Here Comes January

 And just like that, winter break is nearly over.  Teachers' thoughts start turning towards planning for January and that first day back from vacation.

It's the New Year!
I like to welcome the children back from winter break with a day celebrating New Years!  We make hats or crowns to wear in class.  I update this resource yearly to reflect the upcoming year.

We read and learn about New Year's Resolutions.  We listen to Squirrel's New Year's Resolution read aloud on YouTube.  

Then we discuss our resolutions and write about them.

We also integrate our New Year's studies into math and social studies.

You can check out this PAID resource by clicking on any of the pictures above.

Celebrate Martin Luther King
To go along with our Martin Luther King studies in January, we make this peace dove craft.  It's super simple, using only 1 paper plate per student.  It's also a hands-on introduction to fractions 1/2 and 1/4.  After studying about MLK, the students write about a dream they have for the future.  Then they make this peace dove, and we display it in the hallway.  We usually have parent conferences during January, so it's a good opportunity to display the students' writing and fine motor skills as well.  Check out this FREE by clicking on the picture below.

Paragraph Writing

We spent the first part of the year learning to write complete sentences, including using capital letters and end marks.  Now it's time to learn how to put those thoughts together in a 3 to 5 sentence paragraph.  Our goal for the end of the year is a 5 sentence paragraph with a main idea sentence, 3 supporting details, and a concluding sentence.  To give the children a guided scaffold they can use while learning this writing format, I introduce them to paragraph puzzles.  While using these puzzles, we focus on the writing vocabulary of main idea, supporting details, and concluding sentence.  For the first week, we work through organizing the pieces to create a cohesive paragraph together.  In the following weeks, the children put the puzzle together themselves as part of their independent seat work.  

Click here to see this PAID resource

Celebrate the Epiphany

Finally, Epiphany is Friday, January 6.  Epiphany is the official end of the Christmas Season in the Catholic Church, when the Three Wise Men visit the baby Jesus and give their gifts.  Use this great resource to help your students learn more about Epiphany.

Welcome back!