Welcome to Second Grade!
Parents, thank you for helping your child with homework and having agendas/behavior charts signed each night. That has definitely helped make the beginning of the school year run smoothly!
We have started our new reading theme using nature stories. We are involved in all kinds of nature/outside activities that the students are enjoying. Students are working in guided reading groups, along with working in literacy centers each day. Our reading tutor, Mrs. Hansen and our ESOL teacher, Mrs. Habra are helping provide instruction to our students in the form of pull-outs and co-teaching in the classroom. Please have your child read each night for twenty minutes as this will help improve reading skills. During our first quarter conferences, I will give parents information that will give ways to help your child at home with reading. We have also started Writing Workshop again this year which allows students to write about "small moments" that have happened in their lives. Students always seem to enjoy the freedom of this type of writing. There are many math objectives we are learning this quarter, including addition/subtraction, place value, comparing numbers, reading/writing numbers and number words, and odd/even numbers. We have also been learning about "money" as it relates to ones, tens, and hundreds. We will also be focusing on word problems a lot this year-- reading them, writing them, and solving them. Guided math and centers are also a big focus in math this year which allows students to discover math using manipulatives. We have begun our new social studies unit on "landforms and bodies of water" found in the U.S. Second grade has also become involved in something very exciting this year! We have planted our own strawberry garden on the grounds of Knollwood School. We will use this as part of our science curriculum, graphing the temperature, measuring the plants, and, of course, taking care of them. Our children have been very enthusiastic about this year-long project, and we hope to see a wonderful harvest of red, ripe strawberries by the end of the school year! Be sure and ask your child about our strawberry garden.
You may have noticed that the amount of homework has increased lately including spelling, math, and reading. Thank you for all your assistance at home with checking your child's homework and making sure it is completed. Remember, all tests sent home in the homework folders need to be signed by parents and returned. I appreciate everything you are doing to make sure your child is successful at school. We could not do it without you!
Please e-mail me any time if you have a question or concern. (You can e-mail me from the top of this page.) I am looking forward to many fun-filled, successful school days ahead!
******Congratulations to Guillermo for being our star of the week!******
Upcoming Events
Friday, Oct. 2-Fall pictures
Friday, Oct. 9-Field trip to the Meroney Theater to see the play, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
Monday, Oct. 12-Penny War begins.
Thursday, Oct. 22-Parent workshop: Understanding the NCSCOS 5:00-6:00
Thursday, Oct. 29-Early release day-Students leave at 12:00.
Friday, Oct. 30- No school: Teacher workday
Second Grade Overview
Second Grade is an exciting time as your child learns new skills, makes new friends, and embarks on many new adventures. In Second Grade your child will blossom into a confident reader, writer, and mathematician. Your participation is extremely important to your child's academic success. Please set aside at least 20 minutes each day to read and to practice spelling words and math facts with your child. I am confident that if you spend some time each evening with your child, you will not only be making a major contribution to your child's academic success, but you will discover that you will be looking forward to this special time every night.
Reading: In our second grade classroom we strive to provide your child with an intensive reading program which is designed to meet the needs of each student. Each child is placed in a variety of groups according to his/her specific needs and works daily for two hours on phonics, oral reading, comprehension skills, and enrichment activites. Additionally, our class will be providing Direct Instruction Phonics for thirty minutes each day to improve reading. We also have guided reading groups in our class every day, along with literacy centers. The children seem to be enjoying them and learning in the process!
Math: Problem solving and critical thinking skills are an important component of our math program this year. We will be using many games and manipulatives to help your child learn new math concepts. However, your child still needs to know the basics, which is accomplished only through hard work and repetition. Your child will need to memorize addition and subtraction facts through 18 by the end of the year. Please help your child to practice these facts each evening.
Spelling: Weekly spelling words will be sent home with your child each Monday. Students will have the opportunity to practice the words through homework assignments. Spelling tests are given each Friday.
Tests: All tests (spelling, math, etc.) require a parent signature. Please look for these in your child's homework folder. This will help you know how well your child is doing with second grade skills.
Weekly Envelopes: Each Monday (except for short weeks and holidays, workdays, etc.) your child brings home a brown envelope with a parent signature sheet attached on the front cover. Inside, you will find your child's graded work from the previous week. Please praise your child for his/her hard work. Go over the papers and correct the mistakes to better reinforce the skills taught. This is an excellent way to help your child at home. A weekly conduct grade will also be noted on the envelope. Please sign and return the empty envelope on Friday of each week. You may keep your child's papers.
Lunch: Our regular lunch time this year is 12:10. Feel free to come eat lunch with your child anytime!.
I am enjoying working with you and your child during this growing year. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at school at 704-857-3400 or drop me an e-mail. Thank you for all your support.
