Notes

I wanted to included a copy of the notes I sent home this week on this blog.  I hope to see everyone at  our Open House Tuesday night, August 26.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

English – We will continue to use Shirley English for our language program.  We will take chapter tests wherever they fall during the week.   It may not necessarily be on a Friday.  The students will always have a chapter review for homework the night before a chapter test.  We will also have mid-chapter tests and journal grades in English.  If you would like to provide extra English practice for your child, have them practice writing sentences that contain at least five words; have them sort words into groups of nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs; or have them write stories at home.

Reading – As explained in the letter sent home last week, we will use a reading program called Daily 5/Café.  We will spend our first weeks working intensely on building our reading and writing stamina and learning the behaviors for Daily 5.  I will also spend time learning about your child’s strengths and greatest needs as a reader in order to best plan for each student’s instruction.

            One thing you will notice is a direct decrease in the number of worksheets your child will bring home.  While worksheets keep students busy, they don’t really result in the high level of learning I want for your child.  Another change that you will see is that we will stop using a weekly story from a reading book.  Instead, your child will be taught to select “Good Fit Books”, or books they can read, understand, and are interested in.  They will be spending most of their time actually reading, which research supports as the number one way to improve reading.  I anticipate the motivation and enjoyment of reading will skyrocket when this gift of choosing their own books is accompanied by extended practice and specific reading instruction for each individual child.  

Spelling – Each week we will learn a different spelling pattern or rule.  We will practice that rule all week using spelling worksheets, centers and computer games.  The students will have nightly spelling homework.  On Monday nights, homework will usually consist of a worksheet to be completed.  This worksheet will help the children to see the pattern or rule we are learning.  On Tuesday night, the children will write sentences using some of their words or put their words in ABC order.  Wednesday and Thursday nights are “Speller’s Choice” nights.  The students may choose an activity from the Speller’s Choice page in their binder. 

Graded Tests – Graded tests will be sent home on either Monday or Tuesday in the “Return to School” section of the binder.  Please look through the tests, sign the conduct sheet and return the papers to school the next day. 

It is helpful if students arrive each morning around 7:45-7:50.  When they come into the classroom, they unpack their book bag, make their lunch choice, go to the restroom, copy the homework assignments, and begin their morning work.  Being on time helps your child feel better prepared for his/her school day.   Please do not send your child to the classroom before 7:30, as there is no teacher on duty until that time.

I use a texting app to send reminders and notes to all parents in my classes.  You do not need to download the app to get my text messages.  To receive the texts I send to the group, please send a text to (786) 329-4784 with the message @509e6d.  I will get a message that tells me you have joined our group!

I hope these notes will be helpful to ease your transition into second grade.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I am looking forward to a great year!