Marine Drive Academy
Grade Two Communication Plan
And Curriculum Outline 2021 - 2022
Mrs. Hawes
Welcome to Grade Two! It is exciting to be back at school and to be working with your children! Each child comes to school with his/her own attributes, strengths and needs. I will make it a priority to get to know each child and plan lessons to meet their needs as much as possible. Students will work independently throughout the year with partners and have small group learning opportunities. It is my belief that learning should be meaningful, purposeful and enjoyable. Accomplishments big or small are celebrated! Your children will be encouraged to feel positive about themselves, learn from their mistakes and feel proud of their successes. I am really looking forward to getting to know and enjoy your children as they develop as learners and continue to grow in all areas of the curriculum as well as socially, emotionally and physically!
Curriculum Outline:
English Language Arts (ELA) - Strands include reading/viewing, writing/representing and speaking/listening. They will be taught through the following ways:
Readers Workshop - Shared reading, guided reading, read aloud, independent reading and partner reading.
Word Study - Blends, vowels, word families, high frequency words (word wall), syllables, compound words and contractions.
Writers Workshop - daily writing, choice writing, as well as modeled, guided and independent writing during units of study which include; Personal Narrative, Realistic Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry and Procedural.
Show and Tell - Students will practice a book at home and share it with the class. They will also bring an item in to share, talk about and students will have an opportunity to ask questions. This takes place after lunch. A calendar is sent home each month with students' names.
Math - Our Math program will follow a “hands-on” approach and will be done through whole class, small group, partner and independent activities. Concepts include:
Mental math and number routines
Patterns & Relations
Statistics and Probability
Geometry
Measurement
Number Sense & Operations: place value, addition and subtraction
Other curriculum areas:
Grades primary-3 have an integrated curriculum, meaning that all other subject areas will be embedded in Language Arts and Math lessons.
Technology - All students will receive a Chromebook to use in class. This will be new exciting learning for them.
We will use the Chromebooks for all subject areas.
Physical Education - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Music - Monday and Wednesday
Assessment & Evaluation : Your child will be informally observed at regular intervals to track individual progress in all subject areas. More formally, in L. A. I use running records , observations from small group lessons and conferences to track student reading/comprehension. Your child’s writing will also be assessed at various times throughout the year using the writing continuum and conferencing. Samples of your child’s writing will be kept in a writing folder in the classroom to allow me to identify strengths and areas your child may need to work on. Sight word check-ins to track progress with your child’s vocabulary skills and checklists to monitor listening and speaking skills are also examples of assessment tools I will use. On the report card each term comments specific to your child’s strengths, needs and ways to be supported at home will be given.
Expectations: As we work to create a fun, safe and comfortable environment for learning, your child will be expected to conduct himself/herself in a way which helps make this possible for everyone. A class promise has been created together and signed by your children to reinforce the importance of demonstrating respect for their classmates, as well as personal accountability for his/her actions.
Home Reading Program & Homework:
A Home Reading Program will begin in the near future. In the meantime please encourage your child to read at home and talk about books.
Communication Between Teacher & Home:
I can be contacted at the school (902-885-2777) extension 1591225 or by e-mail ahawes@hrce.ca
I do not have internet at my house. It is best to call at school or send emails before 3 p.m.
Website: https://sites.google.com/gnspes.ca/MrsHawes
I look forward to a great year with you and your child!
Mrs. Hawes
"The more that you read. The more things you will know. The more that you learn. The more places you'll go"
Dr. Seuss