Explorer Elementary Second Grade
Learning is key! Being here is essential! Responsibility is best learned early! We are all the teachers! Working together is essential!
8:08 First Bell 8:15 Attendance and Morning Meeting 8:45 Math 9:45 Recess 10:05 Whole Group Reading 10:50 Social Studies 11:25 - Lunch 12:00 Writing Journal 12:10 Reading Groups 1:15 Read Aloud 1:30 or so - Specials
Each morning we will begin with a morning meeting. Four parts: Greeting-encourage this with handshakes and good eye contact Sharing-watch email for sharing topics Activity-encourages teamwork Morning Message-sets the goals for the day
Math Series Envisions The focus of second grade is NUMBER SENSE, PLACE VALUE, AND REGROUPING. Second graders will work as a whole class, in small groups, as partners, and individually to learn these skills. During math, they will use manipulatives as well as completing written work to reinforce the concepts being taught. Concepts to practice at home: 1. Counting coins and making change 2. Practicing addition and subtraction facts 3. Supporting your child with homework by pointing out errors so your child can correct any mistakes 4. Playing number games with skip counting 5. Talking about math in everyday life such as cooking.
Reading Series: StoryTown Reading, listening, writing, and spelling are all intertwined. A variety of reading materials and flexible grouping will be used. Practice is the key to reading success and growth. Writing instruction also requires practice. A variety of methods will be used. Wirting is a process: draft, edit, revise and perhaps publish the piece. Every Tuesday is Library Day!
Please read with and to your child. Accelerated Reader AR Goals Students set their own goals, but you need to support them in making their goals. Testing is at school, but much of the reading to earn goal points should be at home. Your child should read every day. The homework requires your child to record how long and what is read NO LESS THAN three days per week.
Parents as Reading Partners 1. Read at least 20 minutes per day. 2. Have your child read aloud to an adult or sibling for at least ten minutes of the time. 3. Help your child develop good reading skills by modeling and and encouraging self-correction while he/she is reading to you. 4. Find a good spot to read. Record the information each night. 5. Please sign the log each week indicating that the log is correct and that you have checked the homework for errors that your child then corrects.
Each week your child will have a list of words to study. Transfer to writing List may vary Daily practice Encourage independent first edit School Encouraging transfer Forever spelling Test format
Science and social studies are taught with a handson, minds-on approach. This means that the students are actively engaged in experimenting, hypothesizing, exploring, mapping, creating, problem solving, and thinking. With this approach students are encouraged to come up with new ideas about the world they live in from both the scientific and civic standpoints. In these areas, organization and the synthesis of information are taught. The students begin to learn note-taking skills, how to investigate, and will be responsible for their completed work. The students will participate in simulations and experiments for both science and social studies.
Communities Field trip: September 29 to the Littleton Museum to tour two working farms (1860s and 1900s) Treasures Around the United States Trip Around the World Field trip: Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Homework is due on the last day of each week. Remember that only perfect practice makes perfect. Please check the homework and have your child correct the errors. Immediate feedback is powerful. Students with excused absences are allowed extra time if appropriate. If homework is not completed by the due date, the student will be required to miss the class project or movie on Friday to work on the homework assignment in class. HOMEWORK HINTS: You can help your child complete the assignments by establishing a quiet study area and setting aside time to do the homework. Establishing study habits early supports a student's future academic life. I encourage your child plan what to do each day. There will be additional assignments that support the social studies curriculum throughout the year. Most of these require your interaction. HOMEWORK FOLDER
Monday and Wednesday- Spanish, Music, and PE Tuesday and Thursday-Science Tuesday-Art Thursday-Tech and Counseling Friday-2 of 3 Spanish, Music, PE PE Shoes on MWF
We as a school have a zero tolerance for a pattern of bullying. However, it is essential to empower children with tools to use, as an adult is not always around to aid in a bullying situation. In order to do this, we have instructed our students to take the steps listed below. When the students use these steps, they are learning how to stand up for themselves. First and foremost, the teacher cannot solve a problem of which she is unaware. It is also difficult to solve a problem which happened long ago. In order for any consequence to be effective, it needs to follow with an infraction immediately. The injured child must act immediately. In any case where physical harm has occurred, the hurt child should immediately report this infraction to the nearest adult at school. The students have been instructed to report bullying if they witness someone causing another physical harm. Bullying can occur as minor infractions as well. Although these may seem trivial, the hurt child does not feel these things are minor. The students have been instructed to follow the following steps: Use an I message when someone else does or says something you don t like. This empowers bullied student and gives the bully a chance to resolve the problem. If another infraction occurs between the same two children within a week, the injured child should come to an adult. The adult will ask for details and consequences will follow. Continued inappropriate interactions will result in a visit to Mrs. Waddell or Mrs. Driver. the If your child reports problems to you, please ask your child to whom he/she reported this problem. If your child has not reported it at school, encourage him/her to do so. In case of physical harm, contact us immediately. It is our fervent hope that your child is happy and safe in second grade. Let s work together to make it happen.
We believe that each student is responsible for his/her behavior. We expect positive choices to be made and to follow our character traits. If your child does not make good choices then consequences will follow. *STOP SIGN *THINK SPOT
SNACKS: Each child should bring a nutritious snack to eat at recess. It is important to have a healthy snack. Please remember that Explorer is a NUT FREE school. Book Orders: You can order the books online. Watch for orders to come home. There are many more options available online. These orders support our classroom library.
Class Parties Second grade has SIX major celebrations throughout the year. Fall party - Halloween, Holiday/Winter, Valentine's Day, Going-Away Day, Tea Party, and End of Year. Birthdays We love to celebrate birthdays! We will write your child a birthday letter. If you would like to send in treats on the day of your child's birthday, please send 28. Treats will be handed out at morning recess. NO NUTS or PEANUTS. You may also choose to send a prize instead of a treat (ex: pencils, erasers, small toys).
Monday Folders: On the first day of each week your child will bring home a white envelope filled with homework, notes, and corrected papers. Please take time to go through this material with your child. Return the envelope along with any pertinent papers the next day. Please keep all work in the folder. Best ways to contact me: Stop by before or after school E-mail kim.hittner@asd20.org Cell phone 719-930-7214 text or call me! Home Page: www.d20.co.edu/schools/remote/ees/index.html School Phone 234-4400
STAR Reading and Math Writing Assessment Math Fact Timed Tests Written Reading Assessments DIBELS Fluency Tests Math Topic Tests
Please send in class fee and supplies fee if you haven t done so yet! We are ordering class shirts ASAP. Thanks! We would love your help. Please fill out the form on your child s desk for volunteer opportunities. EVERY parent who volunteers in school or goes as a chaperone on field trips must have a background check. Please pick up a form in the office. Questions?