1. Welcome to Back to School Night
Ms. Johnson’s 2nd Grade Class

2. About Me Born and raised in the Fredericksburg area
Graduate of the University of Mary Washington
B.A. in Sociology/M.Ed in Education
Fifteenth year as a 2nd grade teacher

3. Philosophy of Teaching
Lessons should be meaningful, engaging and researched based
Appeal to various styles of learning
Communicating with parents is essential
Students should feel safe and have fun learning

4. Our School Day 9:00 Morning Meeting 9:30 Specials
10:25 Engaged Reading
10:35 Reading/Phonics/Writing Mini Lessons
11:24 Lunch
11:55 Guided Reading
1:05 Writing
1:30 Read Aloud
1:40 Social Studies or Science
2:00 Recess
2:20 Math
3:35 Prepare for Dismissal

5. Morning Meeting Sets the tone for respectful learning
Motivates students to feel a sense of significance, belonging and the need to have fun
Merges social, emotional and intellectual learning
Taken from The Morning Meeting Book by Roxann Kriete

6. 7 Habits Building leadership skills through the “7 Habits”
Be Proactive: I’m in charge of me!
Begin with the End in Mind: Have a plan!
Put First Things First: Work – then play!
Think Win-Win: I win! You win! We win!
Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood: Listen before you talk!
Synergize – Together is better!
Sharpen The Saw – Balance feels best!

7. Goal Setting Class goals Individual goals
Academic goals (increase reading level, recall addition/subtraction facts, increase number of Accelerated Reader quizzes)
Personal goals (tying shoes, completing assignments on time, turning homework in on time, raising hand in class)

8. Reading Blocks Phonics/Word Wall, Writing, and Guided Reading
Phonics – students learn word patterns and apply them to unfamiliar words
Words to Know – high frequency words
Writing – Writer’s Workshop

9. Guided Reading
Increase student reading level (F&P), fluency and expression, vocabulary, and comprehension skills
Benchmark Reader’s Workshop
- Read Aloud, Mini-Lesson, Guided Reading, Independent Reading
Students independently work at literacy stations

10. Engaged Reading/Read Aloud
Engaged Reading - students quietly read self-selected books from their book basket
Read Aloud – teacher reads to students while modeling fluency, expression and think alouds

11. Math Block Math Lessons - meets VA state standards
Math Groups – differentiated groups based on student abilities
Math Stations/Games – reinforces math lessons

12. Social Studies and Science
Social Studies Units- citizenship/communities/diversity, Native Americans, famous Americans, economics
Science Units – investigation skills, magnets, weather, water cycle, plant and animal life cycles, habitats

13. Assessments
Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) – determines student reading and spelling levels
Fountas and Pinnell (F&P) – provides reading levels
STAR Reading – assesses various reading skills to determine if a child is at or above the benchmark level or in need of interventions
Assessing Math Concepts (AMC) – assesses child’s understanding of core math concepts
Math and Science/Social Studies unit tests

14. Report Cards Standards based report cards Number grades are given
1 (Performs Below Standard) - struggles with grade-level material…not sure where to begin…confused after repeated instruction
2 (Working Towards Standard) – developing skill…needs assistance and cannot perform skill without help
2+ - student is “almost there” and only needs occasional assistance

15. Report Cards Cont.
3 (Meets Standard) - consistently demonstrates understanding of material…goal for all students
3+ - consistently performs skill with exceptional ease…level of difficulty does not matter
4 (Exceeds Standard) – consistently uses higher-level thinking skills…ability to analyze, justify thinking and apply skills to unfamiliar situations

16. Homework Reading logs are sent home on Mondays (in red daily folder)
Students should record the book(s) they read each night
Reading logs are due on Fridays

17. Classroom Rules Listen and follow directions Raise your hand
Be kind to others
Take care of your school and classroom
Practice the 7 Habits

18. Responsive Classroom
Responsive Classroom is a school-wide initiative that I am very excited about.
Students participate in morning meeting activities and use a reset chair to take mental breaks or gain control of their emotions.

19. Folder and Agendas
Red Daily folders – taken home and returned to school each day
Parent/Teacher notes, homework assignments, classroom newsletters, school correspondence, PTA information
Agendas
Students record homework assignments
Teacher/Parent notes

20. How You Can Help Read with your child each night
Reinforce skills at home (home/school connections sheet, addition/subtraction facts, assist with homework)
Encourage First in Math
Communicate with the teacher

21. Communication E-Mail – johnsonkl@staffordschools.net
Notes in Daily Folder or Agenda
Class Webpage
Go to Conway website
Select “Grade Levels”
Click on 2nd grade
Find Ms. Johnson’s class (our class webpage)
Parent/Teacher Conferences – Nov. 7, 2017

22. Volunteers Volunteers
Assist with center activities, read with students, read-aloud books to the class, create/cut-out materials at school or from home, volunteer for field trips
In class volunteers – mid October