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