Monday, September 10, 2012

September 10, 2010


Dear Parents,

Welcome back! We have so much going on this week--so please make sure you read carefully and please feel free to ask if you have questions.

Picture Day
We have picture day on Wednesday this week. If you would like to order pictures, please send the money envelope on that day. The school apologizes for the late notice on this--Lifetouch wouldn't let us switch it is what I've been told.

Parent Meeting
We have planned a parent meeting for Chinese Parents of 1st and 3rd graders for Thursday at 5:30. It will be in the gym. This meeting's purpose is to answer questions about homework and to be able to show you the resources that we have available to you. Please make sure at least one parent is able to attend if possible. And, if you are able--as always when working with the Chinese teachers--to leave your child at home because Miss Chang will be speaking in English to you some this night as well. Thanks for your help and sorry for the short notice!

Book Orders
While you were off track, I sent home book orders. These are due back on September 12. Scholastic is a great way to increase your child's library of books for cheap--while also earning our classroom points to increase ours as well! You may order from the paper catalog that was sent home by returning the order form with a check written to scholastic. Also, if you would like, you may order online--where I have a few more catalogs opened to you to choose from.

Our online order information is this:
Scholastic Book Clubs Ordering Information
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: GKHY9


Thanks for helping share reading with your child and our classroom!

Homework
Homework folders went home today. I would recommend doing a little bit every day to make it easier to get done and alleviating stress. The homework folders are due on Friday so we can get those changed. We appreciate your cooperation with this!

In the homework folder, you'll find a spelling list, a making words paper, a story comprehension sheet, fluency books, a math sheet, and a chinese calligraphy. I'll briefly explain those here and we'll go over them in more detail on Friday.

*Spelling: The spelling list is for our weekly test. It covers two chunk patterns and 5 sight words. The test for these words is on Friday.
*Making Words: You cut up the letters and make words. Write the words you make in the boxes. All the letters make a mystery word.
*Story Comprehension Sheet: Have your child read the story (may be done with you). Answer the comprehension questions on the back.
*Fluency Books: I know these are easy. These are to establish good fluency reading patterns (using a good voice and expression, not reading too fast, reading at just the right speed.) I have told the students to read each one at least three times. These books should not be the only thing they are reading--please make sure they are reading other materials at home (books from the library are great!). Please sign off when they have read them and then we will give them their new books each week. If it isn't signed, I will think you want to keep it to practice more. Each week they will have three books.
*Math Sheet: The math sheet is things to practice at home. Right now it is review of English Concepts that your child will need to know for the English Math tests they will be taking.  Please make sure your child understands the language for the things in English since they are tested in English.
*Chinese Caligraphy: Have your child practice the characters. Miss Chang has told me that she feels it is very important that your child have good handwriting in Chinese as well. So--please make sure they do them nicely!

I know it may feel like a lot at first--but do your best! Thanks for helping your kids do great things!

September Poems and Reading Calendars
We will be passing off the September Poems on September 27.

Reading Calendars are due at the end of each month. To earn the monthly goal, your child will need to have read 300 minutes each month. That should be at least 15 minutes a day. I can already tell which kids were reading their 15 minutes a day when they were off track. It is SO important that they read every day to continue to build their skills.

Off Track Packets
Thanks for participating. They are due tomorrow if you haven't gotten them finished yet. We have marked folders for the book reports that were turned in today and also for the August Poems.

Volunteers
We are starting to have volunteers in our classroom now. Thanks to those who showed up today to help! Please remember when you signed up and if you are unable to make it, let us know!

The volunteer calendar can be found at this link:
 https://www.google.com/calendar/b/2/render?tab=cc
Then use the login: 1stgradechineseimmersion and password: foothills

Please remember not to make any changes to the calendar, but to send all changes to me. I appreciate your help with this! We definitely would not be able to survive without our volunteers!

We also need a parent to come in on Fridays for group music. If you can play the piano, we need a volunteer to help us with practicing for our First Grade Program. If you are interested, please let me know!


I think that is it! Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks!
Miss Merritt

No comments:

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.