2nd Grade Mrs. Smith Welcome, Parents!

All About Me! Start of my 21st year teaching in Highland Taught Kindergarten and Third Grade 2 children- Kyle is 20 and Ryan is 16. Live in New Paltz with my husband, Brian

Welcome to Second Grade! I will introduce you to second grade and to our classroom. If you have any questions during our presentation, please raise your hand.

My Goal To give your children the academic and social skills they need to progress to Third Grade. To provide a supportive and fun classroom environment. To help the children make new friends and discover new interests.

What is the “Common Core”? In 2011, New York adopted the CCSS to make sure all children succeed once they graduate from high school. These standards have children across the US learning the same skills. Please go on www.engageny.org to see what you can do to see the changes in order to support your child’s learning this year. (Click on “Parent & Family Resources)

Class Subjects The subjects we cover during Second Grade are: Reading and Writing Math Science Social Studies Social Interactions and Community Building

Social Interactions and Community Building Our classroom models the Responsive Classroom approach, which is a way of teaching that stresses social, emotional, and academic growth in a positive and safe school community. Responsive Classroom was developed in 1981 by classroom teachers. We will be spending the first few weeks getting to know each other, classroom rules and routines, second grade expectations, and begin reviewing academics to get us started on this adventure together!

Morning Meeting Friendly Greeting Sharing Activity: song or game Morning Message

Reading/Language Arts Phonemic Awareness Phonics (including spelling) Reading Aloud Comprehension Vocabulary Fluency/Sight words Listening/Speaking Guided Reading Independent Reading/Reader’s Workshop Writer’s Workshop

Phonics/Word Work- Blending sounds into words Focus is decoding/encoding. Word building-looking for patterns in words Spelling “rules” are introduced and practiced. High Frequency/Sight Words

Spelling All tests are given on Friday unless otherwise noted. Our goal is through working with these words- the children will be able to retain and apply the rule for all future writing! Lists reflect spelling rule being taught that week. 5 extra words are given weekly. These are high frequency words.

Reader’s Workshop Aligned to Common Core and developed by Teacher’s College at Columbia University Independent Reading “Good Fit Books” Book Nooks During this time students are engaged in self-selected texts at their independent level.  Mini Lessons on what good readers do

Writer’s Workshop Aligned to Common Core and developed by Teacher’s College at Columbia University Mini Lessons on what good writers do Shared Writing Journals Class Books Response to literature

This year the students will practice 3 forms of writing: 1. Personal Narrative *Tells a personal or fictional experience or tells a story based on a real or imagined event using pronouns, time-order words, sequencing and a clear beginning, middle and end.   2. Expository *Non-fiction writing; its purpose is to explain, interpret, or clarify. When you write a non-fiction piece, you must base your writing on evidence or information taken from reliable sources. 3. Persuasive/Opinion *A type of writing where your main goal is to persuade or convince someone to do something that you want them to do.

Guided Reading/Independent Work Small group reading at their instructional reading level Picture walks/preview story/set purpose Reading strategies Vocabulary Fluency

Math Aligned to Common Core Standards Fewer concepts/deeper understanding Investigate all ways to work with numbers (i.e. counting, fluency in adding and subtracting, word problems, place value) Extensive use of manipulatives and hands on activities to reinforce understanding of concepts

Math In second grade we introduce a 4 Step Problem Solving Model. We suggest practicing basic addition and subtraction facts through 20. *Using flashcards is a suggestion for you to help your child make facts more automatic for them to use throughout the year.

Science/Social Studies Research through literature: Classroom library titles include many nonfiction books on various topics Some topics include: plants, animals, matter, famous Americans, national holidays. In the spring we learn about our community through the Junior Achievement Program.

Assessment DIBELS (Reading fluency and retelling) Sight word list Guided Reading/Running Records Math Assessments Observation/Informal Assessment Individual Conferencing – Writer’s Workshop/Reader’s Workshop Benchmark Assessments (beginning of year and end of year)

Homework Your child will come home with a weekly homework plan every Monday. When the homework begins, please be sure to check the due dates so that you may allot the appropriate time for each assignment. Assignments are to be handed in on the assigned due dates. Read daily for 10-15 min. Practice spelling rules/words taught here at school. *All homework needs to be completed in PENCIL!!!!!!!

Odds and Ends Folders- need to be checked and emptied nightly *Also, it is your child’s responsibility to empty folders in the morning and hand in any notes. It is also their responsibility to pack up their personal belongings at the end of each day. Behavior- The “Power Pillow” is a place where your child is given the gift of time to think! Snack- We have snack every day. Please make sure you send your child with 1 snack and a drink. Also, you are welcome to send in a water bottle for your child to keep in his/her bookbag. Room Parent- We are looking for room parents. Please make sure to send back the yellow form. Open House Packet- in your folder you will find a packet of information and some key points that were covered tonight. Please make sure to use this as a reference to help your child have a successful year in 2nd grade.

Odds and Ends Cont’d Class Webpage Our class webpage can be found on the Highland Central School District website. Go to the Elementary School Page. Click on TEACHERSITES Find Mrs. Smith’s page: http://www.highland-k12.org/webpages/msmith2/

Let’s Have a Great Year!