Spelling for the week of 2/13
Astronauts need special training. They study at a university and then do a
year of basic astronaut training. Astronauts learn math, science, and
astronomy. They also practice using space equipment.
"Tricky Words"
astronauts, special, they, university, training, science, astronomy,
practice, space, equipment
Cactus Ranch has established homework policies for each grade level.
Throughout the year in second grade your child will bring home three things
each week: a homework agenda for reading homework, a spelling paragraph, and
a math review sheet. All homework assignments will be sent home on Fridays
and should be returned the following Thursday. There will be positive
rewards for homework turned in on time and a day of grace given to turn in
late assignments with no penalty. However, if homework is not completed or
turned in by Friday, students will miss recess that day and attend Study Hall
instead.
1. Reading Homework:
Students will be required to read four evenings a week for a minimum of 20
minutes each time. The purpose of the homework agenda is for the student to
record daily reading assignments by writing down the title, author, and
amount of time read in a certain book. For example…
Monday, August, 17
Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel for 20 minutes
Tuesday, August, 18
Romona Forever by Beverly Cleary for 30 minutes
Please sign or initial next to the book title. This is to ensure that your
child is reading texts on their level. Agendas will be checked for reading
signatures on Thursday mornings. If 4 nights of reading are not completed,
your child will attend Study Hall on Thursday to make up reading time.
2. Spelling Homework:
Spelling this year will be taught in the form of a paragraph. Each Friday a
new paragraph of three to five sentences will be passed out to the students.
On Friday, as a class, the students will read the paragraph and pick out
words that they feel may be difficult or tricky. These words will be circled
in the paragraph, recorded into their student agendas, and given extra
practice and attention throughout the week. Although these tricky or
difficult words are picked out and recorded in a special spot, the student is
responsible for learning all of the words and punctuation of the paragraph
for the test the following Thursday.
To help practice and prepare the students for the test they will be given
three homework assignments each week to go along with the in-class
activities. These three assignments will need to be turned in and attached
to the math homework sheet on Thursday of each week to receive credit. The
test will be taken on Thursday and a new paragraph passed out on Friday to
repeat the process. It is the responsibility of the student to ask for
another paragraph if theirs is lost.
The paragraph will be taken from a reading selection studied and discussed
previously in the week. The children will recognize and connect the
paragraph to a previous learning experience. This allows for a more whole
language approach and also teaches spelling words in their context. By using
the same paragraph we will also be able to teach many grammar points,
spelling patterns, science and social studies vocabulary as well as enhance
creative writing and improve students’ penmanship. Students may find this
process challenging at first, but please encourage your student. The rewards
of this system are great!
3. Math Homework:
Math homework will be a one page sheet sent home every Friday. The sheet
with have 20 boxes printed on the front and back. Each box with contain a
review math problem. Students are responsible for completing all of the math
problems using a separate sheet of paper to show work if necessary. Math
homework should be turned in attached to the three spelling assignments every
Thursday.
It is crucial your child complete their homework as well as read on a weekly
basis, as this will allow for practice and extension of what your 2nd grader
is learning in class. Homework for other subjects will be given as a review
of what we have already learned in class or it will be given as practice when
needed. More specific information about our curriculum will be discussed at
the second grade parent night on September 3rd at 6:00pm in my classroom.
Cactus Ranch Elementary Grading Policy
RRISD Grading System (Student Handbook p.21)
In Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade, student progress is reported
using a developmental continuum representing the knowledge and skills
appropriate for the age level of the student. In grades 3-5, students receive
numerical grades. According to the following scale:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 75-79
D = 70-74
F = Below 70
Teachers follow grading guidelines approved by the principal (listed below)
that have been designed to reflect each student’s academic achievement for
the grading period, semester, and year. District Policy (EIA Local) states
that grading guidelines shall ensure that grades reflect a student’s relative
mastery of an assignment and that a sufficient number of grades are taken to
support the grade average assigned.
Consistent with grading guidelines, a classroom teacher shall provide a
student a reasonable and fair opportunity through re-teaching options and to
make-up or re-do a class assignment or examination for which the student
earned a failing grade.
State law provides that a test or report card issued by a teacher cannot be
changed unless the Board determines that, the grade was arbitrary or contains
an error or that the teacher did not follow the District’s grading policy.
Cactus Ranch Elementary Supplemental Grading Policy for 3rd -5th grade
• Grades will be entered within 7 days (of collection), however larger
projects may take up to 14 days.
• A minimum of 9 grades will be taken per nine-week period.
• One grade cannot be more than 30% of the overall grade.
• Grading categories will be determined by the grade level and will be
consistent across the grade level.
• Academic dishonesty is grounds for an automatic zero on that
assignment, with no opportunity to retake or redo that particular assignment.
• Extra credit assignments are at the teacher’s discretion.
• Students will have one opportunity to redo a failing assignment. Make-
up assignments must be turned in at least one week before the nine-week
grading period ends.
• Late assignments will automatically be deducted 10 points.
• Homework will count as no more than 10% of the student’s overall
grade.
• Progress Reports are required for students with 70 or below grade
average.
Revised 8/22/11