ACS2B

Room 34

2008-2009

About Myself

I have a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Teaching Diploma from AUB. I graduated in 1989. I have been teaching for 19 years (14 years in pre-K, 2 years in grade 1, 2 years in grade 2, 1 year in grade 3) at ACS. This is my 3rd year in 2nd grade.

My interests and hobbies (other than teaching) are reading and sports.

My Family

My Guinea Pigs

My Philosophy

I believe ALL children come to school with valuable experiences unique to

themselves.

Character EducationSeptember – Building Community; Clarifying Expectations; Listening

first

October - Keep Commitments; Get Better (Goals)

November – Get Results

December - Demonstrate Respect; Kindness; Empathy

January – Demonstrate Respect; Tolerance; Confront Reality; (Bullying)

February – Demonstrate Respect; Fairness and Justice; Right/Wrongs

March - Talk Straight; Honesty; Create Transparency

April - Show Loyalty

May/June – Reflect (Trust, Respect, Responsibility)

What will your 2nd grader learn?

Your child will be exposed to a variety of language concepts including:

Word Study (spelling patterns, suffixes/prefixes …)

Parts of Speech (noun, verb, adjective…)

Sentence Structure (construct simple and compound sentences/correct word order)

Punctuation and Capitalization

Grammar (subject-verb agreement, verb tense, regular/irregular verbs etc.)

Language Arts

We will be using the Words Their Way spelling program this school year.

This unique approach to teaching

spelling engages students in:

Word studies that emphasize patterns, phonics and general spelling rules.

Spelling

ReadingIn our Reader’s Workshop, your child will explore a variety of genres this year. We will focus on:

Story Elements and Comprehension

Questioning and Analysis

Fluency

Vocabulary Clarification

Retellings*Take Note: Ongoing reading assessments will

take place throughout the year to check for growth in this area.

2nd Grade writing instruction focuses on:

The Writing Process

Pre-writing, Drafting, Editing, Revising, Conferencing,

Publishing

6 +1Traits Writing Model

Ideas, Organization, Voice, Conventions, Sentence Fluency, Word Choice

+ Presentation

Writing Instruction

2nd Grade Writing Curriculum CalendarSeptember

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

…..

Personal Narrative Writing

…..

Personal Narrative Writing …

..…..

….. Idea-Based Writing

Writing Fairy Tales

Realistic Fiction

Expository Writing: Personal expertise

…..…..…..…..

…..

Persuasive Writing

Poetry

Expository Writing: Content area-science Revision and Assessment

HandwritingWe will continue to practice the D’nealian manuscript form of handwriting. Your child will be expected to write various assignments in D’nealian style throughout the year.

We have a handwriting copybook in 2rn Grade for class practice.

*Take Note: Practice pages can be downloaded and

printed at

http://learningpage.com/

MathThe purpose of the math program in grade two is to build the high levels of mathematical skills, process thinking, and problem solving.

This will be accomplished through the following math concepts:

Place Value up to 1,000 GraphingTimeArithmetic: Addition, subtraction, problem solving,

and introduction to multiplication and division.MeasurementGeometryFractions

ScienceOur science curriculum is an inquiry- based program.

Areas of study include:

Healthy Bodies

Air and Weather

Coral Reefs/Tropical Rainforest Solids and Liquids

Reading and understanding non-fiction texts

Social StudiesThe focus of Social Studies in 2nd

Grade includes the following units of study:

Our Neighborhood

Map Skills

Good Citizenship (Character Education)

Cultural Elements of a Multi-Cultural Country

Character Education

Homework

SpellingSpelling Ring Activity using Word Wall Words Word Wall Words will be tested on each Friday

Reading20 minutes of reading each nightIndependent or shared reading

MathExpect to see Mondays and Wednesdays with the exception of test days-Math reinforcement sheets

S.S./SC.Occasionally-Assignments/review/projects might be sent home

Homework in second grade is primarily about developing responsibility in our children. (30 minutes - including Arabic)

Test SignaturesAll major tests will be sent home

with the understanding that your child will share with you the progress he/she is making at

school.

Please discuss each test with your child.

Sign each test and return it to school. This practice will

ensure me that you are aware of your child’s growth and progress here at

school.

Late Work

Each student will be held accountable for completing assigned work.

Unfinished work will be made up during recess or another pre-arranged time.

Classroom ExpectationsStudents are expected to be respectful and responsible, do their personal best and be prepared! We have discussed

that we all have the right to:

Be happy and have fun!

Make mistakes

Learn

Have an opinion

Be Safe

Ask Questions

Possible Consequences

*Verbal Reminder from Teacher

*Ten minutes from recess (Teacher/Student Conference)

*Whole recess

(Teacher/Student Conference)

*Phone call, email, or letter sent home

*Student/Principal Conference

AbsencesResearch indicates that students

are the most successful when they attend school regularly.Of course I do understand

that, students become ill from time to time. If your child is absent, notify the office. I will gather your child’s make-up assignments.

Upon returning to school, your child will have two days for every day that he/she was absent to complete the work.( Unless it gets picked up from school to be completed at home)

Book OrdersBook orders are a wonderful

way to build your child’s home library.

Our first order from Scholastic will be sent out next week.

If you choose to order, please send cash.

Please do not send a check.

Book orders will be sent home approximately three times a year.

Celebrating Birthdays

Your child will be recognized on his/her birthday and is more than

welcome to bring in treats.

If your child was a summer baby, we would love to celebrate his/her half-birthday in June.

Please notify me prior to your child’s birthday so that we can make arrangements.

I ask that the treats be something that is quick and easy for the students to eat. Please do not send items that require cutting.

We currently have 21 students in our class. Please send enough for everyone.

Snacks

Please send only healthy snacks that are quick and easy to eat for first snack. (10 min.) Suggestions: *Fresh fruit * Packaged crackers * Pretzels * Granola BarsOne type of sweet is permitted after lunch.

Classroom GuestsI always welcome parent experts

into our classroom. As you review the curriculum, you may find that

you have some knowledge in a particular area. I would LOVE for

you to come and share your knowledge with the class.

You may contact me to make the appropriate arrangements. Email is

always a quick and easy way to make such arrangements.

Transportation Notes

It is very important to call the school or send a note when your child’s transportation routine changes for

any reason. In addition, please send a note if someone different will be

picking your child up from school.

If the school is not notified, your child will be sent home in the regular

manner.

CommunicationIt is extremely important to keep

the lines of communication open between home and school.

I will make every effort to keep you informed of your child’s progress here at school.

I hope you will also feel comfortable contacting me with any concerns or questions.

I can be reached by email (hkobrosly@acs.edu.lb) and phone (Elementary office). Email is probably the quickest way to reach me.

I especially want to thank each one of you for entrusting with me your

WONDERFUL and precious child! I truly love what I do and am looking

forward to a fabulous year!