ABCs of our Class



A
Art:   While students who study art learn techniques specific to art, such as how to draw, how to mix paint, how to work with clay, etc., they're also taught a remarkable array of mental habits not emphasized elsewhere in school.  Such skills include visual-spatial abilities, reflection, self-criticism, and the willingness to experiment and learn from  mistakes.  All are important to numerous careers.

Your child will receive art instruction once a week.   Every other week from Ms. Subcleff and alternating weeks from Mrs. Fornia.

B
Birthdays:  If you would like, you may  send a snack, to be shared with the class during snack (10:30), on your child's birthday.  Summer birthdays will be celebrated during your child's Star Student Week.

Book Orders:  We will send these home periodically.  We would love a parent volunteer to head this up.   All book orders can be done online through Scholastic.  Book orders are appreciated by our class because we are able to get books for our well-used classroom library… the Imaginarium.

C
Community:  We will learn what makes a community and the basic elements of a community's economic system.  Students will also make timelines to show events in a community.  They will also learn that people in a community affect the environment as they meet their needs and wants.

Civics:   We will learn the the key ideal of the public or common good to uphold rights and responsibilities within the context of the community.


Community Geography:   Understands and applies basic mapping elements such as symbols, compass rose, labels, and a key to read and construct maps that display information about neighborhoods or local communities.



D
"Day in the Life":  This is our special journal that goes home during the Star Student week. Students choose ANY day from the week and write about it.  They get to share this with the class.

E
Earth and Space Science:  Students will learn to describes the properties of materials and uses these properties to sort earth materials.


F
Flat Stanley:   Students will be studying communities this year and creating a Flat Stanley to mail to someone who lives in a community other than Kirkland.  We will be doing this in the spring.

Folders:  Every day your child will bring home their take-home folder.   Things to be returned are put in that labeled pocket, while things that come back to school are in the other labeled pocket.


G
Guest Speakers::   During 2nd grade, students learn all about the community and jobs people have.   We would love to have some guest speakers!!   Please pick any day this year that works for you to come in and give a talk (or bring something to share) from the work you do.   We hope to spread out these career talks throughout the year.


H
Homework:

Daily:   enVisions math homework (including enrichment sheets)
Reading – Reading of 15- 20 minutes per day is expected of each student.
Math facts practice

Weekly:   Spelling – Tests will be given on Fridays.

Occasionally:   Projects and Assignments as assigned


I
Imaginarium:   This is our magical book room.   We hope to keep it stocked with books our class loves and with pictures of their favorite books.  You are welcome to add to our growing collection.

Invitations:   Invitations may be distributed in class ONLY if the whole class is invited.  (This is to prevent hurt feelings).

J
Job Share:  In our job share, you will find that your child is getting two hearts and two minds that care about them this year.  We create consistency throughout the week, yet offer our own special twist on things.   We have found that students enjoy the special things each of us brings to the class.  We have also found out how rewarding it is to have another teacher experiencing the same students and offering insight on how to create an even better education for your child.   We both are passionate about teaching and we look forward to our days we spend in the classroom with your child.

K
Kindness:  Students in our class are to treat all members of our school family with kindness and respect.   This room is a safe place for students to take risks, grow, create, and learn as much as possible.



L
Life Science:  Students will learn the life cycle of various insects and how habitats support life.


M
Math:  Our goal this year is to make sure every student is fluent in their math facts, sees the fun in solving problems, and continues to ask mathematical questions.  Mastering math facts will make every other year in school that much easier.

Math Curriculum:

 Number and Operations
1. Writes and renames numbers using place value.

2. Adds and subtracts two-digit numbers efficiently and accurately and explains why their procedure works.

3. Recalls addition and related subtraction facts for sums through 20.

Algebra
4. Solves equations where the unknown is in a variety of places.

Geometry/Measurement
5. Determines the value of collections of coins up to $1.00.

6. Uses analog and digital clocks to tell time to the minute.

7. Estimates and measures length using both U.S. customary and metric units and tools.
Data Analysis/Statistics/Probability
8. Collects, organizes, represents, and interprets data in bar graphs and picture graphs.

Reasoning, Problem Solving, and Communication
9. Solves problems involving two- and three-dimensional geometric figures.




N
News:   Please visit our classroom blog for updates and photos.  Our class website is www.subcleff-fornia.blogspot.com.   We will be updating this once a week with pictures and messages for parents and students.  This is in lieu of a photocopied class newsletter.   Please let us know if you would prefer a hard copy of the information instead.  Let usknow if there is anything in particular that you would like to see on the blog or website.



O
Open Door:  Please know that you are always welcome to come by to read, volunteer, or share a special treat or project.  Just let us know ahead of time, and be sure to sign in at the office.

P   
Physical Science:  We will learn about the relationship between forces and the motion of objects.

Processes, Systems, Inquiry, Application :  We will learn how parts of a system are connected and work together.

Q
Questions:  Please feel free to email us anytime you have a question.  We are happy to help.   We may not check our email very often during the school day, but we promise to get back to you as soon as we can.

R
Reading:  Students who love reading and read well do well in all subjects later in school.  We plan to instill the love of reading in our child this year.  Most importantly, make sure your child is reading (and having fun doing it!).  Reading aloud counts as reading homework.   2nd graders love hearing books read to them.

Phonics
1. Applies understanding of phonics.
2. Applies vocabulary strategies in grade-level text.
3. Knows common sight words appropriate to grade level.
Oral Reading Fluency
4. Applies fluency to enhance comprehension.
Comprehension
5. Applies comprehension monitoring strategies before, during, and after reading: determines
importance using theme, main idea, and supporting details in informational/expository text
and/or literary/narrative text.
6. Applies comprehension monitoring strategies before, during, and after reading: uses prior
knowledge/schema.
7. Applies comprehension monitoring strategies before, during, and after reading: predicts and
infers.
8. Understands story sequence.
9. Understands story elements.
10. Understands information gained from reading to perform a specific task.

S
Star Student:   Students will start the week by sharing their posters.  During your child's star student week they will be the classroom helper and they will get to bring in an item from home to share.

Schedule:  
PE:  Monday and Wednesday 11-11:30
Music: Tuesday and Friday 11:35-12:05
Library: Thursday 11:40-12:10

T
Technology:  Your 2nd grader will be using a netbook regularly.   They will create powerpoint presentations, learn word processing to publish their stories, and access educational websites.  They will also be learning internet safety rules.

U
Unpacking:  Each 2nd grader is responsible for unpacking his/her own backpack each morning.   This is their time to turn in papers/notes/school lunch money/etc.  from home.   During 2nd grade, your child is gaining independence and working on taking charge of these things by themselves.

V
Volunteers:  There are many ways you can volunteer in our room!  You can chaperone field trips, work with individual students/small groups of children to practice specific skills, share a book or information about your career or hobby, organize classroom games/tubs, repair over-loved books, etc.   Background check and volunteer form are required for working in the classroom.

W
Writing:  We become better writers be reading and writing every day.  Your student will be learning
The Writing Process
1. Produces a draft of multiple sentences or several paragraphs over time.
2. Revises text by adding and deleting words and phrases.
3. Publishes own writing.
Traits of Effective Writing
4. Organizes multiple sentences on one topic showing beginning, middle, and ending.
5. Uses a variety of words.
6. Uses more than one sentence type and structure.
7. Spells words appropriate for the grade level accurately, with challenging words spelled phonetically.
8. Applies usage rules.


Water bottles:  2nd graders should have a water bottle at school so they have access throughout the day to water.

X
Xtramath:  Online math practice.  Please sign your child up after receiving our letter instructing you how to do this.

Y
Your child is special:  We are honored to spend our days at school working with your child.

Z
Zoom:  The speed of childhood!   Only 10 more years until your child graduates from high school! 

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