share the writing after as you have your child read it to you. It is not a required assignment, but if you'd like to turn it in you may send in the writing with the homework and I'd love to read it. Maybe I can put up a few selections on the blog each week as we see some excellent pieces! Thanks for helping make your children better writers!

Prompt #2
Opinion Writing
Tell about your favorite treat. It needs an introduction sentence (ie There are many different kinds of treats.), an opinion (ie My favorite treat is a chocolate chip cookie.), at least 3 reasons supporting why (ie Chocolate chip cookies are nice and sweet. When they come out of the oven, they warm my stomach up. Chocolate chip cookies go good with a glass of milk.), then they need a closing sentence (ie Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite treat.)


Prompt Week #1
Narrative Story (needs a beginning, middle, and an end)
Write a story about the wind. It can be a real life story that happened to you or a story that you make up. Make sure to include a beginning, middle, and an end.


May Poems

Seed, Sprout, Flower

A seed is planted:
First a sprout,
then stem,
and leaves,
and buds
come out.
Buds grow bigger,
smelling sweet,
bees and birds come
'round to eat.
Bees and birds
help flowers spread
their new seeds on
the garden bed...
A seed is planted.
~Helen H. Moore

Friends
Tall friends, short friends,
Skinny and wide;
Red haired, black haired,
Side by side.

Old friends, young friends,
And in-betweens;
Moms and Grandpas,
Tots and teens.

From Washington
To Delaware
Friends are found
Most anywhere.
~Janet C. Miller

About Miss Merritt

I am originally from Blackfoot, Idaho. I love small towns! I attended BYU-Idaho for my undergraduate studies and received my Masters degree through Southern Utah University. I recently passed my National Boards and am glad to say I am a National Board Certified Teacher. I love learning and enjoy helping others love it too! This will be my 8th year teaching 1st grade.

I love reading! When I was younger, I used to work in libraries and I have developed a great love of childrens books. I love books by Barbara Park, Eric Carle, and Audrey Wood. I have currently been reading classics like Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.

I love the outdoors as well. I love camping and hiking, but I also love traveling and seeing new places. I am a big fan of the beach and I love swimming! I have been to Thailand a few times (my mom is from there!) and I love to see the world. Every year I have a goal to go on a vacation somewhere new.