Back To School Night Welcome to Second Grade! September 24, 2009

WELCOME! As you arrive… On the table, please take (one of each per family):  Power Point handouts  Curriculum Overview card  Social Studies card  2 nd grade “Cheat Sheet”  A pen for note-taking

Our Tentative Daily Schedule 8:30-9Arrival 8:30-9Arrival 9-10:25Math 9-10:25Math 10:25-10:40 Snack/Bathroom Break 10:25-10:40 Snack/Bathroom Break  Please provide your child with a snack that is quick and easy to eat, as well as easy to clean up after. 10:40-12:20pmLiteracy 10:40-12:20pmLiteracy 12:20-12:55Lunch 12:20-12:55Lunch 1-1:40Content 1-1:40Content 1:40-1:45Pack Up 1:40-1:45Pack Up 1:45-2:20Recess 1:45-2:20Recess 2:25-3:10Special 2:25-3:10Special 3:10-4Dismissal 3:10-4Dismissal

Homework Schedule Monday – Thursday: Monday – Thursday:  Reading – Bag Books  Math – Home Link or practice sheet  Word Study

Homework Homework is practice - it is used to enrich concepts/skills learned in class Homework is practice - it is used to enrich concepts/skills learned in class Homework is checked for completeness and comprehension, but is NOT graded Homework is checked for completeness and comprehension, but is NOT graded Homework may not be assigned if a lesson is not completed or there is a change in our schedule Homework may not be assigned if a lesson is not completed or there is a change in our schedule If a student is having a challenging time or schedules interfere with homework, please stop and write a note If a student is having a challenging time or schedules interfere with homework, please stop and write a note Our homework schedule is consistent. This helps the students get into a routine and take responsibility for their work. Our homework schedule is consistent. This helps the students get into a routine and take responsibility for their work.

MATH Everyday Math takes a spiral approach to children’s learning. Everyday Math takes a spiral approach to children’s learning. Everyday Math teaches students to discover and apply patterns, encouraging them to become problem solvers. Everyday Math teaches students to discover and apply patterns, encouraging them to become problem solvers. Homework will reflect what is learned in class that day or week. Homework will reflect what is learned in class that day or week. Everyday Math Family Letter helps to explain math concepts and offers homework assistance. Everyday Math Family Letter helps to explain math concepts and offers homework assistance.

READING Students will be instructed at their instructional level. Students will be instructed at their instructional level. Students will strengthen decoding, comprehension and vocabulary strategies that can be applied to new text. Students will strengthen decoding, comprehension and vocabulary strategies that can be applied to new text.

WORD STUDY Word study is spelling instruction. Word study is spelling instruction. Word study takes a developmental approach to teaching spelling patterns and vocabulary. Word study takes a developmental approach to teaching spelling patterns and vocabulary.  Students are grouped and given words at their level. Word study teaches students word “patterns” that can be applied to unfamiliar text or words. Word study teaches students word “patterns” that can be applied to unfamiliar text or words. Word Study homework reflects what is being taught in the classroom. Word Study homework reflects what is being taught in the classroom.

6 + 1 Traits of Writing The 6+1 Trait Writing framework is a common language used at PRES to refer to characteristics of writing. Teachers and students use the 6+1 Trait model to pinpoint areas of strength and weakness as they continue to focus on improved writing.

The 6 Traits, + 1 Ideas Ideas Organization Organization Voice Voice Word Choice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Sentence Fluency Conventions Conventions Presentation Presentation

CONTENT Students will be provided meaningful and hands on experiences to learn science and social studies concepts. Students will be provided meaningful and hands on experiences to learn science and social studies concepts. Students will learn and apply SOL terms within the classroom. Students will learn and apply SOL terms within the classroom.

The “Yellow Card” Please refer to the “Grade 2 Curriculum Overview” card for detailed information on the second grade curriculum.

Report Cards and Grading Standards-based report cards are aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning. Standards-based report cards are aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning. Rubrics have been developed for each subject and grade to provide a guide for consistent and uniform assessment. Rubrics have been developed for each subject and grade to provide a guide for consistent and uniform assessment. Report cards are distributed quarterly at nine-week intervals. Report cards are distributed quarterly at nine-week intervals. Interims: Interims:  Sent home to students at the mid-point of each quarter

Give parents a clear definition of the standards their children are learning. Measure progress without averaging; pinpointing student strengths and areas for growth. Standards Based report card will…

Teachers meet and discuss, as teams, what will be taught and assessed during each nine-week period. Teacher evaluation is based on school and classroom expectations. Expectations, assignments and assessments are aligned with state standards and county rubrics.

Reporting Guidelines Academic Academic  4 Exceeds Expectations  3+ Progressing to level 4  3 Meets standard  2+ Progressing to level 3  2 Works toward standard  1 Performs below standard Social and Work Habits (Grades 1-3) Social and Work Habits (Grades 1-3)  4 Exceeds Expectations  3 Meets Expectations  2 Works toward expectations  1 Performs below expectations

2 nd Grade “Cheat Sheet” Please refer to this sheet for graded assignments. Please refer to this sheet for graded assignments.

Contact Information The best way to contact a second grade teacher is through or your child’s agenda. The best way to contact a second grade teacher is through or your child’s agenda.  addresses can be accessed through the school website.

Helpful Websites: School Website with classroom information Virginia Department of Education with SOLs for 2 nd grade Everyday Math games

Reminders: It is school policy that invitations to personal parties cannot be distributed in the classroom unless each child of the class is receiving an invitation. Please make other arrangements to distribute invitations. It is school policy that invitations to personal parties cannot be distributed in the classroom unless each child of the class is receiving an invitation. Please make other arrangements to distribute invitations. If you would like to send in a treat for your child’s birthday, they will be handed out during our scheduled lunch times. If you would like to send in a treat for your child’s birthday, they will be handed out during our scheduled lunch times.

Before you go home… Please sign in under your child’s current teacher. Please sign in under your child’s current teacher. Gribik – Yellow Gribik – Yellow Tidwell – Pink Tidwell – Pink White – Green White – Green Collins/Varmette – Blue Collins/Varmette – Blue If there is important information that cannot wait until conference time to discuss, please send us an or leave us a note on the Back To School Night papers. If there is important information that cannot wait until conference time to discuss, please send us an or leave us a note on the Back To School Night papers. Please see the table for important PTO information and sign up sheets. Please see the table for important PTO information and sign up sheets.

Thank you for attending and have a relaxing weekend!