Dear Parents,
I am happy to say our first video recording for my National Boards worked and I don't think I need to make another one (knock on wood!). Now I will be entering the long process of writing and analyzing my teaching. The good news is I have to be done by April 15. So--it's coming!
Here's a quick glance of what is going on in our classroom this week.
Spring Pictures
I sent home the spring pictures last week. I have about 10 students that need to return the money or the pictures. Thanks for helping us get these back!
Plants
We have been talking about plants in our class for the last couple weeks. We are learning about seeds and what happens when they are planted. If you have the opportunity to plant something at home with your child while we are off track, it could be a fun experiment for you to do. You could try planting them in different environments (light, dark, no water, too much water, etc.)
Also, check out the fun activity at the bottom of the page. It experiments with different factors that affect plants.
Keyboarding
We have been practicing keyboarding in computers this past week and this week. There is a link in the top right corner if your child would like to practice at home. We have been talking about the importance of learning to use all of their fingers to type. If you have them work on this at home, please encourage them to use all of their fingers! Thanks!
Off Track
Just a reminder, we will be going off track next week on Wednesday, March 31. Watch for your off track packet next week. This one is a fun one!
Thanks again for all you do to help us learn!
Miss Merritt
Monday, March 22, 2010
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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.
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.
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