WELCOME TO SECOND GRADE

This is sure to be an exciting year! I'm sending home the hand-out I usually pass out at class night a little early to give you a chance to think about any questions you may have. I apologize for its length; there's just so much to share! We currently have 23 students.

Daily Routines:

After prayer, pledge, and the handing in of homework and important notes most days begin with a Morning Meeting on the rug where we do our calendar math, read aloud, and discuss our schedule for the day.

Religion

Our faith is a part of everything we learn and do! We use the Blest Are We series as our primary source of information. Naturally, preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is quite important. I will keep you updated as the school year progresses. We are partners in your child's faith formation; one of the most important contributions you can make is to make sure that your child witnesses others receiving these sacraments. The date for First Reconciliation is Wednesday, January 21 at 8:30 am; First Eucharist is planned for Sunday, April 26 at 8:45. Miss Miller’s class and one second grade parish class will celebrate at this liturgy. Second grade will plan and be the readers for the Monday, April 27 school liturgy at 8:30. Together with our eighth grade buddies, we lead the prayers for the May Crowning at St. Thomas church on Monday, May 4 at 7:00 pm. St. Thomas parents will be invited to a meeting with Mr. Kane, Father Berberian and myself later this fall. Parents are also invited to attend informational meetings presented by the parish for ALL second grade parents on January 6, 7, or 8 (choose one) for Reconciliation and March 17, 18, or 19 (choose one) for First Eucharist. The parish meetings take place at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Father Daley is an important part of second grade life. He volunteers his time many Wednesday mornings teaching second grade. Once he begins next Wednesday, I will keep you updated about his lessons so that you may follow-up at home. They really do learn the most fascinating things from him!

Language Arts:

Language Arts is taught as a subject in the morning and also integrated into all subject areas. Language Arts includes: whole group instruction, small group instruction, partner reading, independent reading, phonics, spelling, speaking, listening, handwriting, grammar and writing. Students will read selections from our literature book as well as trade books.

One of my most important goals for writing is to create a room of willing writers. Therefore I begin the year by emphasizing meaning and deemphasizing mechanics and perfection. Because writing is hard and complex, children who see the goal as producing a certain number of perfect sentences will not write willingly and will only do the bare minimum to get by. I will NOT spell words for children on a first draft; they are taught to stretch out words, use environmental print and we will develop a list of frequently used words. Why won't I spell words?? If I spell words for children, they never pull away from me and become independent writers and thinkers! They also waste time waiting for me to help them instead of using the time to write! Once children are "willing writers" I'll be able to hold conferences with individuals and groups about their writing; at that time revising and proofreading are introduced. Please be assured that in September we write for very short periods of time as is age appropriate; mini-lessons occur on a regular basis.

Mrs. Baynes, reading aide, works with groups of second graders in the cafeteria on Language Arts assignments each morning. This gives me the opportunity to work with individuals and small groups during our Language Arts block. All second graders will also work with Mrs. Teresi, ELA Literacy Coordinator, in small groups at some time during the school year for additional ELA instruction. Mrs. Teresi usually concentrates on a chapter book and the groups change as the books are finished.

Mathematics

On the second grade website details about the Diocesan suggested Enhanced Content Curriculum are available; a print out can be provided upon request. I will communicate weekly to you details about what we are currently studying.

We begin the school year with Addition and Subtraction strategies and an exploration of two-dimensional shapes.

Science includes a balanced study of Life, Physical, and Earth Science and the Human Body. Our Science book will be supplemented with additional hands-on activities and experiments. We work in the Science Lab once weekly. An outline of the planned science curriculum for grade 2 is available on our site; an explanation of NYS standards will be added soon. We begin the school year with making healthy choices (the food pyramid) and a study of the life cycle of a monarch butterfly. I know first grade tried butterflies last year but was unsuccessful; that’s why were trying it again.

Social Studies

The focus for second graders in New York State is communities. First, they will learn about their local community. From this common knowledge base they can "visit" rural and suburban communities throughout the state and country.

As previously described, our traveling buddy project will help us with our studies this year. We use many sources for information including copies of Steck-Vaughn's Communities book, National Geographic Explorer Magazine and a variety of trade books and internet sources. Students do not have a Social Studies textbook to bring home. Information is stored in a Social Studies folder and packets. An outline of our curriculum, including NYS standards is available on line.

Technology

Mrs. Sica and I have the children in the computer lab once weekly. In addition to extending what we are learning in second grade, students work on developing their keyboarding skills; learn about the computer, and other age appropriate topics. We have two classroom computers that we will use.

Homework Details

Homework assignments are written down daily in the blue folder. In the beginning of the year most of the homework is typed on the sheet when it is duplicated and put into the folder. As the school year progresses second graders will assume more responsibility for writing down assignments. It is requested that an adult initial/sign the homework sheet daily so that home/school communication is consistent. Children have mailboxes which they are responsible for checking daily.

Reading for 15 minutes is a daily homework assignment. Second graders may read alone, with someone, or have someone read to them. Inside the blue folder is a reading record for daily reading. Title and author are requested. If a child is reading a chapter book they may write down pages numbers or chapter numbers but do not have to. A chapter book would only need the author once per week. It is expected that second graders will be able to write their own titles and authors by January. Reading homework is part of each quarter's grade; please do not remove the pages in the three-prongs from the folder because I total at the end of each quarter. (Not writing down the title does result in a lower reading homework grade.)

Spelling words come home on Mondays with most tests on Fridays. I correct tests over the weekend and send them home in a yellow test folder on Monday nights. Children should make a list of misspelled words to keep at home and keep reviewing them. Adults are asked to sign the test and have children return the folders on Tuesday. Please leave the tests in the folder so your child and I can keep track in school of the spelling words. I expect to give a review test about every 6th week.

In addition to reading and studying spelling words your child can expect to work on one other homework assignment most nights.

Math homework will be sent home in the beginning of the year once or twice weekly. I try to send home a variety of homework - not just worksheets. Don't be surprised if your child is expected to explore the house and make a list! Written details about "different" homework assignments will be sent home.

Religion - Occasionally your child will bring home religion homework that compliments our study in school.

Handwriting - printing practice will only be sent if needed. Please, please notice if your child is forming letters incorrectly or in the wrong direction and help me fix that! Cursive homework will be assigned in the spring.

Science and Social Studies - As the school year progresses students will have assignments related to our current themes. Written directions will be sent home explaining assignments to families.

Projects - At this time I don't have many "at home" projects planned for second graders. You can expect us to do something for the 100th Day of School. Some years children study a person and do a biography report.

Other Information

Supplies - Most second graders have what they need. As the school year progresses, the school store will be open in the mornings before homeroom. FYI if you sent 24 pencils to school, at least 12 of them are in a labeled bag in a box. If your child says that they don't have pencils, please remind them that they gave me some to hold.

Work Folder If your second grader brings work home in a folder marked Work Folder, please do not do the work at home - send it back to school!! Unfinished work is placed in the folder daily. I also add papers for individuals as needed. I will not send home work for your child to finish without attaching a note to you. Remember: BLUE FOLDERS for homework and YELLOW for tests. Unless you hear from me otherwise, other folders shouldn't come home! I do create Science or Social Studies folders to use in school; that work is taken out of the folders and sent home when we've finished with it.

Snack - We have a short snack break each morning. Children are told to choose 1 healthy snack from their lunchboxes. I try to be very flexible about "healthy." I don't think any adult honestly believes that Fritos are healthy or need to be eaten at 9:20 in the morning. J Snack sharing isn’t allowed. Healthy drinks are encouraged. (We’ve talked about the difference between 100% Fruit Juice and Colored Sugar Water!!) The water fountain is always available and water bottles are permitted during warm weather. If your child doesn't have a healthy snack, they are welcome to visit with friends or read a book. We do not eat a daily afternoon snack.

All Eyes On - One our Language Arts standards is to read, write, and listen for social interaction. All Eyes On will help us to do this. Each week one person has a turn. Early in the week photographs and mementos may be brought in. The All Eyes On Person shares on Friday. At that time classmates and teacher will listen and ask "politely worded and thoughtful" questions for a brief time. How to prepare? Children will be verbally reminded and a note written on the homework sheet when your child's turn is near. Students may write captions for photographs at home and either attach to construction paper or tape them to the poster board I have in school. What if you don't have any photographs you want to send to school? Students may draw pictures to go on the poster board or tape on anything that is flat. During the week the student may place items in our All Eyes On basket for other second graders to look at. The school cannot be responsible for lost or damaged items, so please keep anything of value at home. Something special could be brought in on Friday. (I will remove and put in my closet anything that becomes a problem or a distraction. The child will then be allowed to take it home at the end of the day.) A calendar for All Eyes On was created by listing children in reverse alphabetical order. There is time at the end for the "I forgot it was my turns" to have another chance. My "All Eyes on Miss Miller" is on display for students to "get the idea." Think show and tell with more details!

Community Service

Rielly House is a home for disabled adults next to St. Thomas Church. I will make arrangements for second graders to visit the residents monthly. Last year I took no more than 8 students at a time. These visits take place from 3:00 - 4:00. While there we visit with the residents and have an activity such as a craft. Permission slips go home ahead of time and parents are needed to join us as chaperones. Last year we also created holiday and birthday cards for each resident. I expect to begin in October.

Book Orders

This year I will send home multiple book orders. Parents may order the books the traditional way by filling out the order form and sending in either the exact amount in cash or by writing a check. One check may be written if all the book orders are from Scholastic. (The only orders which are not Scholastic are the ones which are for religious books; they go home twice yearly.) Online ordering for Scholastic is also available; parents would need to use a credit card.

The site: www.scholastic.com/parentordering

Class User Name: millergrade2

Password: order

The first orders go home Wednesday, September 10 and are due before school ends Wednesday, September 17.

Specials Schedule - information was sent home. Here’s a summary

Music - Mondays

Spanish - Either Wednesday or Friday

Math Lab - Tuesdays

Physical Education - Tuesday and Friday

Library - Either Wednesday or Thursday

Technology - We use the computer lab either Wednesday or Thursday

Communication

Home/school communication is very important. A daily e-mail is available to keep parents updated. If you are not already on my e-mail list and would like to be, please send me an e-mail at sta2miller@yahoo.com. If you choose NOT to receive e-mails I can, upon request print them out for you periodically. Non-emergency written communication from me is sent home in the Clear Home folder sent home each Wednesday and needs to be returned each Thursday. Our class page is http://homestead.com/millergrade2. . I know that some families visited and signed our guest book. Copies of letters and information I've sent home should be on the web page. You may always send me a note in the morning or leave a phone message at school. Together we can make this a wonderful year for your second grader.

Report Card Grades

¶ Copies of the St. Thomas the Apostle report card for grades 1-5 are available for parents to see – It is the same as the report card used in first grade.

¶ The number/letter grade at the top represents your child's average

¶ Underneath you will see NYS standards - the standards receive a "grade" of excellent, good, improving, and needs improvement

Where does the average come from?

¶ Daily work, participation, tests/evaluations and homework are all a part of your child's average

¶ The above parts are "weighted"

Reading: Daily work 45% Oral Reading 15% Testing 40%

(Reading homework is added into the daily work scores.)

Science/Social Studies: Daily 45% Participation 15% Testing 40%

Math: Daily work 35% Participation 10% Homework 10% Testing 45%

Religion: Reverence during prayer and liturgy, participation/daily work,

testing and Father Daley lessons are all 25%

¶ It is possible to have a 100% test average in spelling and not receive an "A" in spelling if daily work is misspelled and your child's average falls below 94% as a result. Here are the weighted parts for the spelling grade: Daily work – 20% Spelling in Writing Assignments – 20% Tests – 60%

¶ Writing Grade: Overall Assignment – 50% Grammar/Punctuation 25% Effort 25%

¶ Listening and Speaking are each 50%

Birthdays

Celebrating each child's anniversary of birth is important! Most children like to share a snack with friends. I'd appreciate an e-mail or note in advance so that time in our schedule can be set aside. Healthy treats can be shared at the 9:20 morning snack time. Other treats such as cookies, brownies or cupcakes need to be shared in the afternoon. Many of our specials are in the afternoon, so I need to plan ahead for afternoon snacks!