Roadmap for a successful Second Grade

Parental Involvement -- Reading Practice -- Math Practice -- Spelling Practice -- KP Folder --  Take Home Folder

Grading Procedures -- Classroom Rules -- Consequences --  Think Sheets

Mission Statement:  The mission for Nannie Smith Berry Elementary School is to provide a learning environment of high quality where every child develops socially, physically, emotionally, and academically and becomes a happy, responsible, productive citizen.

Beliefs of Nannie Berry:  Children need to be challenged with a developmentally appropriate curriculum rich in higher order thinking and problem solving experiences.  The skills taught and attitudes developed need to prepare students for their middle school experiences and also as life long learners.

Parental Involvement/Knowledge Practice: Parents play an important part in a child's education. A parent's role in their child' education should be one of support and reinforcement. Children should be encouraged to talk about what they have learned in school.  It is recommended that you have a daily routine, which consists of discussing the child's day, reading together, and review of academic skills. Children function better when a routine is used during homework time. “Skill Practice” is four days a week, consisting of AR reading for 10-30 minutes a day, completing a reading log, a quick math review/drill, and a possible Spelling assignment. Skill Practice is so vital so that the student can refine his/hers skill in a certain subject.

Reading practice: Reading is the most powerful skill a child can learn. Reading practice can be done in two ways: your child reading to you, or your child reading a page and you reading a page depending on the level of difficulty of the reading. Remember reading the words is not enough. Your child will comprehend more effectively if you discuss the story while reading, ask questions about each page, and look at the pictures for clues.

Math practice is a reinforcement of the daily lesson taught in math.  It consists of Saxon side B, and a 2 to 5 minute Math drill of the addition, subtraction or multiplication pattern we are working on for the week. It is extremely important the student practice the drills nightly to maintain a successful knowledge base in basic facts. As the year progresses, the drills will increase in difficulty/skill level.

For Spelling practice, your child will be asked to learn 12/15 words and then will be tested on them at the end of each week. Spelling assignments may be given periodically in order to aide students in recalling our focus spelling pattern. Dictation sentences will also be included as a portion of weekly test, but will not be given earlier in the week. Dictation sentences will consist of previously learned spelling words. 

·       Because research has shown the value of appropriate homework practice, consequences will occur for 2 incomplete or missing homework assignments within a week’s period.

Homework Folder:  The Homework Folder will go home daily to help your child establish a regular routine of responsibility.  Inside you will find a behavior calendar. Everyday, the student will color a box to show the parent what type of behavior he/she had that specific day.  He or she will color a box reflecting the card earned and list the specific behaviors shown in the classroom.  Please review this information then sign and make comments regarding the day’s review if you wish.

Note: I remind my students that it is their responsibility to have the correct papers signed and and turned in a specific time. The overall theme for second grade is responsibility, independence, and organization. The behavior calendar is a vital tool that aids in all three skills we place emphasis upon and service as a communication link between parent and teacher. Once these skills are mastered, then true learning can take place. 

       Take Home Folder: Once a week a folder will go home for you to review completed work and other important information. This will provide an indication of his or her current progress.  It is often helpful for you to review these papers with your child. If your child has had several errors on a paper, please have him or her correct and discuss these corrections. Some papers will need to be signed and returned. In addition, I will maintain a portfolio to illustrate his or her progress throughout the year. Each week, please select one sample of work to send back with your child to put in this portfolio.

 The sample you choose does not have to be a perfect paper. Rather, it may be a paper that shows a need for improvement or one where he or she has shown great effort.  Please indicate your selection by writing “Portfolio” at the top of the paper.

Grading Procedure:

The grading scale for Math, Spelling, and Language is as follows:

93-100                         A

85-92                             B

75-84                             C

70-74                             D

Below 70         F

Grades for Reading, Science, and Social Studies are as follows:

E (excellent), S (satisfactory), I (improving) and N (needs improvement). A student will only be given a grade of E based on extra effort shown and an extension project completed in the specific subject area.

Classroom Rules

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
3. Stay in your seat unless you have permission to do otherwise.
4. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
5. Display respectful behavior to teacher/peer/self.
6. Must be prepared for school (homework completed, folders signed, etc.)

Rewards:

"Terrific" ticket serves as our reward system.  Each child has the potential to earn tickets by displaying good behavior, achieving a goal, completing a teacher request, and/or academic excellence.  Receiving a ticket is strictly based on teacher discretion and/or specific situations.  The student may use his/her tickets to earn a small reward OR “bank” tickets to earn a particular incentive.  Tickets may be redeemed as follows:

Ticket Earnings

10 tickets: pencil

15 tickets:  Treasure Box

20 tickets: Lunch in the Room

25 tickets: 1 Homework Pass

Note- Students will be responsible for keeping and accessing their own tickets.  When ready to redeem, students must write their name on the back of the ticket and return ticket(s) to teacher for reward.  “Cash in” day will be set by the teacher. Students are not allowed to exchange tickets. This may result in loss of privilege of "cashing out."

Consequences

We will be using a behavior card tracking system.  When a student chooses to  break a rule, a warning will be given and the student will be asked to turn his/her card.  The card will be turned when a rule is broken again.  When a child reaches a red card, they may receive any or all of the of the following: "miss all of free time", a call home, and possibly sent to the principal's office. Please note there are some instances that will automatically warrant more severe punishment without warning.  Such behavior might include: hitting, lying, and/or cheating.  The following card system will be used:

Please sign and return this page.