Embedded Files
Des Moines ABCs
Des Moines ABCs
Always Try
Always Try
Be Respectful
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Responsible
Cooperate with Other
Cooperate with Other
2nd Grade Daily Schedule*
2nd Grade Daily Schedule*
Monday-Thursday
9:15 – School Begins
9:20 – Morning Meeting
9:40 – Math
10:45 – Recess
11:00 – Content Units (Science, Arts, Social Studies, etc.)
11:40 – Lunch; 12:00 Recess
12:20 – Reading and Writing
2:00 – Specialist
2:45 – Phonics, Word Study, Groups
3:30 – Closing Circle
3:45 – School Ends
On Fridays school ends at 2:15.
Voice Volumes at Des Moines
Voice Volumes at Des Moines
0 – Silent (No noise at all)
1 – Whisper (A 6-inch gentle sound)
Use this voice volume to greet someone in the hallway.
2 – Partner Talk (Gentle talking)
Use this voice volume when talking with a partner.
3 – Talking (Conversation)
Use this voice volume when working with groups.
4 – Presentation (Everyone can hear you)
Use this voice volume when speaking to the whole class.
5 – Outside (Noisy voice)
Bathroom and Drinks
Bathroom and Drinks
Students are highly encouraged to bring a personal water bottle to school to stay hydrated throughout the day. These can be refilled at school as needed. Please put only water in water bottles. Drinks such as juice are only permitted during breakfast or lunch in the cafeteria.
To avoid long bathroom lines, please ensure your child uses the bathroom before coming to school. Students will also be encouraged to use the bathroom during recess and lunch time. Second grade is typically the year when children start to learn to plan ahead for bathroom breaks (ex: use the bathroom during recess and lunch so you don’t have to miss class time). We will work with students on this skill throughout the year.
Health and Safety
Health and Safety
The health and safety of each student is always the priority. Please keep your child at home if they are feeling sick. This will help keep the classroom and school community healthier! If students experience any symptoms at school, we will notify the office and follow the school’s safety protocols. Feel free to contact the school for more information.
Students will use hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day. This is especially important since many supplies are communal (shared). We will continue to teach and reinforce good hygiene, (such as keeping fingers out of your nose and mouth). Masks are not required, but are available for students who want them.
Homework
Homework
We expect students to give tremendous effort toward their own learning during the school day, and we know that this may be challenging for many second graders at the beginning of the year. Students may arrive home from school exhausted and in need of rest, excited and in need of exercise, inspired and ready to use their imagination, or eager to have conversations with family members. We hope that home can be a place where students can do just what they need to reset after a full day of learning at school.
In recent years, numerous academic studies have found that homework does not provide a significant academic benefit for elementary students. However, research still shows that children who read outside of school for at least twenty minutes per day will grow their reading level regardless of what happens in school. Reading at home is critical, but we want home reading to be filled with joy.
This year, second-grade “homework” is to read for 30 minutes everyday. Students will receive a reading log every week. Please sign or initial to indicate that your child has completed 30 minutes of reading every day. Home reading could include:
Child reading silently
Child reading aloud
Child reading to/with a sibling/child
Child reading to/with a parent/adult
Parent/adult reading aloud to the child (in any language)
Students are encouraged to check out books to use for home reading during our weekly visits to the school library. Students may also choose to read digital books at home using RAZ Kids, SORA (both available on your child’s ClassLink), or another platform. Some students may be more interested in reading a children’s magazine or newspaper. Others might enjoy reading a recipe and cooking together or reading the instructions for a new board game. Some may even grab a cereal box and read the label!
In our monthly newsletters, we will share ideas and tips for engaging your child in learning through play and conversation at home. We do encourage families to limit video games and screen time when possible.
Toys/Electronics
Toys/Electronics
Please keep all toys at home (including fidget spinners) so students can focus on learning tasks. Cell phones and smartwatches are NOT permitted to be used on school grounds. If a student has a toy or electronic item at school, he/she will be reminded of this expectation, then asked to keep it in their backpack and take it home. This is a school-wide expectation. Thank you for your cooperation!
Page updated
Report abuse