Welcome to Mrs. McMurray’s Welcome to Mrs. McMurray’s Second Grade Class’Second Grade Class’

Open House!Open House!

PSE is the place to bePSE is the place to be

IntroductionsIntroductions

•Mrs. McMurrayMrs. McMurray

•Mrs. Minisandaram-Our teacher Mrs. Minisandaram-Our teacher AssisstantAssisstant

Room Parents:Room Parents:• Mrs. BlackMrs. Black

Leslee Black~ Leslee Black~ lesleedblack@yahoo.comlesleedblack@yahoo.com

Volunteering:Volunteering:– Don’t forget to sign up on the volunteer Don’t forget to sign up on the volunteer

sheets! We still need plenty of volunteerssheets! We still need plenty of volunteers– Volunteers…we LOVE volunteers! Please make Volunteers…we LOVE volunteers! Please make

sure if you volunteer to help out in the sure if you volunteer to help out in the classroom, you need to be listed on the PSE classroom, you need to be listed on the PSE volunteer list. You can sign up at the main volunteer list. You can sign up at the main CMS website- CMS website- www.cms.k12.nc.uswww.cms.k12.nc.us, then click , then click on “Register to Volunteer.” When the screen on “Register to Volunteer.” When the screen appears, please use “New Volunteer? Click appears, please use “New Volunteer? Click here to register.” Complete the form. here to register.” Complete the form.

– Any questions, please contact Tess Berger in Any questions, please contact Tess Berger in the office.the office.

On your child’s desk there is: On your child’s desk there is:

1.1. A Happy Gram-Please leave a little A Happy Gram-Please leave a little “love note” to your child…don’t be “love note” to your child…don’t be

shy to say what an awesome teacher shy to say what an awesome teacher he/she has this year!he/she has this year!

Research says:Research says:

*Adults only listen and hear about 10 *Adults only listen and hear about 10 minutes out of every hour in a minutes out of every hour in a presentation! presentation!

*Let’s hope you leave with more than *Let’s hope you leave with more than only 10 minutes of information tonightonly 10 minutes of information tonight

However, if you don’t, I will download However, if you don’t, I will download this PowerPoint to my page on the wikithis PowerPoint to my page on the wikisite.site.

Classroom Expectations:Classroom Expectations:

• To respect each otherTo respect each other

• Be responsible for yourselfBe responsible for yourself

• To put forth 100% effort on all To put forth 100% effort on all assignmentsassignments

• Raise your handRaise your hand

• To be a good listenerTo be a good listener

These expectationsThese expectations will lead to… will lead to…

• Creating independent thinkersCreating independent thinkers

• Developing strong characterDeveloping strong character

• Building a positive and inviting Building a positive and inviting learning environmentlearning environment

• Self monitoringSelf monitoring

• A love of learning!A love of learning!

Daily ScheduleDaily Schedule• 7:30-8:007:30-8:00 Morning Work/I.W.T.Morning Work/I.W.T.

• 8:00-8:458:00-8:45 Literacy…Writing, GrammarLiteracy…Writing, Grammar

• 8:45-10:008:45-10:00 Math**Math**

• 10:00-10:3010:00-10:30 Class Read-A-Loud/SnackClass Read-A-Loud/Snack

• 10:30-11:2010:30-11:20 SpecialsSpecials

• 11:20-11:2511:20-11:25 Bathroom BreakBathroom Break

• 11:25-12:1511:25-12:15 Literacy…Reading/SkillsLiteracy…Reading/Skills

• 12:15-12:4012:15-12:40 LUNCHLUNCH

• 12:40-1:1512:40-1:15 Recess/Bathroom BreakRecess/Bathroom Break

• 1:15-1:451:15-1:45 Finish Work/Silent Reading/AR TimeFinish Work/Silent Reading/AR Time

• 1:45-2:451:45-2:45 Science/Social StudiesScience/Social Studies

• 2:45-3:002:45-3:00 Pack up/Discuss the day/DismissalPack up/Discuss the day/Dismissal

Specials Specials

• Day 1- MediaDay 1- Media

• Day 2-MusicDay 2-Music

• Day 3- P.E.Day 3- P.E.

• Day 4-Cultural EnrichmentDay 4-Cultural Enrichment

• Day 5- ArtDay 5- Art

• Day 6- ComputerDay 6- Computer

BehaviorBehavior• We are on a ticket systemWe are on a ticket system

– 3 tickets a day 3 tickets a day – Tickets can be earned, as well as taken away! Tickets can be earned, as well as taken away! – Get a warning before actual consequence of Get a warning before actual consequence of

taking away tickets.taking away tickets.– Tickets are traded in for goodies at the end of Tickets are traded in for goodies at the end of

every month. This is why we need Treasure every month. This is why we need Treasure Chest VolunteersChest Volunteers THANK YOU for the goodies THANK YOU for the goodies already donated!!already donated!!

– 30 tickets is the “price” of a NO HOMEWORK 30 tickets is the “price” of a NO HOMEWORK passpass

– Homework passes can be used at any time! All Homework passes can be used at any time! All you need to do is tape, glue, or staple it into your you need to do is tape, glue, or staple it into your child’s spelling notebook!child’s spelling notebook!

Homework Homework – Everyday the homework folder, spelling Everyday the homework folder, spelling

notebook and agenda will go home THEN notebook and agenda will go home THEN returned the next day!returned the next day!

– 20 minutes every night…will switch to 30 mid-20 minutes every night…will switch to 30 mid-yearyear

– Spelling activitySpelling activity– Study the definitions of vocabulary words…no Study the definitions of vocabulary words…no

written work is needed.written work is needed.– Math…Kept in the MATH Folder, not HW folderMath…Kept in the MATH Folder, not HW folder– At times, a project, such as Science or Book At times, a project, such as Science or Book

reportreport– Signing of the agendaSigning of the agenda– Friday work signature sheetFriday work signature sheet– Expected the next day or on the Expected the next day or on the

due date written in the agendadue date written in the agenda

Weekly WorkWeekly Work– Every Friday your child’s work from that week Every Friday your child’s work from that week

will be sent homewill be sent home– Review the assignmentsReview the assignments– Keep all work at home unless otherwise Keep all work at home unless otherwise

marked as “sign and return” or “correct and marked as “sign and return” or “correct and return.”return.”

– Spelling tests will be sent home the next weekSpelling tests will be sent home the next week– Sign the Friday signature sheet and return it Sign the Friday signature sheet and return it

on Monday or the next school dayon Monday or the next school day– These independent assignments are good These independent assignments are good

indicators of your child’s strengths and indicators of your child’s strengths and weaknessesweaknesses

– If you notice your child struggling, there are If you notice your child struggling, there are many good workbooks that you can purchase many good workbooks that you can purchase to reinforce skillsto reinforce skills

Grading SystemGrading System– Papers that have stars and smiley faces Papers that have stars and smiley faces

are fine….one is not better than the are fine….one is not better than the other!other!

– You will also see a fraction such as You will also see a fraction such as 10/12 or just simply -2.10/12 or just simply -2.

– A big “C” or check mark in the middle A big “C” or check mark in the middle means that the work was means that the work was completed completed and checkedand checked, but you may want to , but you may want to look over that paper for mistakes/errorslook over that paper for mistakes/errors

– Mrs. Minisandram also corrects some of Mrs. Minisandram also corrects some of my papers. She uses a big check mark my papers. She uses a big check mark in the middle of the page even if there in the middle of the page even if there are no mistakes on the paper.are no mistakes on the paper.

CurriculumCurriculum•SpellingSpelling

– Research-based program that Research-based program that allows for differentiation among allows for differentiation among students to where they are students to where they are developmentally in their personal developmentally in their personal spelling ability spelling ability

– It gives reliable patterns and rules It gives reliable patterns and rules to enable students to spell a high to enable students to spell a high percentage of words correctly percentage of words correctly versus phonetically.versus phonetically.

– Spelling correctly is for every day Spelling correctly is for every day writing assignments and for ALL writing assignments and for ALL the other words with the same the other words with the same patterns…not just for Friday tests!patterns…not just for Friday tests!

Spelling continued…Spelling continued…– Weekly spelling test on Friday.Weekly spelling test on Friday.– Homework: Spelling activities each night Homework: Spelling activities each night

of the week…your child needs to use the of the week…your child needs to use the given heading: name and date on the first given heading: name and date on the first line. Skip the second line. Name of the line. Skip the second line. Name of the spelling activity on the third line. Skip the spelling activity on the third line. Skip the fourth line. Begin activity on the fifth line. fourth line. Begin activity on the fifth line.

– Takes a few days to learn the routineTakes a few days to learn the routine – Vocabulary words…responsible for Vocabulary words…responsible for

knowing the definitions, not the spelling.knowing the definitions, not the spelling.

MathMath- Series called Series called InvestigationsInvestigations

- More hands on, less “paper work”More hands on, less “paper work”

--8:45-10:00** is our math time 8:45-10:00** is our math time – We will switch classes after multiple assessments We will switch classes after multiple assessments

on skills and abilities. on skills and abilities. – Groups are created not only by using various Groups are created not only by using various

assessments, but by current work output, assessments, but by current work output, classroom ability, being an independent reader & classroom ability, being an independent reader & worker, attention and focus in a group settingworker, attention and focus in a group setting

– Groupings have nothing to do with the CogAT (the Groupings have nothing to do with the CogAT (the TD testing) scores and placement will not change TD testing) scores and placement will not change based on the results!based on the results!

– Begin switching~TBDBegin switching~TBD

Math continued…Math continued…– Need to know their basic addition and Need to know their basic addition and

subtraction facts through 20…10 in 1 minute!subtraction facts through 20…10 in 1 minute!

Math ConceptsMath Concepts: Numeration, place value, critical : Numeration, place value, critical thinking, spatial reasoning, problem solving, thinking, spatial reasoning, problem solving, measurement such as time, temperature, and measurement such as time, temperature, and money, geometry, data, graphing, algebra, money, geometry, data, graphing, algebra, fractionsfractions– If your child can verbalize their thinking using If your child can verbalize their thinking using

math vocabulary, then they really know the math vocabulary, then they really know the conceptconcept

– If only can perform, but not explain, then they If only can perform, but not explain, then they may not have a solid grasp of the conceptmay not have a solid grasp of the concept

CurriculumCurriculum• Literacy…ReadingLiteracy…Reading

– Reading 3D~NEW this year. This is not only for Reading 3D~NEW this year. This is not only for fluency! It has a comprehension piece (I ask them fluency! It has a comprehension piece (I ask them questions) a written response piece (they write questions) a written response piece (they write their answer).their answer).

– Fluency is needed to spend less time decoding and Fluency is needed to spend less time decoding and more time understanding the story…which will more time understanding the story…which will definitely be reflected in the scoring.definitely be reflected in the scoring.

– Should be transitioning from learning to read to Should be transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn.reading to learn.

– Accelerated reading…50 points by the end of Accelerated reading…50 points by the end of second grade…about 12 points per quartersecond grade…about 12 points per quarter

– Anthology stories, bench marks, novel studies, Anthology stories, bench marks, novel studies, skills packets, small/whole group, literature circlesskills packets, small/whole group, literature circles

– Some Some Imagine It!Imagine It! will be used to assess will be used to assess comprehension (work on higher-level thinking comprehension (work on higher-level thinking skills)skills)

– SeminarsSeminars

CurriculumCurriculum• Literacy….Writing/GrammarLiteracy….Writing/Grammar

– Grammar skills are taught and reviewed Grammar skills are taught and reviewed

throughout the year by DOL, as well as daily lessons. throughout the year by DOL, as well as daily lessons.

-Basic sentence structure, spelling, and mechanics are -Basic sentence structure, spelling, and mechanics are expected!expected!

– Writing stories, journals, written answers Writing stories, journals, written answers – Use of details….we stress this throughout the yearUse of details….we stress this throughout the year– Process of writing: planning, writing, editing, Process of writing: planning, writing, editing,

proofreading, and final draftproofreading, and final draft– Types of writing focused on: personal narratives (well-Types of writing focused on: personal narratives (well-

elaborated event), opinion (clearly identified with elaborated event), opinion (clearly identified with reasons to support and a conclusion), reasons to support and a conclusion), informative/explanatory (use of facts and definitions informative/explanatory (use of facts and definitions to develop their points)to develop their points)

CurriculumCurriculum• Social Studies~ Common Core StrandsSocial Studies~ Common Core Strands

– History…using time lines, compare time periods History…using time lines, compare time periods with pictures, important peoplewith pictures, important people

– Geography and Environmental Literacy…map skills, Geography and Environmental Literacy…map skills, land forms, continents, etc.land forms, continents, etc.

– Economics….goods/services, producers/consumers, Economics….goods/services, producers/consumers, use of money, Jr. Achievement plays a roleuse of money, Jr. Achievement plays a role

– Character Education…Good citizenship, governmentCharacter Education…Good citizenship, government– Culture...diverse cultures and cultural traditionsCulture...diverse cultures and cultural traditions

• Science~ Common Core StrandsScience~ Common Core Strands– Scientific Method (Get the kids engaged)Scientific Method (Get the kids engaged)– Matter (Properties and Change)Matter (Properties and Change)– Sound energy (Forces and Motion)Sound energy (Forces and Motion)– Weather (Earth Systems, Structures and Processes)Weather (Earth Systems, Structures and Processes)– Life Cycles (Structures and Functions of Living Life Cycles (Structures and Functions of Living

Organisms/Evolution and Genetics)Organisms/Evolution and Genetics)

CogAT Testing (Cognitive Ability CogAT Testing (Cognitive Ability Test)Test)

• All 2All 2ndnd Graders will be tested Graders will be tested

• Dates: September 9, 10, 11 first thing in the Dates: September 9, 10, 11 first thing in the morningmorning

• Make-Up dates: September 12 and 13Make-Up dates: September 12 and 13

• Read Aloud…all listening and visualizing Read Aloud…all listening and visualizing

• There is no computationThere is no computation

• What do you need to do?What do you need to do?

~Get your child to bed early so they are well ~Get your child to bed early so they are well restedrested

~Make sure your child eats a good breakfast~Make sure your child eats a good breakfast

~Go to the wiki site and look at the sample ~Go to the wiki site and look at the sample questions questions

Unfinished WorkUnfinished Work

• Given plenty of time to doGiven plenty of time to do

• Use silent reading time Use silent reading time

• Use of recess timeUse of recess time

• Possible homework assignment that Possible homework assignment that night in addition to the normal night in addition to the normal homework assignedhomework assigned

Ren Place…AR ProgramRen Place…AR Program• Parents have access from homeParents have access from home

• Papers will be sent home with Papers will be sent home with

instructions, as well as their log in and instructions, as well as their log in and passwords…please have your child passwords…please have your child memorize their log in and passwords!memorize their log in and passwords!

• You can look at quizzes your child takes, You can look at quizzes your child takes, as well assign up for alerts on e-mail so as well assign up for alerts on e-mail so that every time your child takes a quiz that every time your child takes a quiz you will be notifiedyou will be notified

• Students will not have access to take Students will not have access to take quizzes at home…only can take in schoolquizzes at home…only can take in school

Loose EndsLoose Ends•LunchLunch-we eat at 12:15 to 12:40. -we eat at 12:15 to 12:40. •SnackSnack…10:00-10:25…please make …10:00-10:25…please make

sure your child has something to eat sure your child has something to eat (no cake, candy, etc) (no cake, candy, etc)

•BirthdaysBirthdays-You are invited to -You are invited to purchase cupcakes or ice cream purchase cupcakes or ice cream from the cafeteria. Forms are found from the cafeteria. Forms are found on the PSE siteon the PSE site

•NewslettersNewsletters will be sent home will be sent home attached to the weekly update, as attached to the weekly update, as well as placed on the wiki under the well as placed on the wiki under the tab “Meet the Teachers” then find tab “Meet the Teachers” then find our class.our class.

Loose Ends continued…Loose Ends continued…• ArtArt SmocksSmocks-please place a large t-shirt in your -please place a large t-shirt in your

child’s backpack. It will remain there the entire child’s backpack. It will remain there the entire year! year!

• AbsencesAbsences-Please make sure you call or e-mail Tess -Please make sure you call or e-mail Tess Berger and cc me on the e-mail as to the reason Berger and cc me on the e-mail as to the reason why. If no call or e-mail has been sent, then upon why. If no call or e-mail has been sent, then upon your child’s return a written note will be needed! your child’s return a written note will be needed! **Work can be made up but LEARNING can not! **Work can be made up but LEARNING can not!

• ClothingClothing-Make sure your child’s name is on all -Make sure your child’s name is on all jackets and sweatshirts. Lost and Found will be jackets and sweatshirts. Lost and Found will be emptied at the end of every month. emptied at the end of every month.

• Please send in a full water bottle everyday Please send in a full water bottle everyday

with your child starting tomorrow!with your child starting tomorrow!

Website…This is Website…This is wherewhere you will you will find find EVERYTHING you need to know!EVERYTHING you need to know!

• http://http://psesecondgrade.cmswiki.wikispaces.netpsesecondgrade.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/Home/Home

How can you help to make How can you help to make this a successful year??this a successful year??

• Be consistent with the homework routine.Be consistent with the homework routine.• Limit television watching and playing of video Limit television watching and playing of video

games during school daysgames during school days• Have realistic expectations of your childHave realistic expectations of your child• Go over the schoolwork in their Friday Folders Go over the schoolwork in their Friday Folders • Read to your child daily or have him/her read Read to your child daily or have him/her read

to you and ask you questions about the story to you and ask you questions about the story in order to encourage his/her understandingin order to encourage his/her understanding

• Maintain an open line of communication Maintain an open line of communication (email, note, or call)(email, note, or call)

Time for QuestionsTime for Questions

– I appreciate all your help and support! I appreciate all your help and support! – I look forward to working with your I look forward to working with your

children to give them the best year in children to give them the best year in school. We will work hard, but play hard school. We will work hard, but play hard as well!as well!

– Thank you for coming tonight! It was Thank you for coming tonight! It was wonderful to see you all and have the wonderful to see you all and have the chance to talk with you.chance to talk with you.

– Good Night!!Good Night!!