Homework – about 20 minutes each night. Recent research shows us that the single most important homework second grade children can do is reading. Children need to read both silently and out loud. They also need to hear you read to them. This way they can enjoy more intricate plot structures or non-fiction books. Discussing the story is a great way to see if they understand what they read or hear. Second graders are expected to read at least 15 minutes each night. Please encourage a variety of genres. Record the book title, the amount of time spent reading, and comments about his/her comprehension on the Home Reading page found in your child’s green folder. Also, please practice math facts for at least 5 minutes, 5 days a week. Second graders need to know addition and subtraction facts to 18 with quick recall. Working on a few facts each night will get the job done! There will be a balance of spelling and math homework during the week (Monday through Thursday).
Folders
Green Folder – This is the daily school to home folder. Look for a homework packet early in the week. This packet is self paced to better adapt to your home schedule. The Home Reading page should be kept in this folder or in a safe place at home. Both the homework packet and the Home Reading page should be turned in on Friday. Look for this folder to also have class and homework papers returning home.
UP Thursday Folder - This folder will have flyers and announcements regarding school events and opportunities.
Behavior Reports – These will go home in the Friday green folder. Please sign and return on Monday. I will place a big smiling face on the report if your child has had a good week. If there are any areas of concern for the week, I will write a brief explanation. One behavior sheet page will last for the entire 6 weeks period, and will be replaced at the start of the next grading period.
Schedule: 8:00 – Children may come upstairs to our classroom.
8:15 – Tardy bell - Children arriving in the classroom after the tardy bell rings will be asked to obtain a permit to class slip from the Attendance Office. Children need to be seated and ready to view our morning announcements at 8:15.
Our Class Schedule
8:15 - Tardy Bell
8:30 – Special Classes
Our class will have the split schedule.
(Please be sure to wear sneakers on PE days.)
9:35-11:35 - Language Arts
9:45-10:30 - Wednesday - Science Lab
11:35-12:05 – Lunch
12:05-12:30 - Language Arts
12:30-1:30 - Math
1:30-1:50 - Recess
1:55-2:50 - Social Studies/Science
3:00 – Dismiss – West gym door onto Amherst. I will escort the class outside. Please plan to meet your child outside (unless the weather is bad) at your designated meeting place. Second Grade teachers will help supervise the carpool pickup. Please be sure to have your sign in the window to speed the pickup along. If you are running late, please plan to meet your child in the office. We will escort remaining children to the office at 3:10.
Conferences- Behavior sheets will be our weekly communication link. I will be glad to schedule individual conferences as we feel the need. Please let me know a few days in advance so I can check my schedule. I am also happy to communicate by e-mail or telephone if this is easier for you. My e-mail address is: mcclurl@hpisd.org
Report Cards – Distributed on the Thursday following the end of each 6 weeks grading period. Please try to return them as quickly as possible.
Special Classes – Please feel free to contact these teachers if you have any questions.
Library Time – Library is part of our Specials class rotation. Children can also visit the library before school (8-8:15) and right after school. Please do not make a special trip to bring forgotten library books. They may be brought the next day.
Parent Readers - We always welcome the opportunity to hear a good book! Parents may sign up to read to our class on Fridays at 2:30. If you are interested, please plan to read for about 20 minutes. It takes about 7-10 minutes to read a typical picture book, so 2-3 books to share should be perfect. You may sign up for this at our Parent Academic Night, Sept. 6th. Little brothers and sisters are fun, but this is not an appropriate activity for them. Please make other arrangements for your younger children.
Absences – Please send a note with your child on the day he/she returns to class. This is very important for our records. Mrs. Wall keeps all of these notes in the office. If you need to pick your child up during the day for appointments, be sure to sign him/her out in the office. Mrs. Richardson or Mrs. Wall will call to the classroom for the child to come to the office. Please sign in if your child returns to school later in the day.
National Geographic Explorer Magazine – This is our monthly classroom magazine. The cost of this will be included in the class dues.
Field Trips / Parties- Sign up for these at our Parent Academic Night.
o Colonial Day - November 24
o Winter Class Party - December 19
o Valentine's Day Party – February 12
Plans are underway for scheduling our away from school field trips.
o Dallas Zoo – Early October
o Dallas Arboretum – April 22
Book Orders – I will be sending book order forms this year. The prices are good, and we receive 1 point per dollar spent. I use these points to purchase books for our classroom library.