ABC�s of Second Grade 2008-2009
The ABC�s of Second Grade are to familiarize you with our classroom
procedures for this year. These ABC�s will ensure a well run classroom
where learning can take place and where your child will benefit from the
activities that have been planned.
The ABCs of Second Grade
By: Mrs. Wright
Absences: If your child is sick or has an appointment, please send in a note
the next day so I can mark the absence excused. Please remember that
trips/vacations are not excused without prior approval from the
administration. Absence notes are integral and must be handed in so that they
absence can be coded correctly on the roll slip which is a legal document.
Art: The students will have Art on Friday afternoons. I am asking for each
student to send in $5 dollars to cover the cost of the art
supplies (i.e. water color paints, markers, felt, etc) Thank you!
Behavior Management: I feel it is important to have a consistent behavior
plan in place for the classroom. In our classroom each child will be given
a star on the board. If the child has good behavior and their star stays up
all day they get a happy face in their homework book. If a child is not
following the rules, their star comes down and they get a sad face in their
homework book. If a child has a really tough day of listening and must be
corrected repeatedly a note or a phone call will follow the sad face. For
the students who keep their behavior stars up on the board I have a prize
box and students can earn special privileges as a class such as a video or
cupcakes etc. I encourage the positive as much as possible! I love
catching the students being good!!
Birthdays: Your child is welcome to bring a treat to share with the class.
Because of our tight schedule, we cannot have a party. However, we will sing
Happy Birthday and eat the treat at recess time. Please remember that to
avoid hurt feelings, party invitations cannot be passed out at school unless
the entire class is invited. For Treats-- There are 30 students in our
class.
Book Orders: I send home a Scholastic book order about once each month.
This is a wonderful way to build your child�s� home library and help our
class at the same time. Our class earns Bonus Points with each child�s
order that I will use to buy more books and reading materials.
Book Reports: Students will be completing a variety of Book Reports and
formats this year. Students will be expected to read and share their reports
with the class.
Box Tops: An easy way to help our class and school is by collecting Box Tops
for Education, found on many of the foods we all buy. At my house, we have
a Ziploc bag hung on the fridge for collecting them.
Classroom Climate: It is important for the students to understand that we
work together to create a classroom experience that is warm and safe. The
second grade should be filled with many learning experiences and students
should not be afraid to be active participants in their learning.
Class Mom or Dad: Each year I ask for one or two parents to volunteer to be
the classroom parent(s). The classroom parent helps in various ways as their
schedule permits. For example the Class parent may send in treats for the
class on our Walk-A-Thon day or come in to help during my Christmas Craft
Party. If you would be interested please let me know.
Computers: We visit the computer lab each week to learn and practice new
skills with our computer teacher Mr.Hoffman. Your child will be going to
computer on Tuesday mornings.
Communication Envelopes: The Communication Envelopes are sent home each
Wednesday and contain important information regarding school events. These
white envelopes are sent home with the oldest student in the family.
Dress Down Days: Dress down days are held every few months and the money
collected is used for various charities or school needs. Please remember to
fill out the permisssion form and send in the money before the actual date of
the dress down day.
Discipline: The school policy was sent home in the school handbook. Please
refer to the handbook for any questions.
Email: I usually check my email at night, so it is a good way to get in
touch with me. My email address lwright@olcphila.org.
Fun Friday: Each Friday we will be engaged in Learning Center Activities to
strengthen skills and concepts learned. The students will play games and
complete activities that are fun and engaging, as well as worthwhile
learning experiences.
Field Trip: I would like to have a field trip this year. It is important
for the students to know that a field trip is a privilege. I can not
guarantee that the class will go on a trip during the year but it is my hope
that we will.
Flexible Groups: The flexible groups are small groups of students who work
together to accomplish various learning goals. The groups work on guided
reading activities, math problems, and projects during the year.
Homework: In an effort to make homework time easier with everyone�s busy
schedules, the spelling words will be given on Monday. Our class will have a
weekly Spelling test on Fridays. Math homework will usually be given daily.
Religion homework will also be given on a regular basis. Integrated
Language Arts and Reading homework will also be given each week. Homework is
a very important and integral part of your child�s learning process. All
homework must be completed and turned in the next day. All homework and
assignments must be neat and legible. Messy or sloppy work will not be
accepted. All homework must be checked and signed by a parent.
Literacy Block: Our class will be having a literacy block that is
considered our Integrated Language Arts period. It includes spelling,
vocabulary, phonics, comprehension, or other reading skills followed by
small guided reading groups. This allows each child to receive instruction
and practice at his/her reading pace.
Lunch: We have lunch from 12:30-1:00. OLC offers a hot lunch program.Hot
Lunch envelopes are sent home in the Communication Folder each week. If you
pack your child�s lunch, please remember no glass bottles or containers are
allowed.
Morning Meeting: The Morning Meeting will be held during our ILA Block each
day. This is a time for the children to practice their listening and
speaking skills while participating in cross curricular activities. The
students will do Calendar, Daily Edit, learn songs and poems, and practice
various learning and social skills.
Money: Should your child have any money being sent in for school supplies,
stationary, pretzel etc., please use an envelope or Ziploc bag with your
child�s name on it.
Newsletter: I will send home a newsletter usually every two weeks to keep
you up-to-date. You can find it in your child�s TAKE HOME folder.
Information will also be posted on our classroom websiteunder the NewsFlash!
button.
Nightly Reading: The students are expected to do 10 minutes of independent
reading each night and record the reading and number of pages on their
Reading Log which will be kept in their Take Home Folder. Each week students
will gather in small groups to discuss their reading and complete an
activity.
Paint Shirts: Please send in an old t-shirt or a smock for your child to
wear over their uniform on Art days when we paint or will be using messy
materials. Please make sure the shirt is CLEARLY labeled with your childs'
name.
PE: Our class has P.E. each Thursday with Mr. Hoffman. Please make sure your
child wears his/her gym uniform on this day!
Questions or concerns? Please send a note, call me, or email me! School:
(215)624-0505. email: lwright@olcphila.org
Recess; The second grade takes recess around 10:00 a.m. each day.
School Supplies: I can not stress the importance of your child's school
supplies enough! It is vitally important that students have all their
supplies--copybooks, folders, pencils, crayons, glue stick, etc at all times
so that they may fully participate in the learning that happens. So please
check your child's supplies each week and make sure they are complete.
Slate: Slate is an interactive tool that can be accessed on the Second Grade
website. I will post many activities that the children may complete at home
or they will work on them during center time. I hope that this new tool will
make an impact ont the children's learning this year.
Snack: Your child may bring a healthy midmorning snack to eat at recess. No
Candy or soda.
Star Student: Each week a student who has shown exceptional behavior or hard
work will be chosen as the Star Student in our class. The student will
bring in 5 pictures that they can talk about to the class. I will hang the
pictures on a Star Student board. The student may also bring in a book they
can read to the class. The Star Student will also receive a hat and a treat!
Story Tapes: The children will be recording stories onto cassette tapes to
track their reading progress through the year. The tapes will be sent home
at the end of the year so that you can hear how your child has progressed
and grown through the year! I ask that each student send in $1 for a tape.
Special Projects: Each month I try to have a special project for the
students to work on that encompasses all areas of the curriculum. These are
theme units based on various topics from Apples to Dinosaurs. The students
love these projects! It is another way to use their budding talents and
skills! Look for the upcoming projects on the second grade website!
Take Home Folder: Your child is required to have one folder designated as the
Take Home Folder for second grade. This folder will be used to convey
important information about what is happening in second grade and to return
papers and other vital communications.
Traveling Ted: One child each week will be chosen to bring our classroom
teddy bear home for the weekend. Your child will take Ted on all their
weekend adventures and write about it in the Traveling Ted Adventure
Journal. Pictures of Ted and your child may also be included in the
journal. On Mondays we will have Traveling Ted Tales to hear all about the
weekend adventures! (Just a note�I take Ted home every week and give him and
his clothes a bath!)
Transportation: If there is a change in the way your child will go home,
please send a note or call the school to let me know.
Toys: Please be aware that if your child brings a toy to school and has it
out during lessons--It will be put in the June Box and returned on the last
day of school. I, nor the school, can not be held accountable for lost or
damaged toys and games. Toys or games that are needed for after school
activities or programs are to be kept inside the school bag during the school
day.
Unique: Each child is unique and has special gifts and talents. I am
excited to get to know the children in second grade this year.
Volunteers: There are many opportunities for volunteering in our classroom.
Please let me know if and when you can help.
Website: Please visit the school�s web site at the following address:
http://www.olcphila.org/
Website for the Second Grade: You can access the second grade web page from
the school website or you can go to www.teacherweb.com and look it up. I
always post important information and goings-on at the web page, as well as
spelling lists and homework. So remember to check in frequently! It also has
an RSS feed so you can link it directly to your Yahoo or other home page on
the computer for easy access.
Writers Workshop: Our class will participate in different types of writing
throughout the school year. We will write stories, poems, and even class
books! Be on the look out for your child�s published work!
Zzzz: Please make sure your child gets enough sleep. Well-rested, alert
children are more successful in school!
Thanks for your support! I am looking forward to a wonderful year with the
students!
