Monday, September 12, 2011

September 12, 2011

Dear Parents,

I hope you had a great weekend. The next eight weeks of school are going to be very busy as we head into fall. Please stay updated by checking here--and as always, feel free to email or call with questions.

Homework
We have just completed our first week of homework. Be thinking about how it went because our parent meeting will cover this. If it went well, be ready to share some of the things you did to make it go smoothly. If you struggled, be prepared to ask questions.

Some suggestions I have heard from parents in the past is to do one piece a night--and one calligraphy a night. Also, I have heard that some parents like to let their child play a little before  working to help them to focus better, or take breaks in between things. Another parent had suggested that maybe you set up a study area just for the child--not in front of the TV or other distractions. Some students enjoy having that "special" area to study with their own pencils and special supplies. These were all great suggestions we had last year. Please make sure though that you are reading nightly! Thanks!

Spelling Test
Spelling tests will come home today to. I grade these on a scale of how many correct out of 12. Then--I grade the sentences on a check system. I have explained this to your students already, but in case they missed or didn't understand, here is how I grade.
 Check Minus--means the student didn't even try 
Check--They tried, but forgot a period, finger spaces, and end marks
Check +--they remembered the three sentence elements but had words spelled wrong
Check ++--means that they had it perfect

If you have questions on it ,please let me know! Your children did very well this last week!

Jog-A-Thon
Your child will be coming home with a Jog-A-Thon packet today. Please read the information and send back the needed materials as they are due. Thanks!

Book Orders
Book orders are due on Friday! Thanks for helping our class to get free books!
Picture Day
Picture Day is Wednesday. Send your money in with your child and they will give it to their morning teacher. We have picture day in the morning. 

Volunteers
I have sent home the first two weeks of volunteers. If you'd like to come in and help, that would be great! We still have several openings. We can handle about two parents a slot. If I missed you, please email me and let me know. If you are on but can't make it, let me know as well. We are very easygoing about the whole schedule. If you'd like to come in and aren't on the schedule, let me know and I'll add you! Thanks!
Apple Day
Next Wednesday will be Apple Day! We are collecting apple treats to taste. If you are able to donate, let me know. 
Thanks again for all you do!

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.