Monday, August 17, 2009

August 17, 2009

Dear Parents,

I found out why some of you may have received gibberish on the grading part of last weeks newsletter. If you use internet explorer, for some reason it didn't translate the text correctly. I would suggest reading our class blog on a different internet browser if this is the case for you! I personally love Firefox (you can download it by clicking on the word Firefox). Sorry about any inconvenience that may have caused!

This week I just wanted to let you know more about what is going on in our room as far as reading homework and rotations.

Reading Homework
I have had parents tell me the reading homework is too easy. Once again--I want to remind you that I mentioned this at the interview day and at back to school night. Those books will be easy for most of the children. If they are easy--celebrate your child's success! They get it! Work on identifying chunk patterns (like the -at ending) or finding sight words. Practice making the story exciting with exciting voices.

The books are a matter of responsibility and learning to material to school. If your child returns them every week all year, there will be prize for them at the end of the year.

To challenge your child, have them work on reading the library books they chose at school (they should get new ones on Tuesdays) or take them to the public library to let them chose books they want.

Thanks for your understanding in these books!

Bookorders
I am sending home book orders today. Book orders are a great way for you to find books that your children would be interested in and get great deals at the same time. It also helps our class library with every item purchased! These book orders will be due back to me on Friday, August 21. I will accept them two ways--if you turn in the paper order forms to me, I'm asking that you send checks written to Scholastic to help me out with collecting money. The other way you can order books is online. Just follow these simple steps:

Go to:
www.scholastic.com/parentordering

Class User Name: missmerrittsclass
Password: Foothills

Scholastic reminds us that ordering online through them is safe and secure. But, if you feel more comfortable sending it through me--that is great as well!

Please return these by Friday! Thanks for earning our classroom more books!

Rotations
We started rotations last week. Because D track started today, we take a break from rotations to allow D track to get used to being here. On a typical rotation schedule, we have the following things to be aware of.

P.E. Day: Please make sure on Monday and Thursday your child wears good running shoes (preferably not flip flops).
Computer Days: Please make sure you returned the internet permission slip with the first day packet. Thanks for your help in that!
Library day: Our library day is on Tuesday! Please make sure you return your books this day.


I hope all these things make sense. Please feel free to email or call if it still doesn't! I am more than happy to loo at it more!

I appreciate all the volunteer response and am looking forward to working with you more at school!

Thanks for all you do!
Miss Merritt
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1 comment:

The Davis "Ball" Family said...

Thanks for all your hardwork.

August 17, 2009 at 8:08 PM

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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.