Ms. Brown s Disclosure

Transcription

1 Ms. Brown s Disclosure Grade Level Expectations : My goal is to provide a safe environment for children to acquire literacy and learn to problem solve. Socialization is also an integral part of second grade. I want students to fall in love with learning, feel secure to share thoughts and ideas, get along well with others as well as make and keep friends, and develop skills to make them self directed learners. As an Art Stream School, Highland Park strives to integrate the arts into all areas of the curriculum. Grade Level Goals and Objectives : Utah has developed the Common Core Curriculum which outlines standards of learning that are essential for all students at each elementary grade level. The curriculum includes ideas, concepts, and skills to provide a foundation on which subsequent learning may be built. Refer to the folded yellow brochure. Instructional Materials and Practices: Math: Highland Park has adopted the Expressions math program. This program is a hands on approach which encourages deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. It is designed to meet the needs of all learners. Math homework will be sent home in the homework folder. It will always be a review of what we have practiced in class. On Highland Park s website there are many links you can click for resources in all the content areas. Check them out!

2 Reading: I will teach your child strategies to help him/her become a good reader. Young readers need a lot of practice. Research shows reading regularly at home improves reading skills. Please read with your child every night and sign your initials for the date read on the school wide reading calendar. During school we use varied types of reading experiences including guided reading in small groups, read alouds, shared reading, and poetry. I use wonderful, authentic literature throughout the day in all these areas. In a few weeks, students will bring home a reading bag with a book from guided reading group. They are expected to read that at home to practice fluency. Fluency only develops through reading familiar books. Highland Park has also adopted a new reading program called Wonders. Writing : Each day students will participate in a shared writing approach to work on crafting the art of writing as well as using such conventions as spacing, capital letters, punctuations, grammar, etc. We will also do some independent writing known as Writers Workshop. This is a continual process where the classroom becomes student-centered. Each student works at his/her own pace using topics of his/her own experiences for writing topics. Lessons focus on teaching the writing process which includes writing a first draft, as well as revising, editing, and publishing various pieces of writing. Spelling : Each week students will study spelling words. They will learn specific strategies to help themselves spell. These include:

3 1. Say the word slowly and tap the sounds. 2. Write the sounds in order. 3. Think about how the word looks. 4. Think about the vowel pattern. 5. Think about the patterns in the word. 6. Think of another word with the same pattern. 7. Break the word apart by clapping out the syllables. 8. Use resources in the classroom such as the dictionary. Your child will have nightly spelling practice. Please remember that spelling is a developmental process. These strategies are taught in this order to match this process. Please do not spell for them or overly correct spelling errors. Students need to progress through these stages in order to become more strategic spellers. Students will have nightly homework in spelling that shouldn t take more than 5 minutes. The purpose is to practice good spelling strategies not to just complete the work. Science: Second graders will learn about Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Life Science through the scientific process. Topics covered are: rocks, patterns in the night sky, weather patterns, falling objects and gravity, physical changes, basic needs of living things, and habitats. Social Studies: The curriculum for second graders is organized by 3 themes: self, school, and community. Within these themes, there are 4 strands that we focus on: Culture, citizenship, geography and financial literacy. Helpful Tips:

4 Because second graders still need support, it would help them become more independent as well as build self confidence if you could work with your child with the following: 1. Learning to tie shoes. 2. Learning lunch number. 3. Learning home phone number and one cell phone number. 4. Learning address. Students will need this number every day they order school lunch. The cost is $2.00. It is also their password for the computer lab. Therefore, it is imperative your child learn this number even if they bring a home lunch. If your child orders school lunch, you can pay online, or send money to school with your child. It is easier for your child (as well as for us) to pay only once or twice a month. Just send money in an envelope to school and we will help your child put it in the correct folder to be delivered to the lunchroom. You can also pay online through My Payments Plus website. School Hours: M-Th 8:25-3:00 Friday 8:25-1:00 Our class should enter as well as exit the building through the doors at the end of the 3 rd /4 th grade hallway. For safety reasons, all grade levels are assigned to designated hallways for entering and exiting the building. If your child needs to meet a sibling or daycare provider after school, please plan a meeting spot on the playground. Breakfast is served from 7:55-8:20. Students need to stay in the cafeteria until the first bell or exit on the playground. No

5 children are allowed in the hallway before the first bell. Teachers are still planning for the day and there isn t adequate supervision throughout the building. Students may enter the building early when weather permits. A green sign will be posted when students may come in before the first bell. The sign will direct them to go to the gym or their classrooms. Students will be outside for recess every day. Please make sure students are prepared. Students need to wear appropriate clothes and shoes to ensure safety and comfort while playing at recess. No flip flops. If your child is going to be absent, please contact the office directly ext. 0. Students need to be at school unless they have a fever or are too sick to learn. Please keep them home if they are contagious. All visitors need to wear a visitor badge. Please check in with the office before you volunteer or visit the classroom. School Wide Behavior Plan : Refer to the green handbook for Highland Park s school wide rules. Please read them over carefully with your student. Children are more successful when they know what behavior is expected. Along with rules and expectations, there are consequences as well as rewards in regards to behavior choices. The rewards are as follows: Attend monthly grade level reward parties, praise and recognition, B.U.G slips (being unusually good) for school wide drawings, school wide monthly

6 student spotlight, as well as earned free time on Fridays. Ms. Brown s Classroom Discipline I wanted to let you know of our classroom rules, discipline plan, and how I inform you of your child s behavior. First of all, I want you all to know there is no such thing as a bad child, just a bad choice. I let all my students know that I love them even when they make a bad choice. In addition, good behavior as well as inappropriate behavior has consequences. Our rules are: 1. Follow directions the first time. 2. Keep hands, feet to self. 3. Keep eyes on speaker and listen. 4. Raise hand to share. 5. Clean up after yourself. When kids choose to follow the rules, they get rewards. They are: 1. Monthly parties. 2. BUG slips. 3. Good notes home. 4. Phone calls home. 5. Thursday Fun.

7 6. Store if we get parent support. More info to follow. When kids choose to break a rule, they have consequences. In our classroom, we move clips when we break a rule. 1. The first time they move a clip it is a warning. 2. The second time in one day, we have a behavior conference regarding their behavior. 3. The third time, they miss 5 minutes of free time. 4. The fourth time they miss all free time and I will call you. 5. The fifth time, they talk directly to the principal. Please know the purpose of any discipline plan is to shape behavior rather than punish. Second graders are still learning how school works. If I have a concern, I will call home. If parents have a concern, please give me a call or send an . Grading Procedures : Clear standards and expectations are established for all students in second grade. To be on grade level, students are expected to be able to demonstrate knowledge for the information that has been taught with minimal assistance from the teacher. Second graders are formally assessed using three different assessments. The DIBELS is used to determine competence in letter identification, phonemic awareness as well as oral reading fluency. The students are assessed in the fall, winter, and spring. The DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) is also used to assess fluency as well as comprehension. The DRA is given in the fall and spring. Reading levels will be marked on the report card. Second graders are also given end of year tests in Language Arts as well as Mathematics. Ongoing, informal assessments occur continually to help guide my instruction.

8 Weekly Pull Out Schedule: Monday: 12:45-1:15 Art Tuesday: 9:45-10:10 Music 10:15-10:45 Computer lab 10:45-11:20 PE Wednesday: 12:30-1:00 Computer Lab Friday: 12:00-12:30 Library Other Important Information: Treats: Birthday and holiday treats are welcomed. Please let me know a few days in advance so I can plan accordingly. Volunteer Opportunities: I will have a sign up for parties, Arts Night, and help in the classroom, and field trips. Donations: A suggested donation of $20.00 per student to start the year will help pay for needed supplies and books to help out in the classroom as well as field trips. Birthday Invitations: To avoid hurt feelings, please DO NOT send invitations to be delivered at school unless the entire class is invited. Parent and Teacher Communication: Communication is crucial to school success. Please call or send an if you ever have questions or concerns. My door is always open. Please check your child s homework folder nightly for notes and other information. There is also place to write comments or questions. I will check them in the morning as well.

9 The school s telephone number is My extension is 163. My address is alison.brown@slcschools.org. Remind: An app used used for sending text messages and texting the teacher. Instagram account: msalisonbrown Thanks for all you do to prepare your kids to come to school eager to learn. I know this is going to be a great year! Love, Ms. Alison Brown