Loper Elementary Bulldog Strong

1. Loper ElementaryBulldog Strong 2014-2015 Second Grade

2. Curriculum • Language Arts: English, Writing, and Spelling • Reading • Math • Science • Social Studies • Shelbyville Central Schools curriculum and Loper Elementary’s curriculum are based on our New Indiana State standards, 2014.

3. Grading Scale 100 – 90 A+ to A- 89 – 80 B+ to B- 79 – 70 C+ to C- 69 – 60 D+ to D- 59 – 0 F

4. Language Arts • Reading Series: Reading Street by Pearson • Word Study/Spelling- test every Friday - graded • Language Arts practice each day – Tested on skills every Friday – graded; spelling dictation—Teachers dictate sentences aloud, students write the sentence. • Grammar and Writing skills –skills graded each week; creative writing/prompt writing/response writing occasionally graded • Handwriting- children need to practice neatness and spacing; it is also part of the language arts grade. *Our spelling list is based on the alphabetic principle—each letter is a phoneme (sound) and we put these phonemes together to make words. Many sounds go together in common patterns to help us read and write.

5. Reading Instruction • Student-centered/teacher facilitated approach • During the 90 Minute Reading Block, students are taught in whole-group settings when reading skills are being introduced. • Students are working at their level during our 30 minute Guided Reading instruction. During Guided Reading, second grade students are grouped according to their reading level. Each group is taught by an Instructional Assistant following teacher-created plans or a 2nd grade teacher. • In addition to comprehension and fluency, students are taught phonics, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary. • Instruction in the Five Components of Reading during the 90 Minute Reading Block enables our students to learn how to be successful, competent readers in an engaging, meaningful way.

6. Reading and Language Arts Assessment • Weekly comprehension tests to test reading strategy or skill • Weekly comprehension test that is at a second-grade level • Oral reading/fluency assessment • M-Class Reading State assessment – 3 times a year • Reading Practice or workbook pages • Teacher observations • Checklists or Rubrics • CPS technology – This is software that allows teachers to create assessments or practice activities with students responding with remote devices that look like a TV remote. This is a wonderful tool that engages students during lessons or assessments. Further, this allows the teacher to use the data to practice, re-teach, or enrich the lesson or skill. • Handwriting—part of the Lang. grade • Word Study/Spelling – part of the Lang. grade

7. Math Instruction • Teacher facilitated and student-led • Students are working at their level. • Daily Math Review-completed together in class in order to learn and practice math skills. • First in Math-computer program; practice at school and at home • IXL-computer program; practice at school and at home • Our new series is called Envisions. This series combines traditional math practice pages with technology. Concepts are introduced in an engaging, student-centered way. At the introduction of each lesson, students are asked essential questions about the skills begin introduced. This helps students truly understand the “why” of addition, for example. This way, students are able to obtain an enduring understanding rather than a memorization of the skill or concept.

8. Math Assessment • Topic tests • Daily Math Review each Friday • Occasionally - homework review of skills • Teacher observation • Checklists or Rubrics • M-Class Math State Assessments 3 times a year • Addition and subtraction fact sheet in class. We just have to know these so the harder concepts become easier. 

9. Science/Social Studies • Student-centered/teacher facilitated approach • Inquiry—students are directing own investigations with no, some, or complete teacher help. We will have 4 units throughout the year for science. • We will work in our Social Studies textbooks on Fridays most of the year learning non-fiction skills and strategies. • Teacher observation • Student performance • No letter grades/S, N, or U • S – Satisfactory • N – Needs Improvement • U - Unacceptable

10. 2nd grade Schedule • 8:30-9:30– Reading Block • 9:00-10:00-Guided Reading • 10:00-11:00 –Writing (creative/response writing and language skills) and Science Block • 11:00-11:30-Lunch • 11:30-12:00-Recess • 12:00-12:30- Small Group Reteaching, Practice, or Enrichment • 12:30-1:00-First in Math—while students working on this teachers are working with students one/one or small group • 1:00-2:00 – Math Block • 2:00-2:30 –Small Group Reteaching, Practice, or Enrichment • 2:30-3:15-Specials • 3:20-Dismissal

11. Classroom Management • We follow the Bulldog Code of Conduct: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe. • Behavior - Card system • Homework sheet-students record behavior • Sticker chart—when bring back problem solving on Wednesday signed by parent • Sticker chart—parents signature/initials daily or weekly on homework sheets as requested by your child’s teacher – collected on Friday. The weekly homework sheet also is used for the End-of-the-Year Pool Party. More information about this will be sent home during Parent/Teacher Conferences.

12. Homework/Newsletter • Daily homework – please initial or sign their homework sheets as requested by your child’s teacher. • Teacher Newsletters—important information, – has word study/spelling and vocabulary words on back for review and practice

13. School Wide – Parental Involvement • Read every night 20 minutes – listen to, read with, read to your child every night! • Tuesday Night Problem Solving – help them & sign the paper Parents, please help your child to be involved in these activities. Thank you!

14. Transportation Changes • For the safety of the children, transportation must be set in advance and stay consistent. Students are allowed 2 different drop offs/ways home weekly. • Please make sure you have completed a transportation form. All transportation changes must be made at the office. If you try to reach your child’s teacher, we will help you get in touch with the office. All changes in Transportation must be made through the office. • We understand there are emergencies…you must contact the office in regards to an emergency. • We follow what is listed on emergency dismissal information sheets.

15. Birthday Parties • We welcome any one who would like to send in treats for the class to celebrate your child’s birthday. • Please note we can only accept store-bought items, prepackaged cookies, cupcakes, or items bought from the bakery. As a school corporation, we also encourage healthy birthday treats. • We cannot accept homemade items…. We apologize for this inconvenience. • Thank you 

16. Bulldog Strong • Student-centered • Responsible, Respectful, and Safe • Teamwork • Communication • Set clear expectations • Positive classroom atmosphere

17. 3 Parts of the Whole • You, your child, and your teacher—We are the three parts of the whole. Working together, we can help each other be the best we can be. • We are here to learn—how to add, subtract, read, write—but also how to be good friends, do our best, be responsible, help one another, and do the right thing, so that we can be lifelong learners!

18. Loper Websites • Please visit Loper Elementary School’s wonderful website. • Visit your 2nd grade teachers webpage. • Loper website offers instructional based web sites for your child to learn while having fun! Thank you from your second grade teachers for being part of the Bulldog community!