We are having fun learning and growing in 2M! Please use this link to our classroom. You will find weekly newsletters, classroom resources and general information about our activitites. Getting weekly updates is simple-just subscribe to the RSS feed for this page. Suscribing is easy-click on the RSS feed button in the scroll bar at the top of this page. (It’s to the right of the ‘house’.)
26
Apr
Classroom Helpers
Classroom Helpers!
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| There are many ways to help in your second grader’s classroom. If you have a different idea, please let me know!Reading help- Every morning, from 8:00-9:00, the children work on reading. I divide the hour into three blocks-special project, SSR and journal writing. During this time, I work with small groups. The parent helper might work with individuals or small groups to reinforce reading, writing or math skills. There is a sign-up calendar outside of our classroom!
Secret Readers- On Wednesdays, from 11:15-11:30, we invite a secret reader to share his/her favorite read aloud story book. The students always have a great time guessing who the Secret Reader is. We have had grandparents, aunts/uncles and older siblings read to us! There is a sign-up calendar outside of our classroom!
School Store- In order to practice money skills, the children ‘earn’ coins throughout the year. They ‘spend’ the coins in the classroom store. Won’t you consider donating items for our store? Ideas include pencils, erasers, dollar store treasures, snacks/treats, stickers, …
Room Parent- Our room parent helps to organize the classroom parties and special events. Our room parent can always use creative ideas, baking skills, games, etc. from other parents! Field Trip Chaperone- We have several field trips throughout the year. I will announce them as they come up. Chaperones are chosen through a lottery, if interest is high! PTO- Why not join in a meeting and help plan some wonderful school events? Meeting dates are listed in the school calendar. Sign the Homework Buddy- Every family can get involved in the day-to-day actvities of the second graders in 2M. Just read and sign the Homework Buddy every day! Read with your child- Please take the time to listen to your child read! Familes are the number one influence in a child’s reading development. Let your child catch you being an interested reader, too! Newspapers, magazines, mail, etc. all count as reading! |
posted by Suzanne McMechen in Classroom Helpers and have No Comments
26
Apr
2nd Grade Curriculum Highlights
2nd Grade Curriculum Highlights
READING
Main components: comprehension, vocabulary, phonics and fluency (fluency check once a week).
Expect a monthly, at-home reading calendar to be sent home at the beginning of the month.
Check www.eduplace.com for specific skill lists and practice activities.
SPELLING AND WRITING
New spelling words every Monday, test every Friday.
Priority spelling word lists will be sent home to practice (these are the words on our classroom Word Wall). Your child should spell these words correctly in writing all of the time. These lists will be tested periodically. This is in addition to the weekly spelling units.
MATH
Practice math facts, addition and subtraction to 18. The goal by the end of second grade is to have children memorize these facts in order to be able to correctly answer a 50 fact problem quiz in five minutes.
Check www.eduplace.com for the units covered in second grade.
SOCIAL STUDIES UNITS
Map skills, Native Americans, Famous Americans and Colonial America
SCIENCE UNITS
Physical Changes of Matter-, Ecosystems (desert, prarie, ocean), Taking care of Our Earth, Plants
HOMEWORK
Your child will have homework 3-4 times/week varying between reading, spelling, math and writing. All children are to use the Homework Buddy and the gold homework folder. These items go back and forth to school every day.
***GOLD STAR CLUB Your child will become a member if he/she hands in homework every day during each of the marking periods.
posted by Suzanne McMechen in 2nd Grade Curriculum Highlights and have No Comments
26
Apr
Math Facts Information
Speedy Facts
Dear Families,
Every second grader is expected to master knowledge of the math addition and subtraction facts from 1-18 by the end of the year. We assess mastery by giving ‘speedy facts’ tests. The children should be able to accurately complete a 50 problem facts test in five minutes by the end of the year.
Grades on the report cards will be assigned as follows: 90%-100% is a ‘3’, 70%-89% is a 2 and 69% and below is a 1. There will be two 50 problems tests for addition and two for subtraction given each marking period. In addition, the children will take two weekly, shorter quizzes, practicing addition or subtraction. All short quizzes averaged together count as one test grade, plus the two 50 fact tests combine to determine the final grade for the marking period.
We practice our facts through games and activities at school, but practice at home is an essential part of the process! If you need ideas, please let us know! It is very common for some children to start off slowly and then become much more automatic with their facts as the year continues. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any comments, questions, concerns or suggestions!
Sincerely,
The Second Grade Teachers
PS Your child will continue taking his/her current speedy facts addition/subtraction quiz until it is mastered at 100% accuracy. This means you may see the same quiz coming home for a few weeks. Here is a hint: have your child study that quiz! J
posted by Suzanne McMechen in Math Facts Information and have No Comments
07
Apr
Reading Group Expectations
Reading Group Work
Dear Families,
The children who work in my reading groups during the Reading Hour have work to do for their group almost every day. Please look for both a book and a bright orange ‘bookmark’ on which the assignment has been written. This reading work in not in addition to the assigned minutes of reading for the evening, but, rather, is a part of it. Each group has time during the Reading Hour to complete a majority of the group assignment, but even if the work is finished, I expect the children to take their books home to practice or to reread.
It will be helpful to both your child and myself if you could note in the Homework Buddy if you are not consistently seeing a book/work and a bookmark come home. We will continue to work on building consistency here at school. Thank you in advance for your help at home.
Sincerely, Mrs. M.
posted by Ken in Reading Group Expectations and have No Comments