Things to Know About Second Grade

WELCOME

FAMILIES

Welcome to a new school year!

In this presentation you will learn about:

• Curriculum
• Homework Expectations
• Behavior Expectations
• How you can support your child

OUR TEAM

Mary Cochefski

22nd Year Teaching

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Michaela Dehm

6th Year Teaching

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Jen Wall

30th Year Teaching

OUR CURRICULUM

Here is the curriculum we will cover this year:

Fundations

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Multisensory structured literacy program that presents all skills in a systematic and sequential manner

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• Phonemic awareness, phonics and word study, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension

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• We will be focusing on common spelling patterns which students will be able to utilize in both reading and writing.

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Bookworms Shared Reading

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• Students read authentic, engaging literature that targets fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

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• Students build their fluency with repeated readings (choral and partner reading).

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• Students develop their written response skills through guided and independent practice.

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Skills Groups

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In differentiated groupings, students rotate through following five stations:

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• Work with Teacher - Students meet with classroom teacher using differentiated text to work on decoding, encoding, fluency and comprehension skills.

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• Work with Reading Specialist - Students work with Mrs. Pilkington to reinforce literacy skills that are currently being taught. (Monthly Skills Newsletter will specify targeted skills.)

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• Work with Math Specialist - Students will focus on differentiated fact fluency and number sense with Mrs. Zmeskal. (Monthly Skills Newsletter will specify targeted skills.)

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• Word Work - Students use multisensory tools to build and write trick words and unit words

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• Lexia - Students work independently, at their own pace and level to build literacy skills

Bookworms Writing/ELA

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• Students are introduced to three types of writing, narrative, opinion, and informational including, language conventions and grammar. These writing elements will spiral throughout the year as we build skills and stamina.

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• Each topic has a connection to our shared reading as well as use of modeled texts.

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• Students will become more independent as writers as the year progresses.

Math

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• Using the Envisions Math Program, students will continue to explore mathematical elements of the world.

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• Building fluency in addition and subtraction through 20 is an important focus in second grade. (Homework focuses on fact fluency as well as programs such as Reflex and SplashLearn.)

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• Problem Solving is another focus this year and students will be working toward independence as they develop higher level thinking skills.

Science - Social Studies

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• Both Science and Social Studies are embedded in our Bookworms Program.

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• We supplement with Mystery Science, Scholastic News, and teacher created materials.

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• Topics covered include:
• Science: Matter, Plant and Animal Habitats, and Earth’s Systems
• Social Studies: Citizenship, Famous People, Map Skills, and Economics

Homework

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Homework is assigned to reinforce skills being covered in the classroom. It is also intended to build fluency in both reading and math.

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• The Math portion allows students to choose fun ways to practice their math fact fluency.

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• The ELA portion provides families with current spelling patterns and trick words to allow for additional practice to help master reading and spelling these words. We have also included some grammar practice as well.

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• We strongly recommend 15-20 minutes of reading daily to reinforce and strengthen skills.

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Behavior

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• Our school utilizes a Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program (PBIS). This is an evidence based, three-tiered framework that works to improve behavior choices. Students can earn both individual and class paws when following our school expectations of respect, responsibility, and safety.

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• Our current Social and Emotional program is “Choose Love” which focuses on 4 pillars - Courage, Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Compassion. Students can earn special golden paws when modeling the traits of these pillars.

Supporting Your Child

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• Encourage curiosity - Help your child explore finding answers to questions.

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• Read together - This includes listening to your child read as well as reading to them.

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• Remind them that failure is a good thing - We focus on how mistakes help us learn.

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• Encourage completion of optional Fundations homework to help support mastery of patterns and words.