Mrs. Insabella’s Contact Information

1. Welcome to Thomas P. Hughes Back-to-School NightPlease take this time to write your child a note.*Please sign up for your conference and Guest Reader on the back table.

2. Mrs. Insabella’sContact Information • Room 2 • kinsabella@bhpsnj.org *email is the best way to get in touch with me. I will have full access to my emails during non-instructional periods, between the hours of 8:25 am and 3:10 pm.

3. Reading • Reading Workshop • Reading Workshop is the second grade individualized reading program. Comprehension and reading fluency are assessed and reinforced. Conferences focus on individualized reading skills and strategies. • Guided Reading • The teacher works with a small group of children who use similar reading processes and are able to read similar levels of text with support. The ultimate goal in guided reading is to help children learn how to use independent reading strategies successfully.

4. Reading Calendar • Please have your child read for at least 15 minutes each • night. • Initial each night that your child has read. • Please hand in the calendar at the end of the month. • Please have your child write their name on the • reading calendar • A book should come home in a reading bag each night. Your child can read this just right book or another book of their choice.

5. Writing • We are implementing a new writing program called, “Being a Writer”. • The children will be writing daily entries throughout the school year. They will choose entries to create published pieces. • Writing will be conducted as mini-lessons combined with individualized conferences.

6. Spelling • A spelling list will be given on Mondays, which includes 10 feature words and 4 High Frequency Words. • Homework will be given Monday-Thursday. • Assessment will be on Fridays. • Assessments need to be signed and returned the following day. • Assessments will include10 feature words and 4 dictation sentences. A formal spelling assessment will be given at the end of the first trimester. Students will be grouped according to their skills for the second and third trimester.

7. Math • Go Math is the math program used in second grade. Children gain mathematical knowledge through real life situations. During this year, the children will be exposed to the following skills: • Addition • Subtraction • Word Problems • Time • Money • Measurement • Estimation • Geometry • Beginning Multiplication/Division • Fractions • The children will be practicing their math skills through games, the use of manipulatives, and written review. The student resource book has been sent home.

8. Math • Fact Recall • An important part in the second grade math program is Fact Review. The program promotes the recall of basic math facts. Every Friday the children complete a timed fact review sheet. Every child begins in the 10-Minute Addition Club. If an individual completes the sheet in the allotted time with no errors, then he or she progresses to a different club. There are 10, 7, and 5 minute clubs in the following: • Single Digit Addition • Single Digit Subtraction • Single Digit Multiplication • Single Digit Division Organizational Note: Your child can use the hundreds chart and other resources on their homework folder.

9. Science Our science program is a hands-on program with many exciting experiments. Using the scientific process and mathematical applications, the second graders will explore the following units: • Properties and changes of Matter • Nature and the process of technology • Relationships in habitats • Earth’s Land and Water

10. Social Studies Our program focuses on the child and the world. We study neighborhoods and communities, citizenship, and basic economics. The children are also introduced to American geography as well as simple American history. Two additional components of the program are the use of songs to learn such information as the names of all fifty states and the names of all the presidents and Scholastic News to update the children on current events.

11. Handwriting • In first grade the children were taught how to correctly form their letters. This process of letter formation will be reinforced in second grade. • Please DO NOT allow your child to write in cursive. Cursive will be formally taught in third grade.

12. Homework • The children will receive homework every night except Friday. Please initial all homework assignments in the upper-left hand corner. It is important to review your child’s homework with your child present. Please correct all spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors. • Please review the math concepts presented in the Home Links. Review the 0-9 addition and subtraction facts with your child as often as possible. • READ! READ! READ! Read with your child or have your child read independently for at least 15 minutes per night. We also suggest that your child reads aloud to you at least 3 times a week. • C+R: On your child’s homework you may see a C+R. This means to either correct and return, or complete and return the homework.

13. Behavior Students in my class are praised and rewarded for good behavior! ~ Hughes School has a positive behavior incentive using SPARKLE tickets and small trinkets. ~You will be notified for inappropriate behavior.

14. Odds and Ends Attendance Please call in your child’s absence to our answering machine system. Please follow up with a note brought in by your child when he/she returns to school. Homework requests must be called into the main office in the morning. All homework can be picked up after 3:30 in the main office. Please refer to the Hughes handbook for vacations. • Birthdays and Class parties • Please DO NOT send in any food as per the district policy. The PTO will now be responsible for supplying all food for class parties and celebrations. • For birthdays no food or • gifts (goodie bags) are allowed!

15. Guest Readers Each week we have a guest reader visit our classroom and read to the students. The children truly enjoy having our guests read to them. If you are interested in being a Guest Reader, please sign up on the sign up sheet today.