Welcome to Room 20

Second Grade

Karen Macari

A Day In The Life of a Second Grader

• Morning Work / Meeting Time / Yoga• Fundations

• Writing• Grammar

• Snack• Specials (Gym, Art, or Music)

• Literacy Block• Recess/Lunch

• Math• Library Research/Computer Skills

• Science/Social Studies• Open Circle

• Jobs

GRADE 2 EXPECTATIONS

• In second grade, an emphasis is placed on developing student effort and understanding

thatEXCELLENCE MATTERS!

• An important part of our focus will be:- teaching organizational skills

- promoting academic and behavioral responsibility and accountability on the part of

students.

“Habits of Mind” that are as important to a student’s future success as academic learning:

• Persistence• Managing impulsivity• Listening with understanding and empathy• Thinking flexibly• Controlling and executing metacognitive processes: (Develop a plan before

approaching a learning task, Monitor understanding, Evaluate thinking after completing the task.)

• Striving for accuracy and precision• Asking questions and posing problems• Applying knowledge to new situations• Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision• Gathering data through all their senses• Creating, imagining, and innovating• Responding with wonderment and awe• Taking responsible risks• Finding humor in the world around them• Thinking independently• Remaining open to continual learning

» From Educational Leadership: by Jenny Edwards and Arthur Costa

Homework

- Homework Folders are expected to come to school every day

- Send in a note with homework if your child has spent 30 – 40 minutes on an assignment and is having difficulty

- Reading should occur daily and be recorded on your child’s wiki.

- Daily practice of math facts is needed for mastery. There is a page on your child’s wiki to record this as well.

- Homework is assigned each night, Monday-Thursday and is collected the next day

Grading

- Unit Tests will be weighted heavier and graded with an E, M, P or B

- students are assessed both formally and informally and we are always collecting data based on the new standards.-writing assignments will be graded based on content and mechanics

*Boomerangs are assignments that are returned to the student to be completed or corrected

-New report cards arebased on new standards

Star of the Week

- Family members can visit the class to talk about their jobs or read a story

- Students can bring in pictures of themselves or other objects to share with the class

- Each student will have the opportunity to be the Star of the Week

- A letter with the date of your child’s week and other details is included in your folder.

COMMUNICATION

• School News posts are written and recorded by students weekly and posted on our class blog for sharing and discussion.

• Edline postings of grade level dates• “Tidbits from Room 20” Blog linked to

Edline. Postings include student writing, photos and short action videos.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT THROUGH

WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING

• Classroom Rules with gestures– Rule #1: Follow

directions quickly– Rule #2: Raise your

hand before you speak

– Rule #3: Make smart choices

– Rule #4: Use appropriate level voice

ScoreboardClass/YesTeach/Okay

Practice Cards and letters

Math- reinforce skills and concepts introduced in 1st grade

- use games as a way to practice and reinforce skills

- encourage students to write about math

-solving word problems

Mastery of:

- Telling time to five minute intervals-coin values, counting money, making change-place value to the 1000’s-linear measurement -basic geometric shapes- math facts (addition and subtraction) to 20

* Home practice is needed for mastery to occur*

Math Tiered Instructional Model

- Calendar

- Weather

- Pre-assessments- Lesson

- Guided Instruction and Review

-Independent practicethrough games and hands-onactivities

Literacy

Fundations

Tiered InstructionalReading Model

Daily 5 with C.A.F.E. goals and strategies

John Collins Writing

Grammar Skills

Social Studies & Science

- rotate between the two subjects

- incorporate reading and writing into activities

- at home and in school projects!

Communities

- Walking tour of Reading

-Community Workers Research project

Mapping

- locate continents, oceans, rivers, and mountain ranges

- identify directionality using a map

Native Americans

- study of the four regions of Native Americans in North America

- one at-home project and a field trip to Harvard Museum

- terrain & climate, food, shelter, transportation, beliefs, tools & weapons, and clothing

Balancing and Weighing- hands on Science unit

that explores the relationship between weight and balance

- students have to act and think like a Scientist

- explore the factors that effect the weight of objects

Heritage

- locate on a map and research each family’s countries of origin

- identify important landmarks, traditions, and customs

Insects

- hands on study of the lifecycles of various insects

- witness first hand the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly

- recyclable insects!

TECHNOLOGY

• Weekly lesson in computer lab• Learn basic functions of computer• Research topics using computers• Create power point slides • Use wiki to record reading and

math practice• Podcast, Photostory, Glogster,

Voicethread