Dear Parents,
First off--I have to thank those of you who were able to help your children turn your homework folders in on time last week! I appreciate when they come in on time--it gives me more time to teach during the kids independent work time instead of changing folders and books. Thanks for your cooperation in these books.
Spelling Tests
We have just had our first spelling test last week. The students did a great job on it. As you get the tests back today, here are some things to look for in the grading.
On sentences, I grade using my check system. On sentences, I am looking for if your child is learning sentence features, (capital letters correctly, finger spaces between the words, and end marks at the end). If your child gets a check ++, it means that they spelled it all correctly and used sentence features correctly. If your child receives a check +, that means that they did the features correctly, but they did not spell everything correctly. If your child receives a check, it means they are missing a feature. If they receive a check minus, it means they did not try.
If you have questions on how I grade the spelling, please let me know!
Independent Work and Centers
Every day during guided reading time, I give the students work jobs and centers to do. Each day, I expect them to finish so much to be able to go to recess or be finished with centers. The work I expect to be completed each day is their math paper and their handwriting paper. If they are not getting it completed at school, I am sending it home because we don't have time with the Chinese program to give them extra time during the day. Thank you for taking the time with them at home to help them complete things.
Volunteers
I am sending home the volunteer calendar today in the homework folder. It is blank! If you have a time you would like to come in, please let me know. I have two Friday mom's already, so Friday's are covered. If you would like to come in, please let me know and I'll send home these calendar's weekly and schedule you on. My classroom is on the top half, Mrs. Shumway's is on the bottom half. We are excited to start having you help us out in our rooms. Please remember to get fingerprinted!
President's Speech
Just a reminder that we are watching the president's speech tomorrow. If you would like your child to not be a part of that, please return the note from the office that was sent home last week. This is a great opportunity for your child to see the president and hear him talk about school things. If you have questions about what he will be speaking about, check out this link to see his speech coverage from last year.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/25/president-obama-deliver-back-school-speech-september-14
Picture Day
Picture day is Friday! Please return your money this week if you would like to purchase pictures.
Thanks again for all your support and help as we get this year going!
Miss Merritt
Monday, September 13, 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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