Welcome to Second Grade!

1. Welcome to Second Grade! Nazareth Academy Grade School September 9, 2013 Miss Amanda McGuigan msmcguigan621@gmail.com

2. Class Specials

3. Folders • Theme folder – take home (Daily) • Green – test folder (Tuesday) • Orange – test file • Blue - class work • Yellow – privacy during tests

4. Grading Scale • Religion, ELA, Math, and Spanish • O – 95 • VG – 89 • G – 83 • S – 77 • I – 70 • U – 0 • Handwriting and Specials • 1-4

5. Books Copybooks • Homework • Journal • English Language Arts (ELA) • Math • Class work Workbooks • Religion textbook • Math textbook • Math workbook • Spelling and Phonics Practice Book • Grammar and Writing Practice Book • Voyages (Writing and Grammar) • Handwriting • Reading textbook *Books will be sent home this week, please put your child’s name on the from of all books and cover them in clear contact paper by Friday, September 13.

6. English Language Arts (ELA):Spelling & Phonics • Phonics • Study of letter/sound relationships in words • Important for decoding/spelling • Each week a new skill will be incorporated • Word list will be given on Mondays (in class and online) and tested on Fridays. • Test will follow the study of the list and include challenge words and dictated sentences. • Spelling will eventually be assessed through writing pieces in addition to weekly tests.

7. ELA: Writing and Grammar Writing/Grammar Journal Daily Invites children to write for a meaningful purpose Connects to our weekly story Develops student’s writing skills Will count as a writing grade Rubric and checklist are inside journal *This week the journal will be sent home so you and your child can decorate it, cover it with contact paper, and go over the Rubric and Writer’s Checklist. • Various forms will be developed: stories, letters, poems, and reports • Writing pieces evolve over time • Prewriting/drafts will be kept in their “Writer’s Office” folder (created in class) • Rubrics will be provided to assess skills • Each writing piece is also assessed for use and development of handwriting skills. • Grammar will be tested on an as needed basis

8. ELA: Reading • Curriculum is aligned with Common Core Standards • Mrs. Unger will work with small groups outside of the classroom 2x per week • Work will be done in pairs, small, and large groups • Socials Studies and Science topics will be developed through extra readings and research • Assessment of vocabulary, phonics skills, and comprehension skills through daily observations, weekly tests, unit tests, and projects

9. Religion • Students will continue to strengthen their relationship with God • We pray daily as a school and class. • We participate in liturgical rites monthly as a school • Families are invited to these masses (see dates in the school calendar) • We ask that you attend mass weekly at your parish Church • “Good News” booklet aligned with Liturgical Year • Assessment through daily discussion and following each chapter and unit *Our class will be leading the Thanksgiving Prayer Service on November 27 in the Multipurpose Room.

10. Math • Curriculum is aligned with Common Core Standards • Hands on/tactile experiences daily • Homework almost daily • Check for trouble areas and contact me if you notice your child struggling • Assessments through daily work, quizzes, math drills (every 2 weeks), Chapter tests and unit tests.

11. Social Studies • Scheduled 1x a week • Scholastic News • Learning takes place through small group experiences, in-class reading, and projects • Themes include communities, map skills, leaders, and personal responsibility

12. Science • Scheduled 1x a week in the Science Lab with Mrs. Lee • Primarily hands-on • Learning takes place in both large and small group lab experiments, in class readings, and internet exploration • Science Fair is in the Spring

13. Centers • Students choose their own center • Students will work in a center about 4xa week • Reading • Word work • Writing • Religion • Math • Social Studies

14. Recess • Recess is at 9:45 • Opportunity to use the restroom • Send in a light snack and drink • Pretzels are $.30. No pennies please. • Send in a dish towel or place mat to cover their desk • Students are responsible for keeping their spaces clean

15. Behavior Modifications • Consequences are both positive and negative • Behavior Chart • Your child will have the color on which they ended the day written in their homework book • Blue – Outstanding and a “Good News” note • Green – Ready to Learn • Yellow – Warning • Red – Behavior Log and a “Making Smart Choices” form to be signed by both the student and the parent/guardian and returned to school • If student has 3 “reds” within a week, they will get a code. • Student Development calendar sent home each Friday, to be signed, and returned Monday. • Parent/teacher effort

16. Getting Organized • Have all supplies for school and home • Make plans for daily routines and the unexpected • Make sure your child knows where they are going after school • Everyday have students check their: • Folders • Homework list • Supplies – I do NOT have a pencil sharpener in class • Schedules for school and after school *This year is an important year to begin transitioning organizational skills and responsibility from you to your child!

17. Successful Students • Respect others • Take responsibility • Accept consequences • Ask questions • Work well independently AND in a group • Label and keep track of their things • Come to school prepared • Listen to directions • Copy all their homework • Use a check system • Keep their desk clean/neat

18. Websites – All links found on Classroom website • www.nazarethacademy.net (Community>Classroom Links>Grade 2) • Updated daily Monday-Friday • www.teacherease.com – Grades • Grades for quizzes/tests will be posted by the next day • www.progressinmathematics.com – Math skills practice • www.pearsonsuccessnet.com – Reading comprehension practice • User name and passwords are on in the inside cover of your BTSN folder • https://orders.scholastic.com/M4WQ8 - Orders for Scholastic

19. Friendly Reminders • Book bill: $58 • Please cover all books by Friday • Help your child (if they need it) to decorate their journal this week • Return “hot lunch” calendar by Wednesday • Return White Envelopes by Wednesday • Please send in Summer Book Reports • NAGSPA Meeting on Thursday at 7pm • NAGSPA Carwash Saturday, September 14

20. Questions?

21. Let’s Have aGreat Year!