Where am I?
Classroom Procedures
Blanchard's Monkey Business
Our second grade classroom is a fun, safe learning environment where students are encouraged to ALWAYS do their best. We are more than a classroom, we are a family, and together we encourage, support, and coach each other through our learning process.
I have one rule in my classroom "always use your manners", I believe this is a great statement to motivate students to respect themselves, do their best, be kind to others, and follow classroom procedures. We discuss and practice this rule each and every day through our classroom meetings and checking in morning routine. I believe each student has the potential to achieve to the best of their ability and I am their motivation at school but also need the motivation from home, their families. I believe in keeping the lines of communication open at all times so will contact the student's families as needed.
Important Things to Know
Focus to Learn
We start each day with a routine that helps the children get ready to learn
- Come into classroom, hang up backpack, do lunch count, sharpen pencils, and go to desk.
- Place “Take Home Folder” in tray; turn in any lunch money, notes, etc.
- Begin Morning Work
Morning Work
We complete our Math Box page from the previous days lesson. When the students are finished they are able to silent read, catch up on missing assignments, or play a math game from our Everyday Math Curriculum.
Reading Homework
Each child is encouraged to read 200 minutes each month. Please turn in the monthly reading log on the last school day of the month. These will be recorded in Skyward each quarter, they will also be turned in to Mrs. Little for the 1,000,000 reading minute goal.
Library
Library will now be included during the specials rotation (1:10-2:00). The students will be taught a lesson one day and will be able to check out books on the other. Students are allowed to check out two books, one for school and one for home. Students are allowed to exchange library books as needed during their recess times.
Take Home Folders
One of the folders your child will be bringing to school will be used as their “Take Home Folder”. The folder should be returned to school each day. The students will be in charge of cleaning out their mailboxes each night by placing their papers in their folders. You may send all notes, lunch money, etc. in their folder as I check this each morning before reading groups begin.
Homework
Our math curriculum provides the students with nightly homework called “Home Links”. These should be returned to school the next day. Spelling, reading, and other curriculum homework may be sent home throughout the school year.
Birthdays
You may send treats for your child’s birthday. Please contact me before doing so to ensure that students with allergies will be kept safe. Students are not allowed to pass out birthday party invitations at school unless they are inviting the entire class.
Everyday Math
This series is very challenging. Instead of working on concepts until they are mastered, it spirals through them throughout the year. There can be several objectives taught in the same lesson and it is very important that your child completes their math homework. The homework reinforces the skills that were taught that day.
Jumpstart Math
This is a program for students who need additional help in math. Students will be pulled during specials time to practice math concepts. Students will be tested at the beginning of the year to see who qualifies for the additional help.
Math Facts
Each quarter the students will be given a timed two minute math test to review addition and subtraction facts. This assessment is documented but is not taken as a grade. Their is also no benchmark, or goal to reach, the students are measured against themselves to show growth over the school year.
Testing
The students are given four assessments throughout the school year, other than the regular classroom assessments. The DIBELS (fluency) is tested every quarter, it is a one minuted timed read. The Phonics Screener is a test based on phonics sounds, this is also tested each quarter. The students are given kindergarten through second grade words to read, the test is discontinued once they pass. The PAST assessment is based on phonological awareness. They are tested each quarter, discontined once they pass. The final assessment is the MAP, Measure of Academic Awareness, this is a computer based reading/math test that is tested in the fall and spring.
Student Handbooks
Please make sure you get a copy of the Student Handbook and read it carefully. If you have any questions about anything in it please let me know.