1. 2 nd Grade 101 2015-2016

8. PROBLEM OF PRACTICE Instructional Focus  Based on our data, Haslet Elementary students are not achieving at the highest levels possible or moving beyond present levels of achievement. Theory of Action  If we design and provide students with product-driven, meaningful work,  If we model and set personal and grade-level goals with students,  If we provide students with opportunities to present their learning before a family audience,  If we explain, share, and scaffold standards-based exemplars and rubrics to students and families,  Then students will be prepared to achieve at higher levels of performance.

9. SCHEDULE 7:50-8:30 Morning Work, Word Work, Read Aloud 11:30-12:30 Lunch/Recess 8:30-10:45 Language Arts 12:30-1:50 Math 10:45-11:30 Science/Begin Problem Solving 1:50-2:45 Specials

10. S.O.A.R. BINDERS (STUDENTS ORGANIZED AND READY) Planners… *Will be used for students to reflect on their learning each day by writing about what they have learned. *Will be used to track behavioral issues as needed. If a teacher leaves a note, please initial that you have seen it in the corresponding box. No news is good news!

11. COMMUNICATION  E-mails are sent home weekly with an attached newsletter….if you are not getting them please go to your home access center and check your email address!!  Remind Class Codes – text 81010 and message Carroll: @6b198 Shank: @shank1516 Swanzy: @swanzy 2 nd grade Facebook page coming soon!

12. Behavior Our goal is to have a classroom that reinforces positive behavior. We do want kids to be kids, and we understand they’re still learning and growing. We DO set high, yet reasonable, expectations.

13. EAGLES IN FLIGHT We expect all 2 nd graders will be able to attend Eagles in Flight. If there should be a question/concern of attendance, we will notify you with sufficient time. Issues will be addressed on a case-by-case situation.

14. Pick up The final bell rings at 2:45 pm. If you would like to pick up your child prior to 2:30 pm, you must go to the office and sign your child out. The office will then call the classroom and have the child sent to the office with his/her things. ** Please send a note with your child if their mode of transportation changes. If you forget to send a note, please call the office PRIOR TO 2:00.**

15. Snacks Since the brain works better when fed frequently, we have a morning snack. Snack time is around 9:30 a.m. Water is the only drink allowed in in the classrooms. Students are responsible for bringing their own snack Snacks should be healthy and “clean.” We have working snacks – please do not send chips, etc. that stain fingers and everything else. Remind your child they are NOT allowed to share snacks, especially with the risk of food allergies.

16. Report Cards/ Progress Reports You will only be able to access your child’s grades online – unless you request in writing to have a hard copy. Visit the home access center and log in to view your egrades.

17. ROUTINES & RITUALS  “The Pit” – James Nottingham, Dr. John Edwards http://sustainedsuccess.blogspot.com/2009/06/learning-pit.html

18. NOTEBOOKS  Used across all content areas  Purpose is to set goals, track progress, and show our thinking in multiple ways

19. MATH WORKSHOP Goal – To create independent problem solvers 1 st Twenty Days expectations Workshop Model: Opening Work Period Closing Parent letters will come home at the start of each module. New TEKS & Textbook were adopted last year.

20. SOCIAL STUDIES The “Big Idea” is good citizenship. We will examine the impact of various historical figures by asking:  What qualities do leaders/good citizens share?  In what ways do leaders/good citizens solve problems?  How do leaders/good citizens shape communities?  What are the many ways to be a leader/good citizen?

21. READERS WORKSHOP Goal – Reading with Meaning (Comprehension) and Becoming Lifelong Readers  Workshop Model – Mini Lesson, Work Period, Closing meeting  Small Group Instruction  (Guided Reading Groups/Book Clubs)  Reading Homework  BOY (beginning of the year) reading DRA text level 16/18  MOY (middle of the year) reading DRA text level 20  EOY (end of the year) reading DRA text level 28.

22. Reading Program Under Construction

23. WRITERS WORKSHOP The goal in second grade is to learn that details convey meaning directly and indirectly. Students will be writing first draft compositions and revised compositions to increase their conventions, word choice and writing fluency skills. Workshop Model Mini Lesson Work Period Closing meeting BOY (beginning of the year) writing stage between stages 5-8 EOY (end of the year) writing stage between stages 6-8

24. SCIENCE INQUIRY  We want our students to experience science in a real way.  2 PBLs (Problem Based Learning)  We will use life experiences and experiments.  Many experiments are open-ended, in addition to doing them at school they can also be conducted at home, resulting in different outcomes.

25. VOLUNTEERS  We can use HELP in & out of our Classrooms  In the class Reading Buddies Classroom Reader Math Buddies  Outside the class: Volunteer to help with sorting and cutting materials that can be done at home. Making copies for the class once a week. Please make sure you have filled out a district Volunteer form so that you can work with students.

26. HOMEWORK  Reading homework: 20 minutes a day. This could include library books or guided reading book practice.  Spelling homework: new words will be reviewed in class starting on Mondays and tested on Fridays. Words for the entire 6 weeks will be given at the beginning of each grading period.  Math homework-practice addition and subtraction fact fluency

27. Thank you for attending our presentation. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact us! Cari Shank cshank02@nisdtx.org Venicia Carroll vcarroll@nisdtx.org Jill Swanzy jswanzy@nisdtx.org