Monday, April 8, 2013

April 8, 2013

Dear Parents,

We are at an exciting point in the year where we are able to see so much growth in your children! I was watching them last week and they are just about to the point where I want them for second grade. We are able to do so much and learn so much...I hope you have noticed the change as well!

This week is not so busy, so, here's a quick update.

Mustang Pride Goals
We are starting to get ready to really check off Mustang Pride Goals. Just a reminder that if you are shooting for the gold award--there are only 6 poems left for the whole year. Most students have passed off several--but there are a few who have not passed off any poems.

Bookorders
In the homework, I sent home several book order forms. I will make these available online.

Thanks
Our class activation code is GKHY9

Thanks again for helping us build our classroom library and develop reading in our students!

Website, App Collection
Tiffany Davidson has offered to help us put together a list of sites. To do this best, if you can email her the site or app, device you use it on, etc. We will try to organize a list that we can send home. I appreciate her help in this. Her email address is:
tiffany@titleone.net

News
By now some of you have heard the news. I will not be teaching 1st grade next year. I have enjoyed the past eight years that I have taught 1st grade and have really grown as a teacher from working with this special age group. The dual immersion program has been a lot of fun to work with as well--and I am sad to leave it, but know it is in good hands. I appreciate all your help and support as I have taught your children. These next few months will be precious to me as I finish up this school year.

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.