Monday, April 29, 2013

April 29, 2013

Dear Parents,

We are to our last week before our break. I can tell the students are ready for a break. I think I am ready too!

Here's a few notes of things going on this week.

Poems and Calendars
Poems will be passed off tomorrow. Don't forget if you need it for your Mustang Pride that these are the last 6 of the year. Calendars will be due on Wednesday, May 1.

Field Trip
Just a reminder that our field trip is on Wednesday. If your child signed up to bring a home lunch, please don't forget to send it. We will be leaving at the very beginning of the day--so please don't be late or you will miss the trip. Thanks for your help with this!

Off Track Packets
The off track packet will be coming home on Thursday. Please watch for it in your backpack. This packet is not mandatory, but has a lot of practice things to keep your children right where they need to be. Most MOST importantly, please make sure your children read their 15 minutes every day. We are at that vital point of the year where this reading does make a difference. So--if you go somewhere, pack a book along.

There is also a few Mustang Pride pieces in there--a science project (with a writing practice piece) and Miss Chang is sending home some Chinese Mustang Pride Practice. If you have questions on these, please let us know. We would love to answer any questions you might have!

Thanks
I know we won't get a chance to say thanks before we go off--but thank you so much for the support and treats and surprises you have been and will be doing for us this week. It is great being your children's teacher and a job that I have loved doing. First grade has a special place in my heart because you can see so much growth here. If you haven't had a chance to look at your child and see how much they have grown from the first day of school to the 141st day--look and see. They are developing into little students with personalities and a direction! This time of year is truly my favorite when I can see them blossom. Thanks again for all your support during teacher appreciation week. Especially to those two mom's who made our doors look so beautiful and organized all the events for us.


Once again--I am so lucky to have had this chance to teach your children. Thanks for all you do to support Miss Chang and I!

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.