Welcome!

1. Welcome! Thank you for coming to Mrs. Schaeffel’s Second Grade Class Enjoy the note from your child. Write a note back. Leave the note on the desk for your child to find in the morning.

2. Language Arts • Focus on the Common Core Standards • Major Components of our Reading Program are: • Concepts: print concepts, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary fluency, comprehension • Adopted Reading Series: Harcourt TROPHIES (Visit their website: www.harcourtschool.com) • Flexible groupings: whole group, small guided reading groups, partner reading, independent reading • Ongoing reading assessments • Goal: We strive to increase student vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. Daily practice (both at school and at home) is essential for reading success.)

3. Spelling • Uses the Harcourt Trophies Spelling Program. • Basic skills taught: phonics, spelling rules, patterns, word origins, spelling. • Spelling is assessed and evaluated on an ongoing basis through classroom writing samples, daily spelling lessons, dictated sentences, and quizzes. • The true test of spelling mastery is its transfer to and application in student writing on a daily basis.

4. Writing • Concepts: writing process, writing elements, and writing applications • Steps in the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing • Six traits of writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions • Forms of writing: narrative, story, poetry, expository (observations, journals, etc.) functional (friendly letters, thank-you notes, experiments, posters, etc.) literary response, research (simple report) • Adopted Writing/Language program: Units of Study in • Primary Writing K-2 Series by Lucy Calkins.

5. Handwriting • Scott Foresman D’Nealian Handwriting • Emphasis on correct handwriting in all written work. • Cursive is not taught in second grade. It is now in the third grade curriculum.

6. Listening and Speaking Skills • Students will be taught to effectively use listening and speaking skills in a variety of situations: For example: oral reports, Reader’s Theatre, Writer’s Workshop

7. Math • Focus on the Common Core Standards • Numeration: number sense, counting, place value, money, fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division strategies • Problem solving/higher level thinking strategies • Data Analysis and Probability • Patterns and Algebra • Geometry • Measurement and Time • Adopted Math Programs: Investigations in Number, Data, and Space by Scott Foresman and Mathematics by Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley

8. Science • Major Components of our science program: • Earth and Space: Weather • Life Science: Insects, Human Body, Mammals • Physical Science: Solids, Liquids, Gases • Hands-on encouraging active learning • Units involve cooperative skills and learning the Scientific Method.

9. Social Studies • Major components of our social studies program: • Adopted social studies program: Social Studies: People We Know by Harcourt • Students will… …explore the human experience through time and recognize the relationships of events and people; …Learn about ideals, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship …analyze locations, regions, and spatial connections

10. Health Major components of our health program: • Adopted Health Program: Health and Fitness by Harcourt • Students will study safety and injury prevention, nutrition, personal health, hygiene, and disease prevention.

11. Specials • Music is scheduled on Mondays with Mrs. Weissberg. • P.E. is every Friday with Mr. Colson. Please have your child wear tennis shoes on Fridays.  • Library time is every Tuesday with Ms. Rubocki. • Art is scheduled every Thursday with Mrs. Pope. • Computer Lab is every Wednesday.

12. Library and Technology • Students will visit the library weekly to check out books and learn library/media skills. • We visit the Computer Lab every week and use the classroom laptops to create multimedia projects, do research using the Internet, and explore various computer programs.

13. Classroom Management • Based on cooperation and respect of all • Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible (PBIS program) • Praise rewarded for positive behaviors • Individual/Team Points • PAW-sitive slips • Private redirection of negative behaviors • Allows students to learn in a positive environment free from disturbances

14. Homework Homework Expectations: • Weekly homework assigned on Monday, due on Friday. Please look in your child’s Communication Folder. (Note: If you need an extension over the weekend, just send a note in on Friday to inform us of the change.) • Students are to do homework thoroughly. Parents and students sign the contract. • Students are to do homework neatly. • The Harcourt Trophies reading book must be brought back to school each day. We do not have extras. • Math practice on Dreambox will support the same curriculum we are learning at school. Feel free to use other resources (flashcards, paper/ pencil, computer games, etc) to practice math skills. • - Homework will start next week!

16. School Policies • Class Party Treats/Snacks—Wellness Law - When asked to bring in snacks/party supplies, please do not send in any homemade treats….please send in store bought items only. • Birthdays- • Please mail all birthday invitations (don’t send them to school), this helps avoid anyone getting their feelings hurt. • Please do not send in any treats. • Your child will receive birthday acknowledgement at school from the teacher and administration.

17. Miscellaneous • Label items (backpack, lunch box, jackets, etc.) • Always send in $ in an envelope with child’s name • Car Pick-Up- use tagboard name plate in car window…list last names of all students being picked up. (Car pick-up is only for those driving through). • Ramada pickup (formerly “Parent Pick-up”) • Return library books on Tuesdays. • Scholastic Book Orders (online code) • Bus passes will only be issued for emergencies and parents who call the transportation department at 480-541-1700 . • Volunteers (Don’t forget PTO opportunities, the library & Art Masterpiece!) • Online Wishlist: Amazon under:Mrs. Schaeffel’s Class Wish List • Stuffed Animal Day this Friday! 

18. Mrs. Schaeffel’s Email nschaeffel@kyrene.org Mrs. Schaeffel’s Phone Number 480-541-5714

19. Thanks for Coming!! Do not forget to visit the Book Fair in the library this evening. We’re looking forward to a great year!!!