Chunk Five

Welcome

To Second Grade

Ms. Watts

2^nd grade

About Me

• I attended MBS from Kindergarten - 8th grade. (I attended 2nd grade 

in the exact classroom I teach in!)

• I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from LSU.
• This is my 12^th year teaching 2^nd grade at MBS!

• I believe kids learn best in a supportive, structured, and FUN environment.
• In our class, we build a community of respect, kindness, and perseverance.

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Classroom Culture

• We use class money to reward behavior. They can “buy” candy, stickers, or coupons
• Any behavior concerns will be noted on the “Ask Me About”.

Behavior

• Best way to communicate is email: mwatts@mbsbr.org
• Website: https://sites.google.com/mbsbr.org/mswatts2b/home
• Note in binder (Important Papers)
• Test Folders (please place a sticky note on top of test packet)
• Google Photos
• Remind (See note on website to sign up. I like to send �quick reminders on here but would rather you email me instead of message me on here)

Communication

• Important Reminders
• Tests + Newsletter
• Links to Classlink (IXL and textbooks) �and Quizlets
• Skills for each subject
• IXL skills (We try to do as much as we can at school in centers, but the skills can be found here for extra practice at home)

Website

• Front pocket - “Ask Me About” conduct page
• Please check daily and initial
• Zipper pouch - any money or small belongings
• Assignment Pad - please check daily (no homework on Fridays)
• We check their homework daily in the beginning of the school year.
• If you ever notice your child not writing homework or writing it incorrectly later in the year, please let me know!
• Tabs

Binder

• Important Papers
• Math homework
• Math
• Math facts
• Reading
• Phonics
• ELA
• Science/Social Studies
• Religion
• Take Home/Keep at Home
• **Please leave all papers in the subject tabs, except for papers in Take Home/Keep at Home
• We tell them what section to put papers in so please remind them of the importance of listening and organization.

Binder Tabs

• Reading: phonics, fluency, comprehension strategies
• Writing: Narrative, informative, opinion, and letter writing
• Math: Place value to 1,000, addition/subtraction to 1,000, time, money, data, and geometry
• Science: land & water, changes to Earth, matter, plants, animals, and habitats
• Social Studies: communities, maps, history, and government

Curriculum Overview

• We usually complete 1 lesson per day.
• Math centers
• Math homework most nights. We will rip out and put in math homework section. Please put it back in math homework section.
• Check assignment pad for page number & problems
• Homework will be for 1 pt. grade each night (starts after Labor Day).
• Suggested IXL skills starred on website.
• We will complete IXL in class, but students can complete any starred skills at home

MATH

• Vocabulary cards & homework pages in their binder. They will be tested on vocabulary.
• Short unannounced quizzes throughout the chapter (usually 4-8 questions).
• May split chapter tests depending on the amount of lessons
• For example, this chapter they will have a test on lessons 1-6 (addition) and then lessons 7-13 (subtraction).
• Use “Check my Progress” or IXL to review before tests (Your child may also complete any homework pages we skipped.)

MATH

• Goal = to be fluent in basic addition and subtraction facts to 20 by the end of the year
• A 2-minute drill will be given each week for basic fact fluency starting August 28th.
• Each math drill will have 30 problems worth 3 pts. (4 seconds per problem)

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Extra practice at home:

• addition & subtraction flash cards
• IXL Fluency Zone
• Xtra Math

MATH fluency

• The first weeks - summer reading, STAR testing, and having the kids read to me.
• Reading series - Each story students will have vocabulary words, 2 comprehension skills, and 1 vocabulary skill.

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• 1st test will be completely read to them
• 2nd test students will read the passage, but the questions will be read to them
• 3rd test and on will be completed independently

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Reading

• Reading tests
• 8 vocab questions
• a 2-sided passage to be read on their own
• comprehension & vocabulary skill questions (encourage your child to �find & underline the answers! We will practice this!)
• 1 writing question
• phonics review questions
• Comprehension Questions
• Questions from the weekly story to be answered in complete sentences. �This is done in class, not at home.
• We will do the first story together.
• Oral Reading Quiz - High Frequency Words
• Study - vocabulary (Quizlet) and Reading Website games;� review practice test

Reading grades

• Rotations:
• Must Do/May Do
• Independent
• Teacher
• IXL
• Crate Books
• Complete crates 1-3 then students can work on Accelerated Reader

Reading centers

• Goal: to focus more on the spelling skills rather than memorizing the words
• Spelling test will have 12 words and a dictation sentence.
• None of the words will be given ahead of time
• Will be part of the ELA grade

ELA - Spelling

• New skill each week or so - starting with sentences and fragments
• We expect students to write in complete sentences in every subject using words from the question (restating).
• IXL may be completed in centers but will also be starred for students to finish at home
• Writing booklet - I always grade/send home a copied writing so we can make a book with their original writings

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ELA - English

• Alternate between Science and SS
• Quiz or test on each lesson
• Class activities/experiments for grades
• To study: flash cards in binder, highlighted information (in Science), and guided notes (Social Studies)

Science/Social Studies

• about 5-6 days per chapter
• Tests will have matching, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and one short writing question.
• Study highlighted information, flash cards in binder, and guided notes.

religion

• 2 sacraments this year:
• First Reconciliation (December)
• First Eucharist (April 25)
• Sacramental Prep Classes for parents on Mondays (see email from Mrs. Rabalais)

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sacraments

• baseball league for physically and mentally handicapped kids and adults
• plan to have a night in the fall and spring where we go and cheer them on
• more details to come

Ministry - Miracle league

• We will spend the first half of the year reviewing manuscript.
• We plan to start cursive after Christmas break.
• Students will NOT be graded on handwriting but neat penmanship is important.

Handwriting

• If your child does not finish their work in class (ran out of time, playing, checked out, was in the nurse, pulled for speech, etc.), I will send home a blue incomplete with their work.
• Please help them complete their work, sign the note, and send back the next day.

Incompletes

• MBS maroon pelican folder
• Will be sent home every Tuesday
• Sign your child’s conduct. Conduct will be from the Monday - Friday of the week before.
• Initial all tests/quizzes
• If you have a note, please place it on the front.
• Please return the next day.
• Grades can be found on FACTS.

Test Folder

• We read ALL directions before tests/quizzes, highlight important information, and go over them many times.
• When tests are complete, we double check that we have completed all questions and foll
• The format of tests for each subject are pretty consistent all year.
• The test schedule will be on the website, the Weekly Newsletter, and in the assignment pad.

Tests/Quizzes

• will choose a star of the week each Friday, starting 8/28.
• They will have a poster to complete to hang in the classroom and may bring pictures.
• Other students will have homework to write the star a letter each week so we can make a book. It will be due on Thursday for a 1 pt. Religion grade.
• Must be on front side of looseleaf
• Please do not rip out of binder

Star of the week

Birthdays

• Celebration once a month
• The class coordinator or I will send out a Sign Up Genius
• do NOT send something on your child’s actual birthday
• Birthday treats can be cookies, brownies, prepackaged snacks like little Debbies, etc.
• Please send all the same treat & drink

• Email me and mbsabsent@mbsbr.org
• If your child is not here, please email me and/or call the office to request assignments. They can be picked up in the office at 3 P.M.
• If dismissal for the day changes, please send me an email or note.

Attendance & Dismissal

• 9:50 -10:05 - Recess
• 11:25 -11:45 - Lunch
• 1:00 - 1:15 - Recess
• 1:40/2:00 - 2:40 - Enrichment

Daily Schedule

• Read with your child.
• Encourage a consistent bedtime and morning routine.
• Ask about what they learned at school.
• Celebrate effort and progress, not just grades!

Helping at Home