August 16, 2024

Welcome!

Welcome to our classroom newsletter. Here, you can expect to find important dates, class objectives, pictures, and personalized classroom updates. 

Thank you for all you are doing at home to support your child during these first few weeks of school.  It can be a busy and somewhat stressful time, and we are so appreciative of the time and care you put into helping your child show up ready to learn each day. 

What to Expect in 2nd Grade ASPIRE: Our Norms

This week and next, we will be explicitly teaching each of our 2nd Grade ASPIRE classroom "norms."  These are what students can come to expect throughout the school year, and the mindset we encourage them to set for themselves as we take on new challenges! 

We encourage you to discuss examples of these norms with your child.  What experiences has your child had with these norms?  Can you share any personal stories of how you've exemplified these characteristics? 

Our Norms:

1. Have a vision.  We will set goals for learning and look at the "big picture" as we grow.

2. Be a learner, not just a finisher.  The process matters just as much as the product!

3. Own your education.  2nd graders are expected to increase responsibility over their own learning.  Teachers aim to be a "guide on the side" as much as possible as your child learns to self-advocate and take charge of their growth. 

4. Lean into struggle.  When students are adequately challenged, learning is not always "easy."  Grit, perseverance, and giving ourselves grace as we make mistakes (and learn from them) is essential!

5. Feed your passion.  We all have passions, gifts, talents, and things that bring us joy.  Incorporating these into our learning help students make personal connections to lessons, and increase movitvation to succeed.

6. Own our culture.  Our classroom essentials include kindness, responsibility, and respect.  Without these components, we cannot reach our full potential.  All students are expected to display these qualities, and will receive coaching from teachers if needed to ensure that all students can grow and thrive in our classroom.

You're Invited: Parent Information Night

Please join us Thursday, August 29th from 6:00-6:45 to learn more about 2nd Grade ASPIRE! The presentation will take place in Ms. Herrera and Ms. Bell's classrooms. 

Curriculum - Our Objectives for Next Week

Language Arts: Creative Thinking

I can demonstrate flexible thinking by using a perspective frame to share information about myself from another point of view. 

I can demonstrate the creative thinking element of elaboration by designing an additional page for our read-aloud.  

Math: Fact Fluency and Big Ideas 

I can practice my addition and subtraction automaticity by playing games with a partner or small group.

I can show my knowledge of big ideas about math, including asking questions, designing word problems, and academic vocabulary. 

Science: What do Scientists Do?

I can observe and record data like a scientist. 

Social Studies: What Do Good Citizens Do?

I can identify and exemplify the characteristics of a good citizen in my classroom and school.