Welcome

September 18, 2014Mrs. Moller

Second Grade

Back To School Night

My experience

• 1 year teaching 3rd grade

• 9 years teaching 4th grade

• 1 year as a Reading Specialist

• 2 years working with K-5

• Experience working in private, parochial and public schools

My background

• BA in Elementary Education from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO

• MSED in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading from Towson University

Get to Know Me

My Philosophy• I believe it is important to get to know each child as an individual

• I believe it is important to meet each child where they are at and move them forward

• I use flexible groupings; adjusting the educational environment to meet the needs of each child

• I value working together as a community to best meet the children’s needs

• I encourage communication. Please contact me whenever you have questions or concerns

Responsive Classroom

• Encouraging Teacher Language

• Morning Meeting

• Setting Clear Expectations

• Modeling Routines

• Logical Consequences

Language• Encouraging Teacher Language

• Morning Meeting

• Setting Clear Expectations

• Modeling Routines

• Logical Consequences

Our Daily Routine• Arrival

• Greeting/Morning Meeting

• Math

• Snack: We will have a walking snack when possible, please send in something portable

• Language Arts

• Recess and Lunch

• Specials

• Chapel

• Dismissal

Curriculum Overview

Reading, Writing, Math, Social Studies, and Spelling

Language Arts

• Includes Reading, Spelling, Writing, Phonics, and Handwriting.

• Goals are to improve decoding skills, increase fluency, and expand comprehension skills.

• Guided reading groups are based on abilities, which allow for flexible movement.

• Literature based program, using both novels and the Houghton Mifflin reading series.

• Language Arts includes Writing, Words Their Way: Spelling and Phonics, Grammar, and Handwriting

• Reading themes complement our Social Studies units

Words Their Way

• Words Their Way is an approach to phonics, vocabulary, and spelling instruction for students in kindergarten through high school. The program can be implemented as a core or supplemental curriculum and aims to provide a practical way to study words with students. The purpose of word study (which involves examining, manipulating, comparing, and categorizing words) is to reveal logic and consistencies within written language and to help students achieve mastery in recognizing, spelling, and defining specific words.

• Words Their Way will begin once we finish assessments in the next couple of weeks.

Math

• Briefly list the math topics and activities

• Math Curriculum supported by Houghton Mifflin and Everyday Math

• Flexible Grouping

• Fast Facts and Timed Tests

• Typical Lesson Components

• Homework

Social Studies• Geography and Natural Resources

• Native Americans

* scrapbook will be completed in class this year. Please send in a white pillow case for your child to use to create their regalia. This can be sent in as soon as possible.

• Famous Americans

• China (WorldFest)

• Economics

• Map Skills

Homework

• Assigned daily and due the following day.

• Should take 20-30 minutes.

• PLEASE have children read aloud daily for about 15-20 min. This will improve their fluency, even those children who read above grade level. I will ask you to complete a reading log and to turn it in on Friday.

• Please sign planners each night and send to school each day.

• Green folders will come home on Thursday’s. Please return them on Friday.

Parent Involvement

• Room Parent

• Party Parents: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day

• Year Book Photographer

• Birthdays: Chapel Celebration on Thursday in Historic Church. Peanut Free Snacks may be brought in to celebrate

• Native American Project

Field Trips

• Native American Museum, Washington, DC- October 23

• BSO – Musical Trip – 12/5 – “Ellington’s Nutcracker”

• Benjamin Banaker Museum-May

Uniform Reminders• Please remember socks should be navy or white.

• Evergreen Logo sweater, sweatshirt, or fleece may be needed because it gets cold

• PE shoes should be mostly white/neutral color.

• No nail polish

• All hair bows, bands etc. should be navy, hunter green, white or the hunter green/navy plaid pattern.

Communications

• Report Cards

• Conferences 10/3/14, 11/24 & 11/25 and 3/16/15

• Email mmoller@stjohnspds.org

• Daily Folders/Notes/Homework Planner

• Communication Log: 9/25/14; 10/16/14; 11/6/14; 12/4/14; 1/15/15; 2/5/15; 2/26/15; 3/19/15; 4/16/15 & 5/7/15

• Phone calls for emergencies

Things we could use

• Kleenex: Small square boxes

• Clorox wipes

• Ziploc baggies in all sizes

Supplies

Questions?

Let’s Have aGreat Year!