1. 2 nd Grade Mrs. Curran Welcome to Curriculum Night!

2. A little about me…  I am married, have two children, and live in New Lenox.  This is my 3rd year teaching at Grand Prairie School.  I love to read, run, and spend time with my precious family.

3. Where can I see what my kids will be learning?  www.fsd157c.org  District office  Curriculum  ALL curricular expectations are listed for parents

4. Grading  For the 2015-16 school year all three schools will report grades to parents on a quarterly basis.  We grade based on a 1,2,3 scale of secure, developing, and needs attention  The report to parents every quarter will remain the same with only minor changes in some buildings at this time.  Outcome Assessments will be given in both ELA and MATH on a quarterly basis.  Outcome Assessments are:  A way to determine how students perform in relation to grade level expectations  Necessary for teachers to help understand what targets need to be addressed  A communication tool from school to home

5. Homework  Reading and Math Logs  Raz Kids (web site)  Xtramath (web site)  IXL (web site)  Math Facts (flash cards)  Weekend Journals  Additional homework may be assigned at classroom teacher’s discretion.

6. Reading Common Core: ELA (English Language Arts)  Reading for Literature (fiction)  Reading for information (nonfiction)  Speaking and Listening  Writing (paragraph and response)  Reading Foundation (phonics, word work, vocabulary)  Language (grammar) Guided Reading We will also continue differentiated guided reading. Books we read during guided reading will go into the reading bag to be reread for fluency.

7. Daily 5 1. Reading to self 2. Reading to someone 3. Work on writing 4. Listening to reading 5. Word work  A way to systematically train your students to engage in authentic literacy learning experiences.  Literacy management system that allows students to maximize instructional minutes engaged in literacy.

8. Writer’s Workshop  Aligned to the Common Core standards  There will be mini lessons, small group strategy sessions, and one-on-one conferences  Each daily lesson is designed according to research based principles  Students will be writing every day  Students will have goals to work towards  Students will be writing narratives, explanatories, opinion pieces, science books, responses to reading, poetry, and more “The intent of this series is to support students’ abilities to be strategic, metacognitive writers who use particular processes to achieve purposes as writers”. - Lucy Calkins

9. Math  Common Core: Operations and Algebraic Thinking Measurement and Data Number Sense and Systems Geometry  One resource we use is Envision Math - updated and aligned with the new Common Core Standards. Each student will get a login/password to access the Envision Math website from home!  Students will also have opportunities for hands-on learning through math workshop.  Fast Math: This is a fact fluency computer based program. The program is differentiated and all students will have an opportunity to participate this year during the school day.  See district website for specific Common Core Standards

10. Words Their Way  Words Their Way is a word study program that takes an active and hands-on approach to learning words. Students will be completing word sorts and looking at sounds, patterns, and meaning.  Purpose: Examine words to find consistencies in written language and help students acquire the recognition, spelling, and meaning of specific words.  Word Study is  Developmental  Learner-centered  Focused on language patterns  Systematic instruction in phonics and spelling

11. Some of these things will be special to just our class and other things are done across the grade level and/or Grand Prairie! Now on to our classroom…

12. Behavior Program  Clip Chart  Marble Jar  Caught Being Good Slips

13. Take Home Folder  Red folder will come home every night written in by student.  Folder is to be returned every day.  Put notes for me in this folder and I will do the same!!

14. Schedule  Class Schedule  T-I-G-E-R Schedule  Gym DAILY

15. Star Of The Week  Monday- Poster  Tuesday-Favorite book read to the class  Wednesday – Parent Letter written about our Star.  Thursday – Show and Tell  Friday – Students make a book for the Star Student.

16. Volunteering  If you are interested in volunteering your time in our classroom, please fill out a sheet! I will create a monthly calendar with the day(s) you are willing to volunteer. Volunteer ID’s can be made on picture day (8/27) after 8:00am.  Mrs. Winkler in the Library is ALWAYS looking for help! Just fill out a sheet!

17. Conferences  Please do not forget to sign up for conferences before you leave this evening.

18. Communication  I will E-mail the weekly newsletter to you on Fridays. It will have upcoming events and dates. PLEASE MAKE SURE I HAVE YOUR EMAIL!  You can email, call, or write a letter if you have any questions or concerns.  Sign up to get TEXT message reminders!  Class Phone Tree

19. give. grant. grow.  MISSION: Raising funds throughout the year to fulfill teacher written grants for the classroom. Over $2 million granted to date.  GRANTED TO: Grand Prairie, Chelsea and Hickory Creek  FUNDRAISERS: Annual Dinner Auction, Golf Outing, Coin Drive, Frankfort Fall Fest BETA Tent  RECENT GRANTS:  SMART BOARDS in 20 classrooms at Chelsea  Rebecca Caudill, Blue Stem and Monarch Book Programs  Electronic Signage at Chelsea  Razkids and Math Fact Programs at Grand Prairie  Hickory Creek guitars, music, green screen and PE Equipment  Netbooks and Tablet PCs at Hickory Creek  For more information and volunteering opportunities visit our website at www.ef157c.org

20. Don’t forget to sign up for parties! Please consider signing up to be a Mystery Reader. This fun activity takes place on Fridays. Thank you for coming!