We had a great month learning how to read and write poetry, noticing patterns within counting and learning about winter holidays around the world. We are looking forward to the new year with all of our fantastic first graders!

Important Dates

• January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, No School
• January 20 - End of Second Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release\
• January 21 - Student Holiday
• January 24 - Student Holiday

Language Arts

What We Learned This Past Month:

Reading

• We learned how to ask and answer questions about what is read 
• We practiced identifying the theme of a poem 
• We read and reread familiar stories and poems with fluency, accuracy and meaningful expression

Writing

• We learned about poetry and practice responding to a variety of poems through movement, performance or participation
• We learned how to use tools (rhythm, repetition, line-breaks) to express feelings and experiences through poetry

What We Will Be Learning Next Month: 

Reading

• We will continue to identify the theme of a poem
• We will read and reread familiar stories and poems with fluency, accurate and meaningful expression
• We will learn how to use word parts we know to solve tricky words

Writing

• We will continue to practice writing poems to describe things, share feelings, or share something we love 
• We will continue to use tools rhythm, repetition, line-breaks, sensory words) to express feelings and experiences through poetry

Math

What We Learned This Past Month:

• We learned to use patterns to count forward up to 110 and backward from 30, starting at any number
• We learned to put numbers in order counting forwards and backwards
• We learned to put objects into equal groups and count by 10s, 5s, and 2s
• We learned to write the numbers that count by 10s, 5s, and 2s
• We learned to compare numbers using the words “greater than” and “less than”

What We Will Be Learning Next Month: 

• We will group a collection of up to 110 objects into tens and ones and write the corresponding numeral to develop an understanding of place value
• We will practice using the words greater than, less than or equal to
• We will learn how to order three or fewer sets of objects from least to greatest and greatest to least

Science

What We Learned This Past Month:

• We will learn about winter changes and the effects it has on plants, animals and people

Social Studies

What We Learned This Past Month:

• We learned about different winter holidays celebrated around the world 
• We learned about producers, consumers, goods and services
• We learned the difference between needs and wants

What We Will Be Learning Next Month:

• We will learn about New Year traditions and make new year resolutions 
• We will learn about maps and globes, and how they help us 
• We will learn about the first Virginians and the settlement of Jamestown