Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. What is the policy about snack?
2. My child is having trouble memorizing their math facts. Any suggestions?
3. Any tips on reading?
4. My child hates to write. How can I get him/her to do well?
5. Do 2nd grade students write in cursive?
6. Why do we have to participate in the Accelerated Reader (A.R.) program
7. How do I volunteer in the classroom?
8. What is the schedule for parent conferences?

What is the policy about snack?

We accept classroom donations for snack.  Students may also bring their 
individual snacks and choose from the classroom snack or their own.  The 
weekly newsletter will inform you if our supply is running low.

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My child is having trouble memorizing their math facts. Any suggestions?

Review the weekly timed tests with your child at home.  Point out shortcuts 
such as; complete all the addition first, then subtraction, look for 
doubles, look for doubles plus/minus one.  Flash cards are helpful and be 
sure to check out a website that is located on the links section of Mrs. 
Blackburn's web page.  Remember:  The goal is for students to memorize at 
least 18 math facts BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.  It is o.k. if your child 
does not master it right away.

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Any tips on reading?

Find something your child is interested in.  Read together each night.  
Model reading in your home.  Point out environmental things to read such as; 
road signs and grocery store items.  Ask your child to predict and retell in 
their own words.  Have them read aloud to increase fluency.  Introduce non 
fiction as well as fiction. Set aside a special time for home reading each 
day.  Make reading time as pleasurable and comfortable as possible so that 
your child develops warm feelings for books and reading.  Notice when your 
child seems to tire.  A book can always be finished the next day.  Read to a 
younger sibling who is not yet able to read.  When your child comes to an 
exciting part, ask the youngster to guess what might happen next.  Then 
check 
the prediction.

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My child hates to write. How can I get him/her to do well?

As the writing process progresses in 2nd grade you will see "10 star" 
papers.  Display these work samples at home.  Review the teacher comments 
and go over the editing issues.  Encourage students to use their core word 
lists and writing folders as a reference.  Suggest a diary or a journal to 
keep at home.  Find something they are interested in writing about.  
Encourage writing letters to family members or friends who live out of town. 
Use the Parsley Postal Pal service at school.

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Do 2nd grade students write in cursive?

We begin introducing all capital and lower case cursive letters at the end 
of the year.  We do not teach them how to connect the letters.  That is an 
objective that will be introduced in the 3rd grade.

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Why do we have to participate in the Accelerated Reader (A.R.) program

The A.R. program is a SUPPLEMENTAL tool to help teachers monitor student 
growth in the area of reading.  Our goal is to create life long readers not 
to read for A.R. points.  I will set A.R. goals according to the student's 
reading ability.  I purposely set the goals a little lower to allow students 
to reach their goal early.  This will give them an opportunity to read non 
A.R. books or books that are not on their level.  In addition to A.R. 
students will be reading basal textbooks, class chapter books, chapter boook 
clubs, paired share reading, etc.

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How do I volunteer in the classroom?

PTA will be sending out surveys at the beginning of the school year.  They 
will contact the teachers with the results.  After I am notified with 
willing participants, I will contact you and set you up on a schedule that 
is flexible and convenient for both, the class and you.  If you do not fill 
out a survey and decide later on in the year that you would be interested in 
helping out, just contact the me via e-mail, written note on daily report, 
or in person.

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What is the schedule for parent conferences?

I usually wait until the end of Sept. before scheduling conferences.  This 
gives me an ample amount of time to get to know your child and collect 
necessary data.  If you would like to meet sooner to discuss urgent issues 
such as; health or disabilities, please contact me in person.  Conferences 
are scheduled as needed throughout the year.  Many times if your child is on 
grade level, we will only meet 2 times.  Once at the beginning of the year 
and once at the end of the year.

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