Welcome to Second Grade!!!

Welcome to Second Grade!  If you have any questions during the presentation, please write them on an index card and I will respond through .

Goals  To give your child the academic and social skills he or she need to progress to 3 rd grade.  To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment.  To inspire your child to be creative, make connections, build character, and establish community.  To nurture fluent and comprehensive readers and life-long learners.

Class Subjects  The subjects we cover during second grade are:  Balanced Literacy ( reading, writing, word work and grammar )  Math  Science  Social Studies

Balanced Literacy

Independent Reading Aug. /Sept.Nov./Dec.Feb./Mar.May/June I /JJ/KK/LM/N The Cornelius expectations is that students are self selecting and reading text that are at their independent levels. Students should be working to build a stamina of 30 minutes.

Writing 3 Strands of Writing  Opinion  Narrative  Informative Conventions & Grammar  Capitalization  Punctuation  Spelling  Sentence Structure

Words Their Way  This part focuses on learning about decoding and the structural elements of words.  Vocabulary (Tier 2 words)  Each student has his/her own level of words based on the results from the Primary Spelling Inventory.  Students will practice word sorts throughout the week.

Reading Workshop Mini Lesson Active Involvement Independent Reading Partner Reading Written Responses

Fluency  What is fluency?  Fluency is not only how fast and how accurate we read, but it is our ability to READ with EXPRESSION as well.  DIBELS NEXT measures for speed and comprehension through reading passages and the retell of each passage.  Vocabulary is also an important part of fluency. With a strong vocabulary, students are able to read more fluently.

Math  These mini lessons are done whole group.  Students will have an independent activity to show understanding of each concept.  Fact fluency  Workshop

Math Workshop  There are different types of workshop centers in our classroom to allow students to practice new math skills:  Guided Practice Center  Independent Practice Centers – include games, word problems, and activities using math manipulatives, etc.

Math Overview  We are teaching STRATEGIES, not ALGORITHMS.  Students must ALWAYS show their work and double-check their answers.  Not only will points be awarded for the correct answer, but points are given for justification and explanation of HOW they came up with the correct answer.  Retell, Represent, Reason

Math (cont.)  Major Concepts:  Place Value up to 1,000  Addition and subtraction fluency  Word problems  Measurement  Time and Money  Organization of data (graphing)  Fractions  Geometry  Foundations for Multiplication

Science  Science Process Skills  Forces and Motion  Matter  Earth Systems  Living Organisms

Social Studies  History  Geography  Financial Literacy  Civics and Governance  Culture

The “Big 3”  Be Respectful  Be Responsible  Be an Active Learner

Behavior Management  Our school is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other.  Our classroom behavior system is based on The “Big 3”.  Students are held responsible for their actions.  Please refer to Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook for complete set of rules.  Please refer to behavior plan sent out by your child’s teacher at the beginning of the year.

Homework Reading  Each night students should read at least 15 minutes.  They should read a book from our classroom library, library books, or any other books from your home.  Reading Log  Please sign the planners each night! Math Students will have a variety of math problems each night.

Any questions  Hand me your cards or ask any questions you have.

Let’s Have a Great Year!