2Nd Grade Syllabus
Room 3
2nd grade Syllabus
Foshay Learning Center’s
Elementary Village
2014-2015
Ms. V.Brown
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Table of Contents
Daily Schedule3
Curriculum and Themes4
Homework and You!6
The IB Program7
Behavior and Consequences8
Important Dates9Donation suggestion 10
2nd grade
Daily Schedule
7:50 – 8:20 amBreakfast
8:25 amSchool Begins
8:25 – 8:40 amS.T.A.R. Binder Check
8:40 – 10:30 amLanguage Arts:
Phonics, Reading &Spelling
10:20 – 10:40 amRecess
10:45 – 11:45 amELD & Read Aloud
11:45 – 12:30 pmLunch
12:30 – 1:15 pmMath
1:15 – 1:45 pmIndependent Work Time: Reading Groups, Writer’s Workshop
1:45 – 2:15 pmPhysical Education/ Art/ Music (Mon/Wednesday)
1:45 – 2:15 pmScience/Social Studies/
(Thurs/Friday)
2:30 -- 2:45 pmReview Homework
2:45 pmDismissal
Curriculum and Themes
The second grade curriculum is taught in themes. These themes, or units, encompass more than one academic subject and appeal to the children’s natural curiosity. Please use this information to encourage your child to discover ideas outside of the classroom. Take time to look up the California Standards for Education at: Also visit the publisher’s website for home activity ideas.
Language Arts
The Treasures Reading Program is the main focus of our Language Arts program. It includes a reader, workbooks, take-home decodables, assessments and related homework. Visit:
Second graders will also complete writing assignments. Please view the state’s writing standards to see our goals for the year.
Every morning will start with a journal topic where the students will have a few minutes to write about a new topic.
Every week the children will receive a new set of 10 spelling words. These weekly sets of words are chosen by their similar spelling characteristics. There may be vocabulary words added that coincide with the theme.
Themes:Friends & Family, Community Heroes, Let’s Create, Better Together, Growing & Changing, and the World Around Us.
Math
Students will use the Scott Foresman/Envision Math program with a workbook, homework book, assessments and hands-on activities. Visit: Students will practice math strategies daily in their math journals.
Speed quizzes for basic addition, subtraction and multiplication facts to 18 will be given throughout the year.
Math Themes: Addition, Subtraction, Measurement, Graphing, Word Problems, Making Change, Telling Time to 5 Minutes, Fractions, Multiplication, Division and Understanding Numbers to 1,000
Mandarin Language
Room 3 students will be learning about Mandarin, the national language of China. The teacher will teach all about language and culture. This is part of an enrichment program that promotes multi cultural education and global citizenship.
Social Studies
“Making a Difference” is this year’s Harcourt Brace Social Studies theme. View:
Units:Family Ties, Earth Our Home, A Working World, We the People, and Discovering Our Past
Science
Foshay’s Elementary Village incorporates Foss Learning Kits into the curriculum. These are exciting, hands-on discovery units that meet California’s Learning Standards. Visit:
Units: Sand, Pebbles, Rock and Silt; Motion and Balance;
and Life Cycles
Art
Students will become skilled at viewing works of art by looking for shapes, color, texture, lines, etc. The children will also begin to analyze artist meaning. Students will create art using these techniques and different media.
Through our District program the students will have an art teacher for about 6 weeks.
P.E. and Music
- Physical Education inspires a healthy, active lifestyle. Students will demonstrate motor skills, participate in an active physical program, learn how to improve overall health, and show good sportsmanship.
- Music and performing arts are taught throughout the other academic disciplines. Music and performing arts are also taught thematically.
Homework and You!
The expectation at second grade is approximately 20 minutes of homework each night, Monday-Thursday. Homework will review and reinforce topics taught that day. It will consist of Spelling, Math and Language Arts. Occasionally, homework may be review for a test the following day. The Home Reading Program (Reading Logs) is in addition to the homework.
Parent Responsibilities:
Check your child’s agenda/backpacks for notes from teachers and the school
Establish a daily routine/schedule for completing homework
Provide a quiet place away from distractions to do homework
Review each assignment with your child
Assignments are designed for the child to work on independently; parents may give assistance with directions and getting started
Spelling tests are given on Fridays. Please plan to spend time Thursday evening studying with your child
Individual students may have additional assignments that require parental participation
Help your child develop the responsibility of returning his/her homework to school
Student Taking Academic Responsibility:
Responsible for bringing the homework folder and homework to and from school
Responsible for completing assignments on time
Responsible for doing their best work
Homework Policy
Students are expected to turn in completed homework the following day. The homework will be recorded on a Homework Chart daily. Students who turn in incomplete or no homework will have their color changed (see Behavior and Consequences). In addition, students who turned in incomplete homework, no homework or incorrect homework will complete the assignments during recess. If returning completed homework becomes a problem, a letter will be sent home to the family.
Home Reading Program
It is important that children read at home as well as at school. This will develop their reading skills and encourage a love for reading that will follow them into adulthood. Help your child read at least 15 minutes each night. On Mondays your child will be given a Reading Log. S/he will record her/his time spent reading and turn in the Reading Log on Friday. Prizes will be awarded for reaching set goals. Come see the Reading Log Chart in the classroom!
The International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers three programs of international education for students aged 3 to 19.
- Developing citizens of the world in relation to culture, language and learning to live together
- Building and reinforcing students’ sense of identity and cultural awareness
- Fostering students’ recognition and development of universal human values
- Stimulating curiosity and inquiry in order to foster a spirit of discovery and enjoyment of learning
- Equipping students with the skills to learn and acquire knowledge, individually or collaboratively, and to apply these skills and knowledge accordingly across a broad range of areas
- Providing international content while responding to local requirements and interests
- Encouraging diversity and flexibility in teaching methods.
- James A. Foshay Learning Center Elementary Village is an International Baccalaureate school.
Behavior and Consequences
Each child deserves the opportunity to learn in a respectable learning environment. Classroom rules ensure a positive atmosphere.
Students make a choice to follow the Class Rules. Sometimes we make responsible choices, and sometimes we make poor choices. The children are held accountable for making responsible choices.
Color Chart
Room 3 will use the Color Chart to monitor these choices. Responsible choices will be awarded and poor choices will lead to consequences. A child’s color will “change” as choices are made.
**Gold---Outstanding ACADEMIC and behavior choices**
Blue—Making very responsible choices!
Green—Having a great day!
Yellow—Warning (10 min off recess)
Red—Poor choices today (no play at recess, letter home)
Orange—Absent, Please bring note.
Consequences
When continual poor choices are made there must be consequences to help remind a child about making better choices.
First Warning: Reduced play at recess
Second Warning: Time out with another teacher
Third Warning: Parent letter
Fourth Warning: Conference with parent
Continuing negative behavior: Referral to the Elementary Coordinator and/or Vice Principal
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