HAPPY NEW YEAR!

OUR CLASS RESOLUTIONS

I will try to eat more fruit and veggies. - Mrs. Mc.

I want to go to Okemo and try to swim for the first time in a hot tub. - VC

I am going to try to go skiing for the second time and be a better sister. - OP

I would like to get into the 2nd level of horseback riding.  - MC

I will try to be a better friend.  - BB

I want to try to be a better friend too.  - JS
I want to try to play basketball.  - APo

I would like to try a double diamond ski trail. - APe

If one of my friends is being mean to someone else, I will not follow along,

and I will show them how to be kinder. - CL

I will try not to interrupt. - JY

I will try to do a black diamond slope when I ski in Vermont. - JoW

I will try to be a better sister. - JJ

I will try to ski a double diamond in Vermont. - ML



JANUARY MCMONTHLY NEWS

THEME

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's so nice to be back with the children again!  It's hard to believe 2011 is here!  This month we learn how to stay safe and healthy when we study germs (we've already been doing a pretty good job of that this school year!)  We study science principles of Animals in Motion while learning how some animals adapt in winter.  We also continue concentrating on the on-going STAR traits by appreciating one another through Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Our Word Study group words are getting trickier, and as a class, we continue to focus on long vowel sounds.  We are blending these new sounds with all the consonants to increase our vocabularies and help us to spell.  We are also comparing short and long vowels and know this will be especially helpful as we apply these tricky spellings to our writing.  This month, we begin some non-fiction writing with our enjoyable "How-To" unit!

MATH

We have been focusing on the parts that are taken away in subtraction and putting those parts back together in addition, using literature, manipulatives, and real-life situations.

BIRTHDAYS

Tues., Jan. 11:  Ben Bryan

Sat., Jan. 29:  Jeremiah Stafford

HALF-BIRTHDAYS TO CELEBRATE THIS MONTH

Charly Covello (July 18)

Josephine Williams (July 19)

Austin Peck (July 22)

Matthew Lia (July 28)

James Durkin (July 31)

REMINDERS

Fri., Jan. 7:  Scholastic Orders due

Jan. 12 & 13:  Darien Nature Center visits Ox Ridge 1st Grades

Mon., Jan. 17:  Martin Luther King Day/No School

Wed., Jan. 19:  Recycle Programs

SPECIAL NOTES

• Since the cold weather has returned, please label any extra gear, such as boots, snowpants, mittens, and hats.
• Uggs and Merrells have been getting quite soggy on the playground.  If the children wish to play in the snow, kindly send in waterproof snow boots.
• We are enjoying our Superstar of the Week sharing and writing opportunities; regular sharing will still continue on Mondays, time permitting.
• "Box Tops for Education" are being collected by the Student Council.  You will see the red and white rectangular shapes on certain types of packaged food boxes.  Please check the expiration date, have your child cut them out, and send them in with your child so they can help earn $$ (This year, the Box Top proceeds will be helping a family connected with our Darien school district.)
• Thank you, Volunteers, especially during our busy month of December!  Thank you in advance for the second part of the year!
• When we reach this time of year, it is always such a great milestone.  Although January is a relatively quiet month, it is amazing how fast this second half of the first grade goes.  I feel very proud of your children!

DECEMBER SIGHT WORDS

all

are

be

eat

four

he

like

please

ride

saw

see

she

three

was

want