Monday, August 24, 2009

August 24, 2009

Dear Parents,

We are on our way to being first graders! They are getting better at doing their work and doing first grade quality! Keep encouraging them at home to help them!

Here's a quick glance at the week ahead and hopefully some answers to any questions.

Centers and Reading
This week we will be starting centers and guided reading. This means that the students will be doing a little more work than we have been before. During this time, you may see work that comes home that says please finish. This is work that they were unable to finish at school. Please help them to finish this work at home. Thank you!

Reading Calendars and Poems
Reading calendars and poems are due back on Monday next week (August 31). We will pass the poems off in class. I will send home the new ones next week.

UDOT Walk To School Program
UDOT is sending a note home in your homework folders. The state is trying to motivate students to walk or ride bikes to school. During the four weeks of September, they are asking that your child walk or ride a bike to school at least 3 days a week. They are asking you to track it on your calendar that you can download at their site: www.udot.utah.gov/snap If your child walks to school the required amount and you sign and mail the calendar, your child will be entered in a drawing for prizes.

Our school will be on the news promoting the kickoff on Wednesday afternoon. At 3:15 the reps will be here speaking to us. They will kick off the program with our kids walking home from school. So on Wednesday, please walk!

Read your note for the rest of the details (in homework folder). If you have questions, contact the school!

Nut Allergy
We have some students in first grade that have severe allergies to peanuts and other nuts. We are asking to help these students that all snacks that are sent to 1st grade be peanut and nut free. Thanks for helping us keep our students safe!

Donation Opportunity
There are a couple items for some future activities that we are in need of. If you are able to donate, that would be great! You can just send it in!
*Zoo Pal Plates
*Wax Paper

Thanks for sending in the donations we have received so far! Your help makes a lot of difference!

I appreciate all you do for your children!
Miss Merritt
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1 comment:

The Davis "Ball" Family said...

I hear you have broken your knee. I hope you are recovering. I was wondering, I noticed that the friday is already taken for a volunteer; however Friday's are my only days I have off from work and would like to still come in every once and a while. Could I just drop in on the Friday's I am available or do you need advanced notice. I usually know by Thursday. It will only be between 1 or 2 Fridays a month at the most.

Thanks for your understanding.

Angela Davis,
Bailey Davis's Mom

August 27, 2009 at 5:10 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.