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In Second Grade

La Mariposa Second Grade Team

The Second Grade ChildThe Second Grade ChildThe Second Grade ChildThe Second Grade Child

Every child is an individual who grows and develops at his own rate. Children in the same grade may be expected to differ widely from others in their group. There are, however, general characteristics and needs which apply to most of the children at a certain age.

The second grade child will probably be:The second grade child will probably be:The second grade child will probably be:The second grade child will probably be: 1. Two or three inches taller than last year. 2. Still for only a short time. 3. Showing desire for freedom and to grow away from adults. 4. Emotional-particularly fearful of imaginary and improbable dangers

(doctor, lightning, dark). 5. Sensitive to ridicule, failure, and loss of prestige. 6. Playing with boys and girls as equals. 7. Interested in almost everything of the present time and of the immediate

environment.

He will probably have:He will probably have:He will probably have:He will probably have: 1. Increased interest in team and group activities, 2. Much enjoyment from dramatic play (identifying self with cowboys, Indians,

etc. ). 3. Lengthening periods of calmness and self-absorption.

The second grade child needs:The second grade child needs:The second grade child needs:The second grade child needs: 1. To have frequent periods of rest and relaxation. 2. Adult approval. 3. To be like his friends.

4. Good food at regular intervals.

Parents can help by:Parents can help by:Parents can help by:Parents can help by: 1. Giving child the feeling that you are “standing by”. 2. Giving child some economic independence through regular allowance or

opportunities to earn money. 3. Setting up regular habits for food and frequent rest periods. 4. Setting example as to habits of tidiness, posture, etc. 5. Setting an example by reading. 6. Notifying school of problems in home that cause emotional stress for a

child (i.e. divorce, death in family). 7. Giving praise for good work and behavior.

Second Grade CurriculumSecond Grade CurriculumSecond Grade CurriculumSecond Grade Curriculum

Second Grade Goals Second Grade Goals Second Grade Goals Second Grade Goals

• Make good choices • Always do your best work • Enjoy school • Provide opportunities for success

Language Arts Goals Language Arts Goals Language Arts Goals Language Arts Goals • Fluent Reading • Vocabulary Development • Comprehension Strategies • Common Words Spelled Correctly • Correct Grammar, Usage and Mechanics • Writing Skills ( opinion, informative/explanatory, narrative, shared Research)

Math Goals Math Goals Math Goals Math Goals

• Mastery of Addition/Subtraction Basic Facts 1-20 • Subtraction/Addition with Regrouping • Measurement and Geometry • Mathematical Reasoning • Multiplication Facts 2, 5, 10 • Time and Money

ScienceScienceScienceScience

• Forces and Motion

• Life Cycle • Geology and Fossils

Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies

• Community • Family Heritage

• People Who Make A Difference

Thinking DeeplyThinking DeeplyThinking DeeplyThinking Deeply The Common Core emphasizes critical thinking. It requires students to analyze more, discuss more, evaluate more, justify more and explain their thinking & un-derstanding deeply, especially in writing. TakeTakeTakeTake----Away: Really thinking deeply is hard. Away: Really thinking deeply is hard. Away: Really thinking deeply is hard. Away: Really thinking deeply is hard. Let it BE hard, help them talk it out.Let it BE hard, help them talk it out.Let it BE hard, help them talk it out.Let it BE hard, help them talk it out.

Integrating LearningIntegrating LearningIntegrating LearningIntegrating Learning The Common Core emphasizes learning across disciplines (reading with math & social studies standards combined into one task). Students spend more time

working together with different settings, structures & tools. TakeTakeTakeTake----Away: Problems Away: Problems Away: Problems Away: Problems & solutions happen everyday in the real world.& solutions happen everyday in the real world.& solutions happen everyday in the real world.& solutions happen everyday in the real world.

Showing How They KnowShowing How They KnowShowing How They KnowShowing How They Know

The Common Core emphasizes proof & evidence. Long gone are the days of worksheets, fact memorizations and skill & drill. Students are not taught this way and they are not assessed this way. TakeTakeTakeTake----Away: The new tests will require students to Away: The new tests will require students to Away: The new tests will require students to Away: The new tests will require students to explain how they know.explain how they know.explain how they know.explain how they know.

Supporting The Common Core at HomeSupporting The Common Core at HomeSupporting The Common Core at HomeSupporting The Common Core at Home 1. Ask “why”“why”“why”“why” when children tell you they want something or want to do or not do something. 2. Use the word “because” “because” “because” “because” after “No” or “Not tonight…” 3. Give reasons - you to them and them to you. 4. Encourage questions & explore answers (especially questions whose answers are are are are

notnotnotnot yes or no.) 5. Explain & discuss issues or problems in your house, neighborhood, & com-munity. Brainstorm solutions. 6. Compare how things are alike and different-videos, movies,

food. 7. Look for patterns. 8. Describe & categorize stuff. 9. Tell your children what you val-ue & why. 10. Encourage & celebrate opinions.

cc 2013 JenJones Hello Literacy Blogspot

Key Ideas for Parents Key Ideas for Parents Key Ideas for Parents Key Ideas for Parents about the common about the common about the common about the common

CORE

Some Ways To Help Your Child LearnSome Ways To Help Your Child LearnSome Ways To Help Your Child LearnSome Ways To Help Your Child Learn

ReadingReadingReadingReading

• Set a good example by reading yourself in your child’s presence • Visit the public library to browse and choose books • Set limitations on television watching and search out better programs...discuss the pro-

grams • Encouraging the writing and addressing of letters, greeting cards, thank-you notes,

writing grocery lists • Word games can help increase your child’s vocabulary and improve spelling...junior ver-

sions of Scrabble, Password, and other such games • Listen to your child read...or have him/her read to a younger child

• If at any age your child seems “turned off” by reading, don’t make an issue of it...casually leave “irresistible” books around –books on whatever your child’s current interests are

MathMathMathMath

• Give your child practical experience using math at home...encourage help when you bake. Mention things like quarts, pints, gallons, inches, yards, feet, pounds, ounces, miles, etc. (use metrics also)

• Shopping experiences such as: child reads newspaper ads for item prices compares containers as to best buy child purchases item and figures change

fold under total on grocery tape and let child re-add it

manage allowance...saving toward goal • Encourage your child to read the time from a non digital clock...include reading the mi-

nute, a.m. and p.m. • Buy or make flashcards for any basic facts that are proving difficult...USE THEM ON A

REGULAR BASIS

OtherOtherOtherOther

• Encourage curiosity about geography, maps, and weather • Encourage use of dictionary, atlas, globe, encyclopedia, road maps • Encourage your child to be a “collector”. Provide a place for collections...box, shelf,

drawer...an inexpensive picture frame or box lid can show off leaves, flowers, stamps or even insects.

See to it that your child has enough sleep and a nutritious breakfast each day.

Does your child “dislike” a certain subject? Find out why. Your child may need extra help. Seek the reason behind the dislike, then enlist the teacher’s help so that you can work to-gether.

REMEMBER! Listen with interest, encourage and ask questions, be generous withREMEMBER! Listen with interest, encourage and ask questions, be generous withREMEMBER! Listen with interest, encourage and ask questions, be generous withREMEMBER! Listen with interest, encourage and ask questions, be generous with PPPPRRRRAAAAIIIISSSSEEEE,,,, EEEENNNNTTTTHHHHUUUUSSSSIIIIAAAASSSSMMMM aaaannnndddd SSSSYYYYMMMMPPPPAAAATTTTHHHHYYYY!!!!

Homework HintsHomework HintsHomework HintsHomework Hints

Homework is an important part of the learning process for your child. It provides needed practice and application skills taught in the classroom, aids in the development of responsibility and organ-izational skills, and extends opportunities for creative and re-search based activities. The successful completion of homework assignments sometimes may depend on a student receiving assis-tance from a parent. Parents can help in both general and specif-ic ways. Following are some homework hints: 1. Provide a place to study that is quiet, well lighted, and has ade-quate work space.

2. Have paper, pencil, dictionary, and any other needed supplies handy.

3. Set specific study times, and try to stick to the schedule. 4. The T.V. and radio should be off during study time. 5. Check to see if your child is doing the homework correctly. 6. Make sure homework is done neatly and on time. 7. Motivate your child by using positive remarks and techniques, rather than negative ones.

8. Show interest in your child’s homework by discussing the assign-ment.

9. Help your child with drill by using flashcards, notes, etc. Take the time necessary to help your child develop good homework habits. As your child becomes more competent you will not have to spend as much time helping with the homework.

Parent QuestionnaireParent QuestionnaireParent QuestionnaireParent Questionnaire

Dear Parents, I’d really appreciate your time in completing these questions to help me know your child even better. Thank you. Your answers will remain confiden-tial!!!

1. What are your goals for your child this year?

2. What are your child’s strengths?

3. Do you have any academic/social concerns?

4. Are there any medical or physical problems that we should be aware of?

5. When dealing with my child, the most effective discipline is…..

____________________is a great child because: