Welcome to B-3 Back to School Night 2014

1. Welcome to B-3 Back to School Night 2014 Home of the O.W.L.S. Outstanding Wonderful Lovely Students

2. Second Grade Curriculum • Reading levels: daily guided reading, independent reading, read alouds, and shared reading with the whole class (check my website for what we are studying) In order to be proficient at the end of the year they need to read at a level M or 28. • Math: We are using Envision by Pearson this year and enhancing with common core techniques (i.e. explain your thinking and delving deeper into core topics to add to the comprehension). • Writing: We will cover personal narratives, biographies, letter writing, etc. Right now best guess spelling is the best strategy (into dictionary soon) • Spelling (gave spelling inventory, will be differentiated to accommodate levels of learning)

3. Class Rules • We have 3 simple rules: • 1. Make safe choices • 2. Make kind choices • 3. Make smart learning choices • 3 strikes and you pay 2 cents plus have a time out. Have a second offense on the same day we will call you and let you talk to your child. Extreme cases will be sent to the office (or see me when Ms. Jorgensen is off campus)

4. Economy • We work on a simple economy in B-3. • When you are caught doing something good you get paid. • When you get 100% on math, spelling, or reading tests you get paid. • When you volunteer in class you get paid. • Person of the day gets 5 cents for doing their job, person of the week gets 25 cents. • Tickets: inopportune bathroom use= -2 cents, water = -2 cents, talking = -2 cents, excessively messy desk = -2 cents • Recycle program- 5 cents for each empty and clean can or bottle

5. Nightly Homework • Mondays: Kids Blog (respond to the prompt online), math, spelling practice • Tuesdays: BBC Typing (keyboarding skills), math • Wednesdays: Scholastic News (online), math • Thursdays: Spelling City, math, perceptual power • Fridays: NO HOMEWORK!!!

6. Websites • http://sumdog.com/ : math website • http://sni.scholastic.com/SN2/ : Scholastic News • http://www.spellingcity.com/HearstB3/ : spelling • http://kidblog.org/Mrs.Grindstaffsclass/ : blog • http://BBCtypingdancemat.com/ : typing skills • sgrindstaff@sandi.net school email * best to use this one • shaunagrindstaff@gmail.com private email • www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/sgrindstaff classroom website

7. Sight Words and Monster Math • Every child will be given the first 100 most common words to master by sight. • There are 10 lists, please review the list with your child and then sign it and turn it back in to have them tested (BE PATIENT if they are not tested that day I will get to them). • In June if they pass all 10 lists they will be invited to a pizza party. • Once they master all 10 lists they try to spell each of the lists (same lists as read it). • If they pass all 10 spelling lists (1,000 words) I take them out for a special breakfast! • Monster math is working on addition and subtraction facts up to the 12’s. Again they will be tested on various facts and receive the next level once they pass the current level they are on.

8. Second Grade Rotations • I teach art history (starting with cave painting), gardening, technology, etc. • Mrs. McNeil in B-4 teaches Social Studies • Mrs. Lunsford in B-1 teaches Science • We rotate 3 days a week (Tues., Thurs., and Fri.)

9. O.W.L. Awards • One student of the week who gets the O.W.L. award on each Friday plus the pleasure of taking Oliver Owl home for the week (please bring him back by Monday). • These students will also receive Breakfast With the Principal each month • Caught you being good pencil winner each Monday is based on the character trait for the month. • Person of the day chosen at random (becomes the helper of the day).

10. GATE test • Date TBA As soon as I know I will let you know • Results usually come out in the spring • Please sign the consent form for testing even if you don’t want your child in a seminar class • Perceptual Power homework • Conferences after results

11. Birthdays • No food celebrations this year • Bring in a favorite picture book to read (no longer than 15 minutes) • Goodie bag with nonperishable items (optional) • Summer birthdays can do half birthdays, end of year, or no celebration

12. Field Trips • First one is November 14th at 9:30 for CYT performance of Beauty and the Beast at Pacific Beach Middle School. Students will take the bus and parents can carpool together down to chaperone at the play. • May 15th at 9:30 2nd grade field trip to the San Diego Zoo. This will require parent drivers. • Anyone got an interesting place second grade can go? Ideas, suggestions???

13. Volunteers • Need daily volunteers for math, writing, reading, sight words, etc. • Art Corps • Class celebrations • Jog-a-thon • Fall Festival • Field trips • Must fill out application form in office, Megan’s Law background check, if driving we need your insurance and license information on file

14. PTA and Foundation Funding • Art Corps: We have parents who are leading but we will need parent volunteers and teachers! • Folk dancing will be taught on Thursdays for a half hour each week from 9:30-10 a.m.

15. Thank You • Questions? Comments? • It is going to be a GREAT year!