Greenwood School of Inquiry Hodges Elementary School

2013-2014

We’re going to have a

CHAMPIONSHIP year!

.Married 18 years to husband, Rusty

•2 children, Sam (17) and Caroline (10)

•1994 Summa cum laude graduate from Lander University

•Merrywood’s First Year Teacher of the Year- 1997

•Merrywood’s Teacher of the Year- 2002

•B.S. +18 Degree

•Entering 18th year of teaching!

•I am a lifelong learner-working on a Masters Degree in Teacher Leadership-ONLY 4 classes remaining!

*School begins promptly at 7:40. Please have your child at school NO LATER than 7:35.

*Students who are SEATED in the classroom at 7:40 will be allowed to order breakfast.*Morning work and/or “Exploration”begins immediately upon arrival and unpacking of bookbag, etc. Students will also tune in to WHOD.

OOOOHHHHHH! There is SO much math to learn in 2rd grade! We begin with building fluency with basic +/- facts, addition/subtraction relationships to promote mental math and many hands-on activities to teach students how our numeration system is based upon sets of 10. Then we’ll TRY our hand at MULTIPLICATION!!! The children always enjoy this “milestone” in their grasp of mathematics. We will investigate how multiplication is repeated addition before moving on to a variety of strategies to help students master these important facts. In addition, we will also delve into the realm of probability, data analysis, and measurement before the year ends. It’s going to be a busy year for us- but we’re PSYCHED!!!! How about YOU?!?!

We will be using the Common Core Standards!

Monday: Media Center 8:00-8:50

Tuesday: P.E. 12:00-12:50

Wednesday: Music 8:50-9:40 Computer Lab 12:00-12:50

Thursday: Computer Lab 8:00-8:50

Friday: Computer Lab 1:40-2:30

Our team will recognize the importance of inquiry as a stimulus for investigation as we make observations, pose questions, develop hypotheses, and conduct in-class investigations to test our hypotheses. We will also explore life science, earth science, and physical science as we learn about plants/animals, adaptations, life cycles, habitats, weather, magnetism, and matter- because SCIENCE MATTERS! We can’t WAIT to share what we LEARN!

What could be finer than living in South Carolina? How about learning more about our wonderful local COMMUNITY, its resources, and its people? In second grade, our students also explore local government, awareness of the seven continents, and even supply/demand and its effects on price and allocation of goods within the community. Do you think YOU are smarter than a 2nd grader?

We’ll ask you again in a few months!

Students enter classroom quietly at 7:30 and make lunch choice. I will “tally” lunch choices and send this report to the cafeteria by 7:45 each morning. Students eat silently for the first 10 minutes. ***Students who bring peanut butter from home will be asked to sit at another table with a friend if we have several peanut allergies in the classroom.

Recess is a privilege. While I do not support group punishment in most cases, “players” need to be aware that loss of class-wide recess is an option if/when the “team” experiences several violations within the school day. Students are encouraged to run, climb, and enjoy fellowship with one another. Playing tag, and “touch” football are not allowed on school premises.

Writer’s Workshop is one of my FAVORITE times of the day! It is so exciting to watch children grow as writers during the school year. We will use “mentor texts” to analyze how published authors “craft” their work and apply what we discover through the use of narrative writing, expository writing, and poetry. We will also learn the difference between revising/editing while applying what we’ve learned in word study/grammar.

Reading- TEAM RAMSEY loves to read!!! Our class will use independent reading, small group reading instruction, as well as whole group reading strategy mini-lessons each day. Several students will eventually move into literature circlesas the year moves along. Teammates will be required to read 20 minutes each school night.

Word Study- Students will investigate encoding strategies/ spelling patterns, prefixes/suffixes, Greek/Latin roots, and various word/vocabulary building opportunities weekly as well as master the spelling of high-frequency words. Differentiated spelling lists will be provided based on each student’s spelling/vocabulary needs. This means not every student will have identical spelling lists! Weekly lists will be sent home each Monday. In-class word study activities will take place daily and homework be will assigned nightly. Students will have the option to utilize at-home computers (when possible) to complete some of the homework. Students may also practice their words using www.spellingcity.com Weekly lists will be provided on this site as well when possible. Word Study tests will be given each Friday.

Students are provided at LEAST 20 minutes of uninterrupted independent reading time per day. Each student is required to log his/her daily reading in a Reader’s Notebook and/or take Accelerated Reader tests. Students will be provided with a “just-right” book level range and a “points” goal they are encouraged to reach each nine weeks or each semester. I will generate “AR” reports each week for the students and attach them to graded work. Details will follow soon regarding this vital component of our reading workshop.

Students are responsible for copying all homework assignments into their agendas. I will initial at the bottom ONLY if the homework was copied correctly. This is a BIG change for the students as they are used to a teacher-made assignment sheet issued at the beginning of the week. I will guide the students accordingly in the first weeks of school- with the expectation that they become more independent with this responsibility. Students will then be called to pack bookbags and straighten their desk area. The second grade teachers will work together to assign van, bus, and car duty positions and will direct students accordingly. Students are required to adhere to their usual means of transportation UNLESS a parent note indicates otherwise. Please do not e-mail or call me with this information. I devote the entire school day to working with children, and I can’t guarantee that I will check e-mail/voice mail in time to convey the message to your child. Also, in order to ensure student safety, please refrain from visiting the classroom for an “on the spot” conference during this time.

Homework will be assigned nightly with the exception of evenings when there are school-sponsored activities and/or standardized testing.

Students are expected to complete all homework assignments NEATLY. The teacher reserves the right to have students recopy messy work during his/her physical activity time.

Students who fail to complete homework twice within one week and/or four or more times per month will be required to remain after-school for a mandatory detention until 3:45 on Thursdays.

I believe the BEST classroom management is preventive discipline. This involves structuring the classrooom in such a manner where high expectations are paramount. Productivity is key, and this can only be accomplished when the children are readily on-task, held accountable for their learning, and valued for their efforts. TEAM RAMSEY realizes how the positive contribution(s) of each teammate ultimately promotes a successful classroom. In rare instances, however, consequences must be administered to students in a fair and consistent manner. Our school is a PBIS school that seeks to communicate clear behavioral expectations. These expectations are arranged within a matrix that is distributed to each student at the beginning of the year. These are also posted in every classroom and common gathering area within the school. Positive reinforcement through the use of “Bee Bucks” and quarterly celebrations assist with promoting desired student behaviors.

From time to time our TEAM will participate in special projects related to our state standards in language arts, math, science, and/or social studies. Much of the work will be completed in class. I will notify you at least one week in advance (in writing) and provide you with a description of the project, its purpose, teacher expectations, sample ideas, and the criteria for grading your child’s work. The students will work together to create a rubric for grading purposes.

READY? Here we go!

Your child will receive a letter with directions relating to how we will “personalize” our Writer’s Notebook. Many children bring pictures, etc. of things they hold dear to them. We will use the items your child brings to school and design our notebooks in class. Please use this time to begin collecting some “personal” mementos.

The BEST form of communication is the student agenda. This is where homework assignments can be found as well as a daily “player performance” report. Please sign this agenda each evening!!! Daily parent/teacher notes (as needed) will be communicated in this manner as well.

Should we need to communicate privately, you can reach me at 374-5000. You will be prompted to leave a voice mail. I will return your call as soon as possible. You may also reach me via e-mail at ramseyt@gwd50.org

Graded work and class newsletter will be sent home on Thursdays of each week. Please sign the sheet inside the graded work folder and return it with the CORRECTED graded work by the following Monday morning (*Details to follow). *Our class will also be using Edmodo-parent letter and details to follow!!!

Details to follow soon…

WHO KNOWS WHERE WE’LL EXPLORE?

We would love to have you volunteer at our school!

Possible volunteering options:

Preparing classroom materials at school OR home!

Assisting with special learning activities

Working with an individual student and/or small group of

students.

District 50 requires every interested adult to complete a volunteer registration form/background check for the safety of our students. Please complete a form TODAY if you are interested in volunteering at GSI/Hodges Elementary School. This form is available in the main office.

Volunteer in our Classroom!

What else can YOU do to help us enjoy a FANTASTIC SEASON?

JOIN OUR PTO!Only $5 for the whole family!

Technology is AMAZING! I will be using Remind101 as a ONE-WAY text messaging system from time to time when homework assignment corrections are necessary and/or to provide you with deadline reminders! Wanna subscribe?

Text @teamrams to 240-428-2832

for taking the time to attend Parent Orientation!

I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a

wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities!