- Can I bring in a treat for my child's birthday?
- How can I sign up for classroom volunteer opportunities?
- What is differntiated instruction?
- How will my child be grouped in leveled reading literature cirlces?
- I need to pick my child up from school early, what do I need to do?
- What is the best way to get in contact with you?
- I feel my child needs more/less homework, how can we arrange this?
- How can I support my child's learning?
- What are peer partners?
- What are conflict managers and what is the problem box?
- What are the classroom jobs?'
- Why are there two different spelling lists each week?
- I feel my child is having trouble making friends/being bullied/getting in trouble on the playground, how can I help with his/her social skills?
- Will my child be kept up to date with the latest technology and learning technology skills?
- How often should I check my child's VIP folder?
- When do I see my child's work?
- What are the math timed tests we are receiving at home?
Can I bring in a treat for my child's birthday?
According to school policy, we can only provide healthy snacks at school
(bagels, fruit, cheese, etc.) In the past, students bring new pencils for the
class or something the students could use at school.
How can I sign up for classroom volunteer opportunities?
At back to school night, there will be sign up sheets for field trips, class
parties, and math and reading help. Please contact one of the head room moms
to sign up for any available spots!
What is differntiated instruction?
No classroom has all students on the same level, who learn in exactly the same
way, so a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective. Differentiating
instruction means creating multiple paths so that students of different
abilities, experience equally appropriate ways to absorb concepts as a part of
the daily learning process. In differentiated classrooms the core
understandings or objectives remain, but the teacher uses different
strategies, methods, and means to get the students there. For example,flexible
grouping of students, small group instruction, mini lessons with independent
practice following, using technology, manipulatives, and other methods are all
essential components in differentiated instruction. The key
is to see 20 or more students in the room, know they all need to read at the
same level by June, but understand that there may be 7 or 8 different lessons
per week prepared to meet the needs of kids in the room adequately. It's not
the same way kids in the past were taught - but it's a more effective way for
students to learn.
How will my child be grouped in leveled reading literature cirlces?
Based on my own informal and formal observation, as well as a beginning of the
year reading test, I will place the students in a group where I feel the child
will be the most successful and comfortable. This grouping process is
flexible, and as the year goes on, I am constantly changing students into new
groups as their fluency and comprehension levels rise.
I need to pick my child up from school early, what do I need to do?
First please notify me through email or personally, and also please contact
the office secretary to inform them of your child's absence.
What is the best way to get in contact with you?
I work best through email at ljohnston@mpcsd.org. If you would like to set up
a meeting please email me first as I am constantly attending staff or team
meetings.
I feel my child needs more/less homework, how can we arrange this?
I send home math worksheets to the students who I feel need the extra practice
on Fridays. I also send challenge worksheets home to the students who I feel
need the extra push. If you feel your child's needs are not being met, please
contact me personally or through email. I am always trying to do whats best
for your child, and appreciate your imput because we always need to work
together in order to make your child's education a complete success.
How can I support my child's learning?
There are a few simple steps even the busiest parents can do to support a
second grader. First, read to your child each night - it doesn't have to be
super long to be meaningful. Second, have your child read to you each night.
Third, ideally, sit with your child as he/she does all the homework (if any).
Make sure there is understanding. Alert me to problems since it should be a
review. Fourth, make TV Time smart time for your child by choosing PBS
Channel 12 shows over Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network whenever possible. PBS
shows like SuperWhy and WordGirl are fun and teach reading skills. Fifth,set
up study groups of our children who are in close grade levels or of kids
on the block who are in the same grade level to read, write, and do math
together after school - kids learn a lot from each other and it takes some of
the pressure off of you.
Finally, when you do have free time with your child, there are many free or
low-cost educational things to do that are fun for you and your
child,including visiting the local library and museums. It is especially fun
for children to have their own library card and many times there are author
readings and fun events going on so be sure to stay updated on those events by
checking out your local library's website! There are more ways, too, but this
is intended as a start for a busy parent. Contact me at any time to kick ideas
around!
What are peer partners?
Peer partners is a practice that works well during centers and independent
work time. It is when a student with strength in an area partners with a
student who needs help in an area and they work together on a skill. Studies
have shown students learn quite well from one another. As with many
independent skills, the first weeks of school are spent developing the
attitudes and norms that make peer partnering successful.
What are conflict managers and what is the problem box?
I have learned one of the most important things to pay attention to as a
teacher is problems that develop between classmates or on the playground. If
these problems are not resolved, their work and other students are likely to
be affected. There are two ways a student can solve a problem, they can write
it in the problem box and during a classroom meeting which we have 2-3 times a
week, we go through the box of problems and the conflict managers come up with
ways to solve the problem. I read the notes before and I make sure that no
names are named in case of embarrassing a child. The other way a child can
solve a problem is to ask my permission to talk with the conflict managers
outside the classroom along with the other student(s) who are involved. This
is a great way to help children learn how to solve their own problems. The
conflict managers have a clipboard of examples of problems and solutions to
help their peers solve their problem. Last, I always check in to make sure
everybody feels safe and comfortable as it is very difficult to do any
classwork well when something is bothering someone.
What are the classroom jobs?'
Classroom jobs include: paper passer, homework checker, librarian, attendance,
peer tutor, conflict manager, date writer,duster, and many more. Each month we
switch jobs and I choose students through popsicle sticks so that everyone has
a fair chance to get a job they want. It is essential for students to have
jobs because it gives them a sense of belonging and responsibility. I strongly
suggest giving jobs at home too!
Why are there two different spelling lists each week?
Beginning with unit 2, I will begin a differentiated spelling program. I do
this so that the children who are needing higher-leveled words are being
challenged. As you will see on the spelling list links, the lists are labeled
by color. Every Monday I give the class a pre-test, and on their list it will
say what color they are. To ensure no child feels labeled, I switch up the
colors each week. For example, the red list is a list of higher leveled words,
and if the child scores 17 or above on that test they will be on the high list
the following week which is green. The blue and yellow lists are not
considered "low," they are still second grade words. If a child scores below
a 17/20 then they will be on the second grade list the following week. In case
your child misplaced their list in their VIP folder, I uploaded all the
spelling lists for each unit in the spelling list links. If your child does
not know what color they are, then please email me and I will provide it for you.
I feel my child is having trouble making friends/being bullied/getting in trouble on the playground, how can I help with his/her social skills?
Oak Knoll is lucky enough to have a wonderful counselor, Mrs. Butler who is
always available to help students in need or who want to talk in private. She
has also held friendship groups for both boys and girls who are pulled out of
class once a week for an hour to go over social role play, and positive social
skills. If you think your child would benefit from this group, please contact
me and I will assist you in starting it up. During classroom meetings we also
do role play and go over positive social skills, however sometimes it is
better for the student to be in a private group with more individual
attention. I am also here to help however I can and can observe any playground
behaviors you are worried about so we can figure out a way to help better your
child's social situation.
Will my child be kept up to date with the latest technology and learning technology skills?
Absolutely! Not only are we lucky enough to have a smartboard, but we also
have 6 laptop carts at Oak Knoll which Room 13 definitely takes advantage of.
Once a week we will be working on our typing skills with typing programs.
Also, throughout the year, Room 13 will learn how to type in a word document
format, make tables and charts, and will even be showing you a powerpoint
presentation of their December book report at open house!
How often should I check my child's VIP folder?
Every day! I cannot stress enough how essential it is for you to check their
VIP folder every day when your child comes home from school. Every day, I am
passing back important school papers which may require your signature, or some
sort of response. It is so important for you to keep in the know of what is
going on in the classroom which is why I created this website and send home
weekly newsletters. Also, please make sure you sign your child's reading log
each night, and that it stays in the folder for morning homework checks. It
would be a really good idea to get in the habit of making sure your child
packs their school belongings the night before so that there are no forgotten
items during the morning rush!
When do I see my child's work?
At the end of every month, I send home "monthly folders," full of work your
child has done that month which can stay at home for you to review and share.
I usually keep 1-3 special pieces per month for your child's end of the year
portfolio.
What are the math timed tests we are receiving at home?
Once or twice a week I give a two minute timed math test which really helps
children develop and memorize important math facts. Everyone starts at test 1
together. There are 32 questions and if a child gets 25 or more correct, they
can move onto the next level. If not, they will keep working on the same level
until they get a high enough score. These tests are beneficial to review at
home and it would be a really good idea to purchase addition, subtraction, and
even multiplication flash cards to review the facts he/she needs to at home.