Welcome to Back to School Night

2. Welcome to Back to School Night Second Grade 2014-2015

4. How Am I Doing Chart • Purple day= outstanding • Blue day=great choices • Green day = great day, keep up the good work  • Yellow day–making bad choices, time out to think, owe recess time • Red day – lose all recess & note home. Possibly go to Mr. Smith & get written up. **Check planner for your child’s daily behavior and sign in the provided spot **

5. Friday Folder • Purple Folder- should come home every Friday • Completed and graded assignments • Important notes from office, teachers, after school programs, etc. • Please return empty folder on Mondays.

6. Homework Folder • Red Folder Comes home every day (including Friday) with assignments in it. • Please return daily. • Math, Reading, Spelling, Science, or Social Studies homework.

7. Parent/teacher communication • Throughout the year there may be times where you just have questions or are occasionally frustrated. We are all here to answer your questions and communicate with you so that this year is a great experience for both your family and your child’s teacher. • Please always e-mail your child’s teacher first with questions. Please understand that we are working all day to provide your child with the best education possible. We will try to get back to you the day of your e-mail or phone call, but please allow 48 hours before contacting again. • If you are still struggling to get questions answered or need further clarification, please contact, Ms. Bradbury, the 2nd grade lead. She will work with you and your child’s teacher to be sure you receive the answers you need. If there is something she cannot help you with, you will be directed to Mr. Smith, the elementary principal.

8. Parent/teacher communication • Please check the 2nd Grade Homepage and teacher pages for class updates and important dates. • You can also expect a weekly newsletter through email with updates on current and upcoming units as well as test dates.

9. Nifty News (will start 9/8) • Completes a “news story” about a special event in his or her life (birthday, new pet…) or about a current event • Will be due the same day each week. • Can bring one special item to share pertaining to the news story. • Worth 15 points each week- must have introduction, details, & conclusion. At least 5 sentences for now.

10. Birthdays • Welcome to bring in treats (individual) • Treats will be passed out to be enjoyed during our afternoon break @ 2:45 (no treats that contain nut products).

11. OPEN COURT READING: Fluency Reading effortlessly with speed, accuracy, and expression Vocabulary learning word meanings to build comprehension Text Comprehension Thinking actively before, during, and after reading

12. Language Arts • Open Court • Spalding, Shurley Grammar, and Step Up To Writing • Spalding: • Spalding is a Basic information about the structure of English spelling. It ties the shape of the letters with all the sounds they make. Phonics is important for reading, decoding, & spelling. • Shurley Grammar: • Students learn the parts of speech through repetition and song. The students also learn the basics of paragraph writing. • Core Knowledge Stories, Poems, Sayings and Phrases

13. Social Studies Core Knowledge Curriculum: Geography & Map Skills Ancient India Ancient China Japan Today Ancient Greece Signs & Symbols of the US Making the Constitution The War of 1812 Americans Move West The Civil War Immigration and Citizenship Civil Rights Leaders

14. FOSS Science Balance & Motion Air & Weather Insects Science Notebooks A student’s science notebook is a personal record of learning during a FOSS module.  For students, the notebook is, first of all, a place to record and organize observations and data.  Second, students generate a sequential exposition of their reasoning and conclusions that relates to the science data they record.  And finally, the notebook provides a place for students to write reflections about their thinking and the meaning they derived from the science experiences. Science notebooks provide benefits to teachers, too.  Notebooks present opportunities for students to exercise and demonstrate skills developed in other areas of the curriculum, such as mathematics, language development, and art.  The important skills of vocabulary development, reading, and writing are applied continuously in the notebook.  The notebook record provides an authentic body of student work for assessment of written language and science content understanding. STEM Atmospheric Science- October 10th- November 14th Robotics- January 5th-20th

15. Saxon Math Program: Through an effective technique called “incremental development,” we introduce topics to students in spaced steps. The time between steps allows students to gain confidence at one level of a topic before moving to the next. Throughout the year, in every lesson, previously learned information is continually reviewed and practiced. Topics are not dropped but grow in complexity, so learning is systematic and sequential. Content is divided into five components: Meeting, Lesson, written practice, facts practice, and assessments. • FOCUS is on • Developing Computation Skills • Proper Number Formation • Problem Solving Skills, Concepts, ability to Explain Math • Homework: • Parents read instructions as necessary • Check homework and assist child as necessary in correcting errors • Please initial or sign fact homework • Points earned for homework in on time • 15 points per written homework (make sure to include labels and rules) • 10 points for fact homework • 10% off day 1 • 20% off day 2 • 50% off within unit • Assessments: After first 10 lessons and then every 5 lessons Worth 80% of math grade.

16. Spelling: **Spelling tests will always be on Thursdays (unless there is no school) **Spelling homework will always be due on Thursdays (unless there is no school) Spelling Soup: students will complete a variety of spelling activities throughout the week (totaling 15 points) .Activities completed should be attached to the Spelling Soup worksheet each week .If a child completes a practice spelling test or games from “Spelling City”, there must be a parent signature or they will not receive credit for that activity .After this week each student must download and print the Spelling Soup Worksheet from the 2nd Grade Homepage .New spelling words will always be posted on Friday in order to allow 6 nights to complete homework

17. Purpose of homework *Establish a routine which includes study at home *Develop good study habits *Involve parents in their child’s learning *Provide practice and reinforcement of skills learned Late Policy: K-3: 10% day 1; 20% day 2; 50% within unit STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT!! Missed school/Missed Work: Students have 2 days for each EXCUSED absence to make up their work. Ex: If they were absent on Monday, work will be due on Wednesday.

18. Recommended Reading Time: *At least 20 minutes per night Recommended Schedule **Set aside the same time each day for homework *Chose a special place for homework to be completed

19. RESPONSIBILITY Children in our class are responsible for their own actions, attitudes, behaviors, and work habits. We will help the children become more responsible. However, we will not take over individual responsibilities. The students are expected to return homework, Friday folders, planners, library books, etc. ON TIME. They are responsible for taking care of their learning tools and supplies. RULES At all times……. Be respectful, responsible, and honest. Our class has spirit! We work together, support one another, and appreciate the uniqueness each member of our class and learning community has to offer.

20. Parent to Teacher Questions • If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s class throughout the year, please email your child’s teacher to schedule a time to meet. • Please respect the teacher’s time and refrain from interrupting during class or at any other unscheduled time. • Teachers will respond to emails within 48 hours.

21. Uniform Policies • Casual and Dress Shoes • Casual and dress shoes should be solid black, solid brown or solid navy in color, made of leather or suede (or leather-like or suede-like material), and no more than one inch in height at the heel. They must also be free of characters, beads, bangles and glitter. Casual and dress shoes must not extend higher than the ankle. • Socks (Boys and Girls) and Tights and Leggings (Girls only) • Socks must be worn at all times. Socks must coordinate with the Uniform. Permitted colors are navy, red, white, black, or khaki (middle school). For girls, socks with the Marymount plaid trim from Dennis Uniforms are permitted. Tights or leggings may also be worn and must be navy, red or white. • PLEASE make sure your child’s clothing is labeled!!

22. Just a few reminders about Parent Portal: Please make sure your current email, phone, & address are on Parent Portal!! All of the information parents need to know is available under Resources – Portal Information ( http://www.americanacademyk8.org/parentportal.aspx ).  If you haven’t already, please take a moment to look at this link as it contains relevant information for both new and returning families (how to request password resets, change their e-mail address, set messenger preferences, etc.).  If your child is missing work, you can expect to receive a missing assignment notification by the end of the day!

23. Important Websites • www.americanacademyk8.org • Parent Portal • www.brainpop.com • www.brainpopjr.com username: aacp password: american • Typing • http://www.freetypinggame.net/

24. After school activities Please remind your child daily where they are to go after school. Sometimes we do not get a chance to check our email to remind your child where they go at the end of the day. Write in your child’s planner if they need help remembering where to go.

25. Room Moms Ms. Bradbury- Nicole Smith Ms. Dee- Erin Dill Mrs. McFarlane- Michelle Moldowan Ms. Tracy- Jennifer Greer