General Information About Our Day
Morning Routine and Morning Meeting (7:55-8:30)
I greet each child as they arrive in the classroom and they begin their morning routine. They will unpack their backpacks-being sure to unpack their Chromebook, snack, and water bottle. We start our day when the bell rings (at 8:10) by standing and saying the Pledge of Allegiance and reciting our Radio Park 4 B's Pledge. After that, we transition to our morning meeting where we say good morning to each other in many different languages, listen and respond to each other's news, practice academic and social skills, and talk about our schedule for the day. It is a wonderful way to start the day!
Readers Workshop (8:25-9:25; 9:55-10:40)
This year, we will be using a new reading program during readers workshop called, "Into Reading." Readers workshop is a way of structuring our language arts block so every child is independently engaged in meaningful reading on a daily basis. Students select and read a variety of texts that are of interest to them and at their reading level. As they read, I confer with students, usually one on one, about their goals and next steps-and I also meet with small groups of readers to work on skills and strategies as well. Each readers workshop includes work on foundational skills, phonics instruction, vocabulary instruction, large group instruction focused on a specific strategy and book, small group instruction focused on specific needs, grammar, and handwriting.
Recess (9:25-9:55 and 1:45-2:00)
We have recess two times each day. This year, our long recess will be from 9:25-9:55 and our shorter recess break will be from 1:45-2:00. We will go outside unless it is raining or if the temperature falls below 15 degrees. Fresh air and exercise help us do our best learning.
Snack (9:55-10:05)
We have a snack time each morning at 9:55. The children can bring their own nutritional snack to school. We will always try to have a classroom supply of snacks for those children who do not have a snack of their own.
**I am always looking for volunteers to donate snacks for our classroom supply. If you can donate a snack, please send it to school with your child.**
Read Aloud
This is a very important time in our school day! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to read aloud to my students! There are many benefits of reading aloud to children, such as improved listening skills, increased reading comprehension, and a broadening of their vocabulary. However, the number one reason that I read aloud to the children is because it helps build lifetime readers. Being read to is one of the most captivating methods of bringing kids to books! I want the children to have MANY experiences with books that are ENJOYABLE-to motivate them to read books on their own. I also love to read aloud from a wide range of genres, in order to broaden the interests and "tastes" of my second grade readers. Who knows? This may be the year when your second grader discovers a love for reading biographies, historical fiction, mysteries, or science fiction! A read aloud may be just the spark that ignites your child's passion for reading! It's a wonderful shared experience together...all year long... that helps continue to build our classroom community. Can you tell it's one of my favorite things to do?
Math (10:40-11:50)
The children will have math for 70 minutes every day. During this time, there will be whole-group mini lessons, small group math instruction, and choice activities called "work places" to build the students' mathematical understanding from the concrete (using manipulatives) to the abstract (using algorithms). Our math core resource is called, "Bridges in Mathematics" and there are eight units for the year. The goal is to provide a balanced math program focused on building conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. We also utilize Reflex to practice fact fluency and IXL to help practice and reinforce math skills. The first 15 minutes of math will be when we do our calendar math, called Number Corner.
Lunch (11:53-12:24)
We eat lunch from 11:53-12:24 each day. The children will eat in the cafeteria this year, under the supervision of our classroom paraprofessional, Mrs. Meyer. Click here for the current lunch menu.
Writer's Workshop (12:25-1:05)
We have Writer's Workshop daily because second graders need to write, write, write! The more they write, the more comfortable the task of writing becomes. During Writer's Workshop times (afternoons), we will be focusing on various skills that relate to either the content or conventions of the children's writing. Content includes skills such as topic sentences, transitions, using expanded sentences, including describing words, and writing stories with a beginning, middle, and end. Conventions includes skills such as using capital letters and punctuation correctly, getting better at using correct spelling, and spelling all of the second grade "No Excuse Words" correctly. We will work on proofreading and editing throughout the school year. Our writing units of study will include narrative writing, informational writing, opinion writing, and poetry.
Social Studies/Science (1:05-1:45)
We spend the part of our afternoons doing social studies or science activities and projects. Some of our reading and writing is centered around our units as well. These units are listed in the "Units for the Year" tab to the left.
•Library
The children go to LIbrary on Day 1 from 2:00-2:50. Please help your children remember to bring their library books to school on Day 4. Our librarian, Ms. Herring, will help the children find good-fit books. Please encourage your child to read these books at home throughout the week or you can read the books together with your child. Ms. Herring allows the children to return the books any day throughout the week (not just on library day) and choose new ones. We want the children to read, read, read!
•Music
The children are scheduled for Music on Day 2 from 2:00-2:50. They will enjoy doing all kinds of activities with our music teacher, Mrs. Mazer.
•Health/Phys. Ed.
The children go to Health/P.E. on Day 3 from 2:00-2:50. They participate in a wide variety of games and activities that promote physical health and well-being. There will also be short lessons on health and wellness to support lifelong healthy habits. Our physical education teacher is Mr. Moriarta. **Please help your children remember to dress appropriately and wear appropriate shoes on P.E. days.**
•STEM
The children go to STEM on Day 4 from 2:00-2:50. Our STEM program invites students to utilize the engineering design process to solve problems collaboratively across contexts as well as integrate technology and coding skills. Our STEM teacher is Mrs. Albright.
•Art
The children go to Art on Day 5 from 2:00-2:50. Our art teacher, Mrs. Dalton, will often have the children create art projects related to our current social studies or science units.
Book Buddies
We are hoping to be able to do book buddies this year with our fifth grade friends in Mrs. Harlor's class.
Dismissal
The children will be using a red "take home" folder as a way to "transport" their papers safely from school to home. Please check your child's folder every day. Second grade dismisses at 2:58.