Dear Second Grade Parents,
I look forward to a wonderful year of learning with your child. Discovering the joy of learning is one of my goals for your child this year.
We will be working hard building a solid foundation of reading and math skills. Please ask your child to “Explain His/Her Thinking”. This is a phrase they will hear and respond to several times each day in class. When students are able to explain what they have learned they demonstrate understanding of the concept and/or process. You may be surprised at how much they know!
We will be doing much of our work in small groups. These groups will change frequently based on assessment data. Flexibility in grouping allows me to better meet the needs of each student through differentiation.
Daily Schedule:
8:35 First bell (students should be lined up OUTSIDE with the class at 8:35)
8:40 Tardy bell (strictly enforced)
8:40-9:00 Attendance/pledge/self start/silent reading
9:00-10:10 Whole group Literacy instruction
10:10-10:20 Recess
10:20-11:05 Specials (Tuesday--Art/Mindfulness on alternating weeks, Wednesday--PE,
Thursday--Library)
11:05-12:00 Small group reading/math instruction & independent seat work practice
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:35-1:45 Whole group math instruction
1:45-1:55 Recess
1:55-3:10 Math--small group/ Writing/Science/Social Studies/Art
3:10 Clean Up
3:20 Dismissal
Behavior Management: We follow basic school rules: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful. We will spend significant time making classroom expectations clear. The goal is to have students manage their own behavior showing respect for adults, peers, self, and property. Driggs Elementary uses a school-wide positive behavior system
Homework: Homework folders will come home on Friday and will be due on Friday, or the last day of the school week. The purpose of homework is to review and solidify concepts covered in class. Weekly spelling and vocabulary lists will come home every Friday in the homework folder. TESTS will be given in class on THURSDAY. Math practice pages will be sent home as well. These pages are optional and do not need to be returned to school. The purpose if to provide your child with additional practice pages to help them solidify concepts at home, as well as school. Consistent practice and support from home will help your child build confidence. Children progress more quickly when they know that their learning team is supportive.
Report Card Grading: Second grade uses the following grading system. Please set up a gradebook account and check it weekly to check current grade status.
PBG grading scale:
4 Above proficiency--consistently goes above and beyond the expectation independently
3 Proficient --consistently meets the expectation independently
2 Approaching proficiency--can meet expectations WITH ASSISTANCE
1 Below proficiency--unable to meet expectation
Spelling/vocabulary Words: Lists will come home on Fridays. Spelling/vocabulary tests will be on Thursdays. Please help your child study the words during the week. I will have a copy of the spelling lists on my web page. Please check to see which list your child will be responsible for each week.
Reading at home: Your child should be reading aloud every day at home for at least 20 minutes. A reading log will be in the homework folder to help you keep track of the reading. Please keep it in the homework folder and record the information daily. It is recorded every week and cannot be made up.
Math: Go Math! Your child will have access to this program from home with his/her own login. The student’s username and password is the student ID number for both items. Look for the parent letter coming home.
Planners: Your child will have a planner to record important information. Please review it with your child each night, initial it, and remind your child to return it to school every day.
Donations: These are always welcome, but optional, of course. We can always use Clorox wipes and Kleenex.
Birthdays: This is a time to celebrate your child. Summer birthdays will be celebrated in the month of May. Treats are welcome, but optional. Food items must be store purchased and can be healthy. Remember, treats are not always edible…pencils, erasers, etc. Please try to send birthday treats with your child in the morning. Please do not send anything with nuts due to potential nut allergies.
Volunteers: I love volunteers and so do the children! Those of you who will volunteer on a regular basis will receive a schedule by mid-September. Many of you will be contacted by room parents to help occasionally. Please make arrangements for your preschoolers and infants to be cared for at home. Your one on one time with my students is valuable.
Communication: Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions and concerns. I am here early every morning. Be sure to check the planner each day. Email is the quickest way to reach me: [email protected]. I check emails before and after school, but not during the school day.
Important class information can be found on the school website: mrsbaersclass.weebly.com
Just click on the classrooms tab and then click on my name. My webpage will have spelling words each week, suggestions for curriculum practice and links to great websites for your child. You will also find the link for my email. You can send me an email or an old-fashioned note.
Working together as a learning team, we will help your child succeed.
I am looking forward to a great year!
Mrs. Baer
[email protected]
I look forward to a wonderful year of learning with your child. Discovering the joy of learning is one of my goals for your child this year.
We will be working hard building a solid foundation of reading and math skills. Please ask your child to “Explain His/Her Thinking”. This is a phrase they will hear and respond to several times each day in class. When students are able to explain what they have learned they demonstrate understanding of the concept and/or process. You may be surprised at how much they know!
We will be doing much of our work in small groups. These groups will change frequently based on assessment data. Flexibility in grouping allows me to better meet the needs of each student through differentiation.
Daily Schedule:
8:35 First bell (students should be lined up OUTSIDE with the class at 8:35)
8:40 Tardy bell (strictly enforced)
8:40-9:00 Attendance/pledge/self start/silent reading
9:00-10:10 Whole group Literacy instruction
10:10-10:20 Recess
10:20-11:05 Specials (Tuesday--Art/Mindfulness on alternating weeks, Wednesday--PE,
Thursday--Library)
11:05-12:00 Small group reading/math instruction & independent seat work practice
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:35-1:45 Whole group math instruction
1:45-1:55 Recess
1:55-3:10 Math--small group/ Writing/Science/Social Studies/Art
3:10 Clean Up
3:20 Dismissal
Behavior Management: We follow basic school rules: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful. We will spend significant time making classroom expectations clear. The goal is to have students manage their own behavior showing respect for adults, peers, self, and property. Driggs Elementary uses a school-wide positive behavior system
Homework: Homework folders will come home on Friday and will be due on Friday, or the last day of the school week. The purpose of homework is to review and solidify concepts covered in class. Weekly spelling and vocabulary lists will come home every Friday in the homework folder. TESTS will be given in class on THURSDAY. Math practice pages will be sent home as well. These pages are optional and do not need to be returned to school. The purpose if to provide your child with additional practice pages to help them solidify concepts at home, as well as school. Consistent practice and support from home will help your child build confidence. Children progress more quickly when they know that their learning team is supportive.
Report Card Grading: Second grade uses the following grading system. Please set up a gradebook account and check it weekly to check current grade status.
PBG grading scale:
4 Above proficiency--consistently goes above and beyond the expectation independently
3 Proficient --consistently meets the expectation independently
2 Approaching proficiency--can meet expectations WITH ASSISTANCE
1 Below proficiency--unable to meet expectation
Spelling/vocabulary Words: Lists will come home on Fridays. Spelling/vocabulary tests will be on Thursdays. Please help your child study the words during the week. I will have a copy of the spelling lists on my web page. Please check to see which list your child will be responsible for each week.
Reading at home: Your child should be reading aloud every day at home for at least 20 minutes. A reading log will be in the homework folder to help you keep track of the reading. Please keep it in the homework folder and record the information daily. It is recorded every week and cannot be made up.
Math: Go Math! Your child will have access to this program from home with his/her own login. The student’s username and password is the student ID number for both items. Look for the parent letter coming home.
Planners: Your child will have a planner to record important information. Please review it with your child each night, initial it, and remind your child to return it to school every day.
Donations: These are always welcome, but optional, of course. We can always use Clorox wipes and Kleenex.
Birthdays: This is a time to celebrate your child. Summer birthdays will be celebrated in the month of May. Treats are welcome, but optional. Food items must be store purchased and can be healthy. Remember, treats are not always edible…pencils, erasers, etc. Please try to send birthday treats with your child in the morning. Please do not send anything with nuts due to potential nut allergies.
Volunteers: I love volunteers and so do the children! Those of you who will volunteer on a regular basis will receive a schedule by mid-September. Many of you will be contacted by room parents to help occasionally. Please make arrangements for your preschoolers and infants to be cared for at home. Your one on one time with my students is valuable.
Communication: Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions and concerns. I am here early every morning. Be sure to check the planner each day. Email is the quickest way to reach me: [email protected]. I check emails before and after school, but not during the school day.
Important class information can be found on the school website: mrsbaersclass.weebly.com
Just click on the classrooms tab and then click on my name. My webpage will have spelling words each week, suggestions for curriculum practice and links to great websites for your child. You will also find the link for my email. You can send me an email or an old-fashioned note.
Working together as a learning team, we will help your child succeed.
I am looking forward to a great year!
Mrs. Baer
[email protected]