AcadeMir Charter School West

Second Grade Welcome Packet

Mrs. Millares 2013-2014

Welcome to AcadeMir Charter School West for the 2013-2014 school year! I am looking forward to meeting you and being your child’s second grade teacher. My name is Mrs. Millares and I cannot wait to meet you and your little one. This school year promises to be one filled with lots of growth, fun and many adventures. I am extremely excited to be a part of this journey with you and your child.

About The Teacher

Mrs. Anais Millares

This is my sixth year teaching and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue teaching

second grade and continue exploring many new things with my students! Teaching has been my

passion ever since I was a young child. I have been working in the school system for nine years now.

I graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education

and an endorsement in ESOL. In December 2010 I received my Master’s degree in Elementary

Education from Nova Southeastern University.

My goal, as well as yours, is to see your child learn and grow. I am very enthused to work

with you to achieve this goal. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Best Regards, Mrs. Anais Millares

Dear Parents and Guardians, On behalf of all of our faculty and staff of AcadeMir Charter School West, welcome to second grade! Our team of second grade teachers is excited and eager for our 2013-2014 school year to finally begin. We have been working hard to originate many innovative ideas to ensure that your child receives the best academic experience in second grade. In the proceeding paragraphs, we have generated an at-a-glance snapshot of key ideas and grade level expectations that your child should expect to master over the course of the year: Reading and Language Arts

Reading Process (Spelling Patterns, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension)

Literary Analysis (Identify and explore various literary selections encompassing many genres)

Writing Process (Exploring “The Five Traits of Good Writers”: Pre-write, Draft, Revise, Edit, Publish and Illustrate)

Writing Application (Narratives, poetry, and a variety of informational or expository writing)

Communication (Writing for communication, handwriting, appropriate language usage, and listening)

Information and Media Literacy (Identify and utilize informational text, research, and reference materials effectively, analyze and select appropriate types of mass communication, and digital resources)

Please note that students will also be actively participating in daily DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time. Teachers will also be actively involved in DEAR time in order to lead by example during this time of promoting reading for enjoyment. This is an essential aspect of our reading program and will promote reading as a reward versus a chore. Please partner with us in encouraging this natural love for reading by making sure that your child has a book to read for pleasure every day. Students will be allowed to utilize the classroom library for books; however, they will not be able to take the classroom library books home.

Social Studies

American History (Native Americans, Colonial America, immigration, and culture)

Geography (Utilizing maps and globes effectively, and identifying North American states and capitals)

Economics (Consumer demands, trading, spending, and saving)

Civics and Government (Rules and laws, citizenship, responsibilities of citizens, constitution of the United States, contributions of different cultural groups, and patriotism)

Mathematics Big Idea 1: Develop an understanding of base-ten numerations systems and place value

concepts Big Idea 2: Develop quick recall of addition facts and fluency with multi-digit

addition and subtraction Big Idea 3: Develop an understanding of linear measurement and facility in

measuring lengths

Supporting Idea 4: Algebra (Number patterns and Classification)

Supporting Idea 5: Geometry and Measurement (Geometric relationships between parts and wholes, time, money, and weight)

Supporting Idea 6: Numbers and Operations (Solving problems that involve repeated operations)

Science Big Idea 1: Practice of Science Big Idea 6: Earth Structures Big Idea 7: Earth Systems and Patters Big Idea 8: Properties of Matter Big Idea 9: Changes in Matter Big Idea 10: Forms of Energy Big Idea 13: Forces and Changes in Motion Big Idea 14: Organization and Development of Living Organisms Big Idea 16: Heredity and Reproduction Big Idea 17: Interdependence At AcadeMir Charter School West, excellence is the only acceptable standard. It is

important that we allow our second graders to take responsibility whenever possible; this means that it will be their responsibility to adhere to this standard in their school work and personal behavior. Second grade promises to be a year of growth, challenges, and exciting adventures. If we all work together, the quality and amount of learning that will take place within our second grade classrooms will be insurmountable! Once again, welcome to second grade, and we look forward to a phenomenal year working with you and your children! Warm Regards, The Second Grade Teachers This packet is meant to be a helpful reference for your child’s academic year, information regarding our classroom learning environment, and to explain my goals, expectations and grading policy. I realize that the beginning of the year is extremely busy, but I encourage you to read through this booklet as it may answer any questions you may have about your child’s day at school. Please fill out the last three pages, sign the last page of this packet and return them to me during the first week of school.

AcadeMir Charter School West 2nd Grade Supply List

2013-2014

o $10.00 for AcadeMir Agenda & Folder

o $14 for Social Studies Weekly and Science Weekly ($7 for Social Studies Weekly and $7 for Science Weekly)

o 6 Composition Notebooks

o 4 Plastic Folders with Pockets (red, black, green, & blue)

o 5 Jumbo Glue Sticks

o 2 Large Packs of Pencils

o 2 Boxes of Crayons

o 1 Blunt Tip Scissor

o 1 Twelve Inch Ruler (with centimeters)

o 1 Reams of Copy Paper (500 count)

o 1 Ream of Color Copy Paper (any color)

o 1 Zipper Pencil Pouch (NO pencil boxes)

o 1 Roll of Scotch Tape

o 1 Pack of Red Pens

o 1 Pack of Highlighters

o 1 Pack of Dry-Erase Markers

o 3 Regular-Sized Erasers

o 1 Pack of Wide-Ruled Notebook Paper

o 2 Boxes of Tissues

o 1 Container of Clorox Wipes

o 2 Packs of 3x5 Index Cards

o 1 Book Bag

Important Information

Attendance: A note is required to excuse an absence of any reason. When your child is absent they will be given an allotment of time, based on the days missed, to complete assignments missed. Late assignments

will not be accepted.

3R= Respect, Responsibility, Ready to Learn! In order to participate in 3Rs Club, attendance is a must. More than 1

unexcused tardy within the month will result in the loss of participation in the 3Rs celebration.

Home Learning: Home learning will be sent home daily by the teacher. Home learning will be collected the following day unless otherwise specified. Keep in mind that home learning should be completed by the student with minimal assistance from an adult. No late work will be accepted unless there is an excused letter of absence or family emergency. It is the student’s responsibility to copy his/her home learning assignments in his/her agenda. No homework will result in a color change for the day.

Grading Policy: Second grade students will use the following grading scale in all subject areas;

A 90% - 100% B 89% - 80% C 79% - 70% D 69% - 60%

F 59% and Below

Dress Code: Uniforms are mandatory and must be worn on a daily basis. Please wear the appropriate school uniform, which must be purchased at Sunshine Uniforms exclusively.

Classroom Management: In order to maintain the best learning environment it is necessary for students to follow all classroom rules.

1. Listen carefully to the teacher. 2. Respect others.

3. Be polite to others. 4. Raise your hand before speaking.

5. Stay in your seat.

Behavior will be monitored using the color system. It is a student’s goal to remain on green each and every day.

Green: great behavior Yellow: verbal warning

Red: note or call home to parents

Positive Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is an important method used in my classroom. I reward students who go above and beyond to demonstrate respect, responsibility, and readiness to learn. I will reward the students with behavior coins. I will also reward the class as a whole when they collectively demonstrate, manners, team work, and outstanding behavior. Consequences for NOT following the classroom rules will be the following:

1st time: Student will receive a warning 2nd time: Student will have their conduct card changed to yellow. 3rd time: Student will have their conduct card changed to red and parent will be notified.

Parent/ Teacher Communication: Teacher/parent communication is very important for a successful school year. Any questions you may still have, feel free to email or call. All calls and emails will be returned within a 24-hour period. You may also send me notes in your child’s home learning folder/agenda.

Mrs. Millares’ Contact Information Email: AnaisMillares@dadeschools.net

Phone Number: (305) 485-9911

Class Website: Millares2@.webs.com

Group Text Message Alerts: Parents, in addition to email communication, Mrs. Millares would like to provide you with group text message alerts. This program allows me to send you reminders for things such as projects, or special occasions. You will not be able to respond, but it will definitely be a great way to receive reminders. Please keep in mind that standard text message rates apply. If you would like to receive these text message reminders, please follow the directions below to sign up. Instructions: Send a text message that says @millare to (786) 398-5081

Reading Plus

This year students will begin working with a reading program called “Reading Plus”. Reading Plus is a program which can be accessed at school and home via Internet, and we are excited to offer it through our Reading classes.

Reading Plus is a results-based program designed to assist students in the areas of vocabulary, fluency and reading comprehension – the key components in becoming successful readers. Your child may access it directly by logging on to login.readingplus.com. Students are required to complete one hour and a half per week, which totals three assignments (each assignment equals a minimum of 30 minutes X 3 days per week). Please keep in mind that an assignment may take longer than 30 minutes. Students will receive one Reading Plus grade every nine weeks. This grade will be based on completing the appropriate number of assignments each week (3 per week). Students must log Reading Plus progress on the provided chart.

Students will be provided with the login information as soon as all students have taken the initial placement test. I am excited to use Reading Plus as a tool in my classroom to assist students in Reading and look forward to working with you.

If you have any questions regarding the Reading Plus program, please do not hesitate to ask.

Best Regards, Mrs. Millares

Mrs. Millares’ Spelling Menu

Keep this in a safe place! You’ll need it to complete Spelling homework all year!

ABC Order: Alphabetize the list of words A-Z. Reverse ABC Order: Alphabetize your list of words in reverse Z-A. 3x each: Write the spelling list 3 times. Comic Strip: Create a comic strip using at least 10 words from the spelling list. Letter Writing: Write a friendly letter to a teacher or a friend using 10 of your spelling words. Highlight the spelling words that you use! Magazine Words: Use an old magazine and find your words (or the letters that make up that word). Cut it out and glue it on paper. Paragraph Writing: Write a paragraph, using as many spelling words as you can. Highlight them as you use them. Remember, a paragraph has an opening sentence, three sentences that add detail in the middle, and a closing sentence at the end. Pyramid Words: Write your spelling words in a pyramid shape. Start with the first letter. On the next line, write the first two letters. On the next line, write the first three letters. Continue until you have written the entire word. Example: T TH THE THEM Rainbow Write: Write your words using a pencil. Then trace over your words with a crayon. Then trace a second time with a different colored crayon. Trace NEATLY and you will see the rainbow!

Rhyming Words: Write a list of your spelling word. Next to each spelling word, write a rhyming word. Spelling Poem: Write a poem using several of your spelling words. Highlight the words that you chose. Illustrate your poem. Spelling Sentences: Write sentences using each of your spelling words. You may use more than one spelling word in a sentence. The sentences must show that you understand the meaning of the word. Highlight your spelling words. Example: Incorrect: My brother has a bottle. Correct: My baby brother drinks his juice from a bottle. Syllables: Divide your spelling words into syllables. Example: yesterday = yes-ter-day Picture Words: Use your words to draw a picture of its meaning. Example: Colorful Vowels: Write your words using one color for vowels and another color for consonants. Spelling homework night before the test - Practice Test: Take a practice test by having an adult read the words aloud to you while you write them down on a sheet of paper. Have the adult check your practice test and write misspelled words 3x each on the same paper. Have the adult sign your test, and turn it in the next day to Mrs. Millares.

2nd Grade Questionnaire

Please take a minute to fill out the following questions. Please return this form to school on the first day.

Child’s Name: _____________________ DOB: _____________ 1. What will your child eat for lunch? _____ Home lunch _____ School lunch _____ Other _____________________________________ 2. Does your child have any allergies that I should be aware of? ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Does your child take any medication that I should be aware of? ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What is your child’s after school arrangement? _____ Parent Pick Up (car) _____ Parent Pick Up (walker) _____ Bus _______________________ _____ After School Care 5. Who will usually be picking up your child? Name: _____________________ Relationship: ____________

Parent Communication Form

Parental involvement and communication are encouraged within the classroom. Please help by providing the following information so that I can better communicate with you.

Child’s Name: ___________________________________

Home Phone #: __________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________

Cell Phone #: ______________________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________

Cell Phone #: ______________________________________

Email Address: ______________________________________

Parent Survey

As a way to better understand your child’s interests in reading, I have created this Parent Survey about the topics that interest your child. Student Name: ________________________________________ 1. What types of activities does your child enjoy?

___________________________________________

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2. How would you describe your child’s attitude toward school?

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

3. What skills and subject areas are the strongest for your child?

___________________________________________

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4. What skills and subject does your child need work on?

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

5. Does your child enjoy reading? Why or why not?

______________________________________________________________________________________

I have read the handbook and understand the many exciting things that will happen in my child’s second grade class this year. I will refer to this handbook if I am unclear of anything, and will contact my child’s homeroom teacher if I have any questions.

Child’s Name:

___________________________________________________

Parent’s Name:

___________________________________________________

Parent’s Signature:

___________________________________________________