Dear Parents,
So much information is thrown at you this time of year! Some families not only have one, but 2 or 3 children starting a new school year. That is a lot of information. I have tried to put together a packet that contains all of the information that you might need throughout the school year. Hopefully, it will be a good reference tool when you have questions. Please let me know if you have questions that are not answered in the packet, so I can make changes for next year.
Table of Contents
Year at a Glance: Reading and Language Arts, Math Skills Science/Social Studies
Library(Skills, Specials, Odds and Ends)
Birthday invites, birthday treats, snacks
Top Tiger, Communication
Daily Schedule
Top Tiger schedule
The Year in a Glance
Aldrich 2nd Grade
I hope this page of information will give you an overview of your child’s year as a second grader at Aldrich Elementary.
Reading and Language Arts:
This will be the district’s second year adopting Amplify/CKLA Curriculum. Grounded in the Science of Reading and following the Core Knowledge approach, the Amplify CKLA PreK–5 curriculum combines rich, diverse content knowledge in history, science, literature, and the arts with systematic, research-based foundational skills instruction. Our Knowledge units include: Fairy Tales and Tall Tales, Early Asian Civilizations, Ancient Greek Civilization, Greek Myths, The War of 1812, Cycles in Nature, Westward Expansion, Insects, The U.S.Civil War, Human Body: Building Blocks and Nutirtion, Immigration, and Fighting for a Cause.
Our Skills work will include three components: Grammar: Specific grammar lessons and exercises address the various parts of speech and language usage conventions, such as capitalization and punctuation. Students first learn these concepts and practice them orally; then they are reinforced in written text. Spelling: Weekly word lists and exercises that focus on the spellings of given sounds are included, followed by a weekly assessment. The spelling exercises provide a systematic review of the letter-sound correspondences that students have already learned. Writing: Formal writing instruction, students focus on writing sentences in preparation for the more challenging writing tasks of the later units. Students will receive instruction in using a four-step writing process: plan, draft, edit, and publish.
We have a scheduled 15 minute daily intervention time, ELA W.I.N. (What I Need), to help all students be successful in their ELA skills.
Math Skills:
This will be our fourth year with our new math curriculum. It is aligned with the common core standards and offers differentiation within each topic. At Aldrich, our teachers are committed to best practice. Our focus in math is building number sense through activities that promote deep thinking, multiple ways of solving the problem “flexibility”, noticing patterns “accuracy” and confidence in being a problem solver! We hope to be sharing your child’s thinking with you to help you understand the math journey! It may look a little different than the ways we were taught, but we know it’s building our future. In addition to our homeroom math instruction, students will participate in 15 minutes of math intervention, practice, or enrichment. These intervention groups will vary according to our weekly math assessments.
Science and Social Studies:
The second grade science standards covered include: Matter, Changing Matter, Modeling Earth's Surface, Earth's Changing Surface, and Interactions in Ecosystems. This curriculum is aligned with the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards). The theme for second grade Social Studies is Exploring Who We Are.
Library Skills:
The students are taught beginning locational skills, and sections of the media center. Various library terms are introduced. Literature appreciation is stressed.
Each student may check out 2 books at that time. If the student returns one book, then they can check out one book. If they bring back two books, then they can check out 2 books. If your child does not return books, then they will not be allowed to check out any books that week.
Special Classes:
1. Physical education – Mr.Cross
2. Music – Mrs. Bergan
3. Art – Mrs. Lockard
4. Library – Mrs. Asher
5. Counselor – Mr. Berns
Odds and Ends
Coats and Recess
I have found that one of the 2nd graders favorite phrases is, “Do I have to wear my coat?” Here are our recess temperature guidelines:
Below 0°– Inside recess
0-10° - Outside recess (15 minutes only)
10° + - Outside recess
50°or below—Coats are required
51-60° - Jacket
60-70° - Long sleeves
70°- T–shirts
Snow– Boots & snow pants both required!
**If no snow boots or snow pants, student must remain on cement. We strongly encourage hats/gloves.
Birthday Invites
Students may distribute invitations at school ONLY if ALL students in the classroom receive one. Otherwise, they will need to be mailed from home.
Birthday Treats
Birthday Treats: Birthday treats are not an expectation or requirement; however, should a student elect to bring a birthday treat, there should be one provided for each student. We have a student with a peanut/nut allergy so please avoid peanut/nut products. Please send peanut free items, that are labeled. Store bought treats are acceptable. This is a building-wide procedure put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all Aldrich Tigers. We also welcome any tangible items instead of a treat for birthdays. Students with summer birthdays will be celebrated on their half birthday or are welcome to choose a school day to celebrate. Send treats that are easy for students to share. Birthday treats will be shared in the afternoon after the last recess. We currently have 20 students in our class.
Snack
Daily Snack: As a grade level, we will have a morning “healthy” snack time on our full days of school. If your student would like to participate in this “healthy” snack time, they are welcome to bring their own snack each day. “Healthy” snacks help our brains be fueled and ready to be productive learners. Vegetables, fruits, and crackers are healthy snacks to provide. Since we will be sharing students for reading and Intervention times, I ask that you NOT send any products with nuts or peanut butter. Filled water bottles are welcomed and will be required to be taken home on a daily basis to be cleaned. Students will be able to fill them after lunch.
Top Tiger
Each student will be given the opportunity to be the Top Tiger. I have included in this packet a list of those dates. The week before your child is Top Tiger, I will send home a “Read All About Me” poster. Please help your child to complete the poster and return it to school the Friday before their week, so I can build their bulletin board before Monday. Send three show and tell items by Monday of your student’s week. Throughout the week our class will focus on the leadership skills our leader exhibits.
Monday: Share 3 items for Show N’ Tell
Tuesday: “About Me” Poster Presentation
Thursday: 2 Truths and a Fib Game
Friday: Funny Friday –Share up to three of your favorite jokes
Communication
Communication is the key to any productive classroom. The best way to reach me is through e-mail (Sonya.Kremer@cfschools.org). I check my e-mail before school, at lunch, and after school. You can also call the office (319-553-3020) and they will take a message. Please try to make after school arrangements with your child before school. This avoids confusion and interruptions during the school day.
Students will be bringing home daily their Take Home folder. Please look in the folder for homework, notes, and information regarding school activities.
Basic Daily Schedule
8:50 – 9:00 Class meeting
9:05 - 9:25 Math WIN
9:25 - 10:25 Math
10:25 - 11:25 Skills
11:35 - 12:15 Lunch/Recess
12:20 - 1:20 Knowledge
1:20 - 1:55 ELA WIN
1:55 - 2:15 Bathroom/Recess
2:15 - 2:50 Science/Social Studies
2:50 - 3:35 Specials
3:35 Closing
3:45 Dismissal
Short Day schedule
8:50 – 9:00 Class Meeting
9:00 - 10:00 Skills
10:00 - 11:00 Math
11:00 - 11:30 Knowledge
11:30 – 12:15 Lunch/Recess
12:15 - 12:45 continue Knowledge
12:45 - 1:15 Social Emotional Learning/Leader in Me
1:15 - 1:45 Special
1:50 Dismissal
Specials Schedule
Day 1 - Library
Day 2 – Art
Day 3 – PE
Day 4 - Music
Top Tiger of the Week
Sept. 8 - Campbell
Sept. 15 – Emersyn
Sept. 22 - Calvin
Sept. 29– Grayson
Oct. 6 - Khadijah
Oct. 13 - Cru
Oct. 20 - Landon
Nov. 3 - Kinley
Nov. 10 - Matti
Nov. 17 - Arie
Dec. 1 - Charlie
Dec. 8 - Braden
Dec. 15 - Eleanor
Jan. 12– Kayleigh
Jan. 20 - Faith
Jan. 26 - Sophia
Feb. 2 – Braxton
Feb. 9 – Ellie
Feb. 16 - Levi
Feb. 23 - Brandon