1. Welcome to Second Grade
M rs . N az li Igh an i, M rs . S an n a R obin so n,
an d M rs . El iz ab et h Tuck er
Shanghai American School, Pudong Campus - September 2012
2. Welcome to Second Grade
Shanghai American School inspires in all students:
A lifelong passion for learning
A commitment to act with integrity and compassion
The courage to live their dreams
M rs . N az li Igh an i, M rs . S an n a R obin so n,
an d M rs . El iz ab et h Tuck er
Shanghai American School, Pudong Campus - September 2012
4. Our Goal
For each student to experience success in an
enjoyable and challenging educational
atmosphere.
We view education as a partnership between the
teacher, student and parents.
5. Reading Workshop
Our balance literacy program includes read-aloud,
shared, independent, and guided reading opportunities
in different genres.
Each student reads at their independent level
Each student selects ‘just right’ books for classroom and home
reading
It is important to understand the focus is not the level
of reading, but on gaining meaning from reading
to prepare students for a future academic life of
interacting and understanding all texts.
6. Your children will...
Not just decode text, but learn strategies that help them:
Think
Understand
Interact
Reflect
Infer
Synthesize
To obtain these strategies children need to slow down and
become thoughtful readers.
This slowing down gives children time to refine strategies and
become more active, fluent readers.
7. Writing Workshop
Writer’s workshop is an exciting program designed to develop
students’ love of writing, while incorporating prewriting, writing
and revision 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 to communicate.
Writers Workshop Units:
Small Moments & Personal Narratives
Realistic Fiction
Nonfiction and Research
Poetry
Persuasive Writing
8. Word Study
Each student will work at their own level, learning words
through meaningful and enjoyable discovery activities.
Activities call for active problem solving, encouraging
students to discover what they know about a new word and
how it is similar to words they already know.
Weekly word study activities:
Monday - Open Sort where students explore and sort words
Tuesday - Explicit teaching of the word study pattern
Wednesday - Practice of patterns
Thursday - Exploring new words that follow the pattern
Friday - Review and assessments
9. Everyday Math
Learning Corporation University of Chicago School Math Project
This is an enriched mathematics curriculum that empowers students
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 will you see being sent home:
Family Letters - sent home at the beginning of the unit
Home Links - homework for reinforcement of concepts or skills
Family Math Game Kit - pick up in the kit in your child’s classroom
Assessments - sent home at the end of each unit
Challenging Math Games - posted on classroom websites
10. Science and Social Studies
Me As An Eagle - All About Me
Our Cool School - School Community
Wonderful Weather - Air & Weather
Continents and Oceans - Geography
Celebrations Around the World - Culture
Gravity in Motion - Balance & Motion
Our Solar System - Planets, Sun & Moon
Plentiful Plants - Life Science
Market - Goods & Services
11. The Virtues Project
Using the Language of the Virtues as a framework for
‘Shaping our Character’
SEEING – the virtues in each student, maybe in a
glimmer of possibility or brilliant gem
HEARING – our students call on our own kindness,
compassion.
SPEAKING – with the power of virtues such as tact, love
and gentleness.
ACTING – with the virtues, to model the virtue we are
helping each other to cultivate
12. Assessments
Rubrics
Peer Assessments
Self Assessments
Ongoing Anecdotal Notes
Checklists
Independent work
Group Work
Common Assessments
Tests and Quizzes
Oral and Visual Presentations
13. Homework
Purpose:
Reinforce skills and concepts
Extend educational opportunities beyond the walls of the classroom
Develop independent learning habits
Time: Homework should take no more than 20 minutes
Classroom teacher - 10 minutes
Language Learning Block Teacher - 10 minutes
Occasional collaborative family projects will be assigned on
weekends
14. Homework
Homework Suggestions:
Designated Time - With your child, decide on a specific time for
homework to be completed everyday
Designated Space - With your child, decide on a quiet, comfortable
spot for homework to be completed everyday
Supplemental Homework - Family field trips, board and card
games, activities posted on classroom websites, practice workbooks,
after school activities, etc...
15. Reading Guidelines
Growing readers in second grade should be
reading 15 to 20 minutes each night
Reading is not considered homework
Reading with or to a parent, sibling or grandparent
Being read to by a parent, sibling or grandparent
Reading independently
16. Parent Volunteers
Parent Volunteers
Classroom parties and activities - room parents will notify you of events
Helping teachers and teaching assistants with the preparation of materials
Attending Field Trips - being responsible for a group of students
We encourage parents not to work directly in their child’s
classroom on a regular day. Previous experiences have shown
that children whose parents work directly in their classroom
often become distracted and rely on their parents for assistance.
Lunch with Your Child: You are welcome to have a special
lunch with your child. However, you may only dine with your
child in the MS/HS cafeteria. If your child would like their
friends to join you, please enjoy lunch in the ES cafeteria.
17. Important School Websites
Elementary School
http://teachers.saschina.org/espudong
Mrs. Sanna Robinson
http://teachers.saschina.org/srobinson
Mrs. Nazli
http://teachers.saschina.org/nighani
Mrs. Elizabeth Tucker
http://teachers.saschina.org/etucker
18. Visiting Your Child’s Classroom
Mrs. Nazli Ighani - Room 121 (diagonal from this board)
Mrs. Sanna Robinson - Room 120 (across from this board)
Mrs. Beth Tucker - Room 136 (behind from this board)
