Classroom Information

Mme Werness' Classroom Information

Ici on parle français!

Our 2nd grade classroom is a French-only environment. Students are expected to speak French during the school day. This can sometimes be a struggle for Normandale students in the fall, and it requires real effort on the part of the individual student all year long. The immersion classroom is like a team sport: every member has to practice, play by the rules, and do their best for the good of the team. As a team, we help and support each other in our new language. Students who commit to speaking French show amazing growth over the course of the year.

Birthday Celebrations

Birthday celebrants have special privileges, such as sharing news about their birthday (if they wish) during Morning Meeting, doing special jobs in the classroom, and receiving a card from the teacher and from each of his/her classmates. In keeping with the district policy, students do not bring treats. Summer birthdays are special, too! We may celebrate them in August or in late May.

Snack break

Students may bring a daily snack ("health break"). Please adhere to the following school guidelines (see links).

Health Break Options

Health Break Letter

It is best if the snack is packed separately (in a small brown bag or zip-lock baggie), preferably labeled. Examples of healthy snack food items allowed are: protein (meat stick or hard-boiled egg); fresh or dried fruit; vegetables; cheese or yogurt. Students may only have water to drink, preferably from manageable water bottles that they keep in their lockers or on the lunch cart. Due to possible allergies, we request that students not share snacks. Thanks for your consideration!

Morning Meetings

Beginning in October, parents are welcome to attend our morning/afternoon meeting. You do not need to know French - just be willing to join in the French activities (perhaps with a little help from your child!). Please contact me if you are interested.

Classroom Schedule

Monday: P.E. from 8:45 - 9:30 AM

Tuesday: Music from 8:45 - 9:30 AM

Wednesday: P.E. from 8:45 - 9:30 AM

Thursday: Art from 9:50 -10:50 AM

Media will be on Thursdays from 2:15 - 2:55 PM

Friday: Music from 8:45 - 9:30 AM

Lunch/Recess daily from 12:15 - 1:00 PM

Communication

Every week, I send out a brief (I promise!) e-mail, alerting you as to what you will find in the white binder and to remind you of upcoming events, due dates, etc. Our second grade resource page will also be a great resource for you and will be updated frequently.

If you wish to communicate with me, you can e-mail me or leave me a phone message, and I will get back to you as soon as possible, generally within 24 hours.

Reaching Mme Werness:

You may call me on my classroom phone before and after school. Please do not call directly into the classroom during the school day, as the phone may disrupt the class, but rather dial 848-3912 and when prompted dial my 4-digit extension. For emergencies and change of your child’s after school plans that you had not foreseen in the morning, please call the office at 848-4100. Karen or Anne will get the message to me in a timely manner.

En vedette (In the Spotlight)

During the second semester, your child will be asked to bring in a photo from a trip or an event and will take part in a Q & A session with the class. During this time, your child will be en vedette and will answer questions from classmates like, "Where was this photo taken?", "Who is in the photo?", "Why did you go there?", "What did you see?", etc. The schedule will be sent home for each child.

Homework Routine

Once a week, your child will bring home a white 3-ring binder where you will find a weekly homework checklist. The binder comes back one week later, with the homework tucked in the inner pocket. PLEASE see that all pages are stapled together and that your child's first AND last name is on the front page). Also in the binder you will find fliers from the office and your child's tests. Anything in the rings stays in the binder, and this becomes your child's assessment portfolio, which we will refer to during conferences. See the Second Grade Homework Information Page for more detailed information about homework.

Reading Kits

Every week beginning later this fall, students bring home a reading kit ("trousse" / "kit" de lecture). This kit includes audio support and a magnet game.

Instructions for how to use the kits and maximize reading practice will be provided when they are sent home.

Library Books

Second graders choose English and French library books each week. The English library books go home, and the French books stay in the classroom, at least for the first half of the year. Students read their French books during independent work time, and if any book chosen is too hard, they have the opportunity to exchange . Check my specialist schedule for check-out day and time. Since choosing appropriate independent reading material is a grade level expectation (we guide the students in doing this at first), it is important that your child is consistent about returning the books each week so new material can be checked out.

Volunteering

Please go to the link in the side bar "Volunteer Opportunites" to sign up to help.