WELCOME TO
2nd GRADE!!!
BACK-TO-SCHOOL
PACKET
Ms. Amanda’s Class
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Dear Parents,
I am so excited to have your child in my class this year! I am confident that this school year will
provide many opportunities for academic growth in your child as well as fun learning
experiences! Before sharing with you an overview of second grade, I would like to tell you a little
bit about myself and my teaching philosophy.
I recently graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with my B.S. in Integrated Studies
K-6. Prior to my graduation, I completed my student teaching at Lakewood Elementary School
with Danette Jones in first grade and Wanda Todd at Harrelson in fifth grade. My philosophy of
education is centered on the student as a whole. It is my goal to inspire each child to take
ownership of their learning and as a result make great improvements in their academic abilities. I
will do my best to cater to your child’s specific learning needs by diversifying my instruction and
using a variety of technology resources. I realize that you, as the parent, know your child best
and I would like to work with you in a partnership to best teach your child. So, please, feel free to
contact me if you have any questions at all. The best way to reach me is through email:
amanda.neumair@parisssd.org. I will check my email frequently throughout the day! Please put
the name of your child in the subject line.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a few moments to read the back-to-school packet
in its entirety. The packet includes a general overview of 2nd grade, the curriculum to be taught
as well as a summary of my behavior management plan, and a short summary of the
Accelerated Reader program.
Welcome to Ms. Amanda’s 2nd Grade Class! It’s going to be an adventure!
Sincerely,
Ms. Amanda
2nd Grade Overview:
Second grade is a transitional grade. It is a grade where beginning skills are strengthened and
expanded, where self-confidence is fostered and developed, where the child’s responsibilities in
the learning process are stressed, and where the child begins to learn to set priorities. You should
see growth in your child’s reading, writing, and mathematical skills. This is also a year of
expanding social awareness. Peer approval becomes increasingly important at this time.
Second grade brings satisfaction to individual children as they become more independent
learners. I hope that you enjoy this year with your child.
This overview reflects the average expectancy in second grade. Due to the range of abilities and
motivation among students, there will be some who will exceed these expectations and others
who will not be able to achieve all of them. Individual needs will be met through enrichment and
remediation in all curriculum areas.
Although I have isolated each subject area in this overview to describe essential components in
the second grade curriculum, learning often takes place through concept based, themed
based, and hands-on activities which integrate many subjects. Technology is used as a tool to
reinforce and motivate learning.
Uppermost on my list of goals is the desire to instill in every one of my students a love of learning
and a positive attitude towards school. An optimal educational experience can be provided for
your child if we all--parents, teachers, and the entire school community--work closely together.
The Second Grade Child:
Every child is an individual growing and developing at their own rate. Children in the same grade
level differ widely from others in their group. There are, however, general characteristics and
needs which apply to most children in second grade.
The second grade child may:
 Expand social interactions
 Play with boys and girls as equals
 Be more aware of other’s needs
 Be more capable of listening for
longer periods of time
 Want immediate gratification at times
 Express strong emotional feelings
 Show a desire for more
independence and less adult
intervention
The second grade child needs:
 A sense of security and a feeling of
being accepted no matter what
 Generous praise and
encouragement and selective
criticism of errors
 Broadening experiences that
encourage and satisfy growing
interests
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Be sensitive to ridicule and loss of
prestige
Have a well developed cooperative
spirit
Have improved hand-eye
coordination
Enjoy riddles and simple jokes
Replace baby teeth with permanent
teeth
Opportunities and encouragement to
develop friendships and the feeling of
being liked by peers
 Nutritious, balanced meals with
healthy snacks, proper medical care,
and sufficient amount of sleep
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Parents can help by:
 Promoting general health and
development, including daily exercise
and regular examinations by both a
doctor and dentist
 Monitoring time devoted to TV, video,
video games, and other passive
entertainment
 Reading to your child and listening to
your child read to you every day
 Giving your child the feeling that you
are “standing by”
 Setting positive examples for your
child, such as habits of tidiness,
posture, etc.
 Giving your child a role in some
aspects of planning family functions,
and regular home responsibilities or
chores
 Notifying school when a problem
exists, including problems at home
that cause emotional stress for you
child (e.g. divorce, loss of a pet,
death in the family, etc.)
 Praising appropriate behavior and
effort
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Providing encouragement, a regular
study time, and a quiet place without
distractions for homework
Monitoring your child’s progress by
communicating with your child’s
teachers
Being supportive, positive, and an
active listener with your child
Helping your child to be safe by
showing them how and when to use
telephone emergency response
systems, such as 911, how to write
your address and phone number,
discussing that medicines should only
be taken under supervision, and
teaching your child to say no to
themselves and others in dangerous
risk- taking situations
Choosing limits that fit your child’s
age and establishing consequences
and rewards
Encouraging and supporting your
child’s independence (leaving you
outside the classroom door, hanging
up their own coat, handing in notes
from home, etc.)
The Second Grade Curriculum:
The following is a short synopsis of the Common Core State Standards for language arts
and mathematics.
Language Arts
Second grade students use the listening, speaking, and reading foundational skills they have
developed to extend their understanding of written language and their skills in using written
language. Second grade students will be able to:
 Read a wider variety of texts that require strategies and skills with more complex
vocabulary and ideas
 Develop and apply reading strategies
 Read both fiction and non-fiction for meaning
 Make connections (text-to-text, text-to-self, text-to-world)
 Engage in author studies
 Use the writing process to write a variety of texts
 Write sentences to express multiple ideas about a topic
 Apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively
Math
Second grade students will develop new concepts and skills in mathematics, while maintaining
concepts and skills that they already possess to solve relevant and authentic problems. Second
grade students will build on their mathematical skills in these strands:
 Number sense
 Symmetry
 Connecting word, number, and
 Congruency
model
 Problem solving strategies
 Place value
 Writing a number sentence
 Even and odd
 Drawing a picture
 Comparing and ordering
 Using manipulatives
 Addition and subtraction of multi Making a chart
digit numbers, including problems
 Guess and check
where regrouping is required
 Estimating
 Measurement of:
 Fractions
 Length
 Identify ½, 1/3, ¼, whole
 Temperature
 Solve problems with fractions
 Time to 5 minutes
 Pictographs and Venn diagrams
 Two and three dimensional shapes
 Simple probability experiments
 Attributes of shapes
 Growing and repeating patterns
~Thank you for taking the time to read this
overview and introduction to second grade. ~
Additional information will be provided at a Parent Night on August
14. Please plan on attending this informational evening. We will
discuss our classroom’s daily schedule and procedures, assessment of
learning, state benchmarks, and ways that parents and schools can
work together to promote a positive educational experience for every
child. It is my greatest hope that this school year will be a positive one
for both your child and you!
OUR CLASSROOM
Our class is a busy place with lots of learning going on all day! We believe that all children have the
right to learn in a comfortable and safe environment. We strive to keep our room free from
distractions, while providing a stimulating environment for the children. We do not tolerate
unkindness or fighting. We will learn strategies to help us get along and appreciate our individual
strengths and differences. Please refer to our behavior expectations and discipline plan to help
understand our expectations for a suitable learning environment.
ALERT NOW
Please note that our school will use the Alert Now calling system. This is an automated system that
calls parents to let them know about upcoming events at school or any emergencies. Please make
sure to keep the school up to date with phone numbers so that you will not miss any of these
important calls.
SICKNESS
If your child is not feeling well at home, they will continue to feel ill at school. Please keep them
home until they are feeling better. Work can be made up. Learning cannot take place if your child
is not comfortable. Remember, if your child has a fever, they should not return to school until they
are fever free (without medication) for 24 hours.
SHOES
Please have your child wear tennis shoes everyday or have a pair to keep at school. We walk
outside everyday and this way they will never have to sit out of P.E. because of inappropriate shoes.
LUNCH
We eat lunch everyday at . Please make sure that your child has either a bag lunch from home or
money to buy a lunch from the cafeteria. You are welcome to come join your child for lunch, but
please notify the office a day in advance so that they can plan on making a school lunch for you
also. According to school policy, food from outside sources, such as fast food, will not be allowed in
the cafeteria. Students are not allowed to bring sodas to school. If you have any concerns or
questions, please refer to the Student and Parent Handbook or let me know. Since we eat so late in
the day, students will be permitted to eat a snack. Please send in a healthy snack daily with your
child. Students will not be allowed to eat candy or other sweet treats as a snack.
BIRTHDAYS
We love birthdays and will celebrate them at the end of the day. You are more than welcome to
send in a healthy treat, but please remember to provide enough for the entire class.
ABSENSES
When your child is absent, please remember to send in a note stating when and why your child was
absent from school. You can call on the day of the absence and I can prepare your child’s missed
work or the child can receive the work upon return to school.
GETTING HOME
Please send in a note if your child is going to leave school a different way than usual. For example, if
your child usually rides the bus, but is going to be picked up, send a note stating when and by whom.
This also goes if your child usually gets picked up but will ride the bus home one day. I want to make
sure that all of the children get home safely and the right way!! Thank you for your help.
Star of the Week
More information for Star of the Week will be provided in a separate letter.
Behavior Expectations & “Clip Chart Behavior”
Your child’s success is very important. To create and maintain a positive learning
environment for all students, we will respect the following behavior expectations and
discipline policies:
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Social Expectations
Follow adult directions the
first time
Use polite words when
speaking
Keep hands and feet to
yourself
Walk quietly so others can
continue learning
Clean up after yourself
Include all who want to
participate
Accept the outcome of your
behavior
Allow others to resolve their
own problems (MYOB)
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Use a quiet voice
Be honest
Respect others’ space and
belongings
Be a good listener
Academic Expectations
 Give your full effort
 Be an active participant
 Raise your hand to share
 Wait quietly for your turn
 Be a problem solver
 Be prepared for class
 Be a team player
“Clip Chart Behavior”
In our classroom, we use a “Clip Chart” as a strategy to promote positive
behavior. Each student will have a clothespin with their name on it. The
clothespins are clipped to the left and right edges of the Ready to Learn level
each morning. During the course of the day, the clothespins move up and down
the chart based upon the behavioral choices each student makes. Good
behavior causes the clothespin to move up one level. Conversely, inappropriate
behavior will cause the clothespin to move down one level. Any student who
has been asked to move his clothespin down a level has the opportunity to
improve his behavior and see his clothespin rise to a better level. Please keep in
mind that your child may not move every single day!
We will make
good decisions
today!
Outstanding
Way to Go
Good Day
Ready to Learn
Think About It
Teacher’s Choice
Parent Contact
Students who reach the red level will be rewarded for their
positive choices by adding a sticker to their incentive chart.
Once a student has earned 20 stickers, the student will
have the option of drawing a reward out of the reward
box.
Students who continue to make positive choices move up
to the red level. They are one step closer to having
outstanding classroom behavior!
Students who make positive choices will receive
recognition as they move up the chart.
Everyone starts the day “Ready to Learn!” Students can
“clip up” or “clip down” throughout the day depending on
their behavior choices.
This is really a warning area. There is no consequence
associated with this level. It is a time to get back on task.
After all, everyone needs a chance to show that he/she
can learn from their mistakes.
Students who continue to make poor choices will move to
purple. The teacher gets to choose a consequence based
on the student since not all students respond to the same
consequence in the same way (silent lunch, walk at recess,
apology letter, etc.).
Clipping down to pink will result in parent contact. I will
contact you by phone, email or note in child’s agenda
stating the behaviors for the day.
Documentation: At the end of each day, I will document what level your child
ended their day on by marking a color in their agenda on the corresponding
day. The colors are as follows:
Red=Outstanding Orange=Great Job Yellow=Good Day
Green=Ready to Learn Blue=Think About It Purple=Teacher’s Choice
Pink=Parent Contact
Prize Box: On Friday, your child will get to go to the prize box if they ended their
day on the Ready to Learn level or above three out of five times for the current
week. If you would like to donate individually wrapped candy, toys or misc.
items, we would greatly appreciate it!
Rhea also has expectations for the school environment, as follows:
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Cafeteria
Wait in line and know your
food choice
Keep food on your tray
Have money or number
ready
Clean up after yourself
Hallways
Walk quietly
Stay on the right side of the
hall
There is NO talking walking
through the library
Listen for directions
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Playground
Use equipment
appropriately
Stay in designated areas
Line up when called
Follow game rules
Bathrooms
Do not run, slide, or swing
from doors or otherwise
play in restrooms
Wash hands with soap and
water
Flush the toilet
Enter and exit bathrooms
quietly
Homework & Accelerated Reader
Below you will find important information about our classroom’s policies for homework and
Accelerated Reader. Please read this information carefully. All homework will be assigned on
Monday and due the following Friday. This gives your child a full school week to complete their
homework. I hope you will find this helpful in dealing with busy days and extracurricular activities,
such as sports, dance, family obligations, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please do
not hesitate to contact me at school or on my cell phone.
Reading Homework
Your child is also required to read a minimum of 20 minutes a day for homework. Your child will
be able to bring home books from our school’s library. Please be sure that these books are
brought back to school. You should complete the reading log in your child’s Gator Book daily
and sign the log as proof that your child has completed this homework assignment. The reading
log is my way of knowing when and what your child is reading at home. Logs will be graded at
the end of the month. Because I understand that there are some days that unexpected things
happen, your child’s monthly reading log will be scored based on 25 days for the month. For
example, if your child reads 20 days in September, this would be scored as 20/25 or 80%. Students
should read at least 1 Accelerated Reader book per week (please see back for Accelerated
Reader instructions and incentive program)
Please make sure that your child reads as often as possible!! This is very important in order for your
child to improve their reading skills!!
Spelling Homework
Your child will receive a new list of spelling words every Monday. Your child’s spelling homework
will be due the following Friday. Your child will be provided a choice of nine activities that they
must choose three and return to school. Each activity completed correctly is worth 20 points, so
students wishing to earn 100% must complete five activities. Some weeks I will assign a certain
activity that must be completed, and some weeks students will be able to choose all five
activities to complete. Your child can set their own pace for completing the spelling homework.
Students will take a spelling test on their weekly words on Fridays. You can help your child by
giving them a practice spelling test on Thursday night.
Math Homework
Your child could have weekly math homework that is assigned on Monday and due the following
Friday. This homework will always be a review of concepts that we have been working on in class.
The math homework will not be lengthy, and it is very important that your child completes this
homework as a review of the skills that we are working on in class. Additional math homework
could consist of reviewing your student’s math journal and signing off on it or extra math practice
on a struggling concept.
Accelerated Reader
Instructions
As discussed, one of your child’s homework assignments is to read at least 20 minutes daily. Your child
should read at least one Accelerated Reader (AR) book per week. Students are able to check AR books
out from the library. Your child’s library card will have their current reading level written on it so that he or
she will be able to find the right AR books for their reading level. All AR books must be on your child’s
reading level. AR books are labeled with a colored sticker that indicates the reading level of the book.
The color coding system for book levels is as follows:
0.1-1.0: n/a
3.0-3.9: pink
1.1-1.9:yellow
4.0-4.9: green
2.0-2.9: orange
5.0 and above: blue
After your child reads their AR book (either at home, at school, or both), they will take a quiz at
school. They will earn points for quizzes that are passed with 80% accuracy or better. The
amount of points possible to be earned from a book depends on the reading level of the book.
No points are awarded for quizzes that score below 80%. A quiz may only be taken once, so it
might be a good idea to have your child read more difficult books more than once before taking
a quiz. Students may take quizzes whenever they are ready, but they are expected to take at
least one quiz per week. We will not implement this program until after the first week of school.
Ms. Amanda’s School Supply List
School Supplies
2 folders with pockets
4 packages of #2 pencils with plain erasers
2 boxes of crayons (24 count)
1 packages of washable markers
2 red pens
1 pair pointed scissors
1 package of glue sticks
2 boxes of tissues
1 box of quart size Ziploc bags
1 box of gallon size Ziploc bags
1 crayon box
1 composition notebook
1 bottle Germ-X
1 book box
1 backpack (no wheels)
Donations would be greatly appreciated
Disinfecting wipes
Baby wipes
Extra tissues
Lysol
Dry-erase markers
Highlighters
Wide ruled loose leaf notebook paper
Extra glue sticks
3x5 plain index cards