Teacher: Mrs. HowellStudent Teacher: Ms. Powel

Port Matilda Elementary SchoolSeptember 2014

What to Expect in Second Grade

Student-Centered ClassroomClassroom Schedules and

ProceduresBehavior ManagementHomework PolicyMathScienceSocial StudiesLanguage ArtsSend Home FoldersParent and Teacher Contacts

Student-Centered Classroom

Students are part of the classroom decision making process

Students drive their own learning with questions and inquiry

Students are presented with enrichment opportunities that are self- guided

PA State Standards Based Curriculum

Importance of Group Work in a Student Centered Classroom

Students need to understand and experiment with the social roles of belonging to a group.

Students guide their own decisions and work cooperatively with one another.

Research shows higher level of cognitive thinking process.

Classroom Schedules and Procedures

Why have schedules and procedures?Students are prepared to

begin the day – school begins at 8:15 am

Students understand the teacher’s expectations

Students become responsible for their own decisions

Newsletters will provide parents with our weekly schedule and learning goals.

Positive Behavior Supports and Discipline

Bald Eagle Area Elementary Schools implement School-Wide Positive Behavior. School-Wide has three school expectations: Be Kind, Be Respectful and Be Responsible. Students that get caught displaying positive behavior are awarded with Soaring Eagle Tickets. When students are not following the School-Wide rules and expectations, they will be given a

verbal warning. After the warning students will move their “name sticks” on a traffic light system. Green, students lose 5 minutes of recess and must give the class a verbal apology for the interruption. Yellow, the students lose 10 minutes of recess and must write a reflection sheet and apology note. Parent note sent

home for parent signature to be returned the next day. Red - students lose 20 minutes of recess and must write a reflection sheet and apology note, as well as a visit to the

principal’s office to discuss behavior expectations. Student reflections will be accompanied by a parent phone call home, as well as a written slip that parents must sign and return to school.

Positive Behavior Supports and Discipline Continued…

When students are not following the School-Wide rules and expectations, they will be given a verbal warning. After the warning students will move their “name sticks” on a traffic light system. Green - students lose 5 minutes of recess and must give the class a

verbal apology for the interruption. Yellow - students lose 10 minutes of recess and must write a reflection

sheet and apology note. Parent note sent home for parent signature to be returned the next day.

Red - students lose 20 minutes of recess and must write a reflection sheet and apology note, as well as a visit to the principal’s office to discuss behavior expectations. Student reflections will be accompanied by a parent phone call home, as well as a written slip that parents must sign and return to school.

Homework PolicyHomework Monday – ThursdayHomework will be detailed on each newsletter

MathReading – bag with a SRC book and parent

signature sheetSpelling – test dates will vary – keep your

eye on the newsletterFamily projects throughout the yearStudents that don’t turn homework in on

time will complete at recess

Second Grade MathEveryday Math Program

will be implemented.Hands-on math program.SNAP facts daily (Monday

– Thursday)Feel free to view

instructional materials, student materials, student workbooks, and manipulatives that are located in our classroom.

Science ProgramFOSS Science CurriculumFour science units in 2nd grade:

Pebbles, Sand and Silt, Balance and Motion, New Plants, and Measurement.

Hands-on science projects and observations that are student driven.

Assessments are based on observation and work completed in student packets.

Social Studies CurriculumLearning about the

world around us including communities and U.S. history

Students will complete short and long term projects

School-home connections.

Language Arts Curriculum

Reading Wonders curriculumInteractive Daily Program

ReadingWritingSpellingPhonics

Guided ReadingYour child is currently being

individually assessed for reading levels, accuracy, and phonics skills.

Students will be placed in reading groups based on their individual needs and levels.

Students change reading groups based on assessment data and evidence, as well as learning needs.

More information about guided reading will be sent home within the next two to three weeks.

Daily Send Home FoldersFolders are sent home daily.Folders include students homework,

graded assignments, letters from school, announcements, and miscellaneous items.

Papers that are graded or marked with a stamp/star or grade are to be removed from the folders and kept at home. They will be on the HOME side of the folder. The papers that need to come back to school are on the SCHOOL side of the folder.

Parents and students are expected to check and read the information presented inside the folders daily.

Folders are to be sent back to school each day.

Parent VolunteersMust have clearances – Volunteer packetIf you were on the list last year, you will be renewedTypes of Volunteers:

Classroom volunteer – help students with projects in the classroom

(especially around the holidays). Copy, assemble, cut, and construct classroom

materials that students will use at a later time.Home volunteer – teacher will send home materials

that need cut, assembled, pasted, and organized. Parent will send the materials back to school completed and ready for student use.

Field Trip Volunteer – accompany and supervise students during field trip activities.

Parent and Teacher Contacts

Parents please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Parents will be contacted when there is a concern about a student.

Parents will be contacted when students excel or reach a notable achievement.

Parents can contact me at the school (692-7429).

Parents can contact me by e-mail at elaina.howell@beasd.net

Let’s Have an Excellent School Year!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with a question or a concern.

I am here to support and enrich your child’s learning experiences.

We are all an important part of your child’s success.

Students+Parents+Teachers= Child’s Success