Mrs. Jocus' Back to School Night Overview

1. Welcome to Thomas P. Hughes Back To School NightPlease take this time to write your child a note.Please sign in under the word wall.Please leave your contact information, sign up for guest reader, and conference preference. 

2. Mrs. Jocus’Contact Information • Room 5 • jjocus@bhpsnj.org *email is the best way to get in touch with me!

3. Reading • Reading Workshop • Reading Workshop is the second grade individualized reading program. The children’s comprehension and reading fluency are assessed and reinforced. The conferences focus on each child’s 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. Writing • Writing Workshop • Each child will bring home a notebook. Please help your child decorate it with familiar pictures. This will help your child with their writing throughout the year • The children will be writing entries in their Writer’s Notebooks during the school year. They will choose entries from their Writer’s Notebooks to create published pieces. Writing Workshop will be conducted as mini-lessons combined with individualized conferences.

5. Spelling • One component of the spelling program will focus on high frequency words or “Word Wall Words”. Each week the children are presented with four high frequency words that are developmentally appropriate. The children will be taught various spelling techniques to help them spell their weekly words. They are encouraged to correctly spell these words in their writing. Every Friday an assessment will be given using the weekly high frequency words.

6. Spelling • Another component of the spelling program will focus on WORD STUDY and WORD SORTS. This program will begin after the first marking period. • Word study is a student-centered approach to phonics, spelling, and vocabulary instruction that actively engages the learner in constructing concepts about the way words work. • Word sorts are activities that compare and contrast words into categories according to their sound, pattern, or meaning. • Each Friday, the children will be presented with a list of words that have a similar spelling feature. During that time period, the children will work on various activities that focus on the spelling feature. • An assessment will be given on each spelling feature.

7. Math • Go 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.

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 will be given a hundreds chart for assistance in completing homework assignments. Please keep the chart in your child’s homework folder.

9. Science Our science program is a hands-on program with many exciting experiments. The second graders will explore the following units: • UNIT A – Living Things • The unit examines the different varieties or plants and animals and how they meet their basic needs. • UNIT B – Rocks • The unit examines what a rock is, as well as the properties of rocks and minerals. • UNIT C – Motion • The unit will observe and describe the path of motion, compare big and small forces, examine friction and gravity. Due to the extensive supplies needed for this program, we will be asking for donations of materials throughout the year.

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. Think About It! Students in my class are praised and rewarded for good behavior! ~In the event that a child receives a 3rd warning for a behavior a Think About It form will be filled out by the child and sent home. ~Students will write what their action was, why it caused a problem in school and what their plan for solving the problem is. ~ Discussing alternative ways to solve a problem is the first step in correcting it. ~Please make sure that all Think About Its are signed and returned to school the following day!

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. All religious absences will be recorded as excused absences. 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. • Birthdays and Class parties • Please DO NOT send in any food as per the new 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. Odds and Ends • Assessment All tests should be reviewed, signed and returned to school on the following day! • Areas of assessment include: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Handwriting, Speaking and Listening, Specials, Personal Habits, Work and Study Habits • Means of assessment include: Teacher/Student Conferences [Reading and Writing Workshop], Teacher Observation [Classroom, HELP, Instructional Review, Reading Specialist, Child Study Team, Speech Therapist], Informal/Formal Written and Oral Assessment

16. Odds and Ends • Communication • Please send in all PTO notices, sign-ups, classroom book orders, various club forms, etc. in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name and the contents inside. • SCHOOL PHONE USE: School phones will be used for emergency purposes only. Please discuss all play dates, after school activities, and plans prior to the school day. Additionally, please double check that your child has all necessary items for the day. Forgotten items do not warrant an emergency call home. • Please remember to send in a note if your child is not taking the bus.

17. Guest Readers • Read Aloud: 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.