Welcome to 2nd

Grade!

What goes on in 2nd grade

at James Randolph

Elementary?

Areas of InstructionLanguage Arts/

Social Studies Block:

Reading Writing Focus Poetry Word Study Sight Words Social Studies

Math/Science/ Social Studies

Block: Math Fact Fluency Problem Solving Science Social Studies

Reading

What does it include? Read Aloud Shared Reading Guided Reading/Reading

Assignments Independent Reading Conferencing Reflections

Reading Workshop

Reading

What will we work on? Reading! Developing reading/comprehension

strategies Comprehension in poetry, fiction and

nonfiction Exposure to different genres Author Studies Fluency Vocabulary

Reading

Story Maps Retelling Reading Logs Writing responses to

literature (Reader’s Notebook)

Listening/Accountable Talk

What will the kids be doing?

Reading Grades in reading might

include: Rubrics for comprehension Rubrics for observations during

independent reading, guided reading, and/or reading conferences

Reading Responses Story Maps Other products the students will

complete

Reading Levels The district has set expectations as

to where students will be by the end of 2nd grade.

Level I/J by end of first grade Example of level I/J text: Little Cloud by Eric

Carle Level M by end of 2nd grade: Example of level M texts: Magic Tree House,

Bailey School kids, Thank You, Mr. Falker

Reading LevelsOn the JRE Website under Parent Resources is a tab that reads “Reading Level Guides for Parents”. When you click on this tab, you will find a list of reading levels. Click on your child’s reading level and you will find reading behaviors for that level.

http://www.katyisd.org/campus/JRE/Pages/Guided-Reading-Levels.aspx

Sight Words

The district has given us sight words to cover each grading period as well.

Approx. 40-60 words per grading period 2 assessments per grading period 1 mid way though grading period (1/2 of

the words) 1 at the end of the grading period (all of

the words)

Language

What does it include? Modeled Writing Shared Writing Independent Writing Work on language skills (such as

ABC order, identifying parts of speech, etc.)

Word Work

Language

What will we work on? Writing for different purposes and

audiences Writing poetry, nonfiction, and fiction Writing process: prewriting, rough

drafts, revise, edit, publish Peer Conferencing Conferencing with teacher

Language

Writing! Generating their own ideas for writing Self selecting topics to write about and

carrying their rough drafts through to publishing

Use tools such as personal word wall, dictionaries and thesauruses

Practicing and showing mastery of skills (such as ABC order and parts of speech)

What will the kids be doing?

Language Grades in language

might include: Writing rubric for 2+ writing samples

per grading period (graded) Skills Practice Writing Process (prewriting to

publishing) Writer’s Notebook Conventions Grades Word Study Assessments (2 per

grading period)

Word Study

Replaces Spelling 2 assessments per grading

period No “words” to study and

memorize Work on spelling patterns in

class Homework weekly Grades recorded in

“language” section of report card

MathWhat does it include?

Numeracy Patterns Place Value Organizing data into

tables and graphs Money Double Digit

Addition/Subtraction Triple Digit Addition

Basic Multiplication/Division

Related Facts Measurement Fractions Time Geometry Personal Financial

Literacy Problem Solving

Math Work Stations (Games) Independent Work Working in Math Journals Working with manipulatives Small Group Problem Solving

What will the kids be doing?

Math Grades in math might

include: Skills practice Math journal Observations Rubrics Assessments

Katy ISD Fact Fluency PlanDesigned to help students develop fluency and automaticity of basic facts.

This will be accomplished through a balanced approach focusing on conceptual understanding, fact strategies, and the relationships between operations.

Katy ISD Fact Fluency Plan Teaching fact strategies will be the focus of instruction.

The strategies will also be reinforced through workstations. The goal is for students to be fluent with their basic facts.

Informal fact checks are given throughout the grading periods as an informal assessment to guide instructional strategies that are best for each student. These are NOT graded but students will record the time it took them to complete the fact check. Students will record their time and work towards getting faster each time.

1st -5th graders will have one timed district assessment at the end of each grading period which will count as one daily grade.

Social StudiesWhat does it include:

• Citizenship• Communities• Maps & Geography• Government (State & Local)• U.S. Symbols & Landmarks• Important People• Economics• Earth (Conservation)• Celebrations & Cultures

Social StudiesGrades might include:

Journals Graded assessments Timelines Participation grades Projects

ScienceWhat does it include:• Health• Body Systems• Patterns & Cycles (Weather, Water

Cycle, Night Sky))• Physical Properties & Change• Energy (Sound, Light and Heat)• Force & Motion• Organisms (Habitats, Basic Needs)• Natural Resources

ScienceGrades might include:• Journals• Graded Assessments• Participation grades• Projects

Grading PolicyTests - In addition to daily grades, students will be assessed across the curriculum for objective mastery. Students with a test score of 69% or below on summative assessments (X2) which will be determined by teams, will redo the test with a final grade of no more than 70%. •  

Home Access Center

You may access your child’s grades for tests and classwork through the Home Access Center. This will allow you to review your child’s grades and averages for courses throughout the school year.http://www.katyisd.org/pages/home-access-center.aspx

Homework Fastt Math/Fact Fluency Word Work Math Reading or WritingAlong with assigned homework, students should read at least 20 minutes per night. If possible, homework will be downloaded and placed under Homework Documents on the 2nd Grade website.

http://staff.katyisd.org/sites/jresecond/Pages/ default.aspx

All homework will be written in the student planner on Monday and sent home. Homework will then be due back to school no later than the following Friday. If homework is not turned in by Friday, it will result in a mark on the student’s expectation card under “Do Your Personal Best”.

Homework

Student Responsibilities

• Be prepared- unpack, homework, planners, notes, binders, Reading folders, etc.

• Organized - desk, work in notebooks, etc.

• Morning work - write in planners and other activities.

• Be responsible for getting class work done during the day in a timely manner and then knowing what to do when done.

• INDEPENDENT 2nd graders

Parent Responsibilities

• Check communication folders/binders & sign Expectation Chart daily.

• Check 2nd grade website.• Asking students about their day.• Allowing growth and helping to

create an independent 2nd grader.

Teacher Responsibilities

• Providing a positive and safe learning environment

• Modeling• Flexibility• Professional Educator• Facilitator

Absence ReportingIf your child is going to be absent, go to the JRE Website under Parent Resources and click on Absence Reporting. Fill out the form with the required information to report your child as absent. You must do this for each day your child is absent.

http://www.katyisd.org/campus/JRE/ Pages/Absence-Reporting.aspx

Binder• Please check your child’s binder each day for

important notes, and other information.• Daily planner, Tuesday Folder, Expectation Card

and homework should all be in their homework binder.

• Please sign your child’s Expectation Card daily and return.

• When sending money to school, please put it in an envelope with your child’s first name, last name, and what it is for.

Expectation Cards

Expectation cards are one of the ways that we communicate your child’s behavior in school. Please know that when we mark a student’s card, it is after the student has been reminded several times to correct their behavior, and they have not done so.

Community Agreements Do your personal best

Attentive listening Appreciations/no put downs Mutual respect Right to pass

We sit regularly in a community circle to play games and practice our community agreements. This creates inclusion for every person while working on social skills and teamwork. The community agreements are the expectations on the Student Expectation Chart.

Classroom Incentives

Fun FridayClassroom

Jobs

Fun Friday

• Allotted 30 minutes on Friday as a community.

• Students earn this with their behavior during the week.

Classroom Jobs• Students will be assigned a classroom job. These jobs

will be changed every 9 weeks.• Students will get paid a monthly salary in Retriever

Dollars to perform their jobs.• This will allow them to practice Personal Financial

Literacy by making deposits, writing checks, and keeping a check register of their deposits and withdrawals.

• At the end of every 9 weeks, we will hold an auction using items that are donated by the students/parents. This will give them a chance to spend their wages on an item they would like to have.

• The teachers will send out an email prior to the auction asking for items. If you would like to donate or purchase an item for the auction, please send it in with your child.

Watch DogsDads Volunteering in Schools• Lunch/recess• Classroom time• Specials• Playing games with kids• Read Aloud/Activities

Study Hall/Detention

Some of the reasons a student could be sent to Study Hall or Detention:• Receiving excessive marks in their

Expectation Chart for missing homework.• Classroom assignments that are not

finished on time. • Large back log of classwork due to

absences.

Study Hall/Detention will be held after school from 3:45 to 4:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Scholastic Book Orders Scholastic book orders will

be sent home occasionally. If you wish to use Scholastic to build your child’s at-home library, you can either order online or through the flyers sent home. Please make all checks payable to Scholastic.

Field Trips!We will go on one field trip this year.

• We are in the process of determining where we will go.

• Money will be sent in ahead of time.

• Number of chaperones who can attend will be determined later.

The district is requiring us to have the students wear their ID badges for safety reasons. If they lose a lanyard or need to replace it for any reason, they will be sold for $3 each at the front office. IDs that need to be replaced due to it being loss or broken will also cost $1. The students will leave the lanyards in the classroom at the end of the day.

Lanyards

Transportation

• We will send your child home each day based on the information that you gave us on the Meet the Teacher Night.

• If you need to change your child’s method of transportation for even one day, you must send us a note in writing stating how your child will be going home. Please include the bus number, car number, or exit your child will be leaving from if walking. Your child’s safety is important to us, and we want to make sure they get home the correct way.

• If you want to permanently change your child’s method of transportation, send us note that states it is a permanent change.

Other• Teacher Wish Items – Once in a while

we will ask you to donate an item or items to the class that we may need in order to do a lesson.

• Parent/Teacher Conferences – We will meet with you one time during the year to discuss your child’s progress. We may call you, or you may call us to meet if any concerns arise during the year.

Other• Birthday Invites and treats – Parents may provide

“birthday treats” for their child’s class. Birthday treats must be store bought, individually wrapped, and not frozen. Birthday invitations may NOT be distributed at school. A list of parent emails will be sent out to those who signed up so that they can email for addresses or send Evites to distribute invitations.

• Hands On Science – Parent volunteers will be needed throughout the year to assist us with performing experiments.

Essential 55These are manners/expectations we will use in the classroom and throughout the year. They were created by Ron Clark. The basis is that we are a community, and that we will treat each other with respect and kindness. The Essential 55 are guidelines for how to do so. These will not be the only expectations that we follow, but they are core expectations. We ARE a community who works, plays and learns closely together. A community only works if everyone does their part.

Burning Questions?