Math
Has second grade math changed this year?
Good news! It's the SAME resource as last year. We use iReady math, and we will build on what your child has learned last year.
What reading strategies will you work on in second grade?
Questioning, 5 finger rule, 3 ways to read, summarizing, fluency, making connections, inferring, *extended response questions that require students to look back in the text. Plus much more!
How will science and social studies change for this years second graders?
Students will be using Mystery Science, which is a hands on resource full of engaging science experiments.
Students will use TCI for Social Studies, which will include a digital option for reading nonfiction text and vocabulary support.
How long should my child work on homework at night?
a. 20 minutes
b. 30 minutes
c. 40 minutes
Each student should work for 20 minutes each night for at least 5 days per week. 10 minutes per grade level is appropriate. For example, first grade is 10 minutes, 2nd grade is 20 minutes, 3rd grade is 30 minutes, etc...
What is the MAP test?
Measure of Academic Progress. It gives us the ability to measure student achievement and academic growth in math and language arts. Our class will take it on their fully charged iPads. Students cannot prepare for it! This year the test will change from the K-1 (read to them) to the 2-5 test. They will see long passages and scores may not be consistent with 1st grade.
How can you be sure my child is understanding the new concepts?
Teachers will be checking workbooks during the lesson. After the new lessons, students will take a 5 question quiz on problems we learned during the week. This will be graded and sent home in the Friday Folders for your viewing. This quiz is a weekly check-in to see what concepts are still not secure prior to the unit assessment.
What kind of writing will be done in second grade?
T1: Narrative (characters, setting) T2: Informative/Explanatory (Facts and Information) T3: Opinion All Year: writing process, writing conventions, responses to reading, free-write time
What Social Studies topics will be covered in second grade?
Geography, Economics, History, and Civics
How will I know what my child has for homework? How is homework graded?
Homework green sheet shows the plan for the evening. Students always have a page of math homework. They should read for 15-20 minutes a night and then practice their math facts on their iPad.
Homework is NOT graded. If your child is struggling to complete an assignment, write a note to the teacher. The teacher will check the homework and pull over students to reteach concepts when needed. Please look for a teacher star or smiley face on the top.
Do we have state testing in second grade?
Nope!
State testing doesn't start until third grade. Phew.
True or False. Math is about memorizing and doesn't involve much language.
False. False. False. Students learn to apply skills to new problems. There is no "one" way of completing math. Students need to be able to share their thinking and write about their mathematical process.
Why do teachers use read alouds with the whole class and which one will you start with?
a. to bore the children
b. to engage the children
c. to make the teacher happy
Teachers love read alouds because it introduces second graders to longer books. It allows teachers to model thinking while reading, expression and fluency, and love for literature. It also brings the class together to talk about books and predict what will happen next. Ms. Smith always starts the year with Gooney Bird Green because she is a new second grade student that LOVES language and telling a good story.
What science topics will be covered in second grade?
States of Matter, Material Properties, Erosion and Earth's Surface, Plant Growth & Interactions, and Animal Biodiversity & Habitats
a. True
b. False
False. Homework is meant to practice skills that students have learned in school. Challenges can be made iReady or IXL to extend beyond the grade level work.
How will my child be graded on the report card?
Academics: S=Secure, DV=Developing toward the standard, E=Experiencing Difficulty
Social Skills: 3=Secure, 2=Doing well but needs some improvement, 1= Needs improvement
What math topics are covered in second grade common core?
Unit 1: Addition, Subtraction, and Data within 20
Unit 2: Addition, Subtraction, Time and Money within 100
Unit 3: Place Value, Addition and Subtraction within 1,000
Unit 4: Measurement: Customary and Metric, line plots
Unit 5 Geometry: Partitioning, arrays, evens and odds
True or False: A parent can read to their child at night to fulfill the 20 minutes of reading requirement.
True! Parents reading to a child, or parents reading every other page of a book together with their child is highly encouraged. Epic! on the iPad or reading a magazine counts for reading. The idea is to read everything and incorporate reading into nightly activities.
What Science or Social Studies field trips will my child go on?
We usually visit the Hinsdale Historical House and then we visit Naper Settlement towards the end of the year.
What is your food policy?
Students can bring fruit and/or veggies. For birthdays, students can bring a non food item to pass out.
Will my child take any assessments in class? If so, how will I know?
Please check your child's green homework sheet. I will send home a study guide before any unit assessments. (math, language arts, some science, some social studies)
Please set a routine to finish homework at the same time/place each night. Look over their homework to make sure they completed their work, but do not correct it so the teacher knows if your child is missing something. If math is done quickly, your child should work within IXL. The teacher can write down on your child's green homework sheet what section to complete.
My child is stuck on one series and I want them to read something else. Is this a problem?
Stuck on a series already in second grade? What an amazing problem to have! Our goal is to get your child excited about reading. If they are reading one series, then we will help them to keep going. Of course, we will require different reading for school but independent and free choice in reading is very important. Library books should be your child's choosing.
How often will students have Science and Social Studies?
Students will have Social Studies for 8 weeks 3-4 times a week in the beginning of the year. They will then switch to Science for 8 weeks. This will continue throughout the school year.
How can I monitor my child's progress in your class?
Please look over the Friday Folder to see any notes from the teacher or work that has been corrected.
What is BAS and why haven't you started reading groups?
BAS is yet another acronym in education. It stands for Benchmark Assessment System.
It has to be given individually to each student. It will tell me what reading level each student is at and what areas I need to help the student focus on to become an even better reader. Once I am done assessing all students, I will have focused reading groups with 4-5 students at the same level in each group.