1. 2nd Grade Mrs. Smith
Welcome, Parents!

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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 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)

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

7. 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!

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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)

20. 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 min.
Practice spelling rules/words taught here at school.
*All homework needs to be completed in
PENCIL!!!!!!!

21. 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.

22. 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:

23. Let’s Have a Great Year!