Ms. Polanski’s 2nd Grade Class Welcome Parents! Don’t forget to sign up to volunteer.

Routines Morning Procedures Meals Dismissal As students arrive they make a lunch choice if they are buying, gather books for Independent Reading time, which begins after the morning announcements On Friday morning students complete their agenda for the next week and put them in the back pack. Meals Snack - Nut Free 9:00 Lunch 11:45-12:15 Dismissal Please send a note or e-mail about any changes in dismissal. Please do NOT send an e-mail if the change occurs after school starts just call the office and leave a message. (703-957-4390)

2nd Grade Expectations

Our Daily Schedule Academic Blocks (Average Daily Time) Specials 2-3 hours Language Arts reading, writing, word study, read aloud, shared reading 45 mins.- 1 hour Math 45 minutes for Science or Social Studies Specials PE (Mon., Wed. and Thurs.)- tennis shoes Music (Mon., and Thurs.) Library (Tues.) Computer Lab (Wed) Dreambox (Friday.) Art (Friday.) SEARCH (EOW Tues.) Guidance (EOW Tues.) Recess (daily for 20 minutes)

Curriculum 9 week plans (web site) Language Arts Readers Workshop: shared reading (poems and readers theater), guided reading (flexible groups), independent reading and read alouds Writers Workshop: generating ideas, develop independent and fluent writing, editing and revising skills Word Study: understand patterns and spelling rules, recognize “oddballs.” Word Study will begin in October.

Curriculum Math Socials Studies and Science Math centers and manipulatives to improve and extend knowledge Math To The Moon – math facts DREAMBOX and Reflex Math computer based programs individualized based on student’s level Problem Solving – math journals Socials Studies and Science VA SOL’s drives instruction 9 week plans More project based learning experiences, less tests

Grading Policy Please keep in mind that information about a child’s achievement and development may be gathered in a number of ways. Some techniques are: Observations Rubrics Discussions/conferences Work samples Class participation Formative and Summative Assessments County wide assessments (PALS and DRA)

Sample Rubric Standard: Math SOL 2.4 Learning Target: The student will count forward by 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100 and count backwards by 10s starting from 100, as well as identify even and odd numbers. 4 The student will skip count forward and backwards using other multiples from various starting points, as well as explain how to identify even and odd numbers. 3 The student will count forward by 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100 and count backwards by 10s starting from 100, as well as identify even and odd numbers. 2 The student will count forward by 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100 starting at 2, 5, and 10. 1 The student will count forward by 10s to 100. 4: start with 24 and count by 2’s, start at 125 and count by 5’s

Homework Homework will be written in the agenda on Friday ’s. Most homework will be done using the internet sites on the second grade webpage. Monday: Read 15 minutes; spelling city (when word study begins) Tuesday: Read 15 minutes; Research any of the 9 week topics Wednesday: Read 15 minutes; REFLEX, DREAMBOX or IXL Thursday: Read 15 minutes; RAZ Kids Friday: No homework Projects – as assigned

Communication Folders Take Home Folders (Used as needed) Thursday Folders PTA and school information Student work Agendas Homework - written instructions Teacher/Parent notes can be written E-mail - do NOT use for emergencies Jennifer.housley@lcps.org Website http://www.lcps.org/arcola Upcoming Events Nine Week Plans Newsletters Homework Assignments Grading Policy Curriculum Web Sites

Birthdays Birthdays LCPS does not allow any food or non-food items to celebrate birthdays. Student’s name will be announced on the morning announcements. Students cannot pass out invitations at school. Parents are welcome to donate a book to the Arcola library to honor your child’s birthday

Medication If your child requires medication, please give it directly to our school nurse. The children are not allowed to give it to the nurse. Children are NOT allowed to have medication in class. This includes cough drops.

I’m looking forward to a great year I’m looking forward to a great year! Don’t forget to visit the PTA outside the Library.