Mrs. Hein’s 2 nd Grade Parent Information 2013-14

1. Mrs. Hein’s 2nd GradeParent Information2013-14

2. Welcome to Second Grade… and to an important year in your child’s journey through school. I look forward to getting to know you better as the year goes on and to understanding your child as an individual and as a learner. The children in our classroom come with a wide range of abilities, talents, and interests, so I expect we will have a busy, exciting year! Much of my curriculum is based on the broad concept of “Change.” Using a central theme like this helps connect all curriculum areas, requires higher-order thinking, and leads to more meaningful understanding for everyone.

3. Our Class Bill of Rights and ResponsibilitiesAs citizens of the Learning Lodge… • We have the right to learn. • We have the responsibility to study, listen, and do our best. • We have the right to make friends. • We have the responsibility to be kind, fair, and honest. • We have the right to be safe. • We have the responsibility to solve problems peacefully.

4. Literacy Literacy instruction is based on a block approach to teaching reading, language, and writing. Our reading block is from 9:30-11:00. This block of time will incorporate: -Mini lessons on targeted skills: This is done as a whole group, then students work with a small group on reading material at an instructional reading level. -Read to Self: During this time, students will be engaged in reading books in which they are interested, at their reading level. Some of these books will integrate Science and Social Studies themes. -Read to Someone: Students will read with a partner, using active questioning techniques. Reading aloud strengthens fluency. -Listen to Reading: Students will listen to a classmate/teacher read or listen to books on tape or on the computer. -Work With Words: Phonics and word decoding is an essential part of learning to read "bigger words." Students will use a variety of activities to sharpen these skills. Writing Workshop will be done in the afternoon. This is when writing skills are taught, with lots of time given to practice those skills in authentic writing. Grammar and conventions are taught at this time, also.

5. “Students will use a variety of materials to aid in the learning of essential reading and writing skills. These include (but are not limited to): • National Geographic “Reach for Reading” • Basal anthologies, of which we have several to choose at various reading levels • Literature units (like Journeys and Destinations” and “Relationships” based on novels/chapter books • Junior Great Books • Scholastic Reading Cards • Comprehension Toolkit with accompanying trade books • National Geographic magazine • Weekly Reader/Scholastic News magazine • “Studies Weekly” • "Jacob's Ladder" reading comprehension program • 6+1 Writing Traits materials (2nd and 3rd grade) • Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Primary Writing • “Wordly Wise” Vocabulary Units • Grammar Island

6. Spelling Zionsville Community Schools has streamlined the core spelling lists for each elementary grade level.  The goal of spelling is to help our students become better writers, therefore, the words on this list are a collection of words that are ordered by their frequency of use in everyday writing. Remember: • The core words are a collection of words ordered by their frequency of use in everyday writing - NOT difficulty.   • The core words are a cross referenced compilation of several word studies. • 1st 25 words are 33% of everyday writing • 1st 100 words are 50% of everyday writing • 1st 300 are 65% of everyday writing • 1st 1000 are 89% of everyday writing • Core words are NOT: • Reading sight words (Dolch, Fry, etc.) • Content words • Vocabulary words • Random words

7. “Assessing Spelling Pretests will be given at the beginning of each quarter on core spelling words, beginning with the Kindergarten list of 32 words, then moving on to the 1st grade list of 160 words, and then the 2nd grade list of 160 words. I will compile the words your child needs to learn for that quarter and will continuously assess for these words during our writing workshop time. Posttests will be given at the end of each quarter. Your child should be able to spell all words through the second grade list by the end of this year. Click here for the complete lists of words your child will need to know. ZCS Spelling Lists

8. Math I will be teaching two levels of math in the classroom. Instruction will be done in a modified workshop approach (think 3-ring circus!). Students are monitored for growth in key concepts, with additional enrichment or extra practice provided as needed. We will be using the “Everyday Math” series this year. Here is a website with parent information about this curriculum: Everyday Math Parent Page

9. Learning Math Facts Why is it so important for children to memorize math facts in order to succeed academically? According to Margaret Groves, M.Phil., M.Ed, “a lack of fluency in basic math fact recall significantly hinders a child's subsequent progress with problem-solving, algebra and higher-order math concepts.  This can have a serious impact on a child's overall self confidence and general academic performance.” We have several tools to help your child succeed in this area. At school, we will use a computer program called FASTT Math (Fluency & Automaticity through Systematic Teaching with Technology) and some written practice to help learn facts. Our new math series has an EM Facts Workshop, and Facts Dash game, which will soon be available to you. At home, you will be given an instruction sheet on how to create an account on Xtra Math. I will be checking your child’s progress, and expect at least 4 green circles (meaning mastery of a group of facts) per week! Another site for worksheets is Spaceship Math.

10. Science • We will examine the difference between a pattern and a cycle. • We will explore the life cycles of insects and plants, the water cycle (weather), the lunar cycle, and other cycles that help regulate our lives. • We will learn how the earth has changed over time and continues to change. • We will begin to appreciate the importance of cycles in our world as we understand our dependence upon calendars and clocks to mark time. • We will examine the importance of recycling waste and the impact this simple act will have on future generations. In Second Grade, we will learn that a scientist uses many tools to observe and record changes. We will explore the world around us by using our 5 senses and other tools such as thermometers, rulers, magnifiers, and balances. Students will learn about the forces that regulate the physical world and how scientists use that knowledge to manipulate and manage change. Our scientific investigations will be based on learning about patterns and cycles:

11. Social Studies In social studies, we will focus on 4 main areas: history, civics and government, geography, and economics. • History: Students will differentiate between events that happened in the past and recently, recognize examples of continuity and change in local and regional communities, and consider ways that people and events of the past and present influence their lives. • Civics and Government: Students will explain why communities have government and laws, demonstrate that people in the United States have both rights and responsibilities, and identify individual actions that contribute to the good of the community and nation. • Geography: Students will locate their community, state and nation on maps and globes; identify major geographic characteristics of their local community; and explore geographic relationships between the physical and environmental characteristics of their community. • Economics: Students will describe how people in a community use productive resources, create a variety of businesses and industries, specialize in different types of jobs, and depend on each other to supply goods and services.

12. Grading Scale • O Outstanding 95-100 • O- 93-94 • S+ Satisfactory 90-92 • S 80-89 • S- 70-79 • N Needs improvement Below 69

13.  When a child misses problems on schoolwork, I usually ask that he/she correct or “re-do” those missed problems. The corrected problems are then turned back in to me to be checked again, and I will place an OK by the original score when the work has been correctly completed. I believe it is important that your child sees his/her errors and corrects them him/herself. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, but many errors alert me to potential problems and give me a chance to help your child if he/she does not truly understand the concept being taught.  Credit will be given for corrections made.

14. I look forward to an exciting, busy, fun-filled year. You will be amazed at how much growth your child makes during this important year-academically, socially, physically, and emotionally! Please explore and make use of our classroom website for updates and information. Don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.

15. "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson I hope all my students are able to make their own trails through life!