Welcome to 2nd Grade! Mrs. Fontana, Ms. Jabri & Miss Ortiz Overview Our blended goals are to foster and model creativity, intellect, and independence in each student. This is the grade that prepares them for the rest of their academic journey. We encourage independent and collaborative study and provide the tools necessary to strengthen personal work habits. Integrating thinking routines across the disciplines is included in our daily lessons. We simulate real life experiences that give the students opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills. Goals o To assist each student in implementation of a variety of reading strategies to increase word fluency and comprehension of written materials. o To increase each student's ability to construct complete sentences incorporating and applying correct word usage, capitalization and punctuation. o To build each student's problem solving skills and allow them the opportunity to gain proficiency with mathematical computation. o To provide academic support to each student as new material is introduced. o To celebrate with students their academic and personal successes. Academic Enhancements o o o o Field trips Projects Science Experiments / Labs Smart Boards and Computer Labs o o o o Outdoor habitat and garden Guidance Lessons with the counselor Independent study projects WITS (Writers in the Schools) Science & Social Studies o o o o o o o Classification of Living / Non-living things Properties of Matter Measuring Properties & Changes in Matter Systems & Life Cycles Force & Motion Natural Resources Interdependency Textbook: Science Fusion o The focus of second grade Social Studies is history, technology, geography, economics, and cultures, beginning with our own communities. Textbooks: Studies Weekly Math o o o o o o o Language Arts / Reading / Writing Routines & Procedures Place Value Addition & Subtraction Facts Money Multiplication & Division Facts Geometry Patterns o We will be reading several chapter books from various genres and using reading textbooks and resources as whole and small groups. o We discover different types of fiction, expository text structures, creative writing, folk tales, fables, poetry, research as related to historical fiction, and purposeful writing. o The students will also have daily oral language activities, creative writing, vocabulary enrichment, and grammar practice. o Manuscript handwriting will be maintained and cursive writing will be introduced and practiced. Textbook : Texas Go Math Books: Reading Street & Spelling Connections Conduct Policy Students are expected to follow all classroom rules as well as the rules listed in the Student Code of Conduct issued by T. H. Rogers. Conduct grades will be given as follows: “E”= Excellent “N”= Needs Improvement This is a student who is punctual, polite, This is a student who consistently requires prepared, positive, and productive. warnings from the teacher. Other interventions have been necessary such as calls/letters home. “S”= Satisfactory “U”= Unsatisfactory This is a student who usually follows instructions This is a student who requires warnings from the and class expectations. teacher, and is consistently interfering with the learning process. Administrative referrals are necessary. Grading Defining progress as movement toward mastery of the TEKS as required by the laws of the state of Texas, the following grading scale applies: 100-90= Excellent Progress Categories of Assignments: Daily Work 30% Quizzes 20% Homework 10% Test 40% 89-80= Good Progress 79-75= Meets Expectations 74-70= Needs Improvement 69-0= Unsatisfactory Homework Monday - Spelling Words Wednesday - Science or Social Studies Tuesday - Math Thursday - Reading Comprehension Nightly : 30 minutes of Reading Weekly : 30 minutes of Moby Max Absence Policy A student has two days to make up work for each day he/she was absent. Work will be gathered and left in the office for the parent to pick up or sent home with another student upon request by a parent. Please contact teacher or office by 9 am for same day pick up. If not picked up, work will be given to the student upon their return to school. Late Work Policy All class work, homework and projects may be subject to the following: 1 day: 10 points off each day 3 days or later: a grade of 50 will be applied until assignment is turned in. * All assignments MUST be completed within the 9 week period in which it is missed. Supporting Home learning o Become active in your child’s school: Help out at school events, attend school events, volunteer in your child’s classroom, or share an interest of yours with your child’s class. o Speak regularly with your child’s teacher: Share information about your child, visit the school regularly, and contact your child’s teacher when you have questions or concerns. o Encourage a positive attitude towards learning: Discuss school activities with your child every day, speak positively about education, encourage your child’s best effort, assign home responsibilities your child can learn from, and take the time to listen to your child talk about school. Parent Conferences We are happy to meet with you to discuss your student’s progress and well-being. To request a conference please email either teacher. We will get back to you in a timely manner to set up an appointment. You will receive written confirmation of the date and time of your conference. Our conference time is 11:45-12:30 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Mrs. Fontana Ms. Jabri Miss Ortiz Science & Social Studies afontan1@houstonisd.org Language Arts & Reading hjabri@houstonisd.org Math sortiz4@houstonisd.org Monday Tuesday Wednesday 9:00-9:45 Library(J) 9:25 Exchange 9:30 – 10:15 Spanish(J) 9:35 – 10:20 Spanish(O) Spanish(F) Library(F) Library(O) 11:40 – 12:35 Friday Recess 10:25 – 10:55 11:00 – 11:30 Thursday Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Art(O) Computer ASL Music P.E P.E(F) Art Computer ASL Music Computer(J) ASL Music P.E Art Exchange 1:15 Chess 2:15 – 2:45 Block 1: 7:45 – 9:25 Block 2: 9:25 – 1:20 Ortiz Jabri Block 3: 1:20 – 3:00 Fontana