Be Safe
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Monday
Art
Tuesday
PE and Music
Wednesday
PE and Computer
Thursday
Music
Friday
PE and Library
11:00 - 11:30
11:30 - 12:00
I love teaching second grade at Birchwood Elementary School. My family and I moved to the greater Albany area seven years ago for my husband's career. Over the past 21 years, I have taught in New York City, Baltimore, MD, and Guilford, CT. I have taught eighth grade, sixth grade, third grade, second grade and served as a staff developer. I love being a classroom teacher because I love learning with and from my students. Together we will grow as mathematicians, scientists, historians, authors and readers.
When I’m not teaching, I spend time with my family. I have three children. Sarah is seventeen years old, Patrick is fourteen years old and Elizabeth will turn six in December. We love to be outside and we love to travel. Our most recent adventure was to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!
Contact Information
Email: jkennedy@niskyschools.org
Message me on Parent Square
Language Arts
1. Reading/Phonics emphasis is placed on decoding and fluency by learning phonics rules through the Fundations program. Comprehension and vocabulary are taught in read aloud, shared reading, and small group instruction.
2. Writing emphasis is placed upon writing in all content areas. Students will be responsible for grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling skills. The writing process includes: gathering ideas, choosing an idea, developing an idea, drafting, revising, editing, publishing, reflecting, and celebrating student's work. The students will publish a narrative, an opinion piece and a nonfiction book about birds..
3. Listening and Speaking - Appropriate listening strategies will be modeled and practiced. Students will be expected to use "whole body listening," stay focused and ask appropriate questions. Students are expected to share their ideas and ask questions using complete sentences and in audible voices.
Math
We are using iReady Math as our primary resource. Math will be taught daily for 1 hour. Students will learn about place value, money, addition & subtraction, number sense, time, data, graphs, geometry, and measurement.
Social Studies
We will be using a vareity of resources to teach social studies throughout the year. Studies are focused on map skills, citizenship, types of communities and human impact on our environment.
Science
Emphasis is placed upon observing and recording data, knowledge of science vocabulary and concepts as well as self-discovery. Focus skills include predicting, questioning and observations.
Third grade units:
Fall: Pebbles, Sand and Silt
Winter: Solids and Liquids
Spring: How can we find the best place for a planto to grow?