Welcome to Mrs. Palmerton’s Second Grade Class

1. Welcome to Mrs. Palmerton’s Second Grade Class I am looking forward to a great year together!

2. What will we be learning? • We will be focusing on a number of subjects including reading, spelling, writing, math, science, social studies, the cognitive assets and how to work as a team!

3. Second Grade Reading • Our district adopted a new reading series in 2009 called Scott-Foresman Reading Street. • We utilize this reading series and supplement with leveled books as well as student choice trade books (non-fiction and chapter books) throughout the year. • We are focusing on learning to read and learning to understand what we read. • By the end of the school year, students need to read chapter books in preparation for third grade!

4. Second Grade Spelling • A new unit of words is assigned every week. • The list correlates with our weekly target skills. • Children will spend the whole week using the words in varied assignments and centers. • Words should be studied on a nightly basis. • Students will be tested on their words every Friday. Individual words will be tested and one sentence will be dictated for the students to write correctly. • Please SAVE all spelling lists!

5. Social Studies

6. Science

7. Second Grade Writing • Our class will be using a writing program, “Units of Primary Writing”, based on the research of well known author and researcher, Lucy Calkins. • Second graders will engage in demand and creative writing. • Second graders will learn many different types of writing (personal narrative, persuasive, how-to, sequence, friendly letter, journal entry, etc.). • Second graders will learn how to write complete sentences using correct capitalization, punctuation and spelling. • Second graders will be encouraged to read over their work to revise and edit their writing, as needed. • By the end of the year, second graders should be able to write a complete paragraph with an indented topic sentence, details and a conclusion. • Most weeks, second graders will complete a demand writing piece called a “Test Prep” based on our target skills. This “Test Prep” will be graded using a scoring rubric. The students will be introduced to all of these new concepts!

8. Writing

9. Math • We will be learning about 20 topics in math this year! The topics will include… • Understanding Addition and Subtraction • Addition Strategies • Subtraction Strategies • Place Value: Numbers to 100 • Counting Money • Mental Addition • Mental Subtraction • Adding two-digit numbers • Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers • Using Addition and Subtraction • Geometry • Fractions • Measurement: length and area • Measurement: capacity and weight • Time and Temperature • Graphs and Probability • Numbers and Patterns to 1,000 • Three-digit addition and subtraction • Multiplication concepts • Division concepts and Facts

10. IMPORTANT MATH REMINDER! ALL ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION FACTS TO 20 MUST BE MEMORIZED THIS YEAR! Please practice your facts OFTEN at home! We will be busy learning other math lessons at school!

11. Cognitive Assets • Did you know that only 10% of your intelligence is related to your genes? • The other 90% of your intelligence is learned! • Researchers have found a group of skills that all individuals need to possess in order to be geniuses. • Researchers have found that these skills can be learned and improve all students’ performance

12. The 25 Cognitive Assets • The cognitive assets consist of: • Clear Intent-knowing what one’s intentions are • Practical Optimism- thinking optimistically to improve success • Initiative- readiness and skill taking action • Systematic Search- exploring all possibilities first • Using two or more sources of information • Understanding Space • Selective Attention- knowing what to pay attention to • Making Comparisons • Understanding Time • Defining the Problem • Classification • Making Connections • Systematic Planning • Cognitive Flexibility-ability to accurately assessing all situations and adjusting to them • Using Cues Appropriately • Making Inferences • Working Memory • Making Meaning • Summarizing • Point of View • Thoughtful Behavior- ability to stop think and respond • Effective Expression- a thoughtful response • Appropriate Courage- assessing situations, being clear on mission and goals and taking the appropriate action • Finishing Power- The power to finish what you started regardless of difficulty • Learning from Experience- skill of reflecting and selecting what to do if a similarsituation arises

13. HOMEWORK POLICY • 1.       All students will record assignments in their agenda and have it signed by a parent on a daily basis. • 2.Homework will be assigned Monday-Thursday. A typical homework assignment might look similar to this: • ·        Math review sheet or game, study math facts nightly • ·        Reading/Phonics: review sheet • ·        Spelling: review sheet and/or study nightly for Friday’s test • ·Book Log: read every night, record ONE book on Thursday • ·Any incomplete daily classroom work becomes homework! • 3.All students will be given some time during the day to complete assignments. (i.e. At the end of the lesson, during free time if necessary, and while waiting for buses.) • 4.Students should typically spend about 30 minutes on homework. Please contact me if your child is having difficulty completing assignments within this time frame. If your child has finished an assignment at school, he or she should still read, study spelling words or math facts for 30 minutes at home.

14. Homework Continued • 5.All assignments are due the next day! There will be exceptions to this when projects are assigned. Parents will be notified well in advance of projects and due dates. Please let me know if your child has difficulty with any assignment, so that extra help can be given. • 6.A “pink slip” will be sent home for parents to sign when an assignment is not handed in on time. The student will also lose classroom privileges. • 7.I encourage parents to look over and help your child correct his/her homework. Please be sure that your child completes the assignments. I encourage your involvement with your child’s assignments. • EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND TEACHERS IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESS! • THANK YOU!

15. Second Grade Agenda To help with organization, to facilitate communication between home and school and to better prepare your child for third and fourth grade, I have created a homework “agenda” that the students will use. • Students will bring home agendas on a nightly basis. • Homework and important information/notes will be sent home in the agenda. Your child’s book log and spelling lists will be kept in the agenda. • On the back of each week’s agenda page is a place for parent/teacher comments. Please have your child tell me if you wrote a note in the agenda! • Please return homework, excuses or notes in the front pocket of your child’s agenda. • PLEASE SIGN (OR INITIAL) YOUR CHILD’S AGENDA EVERY NIGHT after you check it. THANK YOU!

16. Mailbox • All school mail and notices from me will be sent home daily, as necessary, in your child’s Agenda. PLEASE check your child’s agenda EVERY DAY. • Every Friday, your child will come home with a “Weekly Mailbox” filled with your child’s school work from the week. • Please enjoy reviewing the work with your child over the weekend. • Sign the parent log and return the mailbox on Monday. • The comments section is for comments for you to write to your child. If you have a comment or question for me, please write it in your child’s agenda.

17. Hooked on Books Book Club • New York State recommends that second graders independently read 25 books during the course of a school year. • Students should be reading at home on a daily basis (even weekends)! • ONE book should be recorded in your child’s book log once per week. Your child will probably read more than one book per week, but onlyone should be recorded. • Book logs should be turned in every Friday. I will stamp and record the book log entry. • Book logs will be returned the same day. • Prizes will be awarded for meeting reading goals! • The ONLY way to become a BETTER READER is to READ!

18. Second Grade Report Cards • Second graders will receive report cards that will be printed from a computerized program. • Second graders will receive percentage grades. • The grading scale is as follows: E: Excellent – 90% - 100% P: Proficient – 80% - 89% S: Satisfactory – 70%-79% N: Needs Support – 69% and below • Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences will be held in November. Other conferences can be scheduled at any time during the year, if needed.

19. Important Information • Lunch is at 11:30 daily • Our Special will be everyday 1:45-2:25 • Monday- Art • Tuesday- Physical Education • Wednesday-Music • Thursday- Library • Friday-Physical Education

20. Second Grade Lunch and Snack • Second grade always has the late lunch so that the students will only have the late lunch once at Arcade Elementary! • Students will use their ID cards to purchase lunch. Please send lunch money to school in an envelope with your child’s name and my name. You can prepay lunches in advance. • We will have snack every day after specials. • Students are responsible for bringing their own HEALTHY snack to school every day! Candy, gum and soda pop will be returned home if they are brought for a snack. • Please send in an emergency box of individually wrapped snacks (i.e. granola bars, fruit snacks, etc.) to be kept in your child’s locker.

21. Classroom Rules and Discipline • Boys and girls in Room 209 agree to a classroom contract on the first day of school. We always remember the “golden rule”: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Students need to respect everyone! • I believe in being firm, fair, consistent, but always caring when it comes to discipline. • We use the “Capturing Kids’ Hearts” model for discipline. First, a student who is not making a good choice gets a reminder. Second, I change the student’s card (see next pg.). I discuss the problem with the student using four focus questions. If needed, the student writes a note home to parents that needs to be signed and returned the next day and/or calls home. • Students enjoy EARNING their privileges! Our classroom is POSITIVE

22. Behavior • We will be completing a number of team building activities throughout the year. Research has indicated when a class acts as a team they are less likely to misbehave. • If misbehavior does occur students will write their name on the board with a check mark… if misbehavior continues another check will follow each checkmark is five minutes off playtime. • I will send home an Off the Track form in the children's agendas at the end of the day if behavior is an ongoing problem/If needed, the student writes a note home to parents that needs to be signed and returned the next day and/or calls home.

23. Parent Volunteers • Research has indicated that parent involvement is crucial to a student’s success in school. I encourage and welcome your involvement in our classroom! • There are many ways to volunteer! Ask Mrs. Palmerton how you can help. • Please sign up to help with classroom parties and to chaperone a field trip! Sign-ups are on the back table during Orientation Day and Open House.

24. Important Paperwork Please fill out and return to me all of the important paperwork for the office: • School compact • Information form • Health form • Technology form • Walker form (if necessary) • Lunch application Please also fill out and return the following to me: • “Introducing…Your Child” form • $5.00 supply fee in an envelope marked with your child’s name THANK YOU!

25. Important dates • 9/9 -Grandparent’s Day • 10/20 –Open House • 10/17- Field Trip to the Theater of Youth • 10/31-Halloween Party • 11/1-11/14 Food Drive Begins • 11/21 & 11/22- Parent/Teacher Conferences • 12/21-Holiday Party • 1/27- Second Grade Play for school • 1/27- Second Grade Play for Parents • 2/14-Valentine’s Day Party • 4/5-Spring Party • June- Field Trip to Buffalo • 6/1- Culmination Day • 6/15- Grandparent Day Reunion

26. Classroom Parties • I love to celebrate holidays in Room 209! • We will have Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter parties. • Our class will need parents to help with snacks, games, organization and clean-up. We would love it if we had a parent volunteer to organize a party! See sign up sheets for more information! • Birthday parties are very important, too! You are welcome to send in a treat for your child’s birthday. All of the supplies that are needed to serve the treat (cups, can opener, plates, forks, spoons, bowls, etc.) need to be brought in from home too!!

27. Party Reminders • I’m bringing________ to the Halloween Party on 10/31. • I’m bringing________ to the Holiday Party on 12/21. • I’m bringing________ to the Valentine Party on 2/14. • I’m bringing________ to the Spring Party on 4/5. • Please note unless otherwise noted I plan on having all holiday parties at 2:30. You can either send in the items with your child or bring them to the party we’d be happy to have you join us!

28. My Availability • You can reach me at 492-9300 ext. # 3209 between 7:30-8:45 and after school If it is an emergency, you will be connected with the office. You can always leave a message on my voice mail & will return your call A.S.A.P • Please do not hesitate to call or stop in if you need something or have any questions. • My door is always open. • jpalmerton@pioneercsd.org