Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What is the policy about snack?
We accept classroom donations for snack. Students may also bring their individual snacks and choose from the classroom snack or their own. The weekly newsletter will inform you if our supply is running low.Back to Top
My child is having trouble memorizing their math facts. Any suggestions?
Review the weekly timed tests with your child at home. Point out shortcuts such as; complete all the addition first, then subtraction, look for doubles, look for doubles plus/minus one. Flash cards are helpful and be sure to check out a website that is located on the links section of Mrs. Blackburn's web page. Remember: The goal is for students to memorize at least 18 math facts BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. It is o.k. if your child does not master it right away.Back to Top
Find something your child is interested in. Read together each night. Model reading in your home. Point out environmental things to read such as; road signs and grocery store items. Ask your child to predict and retell in their own words. Have them read aloud to increase fluency. Introduce non fiction as well as fiction. Set aside a special time for home reading each day. Make reading time as pleasurable and comfortable as possible so that your child develops warm feelings for books and reading. Notice when your child seems to tire. A book can always be finished the next day. Read to a younger sibling who is not yet able to read. When your child comes to an exciting part, ask the youngster to guess what might happen next. Then check the prediction.Back to Top
My child hates to write. How can I get him/her to do well?
As the writing process progresses in 2nd grade you will see "10 star" papers. Display these work samples at home. Review the teacher comments and go over the editing issues. Encourage students to use their core word lists and writing folders as a reference. Suggest a diary or a journal to keep at home. Find something they are interested in writing about. Encourage writing letters to family members or friends who live out of town. Use the Parsley Postal Pal service at school.Back to Top
Do 2nd grade students write in cursive?
We begin introducing all capital and lower case cursive letters at the end of the year. We do not teach them how to connect the letters. That is an objective that will be introduced in the 3rd grade.Back to Top
Why do we have to participate in the Accelerated Reader (A.R.) program
The A.R. program is a SUPPLEMENTAL tool to help teachers monitor student growth in the area of reading. Our goal is to create life long readers not to read for A.R. points. I will set A.R. goals according to the student's reading ability. I purposely set the goals a little lower to allow students to reach their goal early. This will give them an opportunity to read non A.R. books or books that are not on their level. In addition to A.R. students will be reading basal textbooks, class chapter books, chapter boook clubs, paired share reading, etc.Back to Top
How do I volunteer in the classroom?
PTA will be sending out surveys at the beginning of the school year. They will contact the teachers with the results. After I am notified with willing participants, I will contact you and set you up on a schedule that is flexible and convenient for both, the class and you. If you do not fill out a survey and decide later on in the year that you would be interested in helping out, just contact the me via e-mail, written note on daily report, or in person.Back to Top
What is the schedule for parent conferences?
I usually wait until the end of Sept. before scheduling conferences. This gives me an ample amount of time to get to know your child and collect necessary data. If you would like to meet sooner to discuss urgent issues such as; health or disabilities, please contact me in person. Conferences are scheduled as needed throughout the year. Many times if your child is on grade level, we will only meet 2 times. Once at the beginning of the year and once at the end of the year.Back to Top