2nd Grade Information

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

Overview • Introductions • Core Subjects • Homework • Reading Guidelines • Parent Volunteers • Websites and Communication • Visiting Your Child’s Classroom

Reading Workshop •

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Our balanced literacy program includes read-aloud, shared, independent, and guided reading opportunities in different genres. We will be spending an equal amount of time studying fiction and non-fiction.

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Each student reads at their independent level/ instructional level.

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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 the ability to comprehend. This will prepare students for a future academic life of interacting and understanding all texts.

Your children will...

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Not just decode text, but learn strategies that help them:

• Think • Understand • Interact • Reflect • Infer • Synthesize To utilize these strategies, we will be helping students become more thoughtful, fluent readers.

Writing Workshop •

Writer’s Workshop is an exciting program designed to develop students’ love of writing, while incorporating prewriting, writing and revision skills.

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We encourage our students to learn that the process of writing is as important as the end product and that writing is a useful tool used to communicate.

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Writer’s Workshop Units: • Small Moments & Personal Narratives • Lab Reports & Science Books • Writing About Reading • Poetry • Informational • Persuasive

Word Study •

Each student will work at their own level, learning spelling patterns through meaningful and enjoyable discovery activities.

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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.

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Weekly word study activities:

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Open Sort where students explore and sort words

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Explicit teaching of the word study pattern

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Practice of patterns

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Exploring new words that follow the pattern

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Review and assessments

Common Core Math • •

Everyday Math Learning Corporation University of Chicago School Math Project

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The emphasis is to develop more meaning in math by integrating data gathering, analysis, probability, geometry, patterns and algebra.

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Mathematics becomes part of the ongoing classroom routines, outdoor play, and the spare transitional moments that occur every day.

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What will you see being sent home:

This is an enriched mathematics curriculum that empowers students to understand mathematical content far beyond simple arithmetic.

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Family Letters - sent home at the beginning of the unit

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Challenging Math Games - posted on classroom websites

Home Links - homework for reinforcement of concepts or skills Assessments - sent home at the end of each unit IPP - “Individual Profile of Progress” - sent home before and after each unit of study to inform you of your child’s progress towards attaining the Common Core Math Standards.

Science and Social Studies • •

Me As An Eagle

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Wonderful Weather

Interdependent Relationships and Ecosystems

Continents & Oceans Celebrations Forces & Motion Economic Concepts

Homework •

Purpose:

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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

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Classroom teacher - 10 minutes

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Homework may be differentiated depending on the needs of the student.

Language Learning Block Teacher - 10 minutes Homework is generally assigned Monday-Thursday and due back the next morning.

Occasional collaborative family projects will be assigned on weekends

Homework Best Home Practices:

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Designated Time - With your child, decide on a specific time for homework to be completed everyday. Establish a routine.

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Designated Space - With your child, decide on a quiet, comfortable spot for homework to be completed everyday.

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Supplemental Homework - Family field trips, board and card games, activities posted on classroom websites, practice workbooks, after school activities, etc...

Reading Guidelines Grade 2 Guidelines: 100-150 minutes per week (avg. 15-20 minutes/day) What’s the purpose of reading at home?

Build a positive reading life out of school Provide additional time for students to read.

Encourage enjoyment.

What does reading look like at home for a 2nd grader?

Reading with or to an adult.

Being read to by an adult.

Reading independently.

Parent Volunteers •

Contact the 2nd Grade GLC to learn more about opportunities to get involved. Shelly Sprague dssprague69@yahoo.com

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Classroom parties and activities - room parents will notify you of events

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Helping teachers and teaching assistants with the preparation of materials

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Attending Field Trips - being responsible for a group of students

Important School Websites Elementary School http://teachers.saschina.org/espudong/ General PTSA link http://teachers.saschina.org/pudongptsa/ ES PTSA link http://teachers.saschina.org/pudongptsaelementary/

Visiting Your Child’s Classroom • • • •

Mrs. Emmy David - Room 136 http://teachers.saschina.org/edavid/ Mr. Ed Hagen - Room 120 http://teachers.saschina.org/ehagen/ Mrs. Kelly Hevland - Room 121 http://teachers.saschina.org/khevland/ Mr. Christopher Neff - Room 126 http://teachers.saschina.org/cneff/