2014-2015

1. Second Grade Mrs. Andrade Mrs. Colletti Mrs. Horwath Ms. Kukal 2014-2015 " We promise you everyday your children will learn something. Some days they will bring it home in their hands. Some days they will bring it home in their heads. And some days they will bring it home in their hearts."

2. Daily Routine • Attendance, Pledge , Morning Work • Math Workshop • Writers’ Workshop • 11:10-11:51 Recess/Lunch • Working With Words • Reader’s Workshop • 1:25-1:45 2ndRecess • Social Sciences • Stack and Pack • 2:30-3:20 Specials

3. Envision Math Workshop • Structure: • Mini-Lesson: Focused on specific topic/skill • Rotations: • Teacher Group: Remediate, practice, extend • Independent Work: Reinforce topic/skill • Games: Practice current and previously taught skills • Share and Reflect • Why? Allows for all students to work at their level and receive instruction tailored to their needs

4. Writer’s Workshop • Structure: • Mini-Lesson: Work within a Unit of Study (personal narratives, opinion writing, poetry, non-fiction, etc.) • Independent Writing: Students work on their own writing- which their topic falls within that particular unit. • I will confer with students during this time. Students may also meet with their Writing Partners • Reflection/Closing: Share and reflect on writing progress/proofreading and editing • Why Writer’s Workshop? • Students advance at their own pace- because they choose their topic, motivation is intense and, in turn, immense growth is made

5. Working With Words • Structure (Words Their Way) • Teach students the correct spelling 2nd Grade high frequency words. • Teach students how to decode and spell one and two syllable words based on patterns from words they already know. (word families) • Teach students that spelling rhyming words is not as easy as decoding them because some rhymes have two spelling patterns. ex: right/bite claim/name toad/code • Teach students that many “big words” are just smaller words combined as compounds or with endings, prefixes, and suffixes • Teach students to use cross checking while reading and a visual checking system while writing to apply what they are learning • Weekly Assessment

6. Reader’s Workshop • Structure: • Mini-Lesson: Introduce and practice Reading Power Strategies • Independent or Partner Reading: Students read self-selected books on their reading level or Reading Partners are ability based • Reading Conferences will also take place with students during this time • Reflection/Closing: Share and reflect on progress/strategies used with our thinking • Why Reader’s Workshop? • Students are allowed to progress at their own reading level and receiving more time to implement the learning topic- motivation is high because books are self-selected.

7. Science and Social Studies • Science and Social Studies occur on a rotating basis • Both are taught in units defined by the Common Core Reporting Topics • Science inquiry and experiments allow students to actively engage in the topic • Unlike Reading, Writing, and Math, Science and Social Studies topics are taught and “closed”- their assessment period finishes each quarter

8. Technology • S.T.A.R. Reading and S.T.A.R. Math: A computer generated reading and math assessment which determines your child’s reading and math level. • RAZ Kids: Reading program based on student’s reading level in which students listen to the book, read the book, and then take a quiz over the book earning STAR Power for building their RAZ Rocket. • Other Technology: Wordle, StoryJumper, PowerPoint, Spelling City, Math Magician, Xtra Math, Sum Dog, and SmartExchange lessons

9. Assessments and Report Cards • Reporting Topics are defined areas taught- ongoing assessments acknowledge student growth and progress • Grades are on a 4, 3, 2, 1 scale. • Mid-Terms : There will be mid-terms coming home during each quarter that indicate your child’s progress.

10. Homework: Each student is responsible for reading 15-20 each night. Practicing their weekly Working With Word words Practice skills focused on during the week (identified on newsletter) Take Home Folder and Homework • Take Home Folder Organization tool for home-school communication • Please review daily- look for papers/forms to be returned to school Homework will be sent home when it is meaningful and serves a purpose. Homework will have several objectives. One objective is to teach children responsibility and self-discipline. The second objective is to provide practice and review tested skills we have learned in class. Last but not least, homework provides you with the opportunity to be actively involved in your child’s education. Each second grade teacher will be sending homework as needed for their classroom.

11. Safety • Drill Requirements • -Fire-Monthly • -Earthquake-Once a Year • -Tornado-Fall and Spring • - Secondary Evacuation-Class Discussion • - Lock Down Drill-Fall and Spring) • *Pocket Knife (Yellow Park Hill School District Handbook) • *Visiting /Volunteering Procedures • -Sign in at the office and receive a Visitor’s Sticker

12. Field Trips • One per school year • The 2nd grade team will keep you posted well in advance of the scheduled field trip.

13. Classroom Management • Southeast follows the BIST behavior model in each of our classrooms. In the BIST model, warning, safe seat, buddy room, and finally recovery room. • In the classroom, we utilize several forms of classroom management: • Class Dojo: computer based Smartboard interactive classroom management tool • Star Celebrations: After earning 10 stars students will select from the reward chart. If the class spells out SUPERSTARS from compliments given by other teachers, we will have a classroom celebration (pj day, popcorn, etc.). • Leader in Me: Daily/Quarterly acknowledgement for using the Seven Habits throughout the day.

14. LEADER IN ME What is The Leader in Me? 7 Habits Rethinking Leadership (Video) Practice and Support the Habits at Home Website www.learderinme.org

15. Birthdays • Birthday treats are absolutely welcome, but please make sure the treats are PRE-PACKAGED and nutritious. Due to the Park Hill Wellness Policy, we are encouraging healthy snacks. • Please check with your child’s teacher prior to bringing treats for number of students and any known allergies.

16. Before You Go . . . Sign up for if haven’t already for . . . Parent Conferences Email list Party/Volunteer Sign-Up Complete . . .Please see your teacher’s table for these forms and opportunities. Thank you!