Welcome to Back to School Night

1. Welcome to Back to School Night Second Grade 2013-2014

2. 8:05-8:13 Homeroom 8:13-9:08 Math 9:11-10:42 Social Studies/Science 10:45-11:29 Recess &Lunch 11:32-12:17 Specials 12:20-1:05 Language Arts 1:08-2:41 Reading 2:44-3:00* Recess 3:00-3:20 Read Aloud 3:20-3:35 Clean up/Pack up *2:44-3:30 or Extra Special

3. How Am I Doing Chart • Purple day= outstanding • Blue day=great choices • Green day = great day, keep up the good work  • Orange day–making poor choices, time out to think • Red day – lose all recess & note home. Possibly go to Ms. Norton & get written up.

4. Friday Folder • Purple Folder- should come home every Friday • Completed and graded assignments • Important notes from office, teachers, after school programs, etc. Most communication from school is in the form of email. Please check and read all email carefully. • Please return empty folder on Mondays.

5. Homework Folder • Red Folder (instead of math folder) • Comes home every day (including Friday) with assignments in it. • Please return daily. • Math, Reading, Spelling, Science, or Social Studies homework.

6. Parent/teacher communication • Please always e-mail your child’s teacher first with questions. Please understand that we are working all day to provide your child with the best education possible. We will try to get back to you the day of your e-mail or phone call, but please allow 48 hours before contacting again. • Make sure you check the school and 2nd grade websites (PKR) for answers to your questions BEFORE emailing the teacher.

7. Parent/teacher communication • Please respect the teacher’s time and refrain from interrupting during class or at any other unscheduled time. If you email with a question we will get back to you within 48 hours. If you are giving us information about your child and it doesn’t require a response, we may or may not respond • Make sure your child knows where to go after school. We don’t always get a chance to check email before the end of the day

8. Birthdays • Summer Birthdays may celebrate on half birthdays (ex. July 5th celebrates on January 5th ) • Welcome to bring in treats (individual, store bought treats or order through PTO’s Birthday Express) you may also choose to send non-consumables due to the number of various food allergies. • Treats will be passed out to be enjoyed during our afternoon break @ 2:45

9. OPEN COURT READING: Fluency Reading effortlessly with speed, accuracy, and expression Vocabulary learning word meanings to build comprehension Text Comprehension Thinking actively before, during, and after reading

10. Language Arts • Open Court • Spalding, Shurley Grammar, and Step Up To Writing • Spalding: • Spalding is basic information about the structure of English spelling. It ties the shape of the letters with all the sounds they make. Phonics is important for reading, decoding, & spelling. • Shurley Grammar: • Students learn the parts of speech through repetition and song. The students also learn the basics of paragraph writing. • Core Knowledge Stories, Poems, Sayings and Phrases

11. Social Studies Core Knowledge Curriculum: Geography & Map Skills Ancient India Ancient China Japan Today Ancient Greece Signs & Symbols of the US Making the Constitution The War of 1812 Americans Move West The Civil War Immigration and Citizenship Civil Rights Leaders

12. FOSS Science Balance & Motion Air & Weather Insects Science Notebooks A student’s science notebook is a personal record of learning during a FOSS module.  For students, the notebook is, first of all, a place to record and organize observations and data.  Second, students generate a sequential exposition of their reasoning and conclusions that relates to the science data they record.  And finally, the notebook provides a place for students to write reflections about their thinking and the meaning they derived from the science experiences. Science notebooks provide benefits to teachers, too.  Notebooks present opportunities for students to exercise and demonstrate skills developed in other areas of the curriculum, such as mathematics, language development, and art.  The important skills of vocabulary development, reading, and writing are applied continuously in the notebook.  The notebook record provides an authentic body of student work for assessment of written language and science content understanding. STEM Atmospheric Science Dec 2nd – 12th Industrial Engineering Feb 26 – Mar 2nd Lego WeDO Apr 7– 11th

13. Saxon Math Program: Through an effective technique called “incremental development,” we introduce topics to students in spaced steps. The time between steps allows students to gain confidence at one level of a topic before moving to the next. Throughout the year, in every lesson, previously learned information is continually reviewed and practiced. Topics are not dropped but grow in complexity, so learning is systematic and sequential. Content is divided into five components: Meeting, Lesson, written practice, facts practice, and assessments. • Moving quickly through review material • Homework is easy for all right now • FOCUS is on • Developing Computation Skills • Proper Number Formation • Problem Solving Skills, Concepts, ability to Explain Math • Homework: • Parents read instructions as necessary • Check homework and assist child as necessary in correcting errors • Please initial or sign homework • Points earned for homework in on time. 10pts per corrected, signed sheet. • 10% off day 1 • 20% off day 2 • 50% off within unit • Assessments: Every 5 lessons (100 pts.) Worth 80% of math grade.

14. Purpose of homework *Establish a routine which includes study at home *Develop good study habits *Involve parents in their child’s learning *Provide practice and reinforcement of skills learned Late Policy: K-3: 10% day 1; 20% day 2; 50% within unit STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT!! Missed school/Missed Work: Students have 2 days for each EXCUSED absence to make up their work. Ex: If they were absent on Monday, work will be due on Wednesday.

15. Daily Reading Homework: *At least 20 minutes per night **Set aside the same time each day for homework *Chose a special place for homework to be completed

16. RESPONSIBILITY Children in our class are responsible for their own actions, attitudes, behaviors, and work habits. We will help the children become more responsible. However, we will not take over individual responsibilities. The students are expected to return homework, Friday folders, planners, library books, etc. ON TIME. They are responsible for taking care of their learning tools and supplies. RULES At all times……. Be respectful, responsible, and honest. Our class has spirit! We work together, support one another, and appreciate the uniqueness each member of our class and learning community has to offer.

17. Clothing • American Academy has a uniform, not a dress code. Make sure tops and bottoms are from Dennis. • If your child is unable to tie their shoes please help them learn how to do this. • Sweatshirts – send a sweatshirt or sweater everyday. Any sweatshirt can be worn outside for recess. American Academy sweatshirts only inside school. • LABEL your child’s clothing!! It all looks so similar!

18. Just a few reminders about Parent Portal: Please make sure your current email, phone, & address are on Parent Portal!! All of the information parents need to know is available under Resources – Portal Information ( http://www.americanacademyk8.org/parentportal.aspx ).  If you haven’t already, please take a moment to look at this link as it contains relevant information for both new and returning families (how to request password resets, change their e-mail address, set messenger preferences, etc.). 

19. Important Websites • www.americanacademyk8.org • Parent Portal • www.brainpop.com • www.brainpopjr.com Typing • http://www.freetypinggame.net/

20. After school activities Please remind your child daily where they are to go after school. Sometimes we do not get a chance to check our email to remind your child where they go at the end of the day. Write in your child’s planner if they need help remembering where to go.