Mrs. Roberts’ Second Grade Class

Welcome back to school!  It has been a great first few days, I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.  We have been learning new routines for Second Grade and exploring our new math program.  THis week in science we are studying plants.  We have two experiments currently going; testing what plants reguire to live and growing a bean seed.  Next week students will be bring in 4 different leaves to classify and different seeds to examine the different varieties.Â

Dear Parents / Guardians,
 

          Welcome to a new school year at Simmons.  I am looking forward to  an exciting year with my new students.  I’m sure you have many questions about policies and procedures for our classroom.  I hope the following information will answer your questions, if not, please feel free to contact me directly.  You can send a note in with your child, contact the school office at 873-4889 and leave me a message, or email me at crystal.roberts@woodford.kyschools.us .   I try to check this several times a day.  I also have a webpage linked to the school webpage.  My goal is to post every week.  The page address is http://ilearn.woodfordschools.org/croberts/ .  I hope you will find this helpful and post comments to me.
Planners
        We will use the planners on a daily basis to record such items as homework, student behavior, reminders, and the weekly newsletter will be attached.  I have found that planners are a valuable tool for parent / teacher communication.  I ask that you please read and sign your child’s planner everyday.  If you have any questions or concerns, you may write them in the planner.  My response to your question will also be written in there.
Attendance
            It is important for your child to be here every day.  Please refer to the Student Handbook about new Woodford County District policies regarding attendance.
Dress Code
            Be sure to review the dress code with your child.  Reminder tank tops cannot be worn by boys or girls.  Parents will be called to bring additional clothing if necessary.
Newsletters
        I will be sending home a Homework Assignment / Newsletter each week to keep you informed of what we are studying, upcoming school events, and any other class information.  This will be attached to the student’s planner each Monday.
Homework Policy
            Your child will bring home a homework folder daily.  Homework will be written in the planner and there will also be an assignment sheet / newsletter sent home in the Friday folder.  I assign homework to reinforce skills being taught in the classroom, therefore homework is expected to be completed each night.  Students will be given credit for homework completed; please sign the planner to acknowledge you have seen this.   If homework is not turned in, students will lose free time in order to complete the missing assignment.�
Weekly Take-Home Folders
        I will send home all graded work on Mondays in a separate folder.  Please empty this folder and have your child return it on Tuesday.  Please look through the assignments and discuss them with your child.  Sometimes there may be work that needs to be signed, it will be marked with a parent signature stamp.  Please sign the papers and return them in the Take Home Folder.
Friday Folders
            Every Friday a blue plastic folder will be sent home with important information and flyers.  I will try to keep all paperwork for that folder unless there is information that you need sooner.  Please return folders on Monday.
Snacks
We will have a snack time daily.  Students will need to bring in their own nutritious snack for this time.  Please limit sugary snacks and NO drinks please.     
 Classroom Routines
Morning Meeting -  Each morning will start with students working on Daily Orals and Calendar, which reinforces, reviews, and exposes skills.  Students are given responsibilities in the classroom and assigned different job duties such as; calendar helper, messenger, door holder, center helper, etc.
Writer’s Workshop – Students are able to showcase their talent as authors.  Students write individual and class stories.  A variety of writing skills are utilized throughout the school year.  Students will write for various purposes.  Students will use this time daily to go through the writing process including a sloppy copy, editing, revising, and publishing.  Second grade students are required to include 3 published pieces into their official writing portfolio.�
Math – We have a new Math program we are using this year.  We are all very excited about it and it has been proven to show gains in students’ achievement.  I’m sure you will have lots of questions therefore we will be having a night in September to address your questions.  I will be learning as well.  Students will be exposed to a variety of mathematical concepts throughout the year.  Second grade math concepts include addition and subtraction to 1000 with and without regrouping, counting money, telling time, reading graphs and charts, geometric figures, measurement, fractions, and probability.  Students will be issued a template to use for class work and occasionally homework.  There is a $6.00 replacement fee if it is damaged or lost.
Guided Reading Block -  Students are immersed in literacy activities each day.  In second grade emphasis is placed on comprehension skills.  It is crucial that students understand and are able to talk about what they have read.  During small groups we will focus on reading strategies to develop these skills.
Literacy Centers -  During guided reading block students work cooperatively in learning groups on specific tasks to supplement, review, and intensify their learning.�
Word Work -  Each week a sheet will be sent home with 15 spelling words.  The words are divided into the skills they encompass. Students will be tested on words on Friday.  Homework each night reinforces and reviews these words.  It is a good idea to do practice tests throughout the week to ensure students know how to spell the words.  Students are also dictated 3 sentences that they must write down correctly. Spelling words and high frequency words are used and correct capitalization and punctuation are expected.  High frequency words and word family words are introduced, chanted and placed on our classroom word wall.  The word wall is displayed in our room throughout the year to be used as a reference during reading and writing.
Theme Block- Our social studies and science curriculum encompasses many units of study.  We cover a multitude of thematic units throughout the year.�
Parent Volunteers
Second grade is in need of several dedicated parent volunteers to make copies, staple items and help out with other routine tasks.  If you can donate a few hours once a week, please let me know!
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Each morning will start with students working on Daily Orals and Calendar, which reinforces, reviews, and exposes skills.  Students are given responsibilities in the classroom and assigned different job duties such as; calendar helper, messenger, door holder, center helper, etc.Students are able to showcase their talent as authors.  Students write individual and class stories.  A variety of writing skills are utilized throughout the school year.  Students will write for various purposes.  Students will use this time daily to go through the writing process including a sloppy copy, editing, revising, and publishing.  Second grade students are required to include 3 published pieces into their official writing portfolio.�We have a new Math program we are using this year.  We are all very excited about it and it has been proven to show gains in students’ achievement.  I’m sure you will have lots of questions therefore we will be having a night in September to address your questions.  I will be learning as well.  Students will be exposed to a variety of mathematical concepts throughout the year.  Second grade math concepts include addition and subtraction to 1000 with and without regrouping, counting money, telling time, reading graphs and charts, geometric figures, measurement, fractions, and probability.  Students will be issued a template to use for class work and occasionally homework.  There is a $6.00 replacement fee if it is damaged or lost.Students are immersed in literacy activities each day.  In second grade emphasis is placed on comprehension skills.  It is crucial that students understand and are able to talk about what they have read.  During small groups we will focus on reading strategies to develop these skills.During guided reading block students work cooperatively in learning groups on specific tasks to supplement, review, and intensify their learning.�Each week a sheet will be sent home with 15 spelling words.  The words are divided into the skills they encompass. Students will be tested on words on Friday.  Homework each night reinforces and reviews these words.  It is a good idea to do practice tests throughout the week to ensure students know how to spell the words.  Students are also dictated 3 sentences that they must write down correctly. Spelling words and high frequency words are used and correct capitalization and punctuation are expected.  High frequency words and word family words are introduced, chanted and placed on our classroom word wall.  The word wall is displayed in our room throughout the year to be used as a reference during reading and writing.Our social studies and science curriculum encompasses many units of study.  We cover a multitude of thematic units throughout the year.�Second grade is in need of several dedicated parent volunteers to make copies, staple items and help out with other routine tasks.  If you can donate a few hours once a week, please let me know!��

Schedule
This is our tentative schedule for the day and specials schedule for the week.  Please be sure your child has tennis shoes on Tuesday and Thursday for PE.  I also think it is a good idea for all students to wear tennis shoes on the playground, so if they wear sandals please put tennis shoes in their book bag.Â
7:30-8:00  Morning Work
8:00-8:55  Theme (Science and Social Studies)
9:00 – 9:55  Specials
Monday      Tuesday   Wednesday      Thursday            Friday
 Library        PE                  Music            PE / *           Art/Library
10:00-10:10  Snack/ Read Aloud / SSR
10:10-12:00  Literacy Block
12:00-12:05  Bathroom Break
12:05- 12:30  Lunch
12:30-12:50  Recess
12:50-1:00  SSR / Water / Bathroom Break
1:00-2:30  Math
2:30 – 2:40  Review Day and Pack Up
2:40 Dismissal Procedures