Second Grade Curriculum Night September 13, 2012

A Day In The Life Of Your 2nd Grader

Integrated Social Studies and Reading We are integrating our Social Studies content within our language arts block. The students will be learning both Social Studies concepts and reading skills together.

The Daily 5 Components Read to Self Read to Someone Listen to Reading Work with Teacher Word Work Social Studies

Word Work Word work will be taught as spelling patterns to apply to many words. Spelling patterns will be practiced in class during Daily 5 and as part of their homework. We believe in creating life-long spellers not just “Friday” spellers.

Word Work High Frequency Words are No Excuse Words. Once tested students are expected to spell them correctly in their writing.

Otter Time Outstanding Time To Enrich and Remediate Students are in small group based on their needs.

Writers Workshop Writing Process: Big Ideas Pre-write, Draft, Revise, Edit, Publish Big Ideas Personal Narrative Zoom in on the details Non-fiction writing Author study Poetry

Math Workshop Drill practice Teacher Directed Instruction Guided Practice Independent Practice Reteach/Enrichment Students will receive differentiated instruction as they are able to demonstrate mastery of a concept

Science The students will learn to be a scientist through exploration of many concepts from Astronomy through Zoology. Students will participate in field investigations, hands on activities and exciting experiments.

Grading Students will be receiving number grades for the first time. While the concepts are being introduced, assignments may not have a numeric grade (you may see stickers, check marks or smiley faces). Grading periods last 9 weeks. Students receive progress reports.

Engaging Work Students learn through authentic and meaningful activities so you may see fewer pieces of work going home. Learning notebooks used daily Experiments Investigations Lesson practice with manipulatives Rubrics will often be used for grading. Please do not hesitate to ask your child’s teacher if you’re interested in seeing your child’s notebooks.

Homework The students are asked to do a minimum of 20 minutes of homework each night. Students must read a minimum of 10 minutes each night. They are welcome to read more. The other 10 minutes will be chosen from math facts and spelling practice. Parents indicate on communication chart in the daily folder that homework was completed.

Folder Communication Check and sign the daily folder every day. The daily folder serves as the teacher’s method to keep you informed about your child’s daily behavior. The folder will indicate if their day was a 5,4,3,etc. A “five” on their behavior chart indicates a great day. We know mistakes happen so the first consequence is a verbal warning, subsequent consequences will be loss of ticket or buck, then loss of cubes. Students will start fresh each day with 5 cubes. Parents may also write notes to the teacher in the daily folder. Please remind your child to show the teacher when they arrive at school so no information is overlooked.

Parent/Teacher Conferences Your child’s teacher will contact you to set up a conference after the TPRI, Math, and other classroom assessments. Your child’s teacher is available to address any concerns at anytime of the school year.

Other Communication We ask that any urgent communication that needs to be handled during the school day be sent in the child’s folder. If there is a substitute, the note will be read by them. If there are any changes in how your child is going home, please call the office and send your teacher an e-mail as early as possible in the day. Please refer to your teacher’s website for the 2nd grade handbook. http://allenisd.org//Domain/856

Attendance Supervision in the cafeteria begins at 7:30 a.m. Students should report directly to the cafeteria. School begins promptly at 7:55. The day your child returns after an absence, please send a note.

Dismissal Car Riders and Walkers : Students are required to give a high-five to a teacher. Pull all the way up in the line and stay in your car. Bus, Daycare, and Kid’s Club: Students will be escorted to their designated waiting area and supervised until their bus arrives or after school activities begin. Bike Riders: Students will be escorted and supervised out the same doors the car riders use. We would love to talk to you about how your child is doing, but for the safety of all of the students during dismissal, please e-mail to schedule an appointment with the teacher for any comments, questions or concerns.

Thank you for taking a walk through the day of your second grader Thank you for taking a walk through the day of your second grader. It is going to be a great year !