Kristin Neikam
2nd Grade Learning Support Teacher
kneikam@eastpennsd.org
Willow Lane Elementary School
Hi there! My name is Kristin Neikam, and I am a 2nd grade Learning Support Teacher at Willow Lane Elementary School. I graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and Early Childhood Education, and I earned my Master's in Special Education from Lehigh University. Currently, I am pursuing another Master's degree in Technology to further integrate innovative tools into the classroom.
When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the outdoors. Whether it’s camping, hiking, or simply taking a walk, I’m always up for an adventure and cherish the moments spent with my loved ones.
I am passionate about helping students reach their full potential and am always looking for new ways to support their learning. My goal is to create a positive, inclusive, and engaging environment for all students.
I teach reading and math interventions, including Orton-Gillingham and iReady.
The Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach is a structured, multisensory, and phonics-based method for teaching reading, spelling, and writing, particularly designed for individuals with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Developed by Dr. Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham, this approach breaks language down into smaller components and teaches them in a systematic, explicit, and cumulative manner.
Key features of OG include:
Multisensory Instruction – Engaging visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (hands-on) learning to reinforce concepts.
Structured and Sequential – Teaching skills in a logical order, from simple to complex.
Explicit and Direct Teaching – Clearly explaining concepts and rules of language.
Diagnostic and Prescriptive – Continually assessing student progress and adjusting instruction accordingly.
OG is widely used in one-on-one or small-group settings to help struggling readers develop phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension. It has influenced many reading intervention programs and is recognized as one of the most effective methods for supporting learners with dyslexia.
The i-Ready Math program for 2nd grade is an interactive, adaptive learning platform designed to help students build foundational math skills. It offers personalized lessons and activities that cater to the specific needs of each student, adjusting difficulty levels based on their progress. For 2nd grade, i-Ready Math focuses on key concepts like:
Place Value - Understanding ones, tens, and hundreds, and comparing numbers.
Addition and Subtraction - Mastery of addition and subtraction within 100, including word problems and mental math strategies.
Measurement - Exploring length, weight, and time, with a focus on practical, real-world applications.
Geometry - Identifying shapes, understanding their properties, and working with concepts like symmetry.
Money - Recognizing coins and bills, and solving problems involving money.
Word Problems - Developing problem-solving skills through real-world math scenarios.
i-Ready also includes interactive games, progress trackers, and reports to help teachers monitor student growth, while providing resources for both remediation and enrichment. It emphasizes student engagement, with fun and rewarding experiences that motivate learners to succeed at their own pace.
The Fundations program for 2nd grade is a comprehensive phonics, spelling, and handwriting curriculum that is designed to build strong foundational literacy skills. It focuses on helping students develop a deep understanding of the English language, emphasizing decoding, encoding (spelling), and fluency. Here's an overview of what it covers in 2nd grade:
Phonics and Word Study:
Vowel Teams: Students learn common vowel teams (e.g., "ea," "ai," "ee," "oa") and how they make specific sounds in words.
R-controlled Vowels: Students explore words with vowels followed by "r" (e.g., "ar," "or," "ur," "er").
Diphthongs: Instruction includes vowel combinations that produce a unique sound, such as "ou" and "oi."
Syllable Types: Students practice different syllable types, including closed syllables, open syllables, and vowel-consonant-e syllables.
Spelling Patterns:
The program provides explicit instruction in spelling patterns that reinforce the rules of English spelling.
Focus on high-frequency words and irregular spelling patterns.
Handwriting:
Continued emphasis on proper letter formation and spacing, with practice in both lowercase and uppercase letters.
Focus on cursive writing in the later part of 2nd grade, helping students develop legible handwriting.
Fluency and Reading Comprehension:
Fundations provides opportunities for students to practice reading fluency with decodable texts that match their phonics knowledge.
Instruction supports students in decoding unfamiliar words and recognizing patterns in reading to build confidence.
Trick Words:
Students continue to build their trick word vocabulary with high-frequency words that don’t follow standard phonetic rules.
Sentence Structure:
Practice with sentence construction, including punctuation, capitalization, and grammatical rules.
This is a general list of supplies. We will have some available in the classroom for all students to use.
1 sturdy backpack
2 packs of #2 pencils (pre-sharpened preferred)
1 pencil case or box
2 erasers (pink or white)
1 pack of colored pencils or crayons
1 pack of washable markers
2 highlighters (different colors)
2 dry-erase markers (low odor)
1 pair of scissors (child-safe)
1 box of glue sticks
1 wide-ruled composition notebook
2 wide-ruled spiral notebooks (different colors for subjects)
2 pocket folders (durable, different colors)
1 set of headphones or earbuds (for classroom technology use)
You can always email me with questions, but the best way to see what we're doing in class and if your child has assignments coming up is by getting connected on the following program!
This is my primary means of communication. I will send out weekly updates on Seesaw.
Check out our Family Tech Resources Website! The purpose of this site is to provide both students and families of the East Penn School District resources on the technology they are using in the classroom. Some of the resources are created by East Penn, while others may be created by the companies themselves.