BRAVE READERS

It was quite a treat to have some Kindergarten students visit our class and share their published stories with us!  We bet they felt a little nervous, but we welcomed them with open arms.

As an added bonus, we even had siblings of AD and OD join us.  OD and and her sister have helped us start out the new year right by joining us here at Ox Ridge!

2nd Steps Social Skills

STRONG FEELINGS

During the past few weeks, we've been practicing ways to recognize when we need to calm down, especially when our feelings are so strong.  We sometimes don't think clearly when we are super frustrated with something, so using calming-down techniques, helps us to engage the thinking part of our brain so we're able to deal with a situation in a calm way.

Here is a short "How-To" story on some TIPS to calm down when you're having strong feelings:


INTRODUCTION
Have you ever felt frustrated or so excited that you could barely think clearly?!?  Try these tips to help you calm down, so you can learn to work out your frustrations or enjoy what makes you so excited.


1.  First, put your hand on your tummy, pay attention to clues in your body and say, "Stop."  
2.  Name your feeling (For example:  "I'm frustrated!")  
It's OK to feel that way, but now you're calm enough for the next step.
3.  Catch your breath and use positive self-talk 
(For example:  "I know I can do this, but it's hard.  Can you help me?")

SCENARIOS TO PRACTICE AT HOME WITH A FAMILY MEMBER:

• Someone pushed you down on the playground and you feel angry.
• You can't sleep because there's an exciting field trip to the Science Center tomorrow.
• The principal asked you to come to his office.
• You are drawing pictures to go with your story writing, but you can't seem to get them right.  You tore a hole in your paper when you were erasing and feel frustrated.
• Your team almost made it to the Superbowl, but at the last minute the other team scored.  Some of your friends were rooting for the other team and you feel mad and disappointed.

OUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

pic courtesy of Newburyport Winter Carnival

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



I will read 5 long, chapter books! -AD


I would like to see the Raiders play somebody and I will play more football! – RA


I will try more snowboarding! – AT


I would like to see the Giants play the Patriots and do skiing better! – JK


I will help people! – AL


I will do more skiing! – BB


I will be nicer to my family! – IM


I will try to be better at karate! – SS


I want to make my sister happier by helping to put her to bed! – RS


I want to get better at Gymnastics and read all the Magic Tree House books this year! – PD


I want to read all the Magic Tree House books this year and be able to control Cinnamon, the horse! – KP


I would like to go backwards sledding on my Flying Saucer! – OS


I want to get up to 90 with my Brain Quest cards! – AM

JANUARY MCMONTHLY NEWS

THEME

Happy New Year! It’s so nice to be back with the children again! It’s hard to believe 2012 is here! 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 are focusing on the parts that are put together in addition and then taken away from a total in subtraction, using literature, manipulatives, and real-life situations.

BIRTHDAYS

Sat., Jan. 14: Matteo Cain

Fri., Jan. 27: Annie Melich

 

REMINDERS

Wed., Jan. 4: Olivia joins our class!

Mon., Jan. 9: Scholastic orders due

Thurs., Jan. 12: Darien Nature Center visits Ox Ridge

Mon., Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day/No School

Week of Jan. 23: Recycle Program

SPECIAL NOTES
 

• Since the cold weather has returned, please label any extra gear, such as boots, snowpants, mittens, and hats.
  
• Uggs and Merrells can get quite soggy on the playground.  If the children wish to play in the snow, kindly send in waterproof snow boots.

• SCHOOL SUPPLIES

The Fall first grade shopping list included some items for January to June. I’ve asked the children to check their supplies, and here is what most students need:

1 dozen pencils, already sharpened if possible

Thank you so much for sending in those extra pencils!

• “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, cut them out, and send them in with your children so they can help earn $$ for our school or a worthy need connected to Darien Public Schools.

• 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 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