Welcome to Grade 2 Blanchard Fairvale Elementary School Wednesday, August 28, 2013

1. Welcome to Grade 2 Blanchard Fairvale Elementary School Wednesday, August 28, 2013 [F.E.S. = Focus on Educating Students]

2. Fairvale Elementary School Bells Primary: Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2 7:40 Buses start to arrive/supervision begins 8:05 Enter school 8:10 Announcements 8:15 Instruction Block # 1 9:45 Time to Play 10:00 Time to Eat 10:15 Instruction Block # 2 11:45 NOON: Time to Play 12:15 NOON: Time to Eat 12:40 Instruction Block # 3 1:30 End of Instruction 1:35 Dismissal 1:40 Buses Depart

3. I-Care Rules • We listen to each other. • Hands are for helping not hurting. • We use I-Care language. • We care about each other’s feelings. • We are responsible for what we say and do.

4. Classroom Rules 1) Arrive on time. 2) Come to class prepared to work. 3) Complete your work. 4) Allow others to complete their work. 5) Be kind and courteous.

5. Literacy Curriculum The outcomes of the Language Arts curriculum are taught through a variety of reading, writing and oral activities. We use a structure known as the DAILY FIVE to develop comprehension, accuracy, and fluency in reading. We also focus on recount and report writing.

6. You and Your World You and Your World encompasses health, science and social studies. The diagram below shows the topics covered in grade 2. 5. Change and the Physical Environment 1. Growth and Development Change 2. Technology and Community 4. Healthy Lifestyles 3. Work

7. Math Curriculum Representing, comparing and describing numbers to 100 Demonstrate an understanding of addition and subtraction using one and two digit numerals Addition and subtraction facts to 9+9 Odd and even numbers Demonstrate an understanding of repeating and increasing patterns Calendar work Measuring objects using nonstandard units 2D and 3D objects Graphing

8. Homework Expectations Your child’s homework will consist of a Homework Duotang and a Back-and-Forth folder. Homework is assigned at the beginning of the week and is to be completed by Friday. We ask that the homework sheet be signed each nightand returned to school each day. As the work in the duotang is completed, it can be returned to the school. Homework will usually consist of one Language Arts activity and one Math activity for the week.

9. “Play First, Then Eat”(also known as Recess Before Lunch) “Play First, Then Eat” is simply a change in the traditional scheduling order of lunch time and recess. This idea was first put into practice in Montana and has gained popularity across North America. Many schools and districts in the US have adopted this model as have schools in Canada. In our own school “Play First, Then Eat” was been implemented successfully and positively received. • Teachers noticed that children were more settled after eating and were ready to start afternoon learning. • Children waste less food and drink more milk because they build up an appetite while playing outside. • There is improved behaviour in afternoon classes. • .

10. Communications Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the year. You can jot me a note in your child’s homework sheet or feel free to call me at school. I am looking forward getting to know your child this year. It is important keep parent-teacher communication as open as possible. I will be sending monthly newsletters and notes in the back and forth folder to keep you up to date.

11. Meet Our Specialists… Specialist Teachers Administrative Team Principal: Mrs. Hierlihy Vice-principal: Mrs. McNamee Secretary: Mrs. Cowan Enjoy the barbecue! Don’t forget to say hello to our many specialists: Literacy Mentor Mrs. Debbie Gillis Music Mrs. Gwen Shuttleworth Physical Education Mr. Pierre Melanson Mr. Tracey Price-Emmerson (Tues, Thurs, Friday) Mrs. Heather Allan-Murdoch (Mon, Wed) Mr. Bertis Sutton (Thurs., Fri.) Resource and Methods Mr. Joe Armstrong Mrs. Holly Lint Mrs. Wendy Romeo Guidance • Mrs. Jane Perkins Love