Tuesday, September 7, 2010

September 7, 2010

Dear Parents,

Welcome back! I hope you had a great off track time and Labor Day weekend. We have a ton of things happening now that we are back in school so please remember to check here weekly to see updates of things.

Homework
Homework is coming home today. Please go through the different things with your children. One half of the homework folder says English and one says Chinese. The homework folders are due on Friday. Please make sure to return them on time!

I am sending home reading books in the envelope. These books are fairly easy for the most part (if your child struggles with them, use them for extra practice.). The envelope has some strategies to help make the books a tool for fluency (using a good rate and a good voice) and working on comprehension skills with your children. As we go throughout the year, the books will get a little harder. I don't send home my classroom books because of the cost. If you feel your child needs to be challenged more, I would suggest taking them to the public library and allowing them to choose some of their own books they would like to read. Mostly--at home I want reading to be fun. I don't want the children to be frustrated with reading at home. I will work with them at school on their individual levels.

If you have questions about the homework, please let me or Mrs. Shumway know. Thanks!

Volunteers
I haven't had time believe it or not to get it all set up yet, so our goal is to send home information next week. I do know that if I have a parent who is ready to be my Friday helper mom, I will gladly take you this week and start having you do homework. Please let me know if you are interested in helping out. I appreciate it.

Check the homework folder to see volunteer information next week! Don't forget that you need to be fingerprinted to work in the hall.

Fundraiser/Jog-A-Thon
Your children will be coming home with a packet today with information about the jog-a-thon. Read through the information and return the jog-a-thon permission slip as soon as possible. Your child will get a sucker for returning it. The Jog-A-Thon will be on September 24.

Reflections
The PTA will be bringing around information about Reflections this week as well. Watch for that in your child's backpack!


Thanks for all you do for your children! I appreciate your support!

Miss Merritt


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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.