| student_of_the_day_2014__1_.doc |
Everything You Need to Know about Second Grade!!
Homework Folders – These red folders go back and forth between home and school EVERY day; regardless if there is anything to take home or not. I cannot stress the importance of using this folder as a simple, organizational reminder. If children can learn the importance of organization early, they will feel more comfortable as well as successful. This does a great job of supporting the 2nd grade goal of added responsibility.
Homework Policy - All children have homework every night. They need to be reading in Spanish 20 minutes per night. Other than that, not all students’ strengths are the same, so why should their homework be the same? Homework will be differentiated based on meaning. Homework will not be assigned for the sole purpose of keeping your child busy, but rather will be assigned when the homework is meaningful and beneficial to your student. Homework will be determined based on classroom work. If an assignment ever comes home and it seems like you need to be the teacher for your child to complete the assignment, please send it back. Homework is used to reinforce ideas, not to teach new ones.
Everyday Math – The students will have their own log in information. The student site is: http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do The district offices are inputting students. Once complete, they will have full access. I’ll send out an e-mail detailing the instructions once I receive them.
Handwriting - The Forest Hills Public Schools have endorsed “Handwriting without Tears” as their tool to teach proper handwriting. This handwriting format has been tested and proven to assist students on improving their cognitive abilities, creating a foundation for higher-order thinking skills and increased visual perception. This process is intentional and will be worked on throughout the school year. We also do no encourage cursive at this level.
Conflict Resolution – This is a student-centered method of solving problems of disputes that arise throughout the day. Students are asked to take turns listening to each other’s opinions and feelings. At times a mediator is asked to decide situational fairness. Students will, at the beginning of the school year, go over the procedures of conflict resolution, and be expected to follow the guidelines.
Creating a Kind and Caring Classroom - The kids will be working as a class to come up with generalized rules for our classroom. We are starting with the idea of "Do to others as you want them to do to you."
Strategies Used by Great Readers – Great readers have been found to use seven strategies to aid in their reading comprehension. We will be focusing on these strategies as a class this year. Each strategy will be modeled first by the teacher utilizing various literature genres, and eventually the students will work on ownership of these strategies.
Writing – Writing is one of the pinnacle activities in 2nd grade and we will be doing a lot of it! A writing journal will be used in class to write down ideas, stories and other theme-specific ideas. At times, there will be writing prompts and other times, students will be able to choose a topic. This open-ended writing journal assists the transition from phonetic to conventional (book) spelling. This also encourages creativity and builds a foundation of security so they are willing to take risks. The kids will also be writing in books and other writing activities that we will be putting into classroom books for them to read and also to post in the hallway.
Second Grade English Every Time Words -There are lists of English words (the Dolch word lists) that second graders should strive to know ‘on-sight’. We will be working with these words beginning in January on a regular basis. These are high frequency words that children are encouraged to spell correctly in their everyday writing.
Healthy Snacks – As stated on my website, Ada Vista, and FHPS policies, students will have an opportunity to “refuel” with a snack at school. Please remember that a healthy snack (fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks, vegetables, etc) will help your child perform at the best of his/her ability. Any other type of snack needs to be reserved for their lunch box. Please also note that our room is a no nut zone!
Water - Research continues to show the importance of staying hydrated during the day. We are fortunate enough to have a drinking fountain in the classroom that I encourage the students to use regularly. Students may bring in water bottles and will be their responsibility to monitor and take home on a regular basis to be thoroughly washed! I would encourage water bottles, since the lines at the drinking fountain can get long after recess.
Spelling – Weekly or bi-weekly spelling tests are part of our routine. We will be using words based on each child’s individual needs.
¡¡¡Importante!!!
Sleep - I know how busy parents can be, but would like to remind you that your child will be able to perform and function wonderfully on a good night's sleep! Try to set a consistent, regular bedtime so that your child will have a more productive, meaningful year! Fact: seven and eight year olds require 10 to 11 hours of sleep per night!!
Homework Folders – These red folders go back and forth between home and school EVERY day; regardless if there is anything to take home or not. I cannot stress the importance of using this folder as a simple, organizational reminder. If children can learn the importance of organization early, they will feel more comfortable as well as successful. This does a great job of supporting the 2nd grade goal of added responsibility.
Homework Policy - All children have homework every night. They need to be reading in Spanish 20 minutes per night. Other than that, not all students’ strengths are the same, so why should their homework be the same? Homework will be differentiated based on meaning. Homework will not be assigned for the sole purpose of keeping your child busy, but rather will be assigned when the homework is meaningful and beneficial to your student. Homework will be determined based on classroom work. If an assignment ever comes home and it seems like you need to be the teacher for your child to complete the assignment, please send it back. Homework is used to reinforce ideas, not to teach new ones.
Everyday Math – The students will have their own log in information. The student site is: http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do The district offices are inputting students. Once complete, they will have full access. I’ll send out an e-mail detailing the instructions once I receive them.
Handwriting - The Forest Hills Public Schools have endorsed “Handwriting without Tears” as their tool to teach proper handwriting. This handwriting format has been tested and proven to assist students on improving their cognitive abilities, creating a foundation for higher-order thinking skills and increased visual perception. This process is intentional and will be worked on throughout the school year. We also do no encourage cursive at this level.
Conflict Resolution – This is a student-centered method of solving problems of disputes that arise throughout the day. Students are asked to take turns listening to each other’s opinions and feelings. At times a mediator is asked to decide situational fairness. Students will, at the beginning of the school year, go over the procedures of conflict resolution, and be expected to follow the guidelines.
Creating a Kind and Caring Classroom - The kids will be working as a class to come up with generalized rules for our classroom. We are starting with the idea of "Do to others as you want them to do to you."
Strategies Used by Great Readers – Great readers have been found to use seven strategies to aid in their reading comprehension. We will be focusing on these strategies as a class this year. Each strategy will be modeled first by the teacher utilizing various literature genres, and eventually the students will work on ownership of these strategies.
Writing – Writing is one of the pinnacle activities in 2nd grade and we will be doing a lot of it! A writing journal will be used in class to write down ideas, stories and other theme-specific ideas. At times, there will be writing prompts and other times, students will be able to choose a topic. This open-ended writing journal assists the transition from phonetic to conventional (book) spelling. This also encourages creativity and builds a foundation of security so they are willing to take risks. The kids will also be writing in books and other writing activities that we will be putting into classroom books for them to read and also to post in the hallway.
Second Grade English Every Time Words -There are lists of English words (the Dolch word lists) that second graders should strive to know ‘on-sight’. We will be working with these words beginning in January on a regular basis. These are high frequency words that children are encouraged to spell correctly in their everyday writing.
Healthy Snacks – As stated on my website, Ada Vista, and FHPS policies, students will have an opportunity to “refuel” with a snack at school. Please remember that a healthy snack (fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks, vegetables, etc) will help your child perform at the best of his/her ability. Any other type of snack needs to be reserved for their lunch box. Please also note that our room is a no nut zone!
Water - Research continues to show the importance of staying hydrated during the day. We are fortunate enough to have a drinking fountain in the classroom that I encourage the students to use regularly. Students may bring in water bottles and will be their responsibility to monitor and take home on a regular basis to be thoroughly washed! I would encourage water bottles, since the lines at the drinking fountain can get long after recess.
Spelling – Weekly or bi-weekly spelling tests are part of our routine. We will be using words based on each child’s individual needs.
¡¡¡Importante!!!
Sleep - I know how busy parents can be, but would like to remind you that your child will be able to perform and function wonderfully on a good night's sleep! Try to set a consistent, regular bedtime so that your child will have a more productive, meaningful year! Fact: seven and eight year olds require 10 to 11 hours of sleep per night!!
