Mrs. Shinn's Second Grade

I trust your summer was a blessed and peaceful one. I am looking forward to a wonderful year working with you and your child.

My overall goal is to help your child grow spiritually, academically, emotionally and socially to his/her fullest potential. To attain this goal, your support, love and prayers are a must.

A general view of the 2009-2010 school year:

Curriculum and Textbooks are available for review at Back to School.

Bible (Bible Truths for Christian Schools; Bob Jones University)

Children develop a love for, and a personal relationship with, Jesus Christ.

Memory verse tested every Friday. If the verse is not memorized your child will have until Monday to memorize and receive a deduction in points. All verses MUST be memorized! A special Bible award is given at the end of the year for those receiving an “A” throughout the year.

Reading (Reading for Christian Schools; Bob Jones) (Book A & B and work text)

I will assist in developing an increased love for reading, vocabulary, comprehension, oral reading, and literacy skills. Ten minutes of reading at home four times a week is required.

Book Log: A required book log is due the first of every Friday. The log must have a grade level chapter books logged per week.

Book Reports: A book report is due at the first of each month starting in November. I will instruct and practice book reports in class with children through September and October.

Mathematics (Mathematics 2; Bob Jones University)

Children will cover patterns, place values, addition (regrouping), subtraction (regrouping), geometry, fractions, measurements, time, money, multiplication, division and problem solving techniques. An oral addition, subtraction and multiplication test will be given on each table, one at a time. I will notify you on the set of numbers we are studying and when the test will be given.

English (Language 2; Bob Jones University)

Children will learn the correct structure and usage of the English language. The areas of language covered are complete sentences, capitals, punctuation, creative writing, plurals, suffixes, prefixes, compound words, contractions and alphabetizing.

History (Heritage Studies; Bob Jones University)

Children will study America Heritage, people who built America (Pioneers, Colonists, Indians, Separatist, Cowboys and Immigrants), geography (continents, oceans, directions, and fifty states location) and America’s Future.

Science (Science 2; Bob Jones University)

Children are exposed to a wide variety of exciting topics. Several science experiments will be conducted during the semesters to allow students hands-on understanding of complex concepts.

Spelling (Spelling for Christian Schools; Bob Jones)

Spelling tests will consist of 20 words from the spelling book. Spelling words are tested every Friday.

I will determine class Association of Christian School International (ACSI) Spelling Bee Representative from spelling grades. A spell-off will be given to qualifying students to determine the Spelling Bee Representative.

Journaling

Children will keep a journal of their writings. They will learn writing skills, self-expression, and creativity. Creative writing will be stressed. Spelling will not be graded in creative writing.

Art/Crafts

Children’s creativity is an extension of their individual style. Children are encouraged to be creative and do their best. All work is accepted and praised.

We will make crafts along with studying several masters of art and focusing on art appreciation during the year.

Music (Monday & Wednesday)

Children spend time in music appreciation, learning to play the recorder and read music, along with rehearsing for school musicals performed twice a year with Mrs. Browning.

P.E. (Tuesday & Thursday)

Mrs. Stiles will conduct a variety of physical fitness activities for your child to help develop motor skills and good sportsmanship. Please send water bottles or an extra drink bottle on P.E. days. Girls must wear shorts or pants on P.E. days. Tennis shoes are also a must for all.

Discipline

A colored card system is used throughout the lower elementary grades. A child will pull a card from the chart on the classroom wall if his/her behavior is unacceptable. Our approach to discipline is always with love; a heart-change is desired with the hope of an outward behavior change. Self-control and obedience are our goal.

GREEN CARD = EXCELLENT / REWARD - TICKET

YELLOW CARD = SATISFACTORY (WARNING)/ NO TICKET

ORANGE CARD = FAIR / TIMEOUT

RED CARD = UNSATISFACTORY / DETENTION

            Behavior cards are pulled for the following reasons:

            3. Disruptive behavior in class, music or P.E.

            6. Unsigned notes or letters from parents upon request.

Homework Schedule

HOMEWORK IS GIVEN ON MONDAY AND IT IS DUE ON FRIDAY.

Pretest: At home give an oral pretest on Thursday (Bible verse, spelling words and math facts) to prepare your child for tests on Friday.

Required reading of 10 minutes per day. Starting September 14 a reading log will be sent home to record the books read.

Weekly Homework

A Parent/guardian must sign the homework slip notifying me that you have gone over the homework with your child and checked if it is complete.

Homework is not intended to be a burden to you or your child. It is intended to help your child have greater success in the classroom and to allow you to become involved in your child’s education.

            If homework is not returned by Friday, the following will occur:

Grading Scale

A+ 100 SUPERIOR

                        A 99-95

A- 94-90

B+ 89 ABOVE AVERAGE

B 88-85

B- 84-80

C+ 79 AVERAGE

C 78-75

C- 74-70

D+ 69 BELOW AVERAGE

D 68-65

D- 64-60

F 59 and below FAILING

Student of the Week

Communication from home to school and school to home is a very important part of your child’s education. Please notify me when you have concerns or there are changes in your child’s life that I may need to be aware of. I am happy to work with you through home situations that may be affecting your child’s attitude and school life.

Notes

As you know, an entire year cannot be covered in a few pages, so please keep in touch. Your communication will assist in making this a great year for all of us.

We are a family in Christ. WELCOME ABOARD!!!

Love In Christ,

I have read the Back to School Packet                                             Date_______/_______/09-10

Student’s Name: ____________________________ Student’s Signature: _____________________

Mom’s Name: (print) _________________________ Parent’s Signature: ______________________

Dad’s Name: (print) __________________________ Parent’s Signature: ______________________

Best telephone number to reach you during school:

Mom - (Circle) Home Cell Work ( ) ___________-______________

Dad - (Circle) Home Cell Work ( ) ___________-______________

Best telephone number to reach you after school:

Mom - (Circle) Home Cell Work ( ) ___________-______________

Dad - (Circle) Home Cell Work ( ) ___________-______________

You will be notified daily of late or missing assignments by e-mail

Mom’s e-mail address:___________________________@___________________ Work Home

Dad’s e-mail address:____________________________@___________________ Work Home

Would you like me to email both parents with notes & missing assignments? yes / no – please indicate which parent I should email: mom or dad.

Comments: ______________________________________________________________________________

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