Welcome toBack to School Night

Mrs. Michele Kurilla2nd GradeRoom 27

Goals of the Classroom• Help students to “SHINE Brighter Every

Day!” • Develop a caring and respectful

classroom.• Help students become independent

learners.• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs

of the students.• Teach the Common Core Standards for 2nd

grade.

Classroom Procedures and Expectations• Every morning, students copy their homework into their planners

(Typically this is math and word study).

• Students are required to write their name and number on every assignment, including homework.

• Homework is always a review of what is taught in class.

• Board Policy:

-Teachers are not allowed to provide homework in advance when vacations are taken when school is in session. We

suggest students keep a writing journal and read a book.

-After the 2nd day of an illness, homework may be requested.

• Students are expected to read for at least 15 minutes every night. This is part of their homework. Please remember to initial and record the reading minutes in the planner each night.

Communication

• The best way to contact me is by email, phone, or written note. My email is mkurilla@warrentboe.org or (908) 753-5300 ext. 6231.

• Please send in a note with your child for any dismissal changes.

• If there is a change in dismissal, once your child has arrived at school, please call the office to notify them.

• My website is updated regularly. Go to Central School teacher pages, click on my name, and then click subscribe to receive the latest class updates through your email.

Birthdays and Nutrition• If you plan on celebrating your

child’s birthday in school, you must adhere to Warren’s nutrition policy. Please refer to the approved snack/party list that was sent home earlier this year.

• The ingredient label must accompany the birthday treat. Please include napkins or plates.

• All snacks must be approved by the school nurse for allergies. Please drop off your items at the main office by 10:00AM.

• Birthday celebrations are simplified in second grade. It is just a drop off snack.

Language Arts• Making Meaning: Teaches comprehension strategies.

• Reading Workshop: Independent reading activities that enhance the Making Meaning strategies. Students will have access to the on-line reading program RAZ-Kids.

• Guided Reading: Small group instruction to practice decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills.

• Word Study: A program that teaches spelling patterns and vocabulary based on the students’ needs. Children will work in small groups and with partners to complete activities. An explanation of word study homework assignments was placed in the folder.. This can also be found on our website.

• Word Wall: Each month, students will receive a list of 10-12 words they must learn and spell correctly in all written work. Students will be responsible for learning these words at home.

• Handwriting: The children will be perfecting their manuscript writing and learning how to write cursive towards the end of the year. We have a handwriting workbook to reinforce practice.

• Writing Workshop: It’s a wonderful journey that will help your child become an author. At the end of the school year, you will have the opportunity to celebrate their writing with us.

Math Common Core Standards for 2nd Grade

Operation and Algebraic Thinking-Represent and solve problems involving

addition and subtraction. -Add and Subtract within 20 (By the end of Grade 2, students must know from memory all sums of two one- digit numbers). -Work with equal groups of objects to gain foundations for multiplication.

Number and Operations-Understand place value.-Use place value understanding and properties

of operations to add and subtract.

Measurement and Data-Measure and estimate lengths in standard

units.-Relate addition and subtraction to length.-Work with time and money.-Represent and interpret data.

Geometry -Reason with shapes and their attributes.

Math Characteristics of the New GoMath!

Program

- Exploration of concepts before learning the steps to solve problems

- Hands-on activities

- Critical thinking and problem solving opportunities

- Connections to real-life

- On-line opportunities for reteach, enrichment, and/or practice

.

Science and Social Studies

• Science and Social Studies are taught as units of study, but they are also integrated into other areas of the curriculum.

• Most units involve working in cooperative groups to explore our world and its past.

• An assessment will be given at the end of each unit. A study guide will be provided to help students prepare for the test.

• Our first science unit is butterflies. Our students get the opportunity to watch and study the metamorphosis of a painted lady butterfly. Balancing & Weighing and Soil are our other units of study.

• In March, the second grade will enjoy Biography Day. We’ll send home a packet explaining this special day at a later time.

1. Bridget Ameo2. Doreen Clemente3. Claudia Nogan

Thanks for Volunteering!

Our Homeroom Moms

One more thing…• Please sign up to help supply items for our class

parties.

• Please sign up for our school e-blast/teacher website.

• Please sign up for November conferences.

• Scholastic Book Club books can now be ordered and paid for online only. An instruction sheet will be sent home with an activation code and how to set up your user name and password in October.

Thank You for coming!