1. Welcome to Grade Two By: Ms. Aliaa Al- Temimi and Ms Rhona Gales Grade 2 Teacher

2. We warmly welcome you and your child to Grade Two. We are looking forward to a successful year. To ensure this is successful it will be of benefit for you to have some information about the second grade.

3. Mission Statement Mission Statement “Our mission at Al Yasat is to provide a safe nurturing educational environment that will enable our students to become lifelong learners”.

5. Language Language Our language is divided into separate areas: grammar - this will include nouns, verbs, adjectives, punctuation and adverbs.

6. Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension All students should be able to read and understand the content of the text. Done twice a week, one with the comprehension book and the other with guided reading.

7. Reading Reading It is very important that you, as parents, take an active role in developing your child’s reading habits.

8. Reading books are supplied by the school daily and we ask you spend 20 minutes a night reading with your child. We read every day.

9. The reading passport is an important tool for you, as parents, as you can follow the progress of your child’s reading. Please can you sign every day so we know you have read and enjoyed your child’s reading.

11. We follow Jolly Phonics. Student are tested every week. Students are expected to know words and put them into sentences for dictation.

13. As you are aware your children have been introduced last year to a new math scheme (Abacus). As we continue forward into grade 2 we will build on what they’ve learned in grade 1.

14. The students will be learning through hands-on activities, a workbook and a text book. Every week your child be tested on their mental math skills.

16. In science we’re using the Harcourt science textbook and work through the use of our promethean boards and interactive activities; we strive to link cross curriculum.

18. In Social Studies your children will travel around the world exploring different countries, different continents and different cultures to build on their knowledge of the world.

19. As we use various resources to educate our students we ask you to take part in their learning and assist with their term project assignments.

21. Arabic, Islamic Studies, Arabic Social Studies, ICT Art, Physical Education and Music will be taught by specialist teachers weekly. The weekly timetable will be at the front of their diaries.

23. Behaviour We adopt the traffic light system to encourage and promote good behaviour in our class and school environment.

24. As well as the traffic lights, we also have a reward star system to encourage each child to do their best and for good behaviour.

26. As educators we see the effect of children who have not eaten breakfast before coming to school. They’re irritable, sleepy and unmotivated. In order to prevent this please make sure your child has breakfast.

27. To maintain their motivation we ask you send healthy lunches that included fruit, vegetables and sandwiches. We now have 2 breaks where each child can have a healthy snack. Please also provide a water bottle.

28. If your child is sick please keep them at home. Infections spread easily through a class. If your child has ongoing health issues please fill in the form which you got the other day.

30. All students are required to wear the correct uniform everyday. We are proud to be members of Al Yasat School and this should reflect in our school uniform. White P.E. shirts should be worn on P.E days.

32. Attendance is crucial to the learning process and development of all students. Excessive absenteeism will not be tolerated. Please ensure your child arrives on time so their education is not jeopardized (7.30 a.m. – 7.45 am)

34. PSHE Stands for ‘Personal Social and Health Education’ and along with our citizenship program we strive to give all students an awareness of the social aspects of life. We plan to cover bullying, hygiene, behaviour and a healthy lifestyle.

35. We always encourage the children to be aware of world events especially where disadvantaged children have been involved. We have fun fund-raising days throughout the year such as jeans day, popcorn day, wear a red t-shirt day. All money goes to a worthy cause.

37. Homework is an important part of the school curriculum. Once a week we send spelling with sentences and daily reading. Math homework will comprise of a worksheet once a week. Science will be assigned per topic. We have a homework diary that should be checked and signed daily by parents.

38. We introduced talk homework into grade 2 last year with great success! Talk homework gives you an opportunity to talk with your child about the current topics being discussed in Science. Talk homework will go home every 2 weeks and you should take about 20-30 minutes to do it. You might also learn something new from you child!

40. Communication is so important between parents and teachers. Please use their daily diary, write a note, send an e-mail or set up an appointment from 2:30- 3:30 pm. Our parents handbook will soon be uploaded to the school website.

41. It’s always great to get involved in school life, I know I did when my sons were small! You can be a classroom helper or why don’t you join our PTA? Coffee morning with Ms. Lesley on the 19 th September at 10.00 a.m.

42. We have three fun trips planned as well as visitors coming into school. If any parents are talented in any way or would like to share something interesting please contact your class teacher.

43. We, the grade 2 teachers, look forward to a successful and happy year. Thank you for attending this session and we hope the information this evening has helped you. We all hold the key to success for your children.