Introduction to 2nd Grade Mr. Fischer’s Room Back to School Night Introduction to 2nd Grade Mr. Fischer’s Room

Our Classroom Pledge As a member of this classroom community, I always do my personal best. I respect myself and others. We are a class with positive attitudes. We use the Golden Rule and care about each other. We are confidential and trustworthy. We are good listeners with creative and curious minds. We work together and are brave risk takers. I pledge to keep this promise to myself and my classmates. This is a great day to have fun and learn something new!

Classroom Rules 1. Listen and follow directions 2.Golden Rule 3.Do your best!!!

Specials Schedule Monday Music 9:15-10:00 Tuesday PE 9:15-10:00 Wednesday Computers 9:15-10:00 Library 10:00-10:45 Thursday Art 9:15-10:00 Friday PE 9:15-10:00 Recess/Lunch 11:30 – 12:05 PM recess 3:00-3:15 Snack 2:45ish

Homework Homework folder comes home on Friday. Send it back when it is done. It is due on Thursday. Homwork includes – math review, Lucky Listener Club poems, spelling (coming in October). If you would like your child to have nightly homework, please have them read, write a story, letter, or report, or practice addition/subtraction facts.

Science Demonstrates an understanding of observing, questioning, investigating, recording, and developing solutions to problems. Attributes Mixtures Plants Landforms and bodies of water Identifies sources, uses, properties, and movement of water.

Social Studies Explores the Local Community -History -Geography -Civics and Government -Economics -Public Issues -Citizen Involvement -Constructs maps of local community

Whole Group Instruction Reading Instruction Whole Group Instruction Use Daily 5 and Café approach to reading instruction Each child will receive whole group minilessons for about 45 minutes each day. The lessons are short, yet the students will have opportunities to learn the new concepts (then practice them during small group or one-on-one conferences). Focus may by genres, elements of non-fiction, comparing across tests, Thinking Maps, main ideas and supporting details, phonic instructions, poetry reading, reading strategies, story elements of fictional texts, etc.

Reading Instruction Continued… Guided Learning Groups Student may be placed in a small learning group depending on the strategy they need to work on (your child may need fluency instruction and meet with a group of students reading at various levels, but they are all working on the same strategy) Each group will see an adult during the week Using leveled books and books they choose Begin with lessons focused on the strategy they need to practice Students independently read their book and work on the strategy (this is where and when they receive Individualized Instruction). Together we make individual goals and I monitor their progress.

Reading Instruction Continued… Individualized Instruction During Guided Instruction, students read their book from their book boxes independently Teacher conferences with the student by listening to them read independently Teacher coaches the reader and provides positive feedback and skills to become a better reader Teacher records students progress as he listens for fluency and other skills. If students struggle, lessons are created for that individual student or I place them in a group that struggles with the same strategy. Rest of class is at their seats working independently in one of the follow activities (Read to Self, Work on Writing, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, and Word Work).

Writing Create independent writers Students examine what makes effective writing (interesting lead, sentence variation, precise word choice, main idea with details, colorful language like alliteration and similes) Use Think Maps to organize thinking and create a sequenced writing with a beginning, middle, and end. Learn the traits of effective writing which include sentence fluency, organization, word choice, ideas and content, voice, and conventions. Write in a variety of formats including journal writings, personal narratives, and informational reports Students will process write several pieces while using checklists and rubrics to monitor progress

Spelling Friday: ****teacher-directed, small group, word study instruction, kids bring home word sort and list Monday: independent word sorts, write what learned Tuesday: independent word sorts and word hunts Wednesday: word sorts/spelling games Thursday: post-test Your child will start bringing home a spelling list at the end of October in his/her homework folder with detailed directions how to complete spelling homework. It is VITAL that students practice their word sorts at home.

Math Lee second graders learn the grade level content expectations. -Counts to 1,000 by 1’s, 10’s, and 100’s -Reads, writes and compares numbers to 1,000 -Understands place value to 1,000 -Solves 2-digit addition and subtraction number stories -Adds 3-digit numbers without and with regrouping -Subtracts 3-digit numbers without and with regrouping -Understands concept of multiplication -Names, writes and represents common fractions (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 2/2, 3/3) -Measures length -Tells time to 5 minute intervals -Uses elapsed time (duration of) -Recognizes, names and knows values of coins -Reads, writes and counts money amounts ($3.45) -Reads thermometer in degrees Fahrenheit -Solves simple word problems using length and money -Identifies, describes and compares 2 and 3 dimensional shapes

Rocket Math Rocket math is a structured math program used to develop basic math facts memorization. It is currently used in some classrooms 3-5. It is sequential from easier to harder facts. Progresses from addition, through subtraction, multiplication Gradual mastery of facts - introduces two new facts each level and it’s reversal. Individual goal based on students handwriting speed. facts already mastered. Individual motivation and progress Daily, systematic practice Homework to support school practice

Getting Classroom Information Newsletters – every other week Emails Handbook given out at Open House http://learn.tkschools.org/nfischer/default.aspx

Reminders $4.00 for poetry book Snack every day around 2:30 Walk-a-thon – Friday 1:00-2:00 Parent helpers – schedule coming soon. If you didn’t get a chance to sign up at the open house, please email me the days and times that work for you.

Questions