Educational Philosophy: The education of a child consists of three elements; the child, the parents and the teacher. If you take away one of these elements the education of the child will suffer. I truly believe it takes a “village” to raise a child. I hope that we can all pull together to give your child the best educational experience they can have.

Expectations: Students: I expect all students to come prepare and ready to learn. Students need to be responsible for their own pencil, crayons, homework folder and a good attitude.

Teacher: My expectations for myself include being well prepare to teach all children. My first objective is to follow the core curriculum. I do not want any child leaving first grade without the basic knowledge recommended by the State Board of Education. My second objective is to differentiate the curriculum to accommodate the above average students. My third objective is to enrich the students’ education with topics of their interests. Last year we took several weeks to study the Wright Brothers and their first flight. Boy, was that fun!!

Parents: I expect parents to be sure their child is at school and on time. I expect parents to help with their child’s education by listening to them read for at least 15 minutes each night, going over the papers that are sent home, and making sure all activities on their homework sheets are completed.

Homework: On Mondays I will send home a homework sheet. This sheet will have short assignments to help reinforce what I am teaching in the classroom. It will also have a list of spelling words for the week, a poem that needs to be memorized in two weeks, a theme for show and tell, vocabulary words, math problems and special messages for the parents. Homework sheets should be returned on Friday, but I will accept them any time. Not completing homework sheets will effect your child’s citizenship grade.

Spelling: On Mondays, students will be given a pre-test for the weekly spelling words. If your child receives 100% or misses one word, then they will become challenge spellers and be given harder words. Spelling tests are given on Fridays. Sentences are included in the spelling tests. Please practice the sentences too. Watch for capital letters and the correct punctuation mark.

Math: Students will be working with lots of hands on manipulatives. The State Board of Education wants teachers to stress number sense. Students are encouraged to memorize the math facts with answers between 0 and 12. Timed tests will be given.

Reading: Reading is not included on the homework sheet. I encourage students to participate in the Hooked on Books program that the PTA sponsors. The program begins September 1, 2004. Students need to record how much they read each night and return the sheet on the beginning of the following month. September’s sheet will be due on October 1.

Show and Tell: Friday will be our show and tell day. Each week will have a theme. Students may only bring items that will match the theme. Sometimes your child might not have an item for show and tell. That will be ok.
I will allow pets to come to school for show and tell as long as the parents will take them back home again. This may happen on any day. I prefer to have them come the first thing in the morning.
If your child has a very special item they want to show, they may ask permission and I will usually allow it. One year a student went to a foreign country and brought back pictures and a journal of his trip.

Birthdays: Students’ self esteem is very important. I would like your child to make a poster about him/herself. This will be displayed during the week of their birthday or on the week closes to their birthday. For those children whose birthdays are in July or August, they can bring their posters in January or February (on their half birthday). You may send store bought treats on your child’s birthday. Please do not sent balloons.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at school (964-7935) or e-mail me at linda.merritt@granite.k12.ut.us. I look forward to a very exciting and enjoyable school year.

Daily Schedule
8:20 Welcome
Roll
Announcements
SSR (Silent Sustained Reading)
8:35 Calendar and Weather
8:45 Language Arts
Reading
Spelling
Writing
10:00 Recess
10:15 Language Arts
11:40 Lunch
12.25 Storytime
12:45 Math
1:25 Recess
1:40 Interconnections (Science & Social Studies)
2:30 Computers, PE, Art, Music
3:00 Mountain Language and Math (Review)
3:20 Dismissed.