IRPS

Curriculum Overview

Spelling:  We use SRA spelling lists, but practice blending strategies in our Open Court reading lessons. The students receive 5-15 spelling words to study each week. List tests are on Thursday and Friday. Dictation tests are on Thursday. The goal is for the students to build an effective writing vocabulary.

Students who consistently score high on weekly tests, spell accurately on daily work, and test at or above grade level on the Schonell spelling test, may receive more challenging lists at the end of the first trimester.

Reading: All students will be working in the Open Court series. The second grade book focuses on developing reading fluency which leads to greater comprehension and enjoyment of reading.  Using reading skills and strategies for inquiry and research is also a focus of our program. The Open Court series is a comprehensive reading, writing, and learning program.

All students will be given the DRA and MAP tests in the fall and spring to determine if they meet the state standard in reading.  Results will be discussed at conference time.

Home Reading Program: Calendars will be stapled monthly in the reading folders.  Please mark them appropriately.  The decodables, that go along with the weekly Open Court story, offer great practice.  The decodables for each unit will be sent home in your child's take home folder. Please send them back at the end of each unit if your child has mastered them.

Library: Our library day is Monday.  Children may check three  books each week.  Only one may go home at a time.

Student Story: Students have the opportunity to read a book of their choice to their classmates each month.

Language: Language and grammar skills are incorporated into our Open Court reading program and our science notebook activities. The children learn to use the Six Traits of Writing to increase their oral and written communication skills. Creative writing will stress the use of the Six Traits and the writing process. 

Math: Our math series focuses on the understanding of math concepts as well as drill and practice of the basic facts. The series integrates other subjects into our weekly math lessons. As a grade level we are trying some activities from the TERC math series focusing on mathematical thinking.

 Read It! Draw It! Solve It! problems are used for journal writings. Students are taught to answer math questions with pictures, words, and numbers. Students are also encouraged to talk about how they got their answers as well as different ways they could solve each problem.

Handwriting: Manuscript printing is practiced and used. Correct pencil grasp and letter formation is encouraged.

Science: We will be studying using materials from two FOSS science kits this year.  We will start the year with the Balance and Motion kit and end the year with the New Plants kit.  We will be studying about dinosaurs during the second trimester as a combined science and reading unit in Open Court.

Art: The students will experience a variety of art and craft activities.  Activities are implemented so students may experience the use of various media such as chalk, paint, and clay. 

Additional Information

Book Orders: When ordering books from the book order, please make the checks out to Scholastic Book Clubs, Lucky Books, or SeeSaw Books. We will not accept cash or checks made out to the school.

Special Treats: Birthday and special treats are welcome in room 11 but only if arranged ahead of time. We like to have our parties at lunch so please send the treats in before noon if possible. Also, please let me know if your child has any food allergies.  The new state law requires that group snacks are nutritious, store bought, and have zero transfat.

Holidays: There will be two parties in class this year.  We celebrate Halloween and Valentine's Day. If your family does not celebrate these holidays, please let me know. Sign up sheets for helpers and to donate items will come home before each party.

Sharing: We have sharing every Friday afternoon. Students may either bring an item or share about an exciting event in their life. We share our talents in the spring.

Homework:
Second grade homework generally consists of practicing spelling words and dictation sentences, reviewing math facts, and writing stories and observations. A dinosaur report will be assigned as an at home activity later on in the year.  Also, to promote good use of class time, any unfinished assignments will be sent home as homework. These papers must be sent back the next day.  Weekly spelling and math practice at home need not be sent in to be corrected. There should be visible growth on spelling and math fact tests if the students are practicing.

Grades:
Our new report card format will be discussed at conference time. A rating scale of 1 – 5 will be used to score academic work. The descriptors are:

• 5 Exceeding Standards
• 4 Meeting Standards
• 3 Developing
• 2 Beginning
• 1 Not Yet Beginning

Class Guidelines: 
Here is a list of our classroom rules and consequences.

Classroom Rules

Respect yourself

Respect others

Be responsible

Respect property

 

Infraction Steps
Step 1 Verbal warning and reminder of appropriate behavior
Step 2 Stay in for ten minutes of recess
Step 3   Parent conference and/or note home

*Level 1-3 infractions are listed in our Student Responsibility Plan book.

Good work awards: Students will be given Gotcha Tickets for appropriate behavior.  These tickets are used in a drawing for classroom books and treats from the office.  Good work is placed in the main hallway, and on the walls of the classroom. Each week we have "Nominations" where classmates nominate an outstanding boy and girl of the week.

Conferences: Conferences will be held on November 15^th, 16^th, 19^th and 20^th, this fall and on March 31^st and April 1^st – 3rd in the spring.  Notices will be sent out at a later date.

DRA: The second grade students will be tested next week on the DRA. This is a test that checks reading fluency, accuracy, and phrasing.  You will receive a written report about your child's progress at conference time.

MAP: The students will go to the computer lab and take two, one-hour tests. The tests will cover skills in math and reading. Results will be discussed at conference time, and will be used to help set up differentiated curriculum. The MAP test will be taken in the fall, winter and spring this year.

Field trips: There may be a field trip in the springtime to go along with one of our science or writing units.  Last year we visited the Middle School to work with our eighth grade buddies and went to a play at the Mt. Baker Theater.

Dinosaur Report: Each student will be responsible for completing a report about a dinosaur. A question a week, about your child's chosen dinosaur, will be sent home for five consecutive weeks.  The students will need to research specific facts about their dinosaur, and put the information in report form. 

Student Story: Students have the opportunity to sign up to read a short story to their classmates. The students must practice at home and the story may not exceed 10 minutes. Days will be noted on a calendar that will come home at the end of each month.

Parent Volunteers: Parents are invited to help in a variety of ways throughout the year in room 11.  Please sign in with the office before coming down to the classroom.  Calendars will be sent every month with a tentative helper schedule.  Call me if days or times conflict with your schedule. I will still need some time to figure out how best to utilize our classroom volunteers.  If you have volunteered to help on Monday and can change to any other day, please let me know.

Eighth Grade Buddies: In the spring the second grade will team up with the eighth grade to do several writing assignments. The eighth graders will help the second graders write a story and then at the end of the year each eighth grader will write a storybook for his/her second grade buddy.

Student Responsibility Plan: Please review the responsibility plan with your child and then sign the contract page before sending it in.  We have discussed most of the rule pages in class.

P.E on Tuesday and Friday. Please have your child dress accordingly.

Questions and Answers: If you have any questions or concerns that you need to talk to me about, please contact me at the school by calling 318-2531. 
My email address is krhodes@meridian.wednet.edu.