Welcome To Mrs. Weyerman’s Team

1. Welcome To Mrs. Weyerman’s Wonderful Team Welcome To Mrs. Weyerman’s Team

2. Course of Study • Lesson plans are based upon the 2nd Grade Alabama Course of Study. • Website: alex.state.al.us/index.php-5k • Curriculum Maps • Activities are meaningful & engaging

3. First, we do our morning work: Students review and practice important skills while I work with individuals and small groups.

4. We practice phonics decoding skills, work with new words, and use comprehension strategies. We work in learning centers. Groups will change throughout the year based on the student’s needs and the type of center. During our reading block, we learn what good readers do. Reading Fluency is one of_____ our goals.What is it?

5. *State mandated test that measures reading fluency.SSt • *Given three times a year: (Beginning, middle, and end) • *Students are “progress monitored” at least once a month.rogress • *Benchmark is the 40th percentile. Of course, we want to aim higher. • The benchmark standards are listed below:mon • itored at least once a month. • Best results: Do repeated readi • *Our report card rubric for reading fluency is listed below. We do not use DIBELSpassages for this assement.ngs and READ EVERYDAY. • Winter – 68 words per minute • Given three times a year: (Beginning-Middle-End) • Spring – 90 words per minute What is DIBELS? Fall – 52words per minute Winter – 72words per minute Spring – 87words per minute

6. How can you help improve your child’s fluency? Read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read…

7. What else can you do to help your child become a better reader? Help your child study their weekly spelling words. Focus on the phonics skill listed in our weekly agenda. www.spellingcity.com is a fun way for your child to practice.

8. Writing • Help your child study their weekly vocabulary words. Study guides will come home. When you read with your child, ask them if they know words that may be unfamiliar. Help them make connections to these words by offering explanations and relating it to words they know. We create mental images in class to help them make connections to words. Prompt them to use context clues when reading.

9. Can your child tell you what a story is about? Our comprehension focus strategy will always be listed on our agenda. Ask your child questions about what they are reading before, during, and after reading. This will help train them to do it on their own. Picking a book that is right for them is an important part of comprehension. I will be sending star reading levels home to help you know the AR level that your child is on. I have taught them how to do the method below.

10. What is Raz kids? RAZ = Reading A to Z Software that enables children to read books on-line and take computer generated tests. Books can be read at home on-line and tests can be taken at home on-line. User name is in front of the agenda. Web site: http://www.raz-kids.com/main/Login • RAZ = Reading A to Z • Software that enables children to read books on-line and take computer generated tests. • Books can be read at home on-line and tests can be taken at home on-line. • User name is in front of the agenda. What is AR? AR = Accelerated Reader Software that enables children to read ‘just right books” and take computer generated tests. Web Site: https://hosted60.renlearn.com/1380172/default.htm *Students may take an AR test when they are finished with morning work. We will also have computer lab time on a regular basis later on this year for taking AR tests and reading Raz Kids.

11. P.E. is at 1:55 Every other day we have a special at 1:20

12. Math and Science Philosophy • Math and Science are the building blocks to a firm foundation of education for all children. • Both require an active and engaging environment through the use of hands on activities and manipulatives.

13. Science Content Second Grade Solids, Liquids, and Gases Sound Light Forces Plants Animals Land and Water Erosion Water Cycle Weather Solar System

14. Math Content Second grade Addition and Subtraction Problem Solving Math Facts to 20 Odd and Even Numbers Multiplication and Division Read, Write, and Count to 1,000 Greater and Less Than Explain Strategies Measurement Telling Time Money Graphs Shapes

15. Science Process Skills Make observations Ask questions Learn more Design and conduct the experiment Create meaning Tell others

16. Math Process Skills Make connections to real world situations Construct knowledge Problem solve Investigate Collect and Interpret Data

17. Math grading rubric

18. What Parents Can Do Math Practice math facts Count change Problem solve Visit websites together Encourage questions Draw pictures Work puzzles Build with blocks Science Explore nature Cook with your child Visit websites together Explain how things work Go for walks together Go to museums Read to your child Plant a garden

19. Website Resources • Math Magician Website: http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/Mathmagician/mathsadd.html Summary: This website is great for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division practice. The website can be used by teachers, parents, and students for additional fact practice. • Geometry http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/icy_slides_flips_turns/ Summary: This website will help parents understand the new terminology used in the classroom for geometry. Students and parents can play games with geometric shapes by turning, flipping, and sliding them. • Science A-Z http://www.sciencea-z.com/ Summary: Students can chose from life, earth, physical, and process science topics. State and National standards are correlated to the topics. • Fun Brain http://www.funbrain.com/ Summary: This website has many different games that students can play to help with math facts. The baseball game is a favorite! • PBS http://www.pbskidsplay.org/popunder Summary: This is a great website that will help with inquiry skills in science and math. There are plenty of games for all ages.

20. How do we grade? Grading Scale – THIS YEAR THERE IS A CHANGE: 4, 3, 2, 1 Most work this time of year will get no higher than a 2 or 3, even if it is a perfect 100%. Standards are based on the END OF YEAR skills A 4 means child has met the END OF YEAR standards. Let’s look at the handout explaining the new report cards. Tests: Spelling Test – Thursday Reading Story & Vocabulary Test – Friday Math Timed Test – Thursday Progression Sheet in Husky Pad Class Website https://www.trussvillecityschools.com/Teachers/Cynthia.Weyerman/default.aspx Weekly Test Folders are sent home Tuesday. Progress sheet goes home weekly Report Cards go home every trimester.

21. 1. Email me: Cynthia.Weyerman@trussvillecityschools.com 2.Write a note in the Husky Pad and make sure you tell your child to show it to me first thing. (Sometimes I don’t see it until the end of the day.) 3. Call the office for all going home and important messages for the day if you were not able to send a note that morning. 4. Most information is on the skills agenda and webpage. 5. Feel free to call or text me (335-7021). I do not get to check my phone until after the students leave.

22. *If something has a or grade, and it comes home, keep it. *If it’s stapled and in the Tuesday Test folder,(Or if it’s a test that your baby put in the wrong pocket) sign the first test to indicate that you saw them before you send them back. *Sign the reading log and Husky Pad nightly. *Homework is on the skills agenda and should be written in your child’s Husky Pad if they followed my directions.

23. 10:30

24. Attendance Please have your child here promptly. They should be in the classroom before 8:00! Excuses can be sent by email. Please get a doctor’s excuse anytime your child misses school for the doctor or dentist. Make-up work – please talk to your child about having missed work. 10:50 *Water is available every day for an additional charge. *Ice-cream sold every Wednesday. *Slushies sold Tuesdays and Thursdays *Remember, no canned drinks or food in fast food bags. *Be courteous and refrain from sitting at the food allergy table *Lunch money should be sent in an envelope with lunch number written on it or paid into pay pams.

26. FieldTrips October 10th - Golden Flake at 9:30 and Museum of Flight at 12:00* No chaperones allowed at Golden Flake. Chaperones must pay $7 during the visit to Museum of Flight. No more than 5 chaperones. Feb. 6th - Children's Theatre and Art Museum *1 Chaperone per 10 children at Museum of Art April23rd- Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center  @ Oak Mountain State Park- http://www.awrc.org/   We will travel in groups of two.  We will see birds of prey, take a short hike, visit the bird hospital and see a raptor fly.  We will also eat lunch in the State Park.  *5 Chaperones allowed. Must pay $3 to get into the park.

27. Direct services for gifted and talented children begin in the 3rd grade through the Gifted and Talented Education (G.A.T.E.) Program. According to the Alabama State Department of Education regulations, all schools must conduct a second grade child find to identify gifted students.G.A.T.E. specialists conduct activities throughout the year with all second grade students as part of this process. You will be notified of further screenings if necessary during the spring of 2012. If you have any questions about this process please call Student Services Attn: Mandi Logan 228-3043.

28. I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities!

29. References I want to say a very special thank you to Shayna Swann, Debbie Gray and Linda Odom for allowing me to use parts of their power points. Alabama Learning Exchange, (2005). Alabama State Course of Study. Retrieved from: http://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=0&subject=S1&summary=2 Alabama Learning Exchange, (2005). Alabama State Course of Study. Retrieved from: http://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=1&subject=S1&summary=2 Alabama Learning Exchange, (2005). Alabama State Course of Study. Retrieved from: http://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=2&subject=S1&summary=2 Alabama Learning Exchange, (2010). Alabama State Course of Study. Retrieved from: http://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=0&subject=MA2&summary=2 Alabama Learning Exchange, (2010). Alabama State Course of Study. Retrieved from: http://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=1&subject=MA2&summary=2 Alabama Learning Exchange, (2010). Alabama State Course of Study. Retrieved from: http://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=2&subject=MA2&summary=2