Welcome to 2^nd Grade

 

 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, explain my educational beliefs, and discuss a few things that will be taking place this year.  My name is Jennifer Collins; this is my eighth year teaching at Tellico Plains Elementary.  I have the privilege of teaching your child this year.  I am looking forward to taking the journey through second grade with your child.  I also look forward to working with you to provide the best possible education for your child.   

 

I believe all children can learn.  I believe all children learn differently and it is my responsibility to find the way each child learns and use that to help each and every child in my classroom reach his/her fullest potential.  I believe parents and teachers must communicate and work together to make each child’s learning experience the best it can be.  Please feel free to contact me anytime at school by phone, note, or e-mail to discuss any concerns or questions you have about your child. 

 

We will use a variety of teaching strategies and approaches this year to help your child learn.  Your child will engage in hands-on learning experiences, work in cooperative learning groups, enjoy whole group lessons, complete projects, and experience many more fun and exciting teaching strategies.

 

Communication

As I stated earlier I believe communication is essential for a successful school year.  This year your child and I will use his/her C.U.B (Cleverly Useful Book) to communicate with you. The C.U.B. is a special binder your child will carry to and from school every day this year. Please look for a special print out explaining exactly what the C.U.B. binder is and how it will be used for this year.  This will be the first big responsibility your child has as a second grader.  The C.U.B. must be brought back to school DAILY.  The agenda, where homework is written, must be signed by a parent/guardian EVERY night.  Signing the agenda let’s me know you have reviewed your child’s work and your child has completed his/her homework.  The C.U.B. binder will be part of your child’s Social Studies grade each six weeks. The C.U.B. will be the equivalent of one Social Studies grade for the six weeks.  Each day your child does not bring his/her C.U.B. to school, does not have it signed, has not returned papers inside the C.U.B., or has broken any of the C.U.B. rules he/she will loose points.

 

Reading

I believe reading is the key to success throughout your child’s education!  Students will be required to read every night.  Students will bring a book home each evening.  The book may be the large reading book, a small leveled reader, a chapter book, or a decodable reader.  Please listen to your child read every night.  Students will have many opportunities to read in the classroom.  Students will read independently, in reading groups, with partners, etc.  Students will also have many opportunities to read Accelerated Reading books and complete tests on the computer.  If your child has read an AR book at home and is ready to take a test please let me know so he/she can take the test during reading time.  Students will keep an AR log which will be sent home for review after the log is completed (20 tests).  Finally, please review the reading strategies/tips which will be placed in your child’s C.U.B.  Science and Social Studies will be integrated into Reading as much as possible this year!

 

Spelling

Spelling words will consist of decodable words as well as high frequency words.  Students will be required to remember patterns in words to help spell new words.  You will find your child’s words written in his/her agenda on Friday.  Spelling homework will be done using “Speller’s Choice”.  Speller’s Choice is a list of spelling activities your child can choose from to earn points.  Each student must earn 4 spelling points a week.  Students may complete any activities they choose from the list (as long as they add up to 4 or more points) and turn in the work on Friday.  More information on Speller’s Choice will be place in your child’s C.U.B.

 

Math

This year students will be required to memorize their addition and subtraction math facts.  We will use Rocket Math to help students memorize the facts.  Each week students will be required to memorize one set of facts.  Students will then be tested using a timed test.  The students will be tested on the week’s facts as well as all previous facts.  The tests will count as math grades. The list of facts, arranged from A-Z, will be placed in your child’s C.U.B. Students will also have weekly math homework.  Like Speller’s Choice homework, math homework will be due each Friday.  A math homework packet will be placed in a clear sleeve in your child’s C.U.B. every Friday.  The homework will be due the following Friday.  Math homework will be used to reinforce skills learned in class.

 

Homework

Homework will be part of your child’s second grade experience.  You child will be required to read each night, complete Speller’s Choice assignments each week, memorize math facts, and complete weekly math homework.  The assignments above will not change.  Occasionally your child will have other homework assignments, which will be written in his/her agenda. 

 

Money and Book Orders

Anytime you send money to school this year please put it in a sealed envelope or baggie and label it with the amount, child’s name, and what the money is for.  I will be sending home book orders this year.  Book orders are a great way to purchase inexpensive books for your child to read at home.  Also, each book purchased allows me to get books for our classroom library.  Please note on all book orders cash is not accepted.  Please write checks or money orders to Scholastic Book Clubs.  This is Scholastic’s policy, not mine.  You can also order online.  I will send home all of the information in the coming weeks. 

 

Birthdays

You are more than welcome to send snacks for your child’s birthday.  Please just let me know in advance the day and what item you will be sending. 

 

Behavior

We will be trying something new in our classroom this year.  We will be using the “Positive Behavior Support” Model.  We will have 4 rules this school year using cubs as an acroymn.  C-Come Ready, U-Use Respect, B-Be Responsible, and S-Stay Safe.  At the beginning of the school year we will discuss each rule and develop 2-4 behavioral expectations for each rule.  For example, staying safe may include walking in the halls, keeping your hands to yourself, etc.  We will model each desired behavior.  We will also discuss what the rules look like in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, etc.  The same 4 rules should apply in each class, the halls, bathroom, playground, etc.  Each child will have a “Punch My Cub Card”, when your child is caught following the rules he/she will receive a punch.  Students will receive incentives for getting “punches”.  Unwanted behaviors will be discussed and handled on an individual basis.  Of course, with anything new, there may be changes made to this behavior plan.  If your child is having behavioral setbacks I will communicate with you through your child’s C.U.B. or a phone call.  If you every have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Attendance and Signing Out

Attendance is a huge part of academic success.  Please make sure your child is at school each day on time.  Student attendance will be monitored closely.  Coming to school tardy or signing out early will add up and result in full days absent.  I am not suggesting sending your child to school if he/she is sick, but please make every effort to keep your child’s attendance in good standing.

 

Snack

We will only have time in our schedule for snack one day per week.  I am not yet sure what day we will have snack.  As soon as the schedule is finalized I will let you know.  Snack can be bought at school or brought from home.  Snack is 50 cents if purchased at school.  Snack purchased at school is ice cream, milk, or juice.  I would like snack money to be sent on Monday regardless of which day we actually have snack.  It is much easier to keep track of the money this way. 

 

 

Brain Boosters Club

In your child’s C.U.B. you will find a handout about our Brain Boosters Club.  Please review this information with your child.  I am very excited about students going beyond the learning in the classroom and becoming independent learners.

 

 

*Please have your child’s school supplies and paperwork turned in by Monday, August 9^th.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me any time.  I am looking forward to a great year!  

 

Please visit our class website!  You can navigate to our website from the school’s website by clicking on my name,  or you can go directly to our class website through the following address…

 

http://teacherweb.com/TN/TellicoPlainsElementarySchool/MrsJCollins

 

Finally, if you have an e-mail address you check frequently please send it to me so I can communicate with you via e-mail.

 

 

Contact information:

collinsj@monroe.k12.tn.us

253-2626