1. The BIG question: How is this going to work? Planning-my part Patience- all of our part Must Do’s-the student’s part

2.  The daily schedule is always posted.  Community Jobs/Snacks/WATER bottles/Lunch Menus on internet  Classroom rules were suggested by your students and agreed upon!  Students will be asked to redo an assignment if it is sloppy, incomplete or illegible. May have to stay in at recess to do this.  Friday folders are to be returned on Monday’s with a signature. Please take the time to look through them and talk with your students about the contents.  Homework packets are sent home on Mondays and due on Fridays. Absences will be considered. Parent help is acceptable

3. You can find detailed standards for each subject at Joint School District No. 2Joint School District No. 2  Spelling: The new list is introduced on Mondays. The test will be on Friday mornings. One extra point is given on the test for each bonus word spelled correctly and each sentence written correctly.  Reading: Accelerated reader goals will be a supplement to our reading program and celebrated at the end of each trimester. AR online; checking points online; more details to come.  Each month third graders will have a book project. Instructions will come home in the Friday folder. Second graders are welcome to participate in these projects, starting with the October project.

4.  Language: Each morning the students start with answering 5- 6 language questions on their own, which we then correct and discuss together. Every Friday morning the students take a quiz over that weeks morning language questions. If the students have been here and participated they will do awesome!  Writing: This includes penmanship; third grade will be using the Zaner-Bloser cursive handwriting model. Example is attached.  We will complete the entire six step writing process from rough draft to publishing at least twice this year. Our first project will be creating a book called “All About Me”. Next, we will write a story entitled “A New Suit for Santa” and finally, we will be creating an opinion piece using our own research.

5.  MATH!!! Math Investigations; is a program adopted by the district three years ago. Investigations focus more on concept learning rather than computational learning.  i.e. How can a 7 be just a 7, and sometimes 70?  OR What does 3x6 mean anyway?  The Investigations goals emphasize -  Efficiency- for example counting by twos is faster than ones  Flexibility- for example using a number line or an algorithm  and Accuracy - working for the correct answer  Report Cards; 4- thorough, in depth knowledge of extended concepts 3- consistently apply processes and skills with accuracy 2 – developing ability to understand 1- does not yet demonstrate knowledge

6.  2 nd Grade: Develop an understanding of the base-ten numeration system and place value concepts.  Develop quick recall of addition and subtraction facts and fluency with multi-digit addition and subtraction.  Develop an understanding of linear measurement and facility in measuring lengths.  3 rd Grade: Develop an understanding of multiplication and division strategies for basic multiplication facts and related division facts.  Develop an understanding of fractions and fraction equivalence.  Describe, analyze and classify two-dimensional shapes by their properties.

7.  Social Studies: Second grades focus is on being a ‘good citizen’ and third grades focus is on how a ‘community functions.’ Therefore, we will all be discussing and participating in activities in which we work to be good citizens in our classroom community! We will also be looking at geography landforms and the parts of city government including how it works to meet the third grade curriculum.  Second graders participate in a ‘Daily Geography’ activity using a variety of maps to meet this part of their grade level curriculum.  Science: Third graders participate in a ‘Daily Science’ activity that covers a variety of topics with different levels of questions. (Some second graders have been voluntarily participating in these conversations, which is very welcomed.)  The goal is to have one inquiry based science activity per week which will include gathering new vocabulary, hypothesizing, completing an experiment, collecting data and coming to thoughtful and fact filled conclusions.  Art: One project a week usually on Fridays. It may be seasonal or integrated with science or social studies.

8.  Both grades will take the IRI (Idaho Reading Indicator) for the fall. Only second grade will take it again in the spring.  Both grades will take the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) for reading and math in the fall and the spring.  Only the third graders will take the ISAT’s (Idaho Standards Achievement Test) for reading and math in the spring.  Our IRI is tomorrow, and the MAP tests will be next week

9.  Field Trips: Second grade will be going to the AG Expo on October 4 th. Details are included in this packet.  Third grade will be going to see the Boise Philharmonic; sometime later in the winter.  Both grades may possibly go to the zoo at the end of the year.  Birthdays: We will be celebrating our birthdays on a once a month basis. Watch the Friday folder for the ‘Happy Birthday’ letter which will give you your child’s birthday celebration date and a request for you to bring in something of your choice.

10. Hi Mom!