WELCOME TO SECOND GRADE!

1. WELCOME TO SECOND GRADE! We’re glad you’re here!

2. Introductions: Alicia Skelton Becky Baker Jennifer Hull Kellye Gayden Brittany Johnson Ashley Genuske Jessica Edwards

3. Curriculum

4. Language Arts • Writer’s Workshop • 6 Traits Writing- ideas, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, organization and conventions • Spelling List • Word Work/Phonics

5. Handwriting Dear Parents, Welcome to second grade! This year we are using the state approved Handwriting Without Tears® (HWT) second grade program for printing. This developmentally appropriate program uses hands-on, multisensory techniques to teach letter formation, legibility, and proper sentence spacing. Automaticity (fluency) in handwriting is critically important. Just as fluency in reading positively impacts reading comprehension, fluency in writing positively impacts writing composition. (Steve Graham, Vanderbilt University,1996)

6. Handwriting cont. Your child will be using Printing Power workbook to learn smaller size printing for sentences, paragraphs, and other lessons. The workbook eliminates problems with formation, spacing, and reversals. Lessons invite active participation and address diverse learning styles. Starting with simple skills and concepts the program builds on what children already know before moving on to more challenging skills and concepts. This allows children to master skills one step at a time and develop confidence and writing fluency. During the fourth nine weeks cursive handwriting will be introduced with the expectation it will be mastered in third grade.

7. Handwriting cont. As we transition from the D’Nealian model of handwriting instruction to the HWT model your child may utilize letter formations from both styles. Research supports that as children advance in their handwriting development they personalize their style. Thus mixing of approaches may occur and is not problematic. The attached charts will provide an overview of the HWT model. To learn more about this model, please visit hwtears.com to watch how-to videos that will show you what your child will be learning this year. Sincerely, The Elementary Curriculum Department

8. Reading • Guiding Reading • Readers Workshop • Reading Strategies • Vocabulary work • Literacy Stations

9. Math • Math Manipulatives • Math Games/Stations • Math journals • Problem Solving Strategy • Envision and Investigations • CBAs

10. Science • Hands on Science Activities • Science Journal • Units of Study: Forces, Changes in Weather, Water Cycle, Plants, Forests and Insects

11. Social Studies • Map skills • Communities • Landforms • Patriotic Symbols • Government • Economics

12. Grading Policy

13. Graded Items What Will My Child Be Graded On? Non-Graded Items Literacy assessments (DRA, IRI) Reading logs TAKS released tests Daily Language Workout Sentences Grades from other districts CBAs UPS Check problems Journal entries 5E activities Research projects Spelling tests Activities from Reader’s & Writer’s Notebook AIM/AIMs Activities from textbooks Written compositions

14. *90-100 Mastery of Assignment-Excellent! *80-89 Progression Towards Mastery- Good Job! *70-79 Needs Improvement- Keep Trying!

15. Progress Reports and 9 Week Report Cards LA is weighted: Grammar/Writing=75% Spelling= 25% All other subjects are weighted at 100%

16. Homework Policy

17. *Students are expected to read 20 minutes every night. This may include Guided Reading. *Spelling homework will be assigned every Wednesday. *A Math review assignment will be assigned every Tuesday. *Study Hall will be offered twice a week to students with incomplete work. ****All Homework will be DUE BY FRIDAY****

18. Discipline

19. Empowered and Responsible Students! Empowered and Responsible Students! • Our Allen discipline philosophy is grounded in building and maintaining positive relationships with students. • We have three “Allen Expectations” for students – take good care of self, others, and this place. • Teachers use “Teaching Principles” for how they will manage the class. There are nine principles shared with students and posted in each classroom. • Each student will be treated with respect, caring, empathy and dignity.

20. Empowered and Responsible Students! Empowered and Responsible Students! • Equal isn’t always fair and fair isn’t always equal; teachers will be fair in discipline situations taking into account each student and each unique situation. • When a student makes a choice that becomes a problem for themselves or someone else, she has an opportunity to think about that choice and solve the problem. • We view problems as learning opportunities. More emphasis is on learning from mistakes or problems – or better choices to make - than on the problem. • Home problems are solved at home. School problems are solved at school.

21. Empowered and Responsible Students! Empowered and Responsible Students! • Sometimes we may need your help. A child may need to spend some time at home to think about and come up with a plan to solve a problem she is causing at school. We increase a child’s confidence each time we lovingly provide her the opportunity to build responsibility and problem solving skills. Message: “YOU CAN DO IT!” • Role models are powerful! Parents and teachers model and encourage positive choices every day – our children are always watching and listening. • Thank you for your trust and sharing your children with us! We look forward to a great partnership! • For more information, please see www.loveandlogic.com.

22. Consequences for Violation of School Bullying/Harassment Consequences for Violation of School Bullying/Harassment Bullying can take many shapes and forms. In addition to being physical, bullying can also be verbal and psychological in nature. Bullies may: taunt, ridicule, make offensive comments to their classmates, spread rumors, play mean jokes on peers, intentionally leave other children out of activities, write nasty things about classmates, persuade peers to reject other children, intimidate or threaten others, take or damage others property, hit, push, trip, kick, or pinch other children. • Level 1 – Verbal reprimand and warning of future consequences by teacher in the building accompanied by a phone call . The third level 1 classroom offense will result in a level 2 consequence and a referral to the Assistant Principal for discipline and the Counselor for counseling. • Level 2 – Time out and a removal from some privilege, referred to the Assistant Principal, name given to the Bully Prevention Task Force and teachers are notified (on a need to know basis), counseling session and parents contacted. • Level 3 – ISS,OSS, refer to law enforcement officials (when necessary) and ongoing counseling

23. Attendance Policy

24. FISD Attendance Policy You can locate this information on the FISD Website at http://www.friscoisd.org/ly/parentsStudents/AttendanceInfo.htm

25. What do I do if my child has to be absent due to family emergency, illness, etc.? • When sickness or other obligation necessitates an absence, a note signed by the parent/guardian explaining the reason for the absence is required the day the student returns to school. • If a student fails to submit a note, the absence will be considered unexcused. The student will be allowed three (3) days to submit a written note excusing an absence (an email is acceptable as a note). Visit our Allen campus website for instructions and contact information for our data clerk, Brenda Williams. It is very important to send a note because the absence will be unexcused if a parent/guardian fails to provide a note within the specified time. • Unexcused absences are what triggers the warning letters regarding violation of truancy laws and can lead to filing of failure to attend school charges.

26. What do I do if my child has to be absent due to family emergency, illness, etc.? • When a student’s absence for personal illness exceeds four (4) successive days, the student shall provide a statement from a physician or health clinic verifying the illness or other condition requiring the student’s extended absence from school. • Documented healthcare visits are excused as long as a student returns with a doctor’s note.

27. FISD Truancy Letters • Unexcused absences, tardies, and missing school for a part of the day (without returning with a doctor’s note) are what triggers the warning letters regarding violation of truancy laws and can lead to filing of failure to attend school charges. • Letters will be sent after the 5th, 8th , and 10th issue of truancy. • Absences such as non-school related vacations and trips, babysitting, working (including modeling), and non-school sponsored athletic events and programs shall be considered unexcused.

28. Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance • State law allows exemptions to the compulsory attendance requirements for several types of absences. These include the following activities and events: • Religious holy days; • Required court appearances; • Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship; • Service as an election clerk; and • Documented healthcare appointments, including absences for recognized services for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

29. Let’s communicate! We are partners in your child’s education!

30. Please send notes for absences, transportation home, or other Check Binders daily For current updates, please check out our website! Thursday folder- Newsletter contains important dates and MVPof the Week!

31. Special Times • Conference Time: 8:20-9:10 • **This year we are on a 6 day rotation** • Lunch: 11:30-12:00 • Recess: 12:00-12:30 • Library: A specials rotation this year  We also have a weekly class library time

32. Miscellaneous: • Allen Café • Birthday Treats • Book Orders • Thursday Folders • Snacks and water

33. If you would like to volunteer, please make sure that you have completed a background check with FISD. • The volunteer form must be completed every year online. • Go to:   www.friscoisd.org • Click on the “For Parents & Students” tab. • You will find the volunteer form link under “Most Requested” near the middle of the page. • Complete and submit this form.

34. Please sign up for a conference time.

35. Thanks for coming tonight!