Monday, April 23, 2012

April 23, 2012

Dear Parents,

Wow! Thanks for the beautiful door from Mrs. Tycksen! What a neat surprise when I got to school today. I know I won't get a chance to thank you for all the things you'll be doing for me this week since we go off track Friday--but I wanted to just make sure you all know how much I appreciate you and your support and trusting me to be your child's teacher. I've enjoyed the opportunity that teaching your children has allowed me to grow.

This week we have a few crazy things to be aware of--so double check your schedules.

Poems/Reading Calendars
We will pass of poems on Thursday, April 26. Remember that your child needs to have 6 passed of to earn the Mustang Pride Award.

Reading calendars will be due back when we come back on track on May 21. Don't forget that you need 15 minutes a day to earn the 300 minutes a month. One of our Mustang Pride goals also focuses on this.

Book Orders
We are trying something new this time. Scholastic sent me information for storia, an eReading App designed for children. You can purchase eReading books through our scholastic website and get points for our classroom. Follow these steps:


  1.  Register at Scholastic Book Clubs' secure Web site (www.scholastic.com/bookclubs), and create your own User Name and Password.
  2.  Enter the onetime Class Activation Code above to link you to our classroom. Our code is: GKHY9
  3.  Choose the books that you would like to order.
  4.  Pay for your selections using your credit card.
  5.  Submit your order to me online.


 As always, I try to keep you up to date with the newest technology available to you. These eBooks look like something that might be worthwhile. Let me know what you think!
Book orders are due Friday, April 28.

Spirit Day
On Friday, it is spirit day. The school is having us do Movie Nerd Day. This day is designed to have fun with dressing up and the person from our class who wins will get to be in the Annual Foothills Nerd Parade. This activity is meant to be fun, so enjoy the dress up day.

Off Track Packets
Off track packets are coming home on Thursday. Remember they are optional, but there are some great activities to help your child during the break and to accomplish our Mustang Pride Goals.

Jump Rope For Heart
Last week we sent home the Jump Rope for Heart information. You have until Friday to turn them into us (since we go off track.) The activity for it is while we are off track--but you children are welcome to come back under your supervision on May 4 for the activity. Thanks for supporting the American Heart Association.


On Friday, your child will be coming home with a cup of dirt we have been taking care of here at school. You may want to have a way to help them get that home easily on Friday.

Thanks again for all you do! I enjoy being your teacher!
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.