Mrs. Bickel’s
2nd Grade Prep Guide
Please check Class DoJo often for helpful up-to-date information.
Dear Parents,
First and foremost, thank you for entrusting me with your child this school year!
It is an honor to be your child’s second grade teacher!
Changes during the year will happen, but this information will help us to start out the year. Check our Class Dojo for any current information throughout the year. If you have any questions please contact me by sending a note, a message on Class DoJo, an email at bickela@meridianhawks.net, or calling the school.
Phonics/Spelling - At the beginning of each week a letter detailing the sounds/spellings skills we are studying from Orton-Gillingham will be sent home. Students will be assessed on Fridays over the phonics/spelling skill pattern learned that week. There will not be a set word list. Students show an understanding of the skill learned, rather than memorizing a list of words.
Reading/Vocabulary - Students will study fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills through a text provided each week. Students will be assessed in fluency through a reading passage and comprehension through comprehension questions on Fridays.
Grammar/Writing - Students will learn grammar skills that will be incorporated into the writing process. Students will engage in various forms of writing using the writing process.
Math - Students will study various math skills from the second grade math concepts using Into Math. Math homework may be assigned throughout the week and is expected to be completed and turned in the next morning. Math quizzes will be given at the end of the modules. Memorization of math facts is beneficial for overall success as we progress through math skills. We use Xtra Math on our Chromebooks for math fact fluency practice. As students pass an operation they will get a certificate.
Accelerated Reader - We use AR (Accelerated Reader) to increase comprehension through personal reading choices. Students take a STAR test to indicate their reading level and then choose books to read within the range indicated. Students take a basic comprehension quiz on the books they read during the school day. Most books appropriate for second graders are worth up to 0.5 points. Points will be tracked and rewards will be given for achieving certain goals. You can check the level and point value of a book you have at home on www.arbookfinder.com which can be found on my website.
Science/Social Studies - Students will learn about exciting science and social studies topics throughout the year through projects and experiments. We use Mystery Science and Core Knowledge.
Classroom Expectations - While our specific expectations are discussed and agreed upon together, they are based on the HAWKS rules: Have Respect, Act Responsibly, Work Hard, Kind Words and Actions, Stay Safe. When a rule is broken or a responsibility is neglected, there will be a reflective process and a note in the planner. If the offense continues, poses a threat to safety, or causes a significant disruption, there will be communication to the parent regarding the consequence.
Student Planner - This is a great communication tool. The planner has a record of the day your child had at school. If your child has a positive stamp, then your child had a great day. Sometimes you may find a short note from me if we hit a rough spot. Please initial this planner nightly so that I know you’ve seen the homework assignments and notes. You may add notes of encouragement for your child or information/questions for me in the folder as well. If there is a home situation that could impact your child at school, please write “Handle with Care” in your child’s planner. No questions will be asked, it will just help me to know if there might be something personal that might be bothering your child. I will check each morning to see that it was signed and if there is any communication from you.
Student Folder - One of your child’s folders will be used as a Student Folder for homework or notes that need to go home. In the folder there will be a “keep at home” pocket and a “return to school” pocket. The items in the “keep at home” pocket should be taken out each night for you to review and keep. The items in the “return to school” pocket should be completed and returned the next day.
Homework - Homework is typically only assigned Monday-Thursday, but not everyday. Some students get their homework completed during class time, others need more time and will need to finish at home. Please get into a routine of looking over your child’s graded work and talking about mistakes, practicing math facts, and reading (either to them, with them, or independently) each night. I promise it’s worth your time!
There may be times when a student will have late work. Your child may have time to work on late work in class, but is not guaranteed. If it is not finished by the end of the week, it will be completed during Fun Friday. I will inform you when work is missing so that you are aware.
If your child is bringing home more work than you would expect we have one or two things happening… 1 - He or she is not using class time wisely, or 2 - He or she is struggling with the content. In either case it needs to be addressed, so please let me know if homework takes more than 15-30 minutes. I know you have a life outside of school and I want to respect that. Please get into a routine of 15-30 minutes of homework , reading, and/or skill practice each night.
After school transportation changes - Please communicate transportation changes with a note to me. If your child rides a bus, please contact the bus barn as well. We ask that last minute changes be made by calling the office by noon when at all possible, then tell me on DoJo about transportation changes as well. Please do not assume I saw your message unless you get a response from me. At Back to School Night there will be a transportation sheet for parents to check that your child’s afternoon bus information is correct.
Class Parties - Parent help is extremely beneficial for class parties! You can sign up in person at Back to School Night or message me on Class DoJo. Please sign up to help with or donate items to our class parties. The class parties we will have this year include:
Halloween Party
Christmas Party
Valentine Party
Spring Party
Birthdays - Students love celebrating birthdays at school! Summer birthdays will be celebrated near their half birthday. You are welcome to send in or bring store bought treats to school. Parents often supply a snack and drink for each student - however please do not feel obligated to do so. You will be contacted about the day we can celebrate your child’s birthday at school.
Water Bottles - I will allow students to bring a water bottle to keep at our hydration station. The water bottle cannot have a side handle, exterior straw, and must be waterproof if tipped. Students will bring their water bottle home on Friday to be washed.
Book Orders - I will send Scholastic book orders home from time to time. Sometimes in the description the AR level is marked, which is really helpful. Ordering books helps us build our class library as well as your home library; it’s a win, win! Ordering is done online using the code YYQQV. I will send out more information when the order forms are available.
I appreciate your involvement and support in making this a successful year for your child!
I can’t wait to meet all of you!
It’s going to be a great year!