PARENT NIGHT

Lake in the Hills Elementary SchoolSecond Grade – Mrs. DeanSeptember 2, 2015

Welcome, Parents!

Welcome: Introduction Goals for Parent Night

To outline curriculum To explain behavioral expectations To detail classroom procedures To share information about how learning

can be supported at home

Second Grade Curriculum Highlights

Quantum Learning

Teach to the Brain Use of Color, Music, and Movement 5 Tenets to Teaching and Learning

Everything is on Purpose Acknowledge Every Effort Everything Speaks Experience Before Label If it is Worth Learning, It’s Worth

Celebrating

Language Arts

Balanced Literacy Approach Word Work – Emphasis on encoding through

word patterns and word meanings. Fluency – Automaticity in decoding and sight

words (included in packet); Expressions; Rhythm; and Rate

Reading Workshop Instructional Anchor Texts Shared Reading Guided Reading (small groups)

Writing Workshop – Being a Writer Speaking and Listening

Integrated Science Units

Matter Earth’s Systems Animals Plants

Integrated Social Studies Units

Communities/Local Government (Civics)

Holidays around the World Map Skills Civil Rights Needs and Wants (Economics)

Words their Way

Cards are cut and left in the homework section of the binder. They are to be sorted nightly and brought back and forth to school daily.

Even though word work focuses on encoding (spelling), there is no evidence that weekly tests help students master the spelling of words. There are assessments embedded within the Words their Way curriculum, and those assessments are used to monitor progress. Student application of studied skills in daily work is the best indicator of mastery.

Mathematics

Based on the Common Core State Standards

Think Deeply – Emphasizes critical thinking. Explain thinking, especially in writing.

Integrate Learning – Emphasizes learning across subject areas.

Show How They Know – Emphasizes proof and evidence. The new tests will also require students to explain how they know.

Math Units

Houghton Mifflin Math Expressions

Addition and Subtraction within 20 Addition within 200 Length and Shapes Subtract 2-Digit Numbers Time, Graphs, and Word Problems 3-Digit Addition and Subtraction Arrays, Equal Shares, and Adding or Subtracting

Lengths

Word Problem Strategy

Second Step Curriculum

Focuses on Building Social and Academic Skills in Order to Promote a Better learning Environment and Well-Rounded Child.

Promotes a Positive Behavior Support System.

B.E.A.C.H. Binder

One Stop for Parents Front Pocket – Notes for Teacher,

Office, or PTC Behavior Chart – Completed Daily Blue Folder – Papers to Keep at

Home Back Pocket – Homework Section

Homework Policy

Promotes Responsibility and Study Skills Assignments should be Written Down in Assignment

Book. Homework is Brought Home and Returned in the

Back Pocket of the B.E.A.C.H. Binder Read 15 Minutes Nightly and Practice (+) and/or (-)

Facts for 5 Minutes Nightly (Monday – Thursday) Incomplete Homework: Student owes 5 Beach

Bucks and has to the finish work.

Learning Log

Read for a MINIMUM of 15 minutes and practice (+) and/or (-) facts for a MINIMUM of 5 minutes (Bedside Five) each night Monday through Thursday. Completion of the monthly Learning Log meets the requirements of ALL reading incentive programs such as Book It, Ozzie Reading Program, and the Great America reading program. No additional forms are needed.

Bedside Five

Setting aside 5‐10 minutes before bed to scan material from the school day is the goal for this activity. This is a technique that helps the brain know what is important for memory encoding. We can let students know the school day is divided into two parts. The first part is when they are physically at school, and the second part is the last five minutes of the day just before they sleep. We can train younger students that the last five minutes of the day belong to the teacher.

We know that the brain is busy consolidating memory during sleep. This is what helps develop long‐term memory. Having your child review content from the school day at the very end of the day may increase the likelihood that the material will be processed into memory. By doing a scan before sleeping, a student comes back to what is important for long‐term storage. It could be a list of new sight words or review of math facts, or vocabulary words for science. Doing a quick scan will give the student an edge by sending a strong message to the brain, “This is important.”

Sample Learning Log

SEPTEMBER’S LEARNING LOG

Read a minimum of 15 minutes (RAZ-Kids or another option) and practice (+) and/ or (-) f acts f or a minimum of 5 minutes each night

Monday through Thursday. I recommend using www.xtramath.org and/ or the math mountain cards f or math f act practice.

Put an (X) in the box when the reading and f act practice is complete.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday August 31st

1

2 3

7

NO SCHOOL

8 9 10

14

15 16 17

21

22 23 24

28

29 30

At the end of the month, parent(s)/ guardian(s), please sign this chart and return. Student’s Name:_________________________________________________ Parent’s Signature:_______________________________________________

Expectations

for the School and Classroom

School Rules

Respect for Self

Respect for Property

Respect for Others

Respect for Teaching

“SPOT” cards are earned as a classroom and as individuals for following school-wide expectations inside and outside the classroom walls.

Quantum Learning: Follow the Keys

1. Integrity: Match behavior with values. 2. Failure Leads to Success: Learn from mistakes. 3. Speak with Good Purpose: Speak honestly and kindly. 4. This is It: Make the most of every moment. 5. Commitment: Make your dreams happen. 6. Ownership: Take responsibility for actions. 7. Flexibility: Be willing to do things differently. 8. Balance: Live your best life.

Behavior Clip Chart

Where are you Living? ABOVE the Line or BELOW the Line?

Purple - Outstanding Behavior

EARN 3 SPOTS & 5 BEACH BUCKS. Earn Certificate.

Pink – Great J ob

EARN 2 SPOTS & 3 BEACH BUCKS.

Blue – Excellent Eff orts

EARN 1 SPOT & 1 BEACH BUCK.

Green – Ready to Learn

STARTS HERE!

Yellow – Make Better Choices

OWE 1 BEACH BUCK.

Orange – Teacher’s Choice

OWE 3 BEACH BUCKS. Teacher’s Choice f or Consequence

Red – Parent/ Guardian Contact

OWE 5 BEACH BUCKS.

Classroom Tidbits

Schedule

Snack- Daily Recess- Daily  Lunch- Daily P.E.- Days B and C Music- Days A and D Media – Day E Library- Day A Art- Fridays

Classroom Jobs

Students take Ownership of the Classroom

Every Student has a Job Jobs Change Weekly

Snack Time

Daily at 10:10 A.M. Healthy Snack: No cookies, juice, or

Kool-Aid Must be Able to Eat it Independently

so Learning can Continue Provide Utensils if Needed Water Bottles are Encouraged

Birthday Procedure

Birthdays should be Celebrated!!! Treats must be Pre-Packaged and Store

Bought. Half Birthdays are Celebrated for June, July,

and Early August Birthdays. Treat Alternatives:

Donate a Book to the Library. Donate a Book to the Classroom. Pass out Pencils, Stickers, etc.

“Surfer of the Week”

Monday: Poster Share

Wednesday: “What’s in the Sack?”   Thursday: Parent/Guardian Letter

Friday: Friendship Book

Transportation

If your child is ever going to take a different means of transportation home than usual, please send a note with your child regarding the transportation change.

Without a note I am unable to send students home by another means of transportation.

If something comes up during the school day or you forget to send a note to school about a change in transportation, just call the office and they will notify me of the transportation change.

Website and App Information

http://mrsstephaniedean.weebly.com Visit the website for classroom

information. Newsletters and Word Sort Cards

are on the website. Join the Homeroom App.https://gethomeroom.com/i/UJRDUG I try to update the app frequently. It is a great peak into our class.

Get Involved!

Join the PTC Attend Events and Fundraisers Volunteer Opportunities:

TAP ParentsMystery ReadersParty Coordinator and/or

Volunteer

Poem: Unity

I dreamed I stood in a studio and watched the sculptors there. The clay they used was a young child's mind, and they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher; the tools he used were books, and music, and art. One, a parent with a guiding hand, and a gentle, loving heart.

Day after day the teacher toiled, with touch that was deft and sure, While the parents labored by his side and polished and smoothed it o'er.

Unity, continued…

Closing

Parent Night is not a conference. If you want a conference, please let me know, and we’ll set a date and time. Formal conferences are in November. Sign up for a conference before you leave.

Parents, please collect all handouts off your child’s desk.

Please sign and return the last page of this packet by Wednesday, September 9th.