KINGS AND QUEENS OF SECOND GRADE!

Mrs. Decker's 2011 - 2012 Second Grade Class

Welcome to Second Grade!

How exciting it is for me to begin the school year with your child! Second grade is a special year. We will be covering many things during the year as your child grows.

This year’s theme is Kings and Queens of Second Grade ! I can’t wait for you to see our classroom!

I have outlined some things that I think are important to know about the year. I do send a second grade newsletter home every Friday. If at any time you have questions or need clarification please feel free to call me at school (377-5507) or at home (377-3890). My email address is edecker@zionbethalto.org.

Starting the Day

We begin every day at 8:00 sharp!  Students have a routine in the classroom in the morning.  It is very important that your child is on time for school. 

Reward Day

The class will be working toward reward days in second grade.  The class will need to keep the Crowns up on the board every day for 10 days to receive an award day.  We use the first days of school to come up with the awards.  Some of the rewards from past classes have been no homework day, movie day, bubble gum day, extra recess day, to name a few.

Water Bottles

Your child may bring a water bottle to school.  However it needs to stay in their locker during the school day.  They may get a drink after recess or P.E.

Your child’s desk

We spend a lot of time learning about organization.  Your child will not need a supply box this year.  They will be using a cardboard soda tray as “drawers” and there will be no room for supply boxes. Each child should bring in an empty cake frosting container with the lid. This will be used to hold crayons.  After art on Fridays we do have a desk organization time. 

Memory Work

Memory work is done on Thursdays.  I will send the memory work in the class newsletter on Fridays.  These verses correspond to the Bible lessons we are learning in Religion. The memory verse will also be on my web site.

Homework

Homework in second grade is similar to what the students had in first grade. If your child finishes the in-class side of the work page during the time given they will be allowed to begin working on their homework. Each homework sheet should be initialed by parents to show that you have checked over the sheet. Homework is due on the next day. If there are circumstances that your child could not finish their homework please write me a note. I find that keeping the habit of getting homework in helps students with all aspects of learning.  I usually do not assign homework on Fridays.

White Envelopes

Every Friday your child will bring home a large white envelope with all of their graded homework and assessments. I will also include the class newsletter along with the spelling words and memory work for the week. There is a space on the envelope for the date and your signature. Please make sure that the envelope gets back to school after the weekend.

Reading

I will send readables home regularly.  Please have your child read this at home to you.  They will read it to me and will be graded on oral reading.  Reading the books at home gives them great practice in their fluency.

This year Second Graders will be using leveled readers. I will be assessing the students during the year to check their progress. More information will be sent home to keep you inform of progress made.

If your child is having a tough time getting homework done in a timely manner, (no more than one half hour to one hour) please feel free to talk to me about this.

Accelerated Reading

In second grade your child will begin the Accelerated Reading program. This program is a computer program that assesses your child’s comprehension on books read. More information will come home at the beginning of the year concerning your child’s password and how to view their progress. I do not count A.R. test as a grade but I do keep up with each child’s progress. This program is a great way for the students to practice reading for comprehension and to watch their progress through the year. Beginning in 3rd grade students will receive grade toward their reading scores.  

Lunch Count

Every day your child will come into class and move their “lunch crown ” to show what they are eating for lunch that day. Our teacher’s aid keeps track of student’s lunch cards. You will get a note on your child’s white envelope informing you when a lunch card is used up.

Scholastic Book Club

The Scholastic book club is a great way to purchase the latest great books at really great prices.  Did you know that when you order books from the book club I get points to use toward free items for the class? Not to mention lots of books  I send the book club sheets out once a month.

When you order from the book club please send a check made out to SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB. Please do not send cash. If you would ever want to order from the book club for a gift please WRITE A NOTE TO ME so that I will remember to give it directly to you.

MATH COINS

Your child will need to bring the following increments of coins on the first day of school.  These coins will stay in the classroom for use during math lessons.

20 pennies

8 nickels

10 dimes

6 quarters

At the end of the year we count to total amount of coins and give to the chapel offerings for May.

Field Trips

The second graders field trips will include:

Zoo- Fall (September 27th)

Various plays in the area (Alton children’s theater and Metro East Lutheran Spring musical)

The Science Center - May

Library

Our Library day is on Mondays at 12:00 noon. If we have a day off on a Monday then we will go to the library on the Tuesday after. Your child will be able to check out two books. The due date will be two weeks after check out.

Science

Second graders will cover many exciting parts of Science. After each unit your child will be tested on the information from the unit. These tests will occur about every 2-3 weeks. Your child will build a science notebook to be used as a study guide. I will let you know when the tests are in our newsletter.

Choir

Several times during the semester our Kindergarten, First and Second grade choir will be singing in church here at Zion. I do expect every second grader to be in the choir on the Sundays we sing. We do spend school time learning and practicing the songs we sing.  This is not a performance but a way for our choir to praise God through the Sunday morning worship. If for any reason your child will not be able to make one of the days we sing PLEASE WRITE ME A NOTE.     I would not want to give your child a part in the song and then they would not attend.

Castle Hours for reading

Your child will be keeping track of their at home reading hours in Second Grade. Students will need to read at least 6 or more CASTLE HOURS to receive their stickers for the month. Each student will have a recording card in the classroom to help keep track of hours. This will also help when we start Pizza Hut “Book It” program, Raging Readers and Six Hours for Six Flags. Even though these hours do not count for a grade on the report card reading every night will certainly help your child. I expect Second Graders to read at least 15 minutes a night. This will be plenty to keep up with CASTLE HOURS.

School Supplies for Second Grade                                                          

24 or 48 Crayons                                

Glue – Elmer’s white glue (4 oz)

10 glue sticks

Please send a clean cake frosting container with lid.

Scissors

2 large boxes of Kleenex

2 sturdy folders with pockets on the bottom

1 spiral bound notebooks (at least 60 pages)

colored pencils

markers (washable)

1 water color tray

12” ruler with inches and metric

Regular #2 pencils (start with at least 5)

Eraser – large

Paint smock or old shirt

1 container of disinfectant wipes

2 sturdy 3 ring binder

 Second Grade Schedule for 2010- 2011