Grade 2 News - September 2016
SPECIALIST SCHEDULE:
Monday – Music with Mrs. McMinn
Tuesday - Art with Mrs. Whynott
Wednesday – Computer Lab/Ms. Wells (Week A) or Health/Mrs. Chalas (Week B)
Thursday – Library/Ms. Ashley (Week B)
Friday - Gym with Mrs. Pratt
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH:
Breakfast - $1.00
Lunch - $2.50
Milk - .50 (lunch or snack)
SNACK:
We will have a 10-15 minute snack break each afternoon. Pack small snacks that are healthy, easy to eat, and very quick to clean up! (Please try to avoid nut-based snacks due to students throughout the school who might have adverse reactions to contact with nut products or residue.)
HOMEWORK:
Students will be assigned homework each school night (Monday to Thursday with occasional long-term assignments or projects), so refer to your child’s “Homework Assignment Sheet.” Homework is intended to reinforce skills in various subject areas and should be returned the SPECIAL FOLDER provided once completed and checked. This folder will be used for all notices and correspondence to and from school and home throughout the year, so check it daily !
Reading at home is a helpful way to improve fluency and comprehension skills. Students are expected to read, alone or with someone else, for 10-25 minutes each night. (Don’t overlook reading aloud to your child, or having your child read aloud to a younger sibling!) While reading choices are entirely up to parents and children, the ultimate goal is to create relaxed, pleasurable reading experiences that foster success. Reading is a wonderful way for busy families to slow down and spend some quiet time together!
ATTENDANCE/NOTES:
Regular attendance is an important part of school success. Please remember that you must call the school (Nurse’s Office: 1-508-830-4365) to report an absence due to illness, injury, etc. An excuse note must be sent to school on the day that your child returns to class. Any necessary make-up work will be sent home for students to complete. (Please note that this same consideration cannot always be extended ahead of time to those who choose to take family vacations while school is in session.) Early dismissals and bus or ride changes also require notes from home.
CELEBRATIONS:
State-mandated regulations concerning nutrition and specific food requirements for limited celebrations in classrooms are in effect this year. For more detailed, specific information, check this link:
http://www.johnstalkerinstitute.org/alist/alist.pdf
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
We will explore a variety of important topics and issues in our Grade 2 Health lessons including “Second-Step” “Talking About Touching,” “Healthy Habits,” “Heart Health,” “Safety” and “Nutrition.” The curriculum will be further reinforced in other subject areas such as Science and Social Studies. Daily classroom routines and gathering times will also focus on community-building, problem-solving strategies, “bucket-filling” practices, and respecting the rights and property of others.
COMPUTER LAB/LIBRARY:
We have five up-to-date computers with internet access in our second grade classroom, an I-Pod Touch, and an I-Pad! (Thank-you, FFPTA!) We will also have regular Computer Lab lessons with our technology specialist Ms. Wells. Our classroom computers, as well as several carts of Chromebooks available school-wide, provide up-to-date access to educational tools, technology, and websites appropriate for second grade students.
Regular library visits with our librarian Ms. Ashley will include exploring genres, learning about available resources and how to use them, author studies, and choosing “good fit” books.
READING/LANGUAGE ARTS:
Throughout the year we will explore a wide variety of literary genres, topics, and themes such as “Silly Stories,” “Family Time,” and “Nature Walk.” Some of our literature will be integrated into other subject areas such as Science, Math, or Social Studies. Reading selections will include complete texts and work by familiar and highly acclaimed authors and illustrators, and at various times will serve as common themes and stories for our whole class.
In addition to this, we will use a Balanced Literacy/Reading Workshop model to meet and work daily in small guided groups with a wide variety of literature to support and enhance students’ literacy at their own unique and individual levels. We will focus on specific touch points and reading strategies to strengthen fluency, accuracy, and comprehension, and to expand or extend vocabulary. Our "Daily 5" routines will help us to effectively manage various elements of the Balanced Literacy approach, and foster independent, confident, enthusiastic readers.
The writing process is more demanding and complex in second grade, and students will develop skills, strategies, and techniques to help them become better, more proficient writers. Throughout the year we will explore various writing genres and encourage students to creatively find their own authentic “voices” using the "Writing Workshop" model, drawn from the work of Lucy Calkins.
VOCABULARY/SPELLING:
Throughout the Plymouth Public Schools, elementary students will continue to use the latest edition of “Words Their Way” – a word study program for phonics, vocabulary, and spelling instruction. Check the "Words Their Way" link under Classroom Information (above) for more specific details about this program.
HANDWRITING:
The D’Nealian handwriting model has long been adopted at the elementary level by the Plymouth Public Schools. It emphasizes a starting point and direction for each letter. Letters are taught and practiced in groups according to starting points. The D’Nealian alphabet will be sent home for your child to practice at home if your child is accustomed to this method.
Other handwriting systems also emphasize various starting points and letter formations, and may be practiced if your child is familiar with a different style. Regardless of the handwriting style, all letters should be neat and carefully formed.
MATH:
The Everyday Math program provides many opportunities for developmentally appropriate, manipulative-based exploration and instruction. We will use a variety of hands-on materials to develop, reinforce, and extend math concepts. We will also include writing about our discoveries and explaining why or how we arrived at our answers, conclusions, or connections. Partnered and cooperative group work and games will also play major roles in our math discoveries.
In addition to topics such as time, money, measurement, geometry, and data/graphs to name but a few, we will master basic addition and subtraction facts with speed, accuracy, and automaticity.
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
Every two weeks we will alternate between Science and Social Studies. The Social Studies curriculum concentrates on areas such as communities, traditions, map-reading, timelines, and landforms. Throughout the year, students will be engaged in a variety of activities designed to make these topics relevant and meaningful. Literature and current events will often be incorporated into lessons.
Our Science program will include a variety of topics, from “Matter” to “Weather.” Students will be encouraged to ask questions and think about why things happen, and how they might find the answers to their questions. We will be actively involved in discussions, hands-on experiments, projects, and small cooperative groups as we seek to find answers to our predictions, observations, and questions.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS:
Parents often offer to volunteer in at FFES. A current CORI must be on file with the Main Office, and I will contact interested parents on an "as needed" basis. Your support throughout the year is greatly appreciated!
SPECIALIST SCHEDULE:
Monday – Music with Mrs. McMinn
Tuesday - Art with Mrs. Whynott
Wednesday – Computer Lab/Ms. Wells (Week A) or Health/Mrs. Chalas (Week B)
Thursday – Library/Ms. Ashley (Week B)
Friday - Gym with Mrs. Pratt
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH:
Breakfast - $1.00
Lunch - $2.50
Milk - .50 (lunch or snack)
SNACK:
We will have a 10-15 minute snack break each afternoon. Pack small snacks that are healthy, easy to eat, and very quick to clean up! (Please try to avoid nut-based snacks due to students throughout the school who might have adverse reactions to contact with nut products or residue.)
HOMEWORK:
Students will be assigned homework each school night (Monday to Thursday with occasional long-term assignments or projects), so refer to your child’s “Homework Assignment Sheet.” Homework is intended to reinforce skills in various subject areas and should be returned the SPECIAL FOLDER provided once completed and checked. This folder will be used for all notices and correspondence to and from school and home throughout the year, so check it daily !
Reading at home is a helpful way to improve fluency and comprehension skills. Students are expected to read, alone or with someone else, for 10-25 minutes each night. (Don’t overlook reading aloud to your child, or having your child read aloud to a younger sibling!) While reading choices are entirely up to parents and children, the ultimate goal is to create relaxed, pleasurable reading experiences that foster success. Reading is a wonderful way for busy families to slow down and spend some quiet time together!
ATTENDANCE/NOTES:
Regular attendance is an important part of school success. Please remember that you must call the school (Nurse’s Office: 1-508-830-4365) to report an absence due to illness, injury, etc. An excuse note must be sent to school on the day that your child returns to class. Any necessary make-up work will be sent home for students to complete. (Please note that this same consideration cannot always be extended ahead of time to those who choose to take family vacations while school is in session.) Early dismissals and bus or ride changes also require notes from home.
CELEBRATIONS:
State-mandated regulations concerning nutrition and specific food requirements for limited celebrations in classrooms are in effect this year. For more detailed, specific information, check this link:
http://www.johnstalkerinstitute.org/alist/alist.pdf
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
We will explore a variety of important topics and issues in our Grade 2 Health lessons including “Second-Step” “Talking About Touching,” “Healthy Habits,” “Heart Health,” “Safety” and “Nutrition.” The curriculum will be further reinforced in other subject areas such as Science and Social Studies. Daily classroom routines and gathering times will also focus on community-building, problem-solving strategies, “bucket-filling” practices, and respecting the rights and property of others.
COMPUTER LAB/LIBRARY:
We have five up-to-date computers with internet access in our second grade classroom, an I-Pod Touch, and an I-Pad! (Thank-you, FFPTA!) We will also have regular Computer Lab lessons with our technology specialist Ms. Wells. Our classroom computers, as well as several carts of Chromebooks available school-wide, provide up-to-date access to educational tools, technology, and websites appropriate for second grade students.
Regular library visits with our librarian Ms. Ashley will include exploring genres, learning about available resources and how to use them, author studies, and choosing “good fit” books.
READING/LANGUAGE ARTS:
Throughout the year we will explore a wide variety of literary genres, topics, and themes such as “Silly Stories,” “Family Time,” and “Nature Walk.” Some of our literature will be integrated into other subject areas such as Science, Math, or Social Studies. Reading selections will include complete texts and work by familiar and highly acclaimed authors and illustrators, and at various times will serve as common themes and stories for our whole class.
In addition to this, we will use a Balanced Literacy/Reading Workshop model to meet and work daily in small guided groups with a wide variety of literature to support and enhance students’ literacy at their own unique and individual levels. We will focus on specific touch points and reading strategies to strengthen fluency, accuracy, and comprehension, and to expand or extend vocabulary. Our "Daily 5" routines will help us to effectively manage various elements of the Balanced Literacy approach, and foster independent, confident, enthusiastic readers.
The writing process is more demanding and complex in second grade, and students will develop skills, strategies, and techniques to help them become better, more proficient writers. Throughout the year we will explore various writing genres and encourage students to creatively find their own authentic “voices” using the "Writing Workshop" model, drawn from the work of Lucy Calkins.
VOCABULARY/SPELLING:
Throughout the Plymouth Public Schools, elementary students will continue to use the latest edition of “Words Their Way” – a word study program for phonics, vocabulary, and spelling instruction. Check the "Words Their Way" link under Classroom Information (above) for more specific details about this program.
HANDWRITING:
The D’Nealian handwriting model has long been adopted at the elementary level by the Plymouth Public Schools. It emphasizes a starting point and direction for each letter. Letters are taught and practiced in groups according to starting points. The D’Nealian alphabet will be sent home for your child to practice at home if your child is accustomed to this method.
Other handwriting systems also emphasize various starting points and letter formations, and may be practiced if your child is familiar with a different style. Regardless of the handwriting style, all letters should be neat and carefully formed.
MATH:
The Everyday Math program provides many opportunities for developmentally appropriate, manipulative-based exploration and instruction. We will use a variety of hands-on materials to develop, reinforce, and extend math concepts. We will also include writing about our discoveries and explaining why or how we arrived at our answers, conclusions, or connections. Partnered and cooperative group work and games will also play major roles in our math discoveries.
In addition to topics such as time, money, measurement, geometry, and data/graphs to name but a few, we will master basic addition and subtraction facts with speed, accuracy, and automaticity.
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
Every two weeks we will alternate between Science and Social Studies. The Social Studies curriculum concentrates on areas such as communities, traditions, map-reading, timelines, and landforms. Throughout the year, students will be engaged in a variety of activities designed to make these topics relevant and meaningful. Literature and current events will often be incorporated into lessons.
Our Science program will include a variety of topics, from “Matter” to “Weather.” Students will be encouraged to ask questions and think about why things happen, and how they might find the answers to their questions. We will be actively involved in discussions, hands-on experiments, projects, and small cooperative groups as we seek to find answers to our predictions, observations, and questions.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS:
Parents often offer to volunteer in at FFES. A current CORI must be on file with the Main Office, and I will contact interested parents on an "as needed" basis. Your support throughout the year is greatly appreciated!