Tell me , and I might forget . Show me , and I might remember . Involve me , and I will understand .

Grade 2 Open House Outline Shanghai American School Kara Cole, Jeanette Dixon, Sanna Robinson Jackie Speece and Ceci Steele ● Introduction ● Expectations ● Core Subject and Materials ● Interdisciplinary Units ● Grade Level Assessments ● Homework Information ● Visit Classrooms September 25, 2008

Shanghai American School

Kara Cole, Jeanette Dixon, Sanna Robinson

Jackie Speece and Ceci Steele

● Introduction

● Expectations

● Core Subject and Materials

● Interdisciplinary Units

● Grade Level Assessments

● Homework Information

● Visit Classrooms

September 25, 2008

Teacher Expectations and Goals Our goal is for each student to experience success in an enjoyable and challenging educational atmosphere. ● Believe all students can learn ● Recognize the dignity and worth of each child ● Provide a rich environment for students which fosters respect for one’s self and others; academic, physical and mental growth; and critical thinking skills relevant to real world situations ● Optimize instruction to meet the needs and enrich the strengths of each child ● View education as a partnership between the teacher, student and parents

Our goal is for each student to experience success in an

enjoyable and challenging educational atmosphere.

● Believe all students can learn

● Recognize the dignity and worth of each child

● Provide a rich environment for students which fosters respect for one’s self and others; academic, physical and mental growth; and critical thinking skills relevant to real world situations

● Optimize instruction to meet the needs and enrich the strengths of each child

● View education as a partnership between the teacher, student

and parents

Student Expectations and Goals All students can learn when they use the tools and opportunities that they are given to help reach and exceed their potentials. ● Improve listening skills and communication skills ● Increase independent thinking (critical and creative) ● Develop cooperative learning strategies ● Take initiatives toward learning ● Display courteous and responsible behavior ● Increase self-confidence and self-reliance ● Take responsibility for one’s own work, action and behavior

All students can learn when they use the tools and opportunities

that they are given to help reach and exceed their potentials.

● Improve listening skills and communication skills

● Increase independent thinking (critical and creative)

● Develop cooperative learning strategies

● Take initiatives toward learning

● Display courteous and responsible behavior

● Increase self-confidence and self-reliance

● Take responsibility for one’s own work, action and behavior

Core Subjects and Materials Handwriting Proper handwriting techniques are stressed at this level. Our focus is on proper grip, posture and letter formation. It is important that students know the names of the letters for automaticity when printing which helps with letter fluency, speed and accuracy.

Handwriting

Language Arts Reading Our Balanced Literary program includes shared, independent, and guided reading opportunities every day. The students will be exposed to different genres including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Each student will choose from our leveled library for classroom and home reading books. “ Book of the week” is a whole grade two chosen book to focus on the topic of study. This whole class study will reinforce our units of study through the eyes of literature. Writing Our Writer’s Workshop is an exciting program designed to teach students the love of writing while incorporating pre-writing, writing, and revising skills. We encourage our students to learn that the process of writing is as important as the end product and that writing is a useful, everyday tool. Spelling Each week we focus on a spelling pattern and the students select words at their own level to study at home .

Reading

Our Balanced Literary program includes shared, independent, and guided reading opportunities every day. The students will be exposed to different genres including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Each student will choose from our leveled library for classroom and home reading books.

“ Book of the week” is a whole grade two chosen book to focus on the topic of study. This whole class study will reinforce our units of study through the eyes of literature.

Writing

Our Writer’s Workshop is an exciting program designed to teach students the love of writing while incorporating pre-writing, writing, and revising skills. We encourage our students to learn that the process of writing is as important as the end product and that writing is a useful, everyday tool.

Spelling

Each week we focus on a spelling pattern and the students select words at their own level to study at home .

Core Subjects and Materials continued…. Mathematics EVERYDAY MATHEMATICS Learning Corporation University of Chicago School Math Project This is an enriched mathematics curriculum that empowers students and teachers to understand mathematical content far beyond simple arithmetic. The emphasis is to develop more meaning to math by integrating data gathering, analysis, probability, geometry, patterns and algebra. Mathematics becomes part of the ongoing classroom routines, outdoor play, and the spare transitional moments that occur every day. What you will see being sent home! *Home Links - four nights of the week. *Family Math Games - will be sent home tomorrow. *Family Letters - at the beginning of each unit. *Assessments - sent home at the end of each unit.

Mathematics

EVERYDAY MATHEMATICS

Learning Corporation

University of Chicago School Math Project

This is an enriched mathematics curriculum that empowers students and

teachers to understand mathematical content far beyond simple arithmetic.

The emphasis is to develop more meaning to math by integrating data

gathering, analysis, probability, geometry, patterns and algebra.

Mathematics becomes part of the ongoing classroom routines,

outdoor play, and the spare transitional moments that occur every day.

What you will see being sent home!

*Home Links - four nights of the week.

*Family Math Games - will be sent home tomorrow.

*Family Letters - at the beginning of each unit.

*Assessments - sent home at the end of each unit.

Social Studies & Science Unit Themes  Second Grade Rocks All About Me and Routines Our Cool School School Community Wacky Weather Air and Weather Gravity In Motion Balance and Motion  Celebrations Around the World Culture Unit Happy Chinese Zoo Year Chinese Culture and Geography Continents and Oceans Geography Unit Solar System Planets, stars, moons Unit Plentiful Plants Plant Unit Goods and Services Community Unit Second Grade Rocked celebrations of learning

Unit Themes

 Second Grade Rocks All About Me and Routines

Our Cool School School Community

Wacky Weather Air and Weather

Gravity In Motion Balance and Motion

 Celebrations Around the World Culture Unit

Happy Chinese Zoo Year Chinese Culture and Geography

Continents and Oceans Geography Unit

Solar System Planets, stars, moons Unit

Plentiful Plants Plant Unit

Goods and Services Community Unit

Second Grade Rocked celebrations of learning

Assessments  Rubrics  Peer assessments  Self-assessments  Ongoing anecdotal notes  Checklist  Independent work  Group work  Performance based assessments  Tests and quizzes  Visual and oral presentations

 Rubrics

 Peer assessments

 Self-assessments

 Ongoing anecdotal notes

 Checklist

 Independent work

 Group work

 Performance based assessments

 Tests and quizzes

 Visual and oral presentations

Specialist Classes Each class lasts 30 minutes P.E. 3 classes Computers 1 class Art 2 classes Music 3 classes Chinese or ESOL 5 classes Library 1 class Counselor 1 class

Homework Designate a homework space It is recommended that homework be completed in the same quiet and comfortable spot everyday. Designate a homework time It is recommended that homework be completed during the same time period everyday. Second graders should spend no more than 30 minutes on daily homework. You may supplement homework from school with family field trips, cooking projects, practice workbooks, etc Homework Folders Regular math (Homelinks), spelling (Word Study sheets) and reading is assigned Monday through Thursday. Homework is not assigned on weekends for 2 nd grade. Please check & sign your child’s homework page daily . It is located at the back of the Word Study pages. Student Responsibilities: Students should be responsible for preparing their school work to be returned to school.

Designate a homework space It is recommended that homework be completed in the same quiet and comfortable spot everyday.

Designate a homework time It is recommended that homework be completed during the same time period everyday. Second graders should spend no more than 30 minutes on daily homework. You may supplement homework from school with family field trips, cooking projects, practice workbooks, etc

Homework Folders Regular math (Homelinks), spelling (Word Study sheets) and reading is assigned Monday through Thursday. Homework is not assigned on weekends for 2 nd grade. Please check & sign your child’s homework page daily . It is located at the back of the Word Study pages.

Student Responsibilities: Students should be responsible for preparing their school work to be returned to school.

HELPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME The best way you can help your child become a reader and writer…….. Give opportunities for your child to write for a purpose shopping lists, weekly schedules, emails, letters, etc… Encourage daily reading for all family members Reading comprehension… Ask your child questions about what they are reading to make sure they are understanding the content. Model daily reading and writing in your home

Give opportunities for your child to write for a purpose shopping lists, weekly schedules, emails, letters, etc…

Encourage daily reading for all family members

Reading comprehension… Ask your child questions about what they are reading to make sure they are understanding the content.

Model daily reading and writing in your home

We view ed ucation as a partnership between the teacher, student and parents.

Please go to your Childs Classroom Mrs. Speece Room 136 Mrs. Robinson Room 120 Mrs. Cole Room 121 Mrs. Dixon Room 134B Mrs. Steele Room 126 Thanks for coming!

Mrs. Speece Room 136

Mrs. Robinson Room 120

Mrs. Cole

Room 121

Mrs. Dixon

Room 134B

Mrs. Steele

Room 126