Frequently Asked Questions
About Mrs. Wray’s Second Grade Class…

What needs to be kept in my child’s homework folder each day?

The homework folder should always contain the following:
--Accelerated Reader recording sheet
--Homework Assignment sheet
--Homework that needs to be completed and turned in on a given day.
--Current week’s Spelling list

I ask that you check your child’s homework folder daily. Notes and memos are sent regularly. It is important that you help your child stay organized by removing things that do not need to stay in the folder. Homework or workbook pages that have been checked need to be removed on a daily basis. Each Friday, the homework folder is sent home even though there is no homework. It is sent so that it can be cleaned out. The assignment sheet needs to be removed each Friday along with any checked classwork. Helping your child in this area will help them begin each day with confidence that they are prepared.

Can I send treats for birthdays?

YES! Please refer to the information in the Back-to-School Parent Meeting booklet. In Second Grade, we celebrate all the birthdays in each month on a designated day. Parents may work together to plan treats for the celebration during the month of their child's birthday. Please contact Mrs. Wray with your specific questions about our Birthday Celebrations.

When should I schedule doctor’s appointments for my child?

The best time to schedule appointments would be after 2:00. By that time everyday, most of our work is completed and homework assignments have been given and explained. I realize that at times, appointments can only be made in the morning, but always ask if an afternoon appointment is possible.


When can I come for a conference?

If you would like to schedule a conference, please call the office and tell the secretaries when you would like to come. I will send a note or phone you to confirm that there are no other conflicts with the time you have requested. I will be available the following times:

Tuesday-3:15--4:00 p.m.
Wednesday-3:15--4:00 p.m.
Thursday-9:45--10:30 a.m. or 3:15--4:00 p.m.
Friday-9:45--10:30 a.m.

When should I call you at home?

Please reserve phone calls to my home for things that I really need to know before I see your child the next day (examples: death of family member or pet, illness or accident, other special needs). I will not give homework assignments over the phone. I make every effort to make sure the students have copied their assignments each day before they leave. The assignments are posted daily on the website by 3:30. You will find that most homework assignments are repeated week after week. I try to make homework as stress-free as possible. I ask that you not call to discuss your child’s progress. I often do not have the necessary records in front of me to adequately discuss your child’s work. If there are problems, I would rather meet with you to discuss your concerns. In the event you do need to call, please call between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m.

What do I do if my child’s transportation will be different on a given day?

If your child will be going home differently than what you indicated at the beginning of school, please send a note. I cannot take the child’s word for a change in transportation. These notes are sent to the office to be initialed by Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Allen, or Mrs. Ellis. If I do not receive a note, I will have to follow the transportation plans made at the beginning of school. If your child will be staying at the school for some kind of ball practice, I need to know this. I want to make sure that your child is always where he/she should be, so please cooperate with this request.

If my child is absent, what should I do about missed work?

If your child is out for only one day, I will work with them on the day he/she returns to catch up. If you know your child will be out two or more days, please call the office by noon, and I will gather the work together and follow your directions about getting the work home.

Can my child bring “treasures” from home to show the class?

Please do not allow your child to bring toys or things of value to school. These things have a way of getting lost on the playground or into the hands of others that do not return them. The exception to this rule about bringing things from home would be jump ropes. The children may bring their jump ropes to have at recess anytime.
During the year, the children will take turns being the “Treasure of the Week.” I will send a letter when it is your child’s turn, and your child will be able to bring 2-3 “treasures” to show the class (trophies, collections, something they made, stuffed animal, etc.). I ask that you not send things that are breakable. I would like the children to bring a baby picture of themselves and a couple of other pictures they would like to share with their friends. I would also like your child to bring a favorite book to share with the class. I will read this to the class sometime during the week. When it is your child’s turn, I will send some things for your child to complete and bring to school.


What if my child cannot complete his/her homework?

I realize that sometimes problems arise in the evenings, and homework cannot be done. Please send a note and explain what has happened. I strive to establish good habits with returning homework. It is something I expect the children to do. Homework is not graded; however I keep a record of missing assignments. I reward the children who return homework daily. Homework is a reality of school. When your child views this as an extension of the day and takes responsibility for completing assignments, a good foundation is laid for later school years.

What supplies should NOT be brought to school?

Here is a list of things that I would prefer the children not have at school.
--Mechanical pencils
--Ink pens
--Markers
--Highlighters
--Pencils with large “fun” erasers on the end
--Small hand-held pencil sharpeners
--Pencil boxes
--Trapper Keepers
Most of these are things that are not needed and will often cause problems with your child being distracted from classwork.

What additional supplies might you want to purchase?

Here are some things your child may need.
--Small erasers that fit on the end of pencils
--Pink or white rectangular erasers

--Pencil grips (size and shape depends on your child's preference)
--Fabric, stretchy book covers
--Adhesive round, punched hole reinforcers—to put on holes on pages that
will be kept in the Reading binder

--Extra plastic folders to use if your child's folder gets worn during the year

--One-subject spiral notebooks to send in case we fill the ones we began the year with

--Coloring books, puzzle books, activity books, etc. to have on inside recess days

How can I best help my child do his/her best in Second Grade?

There are a number of things you can do to help your child to be successful. In second grade, it is very important for a transition to begin. Your child needs to begin to take responsibility for his/her own learning. Your child needs to do his/her part in the classroom by paying attention, asking questions, and completing work. You play a vital role in helping your child take on this responsibility. I can offer many suggestions for things you can do at home, but your child must see the need to do their best in the classroom.

Here are some things you can do:
--Make homework your child’s responsibility.
Set up a place and time for homework to be completed, but do not unpack the backpack and “lay everything out” for your child. Allow him/her to organize the space. Create a box, crate, tub, etc. with supplies that only your child will use. This tub should include pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, etc. that your child will use when doing homework. No one else in the family should use these things, and your child should not remove things from the tub. Your child needs to be responsible for these supplies and their care. When homework is completed, go over it with your child, and then leave the packing of the backpack to your child. Have a place to put the backpack so that your child can pick it up the next morning.

--When the Tuesday folder comes home, go over the work with your child. Ask questions about things that were missed. Also ask your child to tell you about what was learned by a certain activity. Your children will hear me say over and over again:

“If you can explain it, then you understand it.”

Let your child be the teacher. Let them tell you what they have learned.
You may keep the Tuesday folder to look over during the week. I ask that it be returned by Friday, so that I can begin to prepare it to go home the next week.

--In Reading, your child will take tests on each story, so…
Use the Reading binder to help your child prepare. There will always be a cover sheet for each story detailing the skills that will be taught and tested with reach story. The binder will have vocabulary and skills practice work that will be tested. Occasionally, there will be workbook pages in the binder. These should also be reviewed. We stay with one story for one week. There will usually always be a test on Friday covering the story events, vocabulary, comprehension skills, and phonics skill. Always check the Homework assignment sheet for Reading homework assignments. I will require that the Reading book and binder go home on certain days. However, your child may bring these home everyday if you wish. Please let your child know that even if I don’t say it, you want them to pack their Reading book and binder daily.

--In Math, grades are taken on several assignments.
Grades are given on skills that have been practiced during the week. A quiz is given each Thursday on the word problems that have been practiced that week in class and for homework. Also, a chapter test is given at the end of each chapter in the Math workbook. The workbook pages will come home a couple of days before the test along with some practice test material. Go over these with your child. I will send many more study aids and tips for helping your child with Math as we move through the curriculum.

--In Science and Social Studies, there will be a Study Guide sent several days before a test.
Go over these with your child. Sometimes, a booklet that has been made in class will also come home to study. Your child will also use his/her textbooks to study. As soon as a unit is begun, your child may begin taking his/her textbook home. The book will always come home prior to a test.

How do I talk to my child about grades?

It is crucial that your child feel your approval for his/her efforts rather than for the letter grades. Your child will not always make straight A’s. Your child needs to understand that you ask for their best. Sometimes their best is a B. There are always tears and sad faces when the grades are not what the children want to see. I try to give certificates and treats each nine weeks for many areas (homework, meeting AR goals, having a good percentage of correct answers on AR tests, having neat work, good conduct, etc.) I try to let the children know that grades are not the only thing they are judged by. Keep your expectations high, while complimenting many things about your child. If your child feels successful in many areas, then the pressure to make only A’s will be lessened.

My ultimate goal this year is to continue laying a foundation for further success. With an eye toward iLEAP and LEAP testing, I strive to challenge your child to think critically and become independent learners. This does not alwys mean that the letter grades will be "A's," but it is my hope that your child will enjoy success in future testing and learning situations. I always tell the children that I want to "stretch their brains." When you encourage your child to use problem-solving and thinking strategies instead of looking to you to "give" them the answers, you make them better more confident learners.