“ Rockin ’ Into Second Grade ”

1. “Rockin’ Into Second Grade” Miss McCurdy 2011-2012

2. Classroom Rules Work quietly. Follow directions. Work and play safely. Respect others’ property. Keep to your own space. Listen to others.

3. “Be A Good Apple” In Miss McCurdy's classroom , we will be using the apple display for students to recognize their positive behavior. Each student has a worm cut-out with their name on it. The visual cues of the green, yellow, and red apples will remind the students of classroom expectations and keep them accountable for their actions. * Green Apple-- Great Job! Keep it up! **** ALL STUDENTS START THEIR DAY ON THE GREEN APPLE * Yellow Apple-- Warning! Slow down and think about your behavior and choices. ** The student who was given the warning will be asked to move their worm to the yellow apple and they will be expected to change their behavior. * Red Apple-- Stop! Poor behavior or choices! ** If the student has not corrected their behavior after the first warning, they will be asked to move their worm to the red apple. The student will be assigned "Detention" for not correcting their behavior and a note will be sent home for a parent to sign and return with the child the next day of school. ** Check your child's assignment sheet daily to see what color apple they finished the day on!

4. Positive School –Wide Behavior At Highlands, we have high expectations for our students. Each day at Fawn, we expect the children to listen and learn. While doing so, we must be sure that all children are safe. So that all children are able to learn in a safe environment, we focus on four main expectations. The children are expected to be R.A.M.S.: Respectful Accountable Motivated Safe ** The "Be A Top Apple" Behavior plan reinforces the Highlands RAMS expectations

5. Positive School-Wide Behavior • Positive points are earned daily if ending the day with a “green or yellow “ apple. • Enough points earned by the end of each month qualify your child to participate in the monthly Rams Reward. • A loss of 3 points will result in a loss of the monthly Rams Reward. (Unacceptable behavior and homework not returned). • One extra point can be earned back if your child attends an after school detention.

6. “3 Cubes Rule!” • We take two “class” bathroom breaks over the course of the day. The first one is after special from 10:15 -10:30 A.M. and the second one is from 1:00-1:15 P.M. During the “class” bathroom breaks, the students are encouraged to use the bathroom and get a drink. • When the students come in the morning, they are to get 3Unifix Cubes that they keep at their desk. If they have to use the bathroom or want to get a drink another time besides the “class” bathroom break, they put one cube in my basket. Then they have 2 left for the morning and so on. If they have used all of their cubes, then they are not allowed to leave the classroom. **I am lenient with students with medical issues. • In the afternoon, the students start off again with 3 Unifix Cubes. Then it follows as above.

7. Homework Academy • This takes place every morning from 8:15 – 8:45 in the • library. • A teacher will be available at this time to assist students • with homework. • This is to be used if homework is not completed due to a • lack of understanding the assignment. • The teacher on duty will send a pass along with the student • to his/her homeroom indicating that the homework was • completed in Homework Academy, therefore, allowing the • student to be exempt from losing a positive point toward • the monthly reward.

8. The second graders will have the opportunity to complete different classroom jobs throughout the year. The jobs will change each week. * Attendance/Lunch Count Helper: The student will take the Attendance folder to the office and Lunch Count sheet to the cafeteria each morning. * Messenger: The student will take any necessary items(notes, etc.) to the necessary place whether it be the office, cafeteria, another teachers room, etc. * Line Leader: The student will "lead" the class anytime we leave the classroom. * Calendar Helper: The student will "assist" the teacher with the calendar routine. * Paper/Materials Passer: The student will be responsible for distributing any papers, math manipulatives, rulers, calculators, etc. to their classmates. * Lights: The student will be responsible to "turn off" the lights when the class leaves the classroom and "turn on" the lights when the class returns to the classroom.

9. * Board Eraser: The student will be responsible for erasing the chalkboard and dry erase board(s) at the end of the day. * Computer Helper: The student will be responsible for turning "on" the computers in the morning and turning "off" the computers at the end of the day. * Boy Bathroom Monitor: The student will be responsible for making sure only 2 boys from Miss McCurdy's room are in the bathroom at a time. Also, they will be responsible for telling Miss McCurdy when all of the boys are out of the bathroom. * Girl Bathroom Monitor: The student will be responsible for making sure only 2 girls from Miss McCurdy's room are in the bathroom at a time. Also, they will be responsible for telling Miss McCurdy when all of the girls are out of the bathroom.

10. Second Grade News • Be sure to look here so that you know what is happening in our • classroom and school. • The news also serves as a daily assignment sheet. Your child • will also be responsible for writing some of the assignments. • Please sign this sheet after seeing your child’s folder for that day. • Return it daily in your child’s folder. • The colored apple indicates the “good choice” color your child • earned for the day.

11. Second Grade Classroom Newsletter • The Classroom Newsletter will be sent home each Friday or last day of the week in your child’s graded folder. • Be sure to read it over so that you know what is happening in our classroom and school. • The newsletter contains homework assignments, upcoming events(tests, field trips, etc.), schedule for the week, and a small blurb about what we learned about the previously week in Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. • A Link to the Classroom Newsletter is also on my • homepage.

12. Homework • Homework is usually given daily. The amount of time it should take your child to complete homework should be approximately 20 minutes. • If your child does not understand his/her homework, he/she must make the effort to complete the tasks (even if it is incorrect). The math family letter gives the answers to the home links. • Students are not graded on correct and incorrect answers. They earn a completion grade for completing the homework. This grade is part of their report card grade. Please note that if homework is consistently not completed it could effect their grade.

13. “Earn and Return Card” • Each student has been given a “Earn and Return” Card that they are to keep in their pencil boxes. • When your child has completed a homework assignment and has their “Second Grade News” paper signed by an adult for the previous night, they will receive a punch on their card. • When your child has received 10 punches on their card, they will be awarded a “Homework Pass” to use for a future assignment. • Your child should check with Miss McCurdy and see if they can use their “Homework Pass” on an assignment of their choice. (If you choose to use on the Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe, the “Homework Pass” counts as one of the assignments….you still have two to do instead of three!) • If Miss McCurdy agrees, the child must staple the “Homework Pass” onto the assignment and turn it in the next day! • If your child loses the “Homework Pass” another one will not be awarded.

14. Graded Folder • Each Friday, your child will bring home a green folder which will contain your child’s graded papers from the past week. • Inside the folder will be a chart telling you how many assignments for each subject will be in the folder. (Ex: Math +3/3). If your child is missing a paper(s), the number will be less than the total for that week. I will try to indicate what assignment, test, etc. they are missing on the chart. • Please review the paper(s) with your child and sign the chart showing that you saw the graded papers for that week. If the paper does not have a “Sign and Return” sticker or stamp on it, you may keep the graded papers and return the folder with the chart with your child to school the following Monday. • If you have any questions or concerns, write them on the chart where it says, ”Parent Comments” that is in the green folder and I will get back to you as soon as I can. ** Graded Folders will be sent home starting Friday, September 16th!

15. Everyday Math The Highlands School District uses the Everyday Math curriculum in the elementary schools. It emphasizes the application to real world situations. Each lesson includes time for whole-group instruction as well as small group, partner, or individual activities. The program provides numerous methods for basic skills practice and review. These include mental math routines, practice with fact triangles, daily math boxes, homework, and math games. The daily Home Links provide opportunities for family members to be involved. There is a “Family Letter” sent home for each unit or chapter to keep the parents informed about the concepts and vocabulary being taught in the unit. It also contains the answers for the Home Links. Please remember that in Everyday Math some skills may be introduced and they are not expected to be proficient at it at this grade level. Only the secure skills are tested. Everyday Mathematics The Highlands School District uses the Everyday Math curriculum in the elementary schools. It emphasizes the application to real world situations. Each lesson includes time for whole-group instruction as well as small group, partner, or individual activities. The program provides numerous methods for basic skills practice and review. These include mental math routines, practice with fact triangles, daily math boxes, homework, and math games. The daily Home Links provide opportunities for family members to be involved. There is a “Family Letter” sent home for each unit or chapter to keep the parents informed about the concepts and vocabulary being taught in the unit. It also contains the answers for the Home Links. Please remember that in Everyday Math some skills may be introduced and they are not expected to be proficient at it at this grade level. Only the secure skills are tested.

16. Everyday Mathematics Listed below are some of the topics that are covered in the second grade curriculum. Some are secure and others are beginning or developmental skills. • Graphing • Patterns • Numeration • Number facts to 20 • Missing Addends • Problem Solving • Place Value • Counting Money • Telling Time to 5 minutes • Adding and Subtracting 2-digit numbers • Fractions • Geometry • Measurement • Adding and subtracting 2- digit numbers with regrouping • Multiplication –0, 1,2, 5,10

17. Math • Homework: • Homelinks (Review the skills taught that day) • Family Newsletters: • Explanations of skills/concepts • Answer key for “homelinks” • Game ideas for skill practice • Sent home at the beginning of each unit • Mad Minutes: • At the end of September, we will be doing “Mad Minutes” in basic addition and subtraction facts. • Grading: • Generally, only the secure skills will be graded.

18. Language Arts StoryTown is our new PreK-6 reading /language arts program. With surprises around every corner and adventure just down the street, you'll find StoryTown is a great place to read. StoryTown is filled with a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature. Fiction offerings include narratives, poems, plays, and fantasy while nonfiction features contemporary news articles, biographies, research material, and more. The program authors have included a robust vocabulary that helps to create a rich learning environment through carefully selected words. Clearly marked routes allow children to easily traverse Student Edition pages, while instructional planners help teachers navigate daily lessons and differentiate instruction.

19. Spelling • Words are tied in with the current reading story and phonics skill. • New lists will be announced on the Stories Study Guide. • Tests will be announced on our Classroom Newsletter as well as the Second Grade News. • For the tests, students will be dictated sentences to write that go with the weeks words. Students will be graded on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. • Challenge Words will be added in up-coming stories.

20. Spelling Practice Ideas/Homework See enclosed handout for detailed explanation of each activity. * Spin and Spell(use the enclosed “spinner board”) * Word Scramble * Hang Man * ABC Order * Computer * Letter Tiles * Rhyming Words Spelling Homework Students will be given a “Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe” Sheet for each story. They will be responsible to complete 3 activities weekly and return the activities if any are written and the tic-tac-toe sheet signed by the parent on the designated day. Remember that the students need to complete the activities in an up and down or diagonal pattern. This will help reinforce the story’s spelling words.

21. Reading • Homework will include: • Reading the current story. • Answering comprehension questions. (student should write answers to questions in complete sentences) • Refer to the reading study guides sent home at the start of each new story listing high frequency words and robust vocabulary. • Review meanings of robust vocabulary and encourage the use of these words in daily conversation.

22. Reading Practice Ideas • For High Frequency Words & Vocabulary: • (see enclosed handout for detailed explanation of • activity) • Play “I Spy A Word”, giving clues for each word.(high frequency words) • Say a sentence leaving out the word; your child identifies the missing word.(high frequency words and vocabulary) • Try to create sentences using more than one of the words.(high frequency words and vocabulary) • Put words in ABC order.(high frequency words) • Identify familiar parts, sounds, etc. (high frequency words) • Refer to study guide sent home at the beginning of each story for “robust” vocabulary words and their definitions. Encourage your child to use their “new” vocabulary in conversation during the week.

23. More Reading Practice • Echo Read (You read, then your child “echoes” what you just read) • Choral Read (Reading together at the same time) • Leave out key words for your child to supply as your read. • Identify words pertaining to skill being taught.

24. Grammar/Daily Proofreading • As a part of second grade’s morning work, students will be proofreading daily sentences. Upon completion of the given set of sentences, the work will be sent home for review and the following day the same set of sentences will be completed again as a test. • Please be sure to check the Second Grade Newsletter for test dates.

25. Flex Groups • Beginning end of September/beginning of October • Entire second grade involved • Focus: to improve different components of reading(phonics, fluency, comprehension, etc.) • Students will be grouped by ability level and needs • Daily for approximately 30 minutes • Several staff members leading groups

26. Report Cards • Subject Graded: • * Reading * Social Studies • * Spelling * Science • * Grammar • * Math • Graded Scale: • 100%-90% A 79%-70%C 59% & Below—failing • 89%-80%B 69%-60%D • Misc: • Evaluated every 9 weeks • Class participation and effort are considered when grading. • Homework is small portion of the grade.

27. Miss McCurdy’s Webpage As a communication tool between you and I, I have made a webpage which I change frequently to show what we are learning in Second Grade. Follow the following steps to access Miss McCurdy’s Webpage. 1. Type in www.goldenrams.com into the address bar 2. On the Highlands website at the top left will be a pull down window. Click on “Fawn Primary Center.” 3. When Fawn’s webpage comes up, click on the tab which says “teachers”. 4. Click on “MCCURDY, MELISSA” 5. On the left hand side of our webpage is an index for you to use. ENJOY! HAPPY SURFING!

28. Misc. • Water bottles are permitted. They can be kept on the shelf and used when needed. Please remind your child to take home each night for washing and refilling. **If it becomes a toy or distraction, they will be asked to not bring it back to school. • Scholastic Book Club order forms will be sent home periodically. Be sure to send a check(Made out to Scholastic Book Club) or money order if ordering. NO CASH please. • If you are going to send home “Birthday” Invitations through the school, only send them in if everyone in the class is invited.(School Policy) • “Silly Bands”—The students are permitted to wear • them to school. Students will be asked to remove • them if they become a toy and are “distracted” them • from learning.

29. Closing • Questions? • Thank You for attending! I am looking forward to a great year with you and your child! • Feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail: • Phone: (724) 224-4844, ext. 3 • E-mail: • mmcurdy@ goldenrams.com