Second Grade Curriculum Night 2014-2015

1. About Learning Second GradeCurriculum Night2014-2015 Mary Evans Elementary

2. Welcome to Second Grade Curriculum Night We look forward to teaming with you to make this a successful year for your child. Your child’s success is our ultimate goal. We are “Wild About Learning” at Evans Elementary!

3. Second Grade is Wild About Learning!

4. Second Grade Team • Peyton DeLeon peyton_deleon@allenisd.org voicemail:972-236-0600 ext. 6781 • Johnna Elliott johnna_elliott@allenisd.org voicemail:972-236-0600 ext. 6759 • Robbie Lamkin robbie_lamkin@allenisd.org voicemail:972-236-0600 ext. 6786 • Staci Pryor staci_pryor@allenisd.org voicemail:972-236-0600 ext. 6793 • Jeanne Marie Thomas jeanne_thomas@allenisd.org voicemail:972-236-0600 ext. 6756

5. Special Area Teachers • Julie Preston: Art julie_preston@allenisd.org • Karen Fetner: P.E. karen_fetner@allenisd.org • Elaine Quillman : Music elaine_quillman@allenisd.org *Special Area Teachers’ planning time is 11:15 – 12:00*

6. Mary Evans ElementaryMission Statement • All students, with support of staff, parents, and community will be provided a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment that empowers them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be lifelong learners and citizens of good character who are prepared to contribute to an ever-changing, global society.

7. Mary Evans Elementary Vision • Mary Evans’ students will be able to think critically and creatively, solve problems, and will learn to communicate effectively. Our students will learn to work effectively as individuals and as group members, develop self-confidence, self-discipline, and respect for others, recognize the contributions of individuals, groups and cultures in society, and demonstrate civic responsibility.

8. Mary Evans Elementary Beliefs • We hold ourselves accountable for: - Creating a safe environment where each member is valued is paramount to establishing an exemplary school - Setting high academic and behavioral expectations yield high student achievement - Developing strong relationships, clear communication, and continuous reflection among all members of the Evans learning community is basic to the success of our school - Establishing the connections between academic objectives and real life application is fundamental in creating life learners - Accepting a role in developing citizenship in all students is essential to their life long success and the future of our country

9. Rider Expectations Care about others and be honest. Obey teacher and adult directions. Respect all people and property. Keep all body parts and objects to myself Yearn to be punctual and prepared daily. Grading Period Report Card equivalent: Outstanding 0 – 4 signatures Satisfactory 5– 7 signatures Needs Improvement 8 – 11 signatures Unsatisfactory 12+ signatures

10. Home Accessible Software • There are websites that we use at school that can also be accessed from home. • www.tumblebooks.com Username: evans Password: books Additional websites may be accessed from the Evans Technology page/2nd grade. • Think Central Click Sheet • In URL type: www.thinkcentral.com • Click: Mathematics • Click: HSP Math • In drop down menu select: Texas • In drop down menu select: Allen ISD • In drop down menu select: Mary Evans Elementary • Type in User name and password. • Click: Log In

11. Schedule • Specials: 9:45 – 10:30 • Lunch: 12:00 – 12:30 • Recess: 1:15 – 1:45

12. Daily Folder • A purple folder will come with your child daily. It will have our “Rider Expectations” chart inside, as well as any daily work we might send home. • Please initial the chart each night. • Reading log and Math Facts log need to be initialed as well. Daily Folder Please sign & return daily

13. Wednesday Folders • Students will bring home an Evans Rider folder each Wednesday. It will have communication from the office, PTA, etc. • Graded papers will be sent home as well (in the Daily Folder). Grades that have been entered in the grade book will be circled. Evans Elementary 2014-2015

14. Homework • Every child should read at least 20 minutes, a minimum of 4 nights a week. • Every child should practice addition and subtraction facts a minimum of 4 nights a week. Fluency is expected by the end of second grade. (one fact every 3 seconds) Please check and initial the Reading Log and Math Facts Log in the Daily folder each night.

15. Independent Reading Makes a Difference

16. Headings on Papers • All grade levels at Mary Evans Elementary will be writing a uniform heading. It will be located in the upper left-hand corner of the paper and will include first and last name, with the date underneath. Name Date

17. Grades • Time will be given to make up work after an absence. • Report cards are sent home at the end of each grading period. • Progress reports are sent midway through each grading period. • Please sign the report card (and progress report) and return it inside the envelope to the teacher.

18. Second Grade Assessment • I-Station and MClass Math are assessments are given throughout the school year. ~October ~January ~May

19. Science Curriculum • Becoming a Scientist ~ Tools and Safety Rules • Becoming a Meteorologist ~ Weather and the Water Cycle • Becoming an Astronomer ~ Moon Phases • Becoming a Physicist ~ States of Matter Force and Motion • Becoming a Zoologist ~ Animal Adaptations and Environments • Becoming a Botanist ~ Plant Parts and Functions • Becoming a Geologist ~ Fresh and Salt Water Rocks and Conservation • Becoming an Engineer

20. The Daily 5 A research-based structure we use during our literacy block to develop independent readers and writers. • Read to Self: the best way to become a better reader is to practice each day, with books you choose, on your “just right” reading level. • Read to Someone:Reading to someone allows for more time to practice strategies, helping you work on fluency and expression, check for understanding, hear your own voice, and share in the learning community. • Work on Writing:Just like reading, the best way to become a better writer is to practice writing each day. • Listen to Reading:We hear examples of good literature and fluent reading. We learn more words, thus expanding our vocabulary and becoming better readers. • Word Work: Correct spelling allows for more fluent writing, thus speeding up the ability to write and get thinking down on paper. This is an essential foundation for writers.

21. Reading Curriculum Units of Study • Launching Reader’s Workshop • What Good Readers do Across Genres • Inferring and Synthesizing • Non-Fiction • Poetry and Drama • Author Study • Storytelling and Celebration of Reading

22. Writing Curriculum Units of Study • Launching Writer’s Workshop • Personal Narrative • Writing Process • Write About Reading • Expository Writing • Poetry • Authors as Mentors • Celebration of Writing

23. Word Work Curriculum • Revisiting Foundational Patterns • Complex Consonants G, C, Y, and R Controlled Vowels • Consonant Digraphs and Blends • Vowel Digraphs and Diphthongs • Plurals • Prefixes and Suffixes • Apostrophes • Synonyms, Antonyms, Homographs, Homophones Being a good reader is the single most important factor for becoming a good speller.

24. Social Studies Curriculum • Citizenship • Communities • Landmarks and Symbols • Maps, Globes, Landforms • Government • Holiday Customs and Cultures • Historical Figures • Timelines • Technology Advances • Economics • Environment and Natural Resources We will be integrating Social Studies within our English Language Arts literacy block.

25. Math Curriculum • Place Value to 100 • Compare and Order to 100 • Number Patterns • Add/Subtract Facts • Add/Subtract Flexible Strategies to 100 • Add/Subtract Traditional Algorithm • Time • Data • Place Value to 1,200 Problem solving is woven throughout the Math curriculum Fluency with Addition and Subtraction Facts is critical by the end of Second Grade.

26. Second Grade Curriculum • We encourage you to check out the following websites for information about state and local curriculum requirements. • www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/ • Check the 2nd grade webpage for weekly objectives. • http://allenisd.org/evanses

27. Background Check If you are interested in participating in any school related activity, including field trips, please visit the Allen ISD website to complete an annual background check as soon as possible. This must be done each school year. Visit www.allenisd.org At the bottom of the page under Human Resources Click on “Register to be a Volunteer” Follow the link for the application Please allow 2 weeks for your application to be processed.

28. Punctuality • Please make sure your child is at school and in the gym by 7:45. • Side doors lock at 7:55. After 7:55 PLEASE drop off at the front door. • If students are eating breakfast, they need to arrive in time to finish breakfast by 7:50. • Please schedule appointments before or after school if at all possible.

29. Change in Transportation For the safety of all our children at Mary Evans Elementary, please follow the standards listed below. • If for some reason your child will be going home a different way or with another student or parent, we must have documentation of the change in writing. • Teachers check their email or voicemail during non-instructional times. If making changes after 1:15, please contact the front office. • Thank you for helping us keep your child safe.

30. Clothing • Your child needs to wear athletic shoes on gym days. • Please refer to your child’s daily folder for gym schedule. • Please send your child with comfortable clothing suitable for the weather. • We will have recess outdoors all year—including the winter months. • Please consider sending a light jacket or sweater that can be kept in the room. • Please check student handbook for acceptable clothing guidelines.

31. Snacks • Students are allowed to bring a snack to school daily. Snack time will be around 9:15. • Please send students with a healthy snack. • Please do not send a snack that needs to be eaten with a spoon/fork. • During hot weather, students are permitted to have water bottles. Only water is permitted in the classroom.

32. Birthdays and Invitations • Birthdays will be celebrated in your child’s classroom by passing out certificates, pencils, stickers or other appropriate favors. • Due to the State of Texas setting strict guidelines regarding food in schools, we cannot allow food to be distributed to our students. This means we cannot pass out birthday treats from home. Thank you for understanding. • If you would like to celebrate your student’s birthday at school, you might consider donating a book to the “Birthday Book Club” in your child’s honor to the school library. • Invitations may be passed out at school when there is one for every child in the class or one for every girl or one for every boy. • Teachers may not give out students’ personal information.

33. Classroom “Wish Lists” If you’d like to take one or more to purchase for our classroom use, we would greatly appreciate it! Thank you to those who have already purchased Wish List items!

34. Question Time • Please feel free to ask additional questions you have concerning 2nd grade at Mary Evans Elementary.

35. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about your child’s day in second grade. We look forward to partnering with you to make this a successful year for your child. Your child’s success is our ultimate goal. 2nd Grade Team