Students are expected to bring home books every night and change their books as needed. Students have the choice to borrow from the school or classroom library, or read books from home. Grade 2 students should be reading 15 minutes every night. Grade 3 students should be reading 20 minutes every night. Nightly reading can be combined with spelling and/or sight word practice. Each night, I ask parents to sign student agendas to read messages and note how many minutes your child has read that night in their Home Reading duotang! Students will be rewarded with points by having their agenda signed every night!
Sight words
Site words will be tested in September and again throughout the school year. I am happy to provide at home and in school supports for those students that need extra practice!
Spelling
This year, our class will be using a spelling and phonics program called Words Their Way. Words Their Way is a differentiated phonics/spelling program that allows students to work on spelling patterns at their own level. This program engages children in active critical thinking, comparing and contrasting, and forming generalizations as they sort words (or pictures) into categories. I will choose ten random words from the sort for our spelling quiz at the end of each unit. Each unit will approximately last 2 weeks. A note will be written in their agenda’s the week we are planning to do the quiz.
Classroom management
Classroom Dojo
ClassDojo is a way to instantly reward and recognize positive behavior in the classroom by giving points. Students can be acknowledged for anything from participating in an activity to helping others. Points will be awarded throughout the day and counted at the end of each month. Students will have the opportunity to trade in points for tech time, a sweet treat, sit by a friend, ect.
Helping Hands
Students will be assigned a classroom "job" every two weeks. Jobs vary from teacher assistant to secretary. Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to do every job. Dojo points will be earned if the job is successfully completed!
Monthly Classroom Challenge
Students will be placed in a seating plan every month and work together to earn group points. At the end of each month, students will work together to complete challenges to earn extra points before a new seating plan. Each challenge has an emphasis on team building and varies from month to month. The winning team will have their "team flag" displayed within the classroom and will be rewarded with tech time, sweet treat or even choosing who they sit by the following month!
SeeSaw
I am hoping to start a new app called SeeSaw. It is another way to communicate between home and school. There will be more information to come once I have this up and running!
Lunch and Snacks
Please send both snacks and a lunch for your child everyday. I will give students 10 minutes before recess to have a snack from their lunch. First recess is a 10:30- 10:48. Second recess is 12:10-12:35. Lunch is from 12:35-12:53. If students require more time to eat, I have no problem them finishing their lunch during class time.
Birthdays
We celebrate everyone's birthdays with a small celebration in our class. You are welcomed, but not expected, to send a small treat with your child on their birthday. If you choose, please send 26 treats for the class to ensure there is enough for everyone. Please note we will celebrate July and August birthday's in June.
Attendance and Hours
If your child is sick or absent from school, please be sure to let the office know via SafeArrival before 8:00 AM. If your child has an appointment or will be on vacation, feel free to email me or write a small note in their agenda.
Legal School bell schedule is: *Please note changes in start and finish! First Bell: 8:23 AM In Class Bell: 8:28 1: 8:35- 9:15 2: 9:15- 9:55 3: 9:55-10:30 Recess: 10:30-10:50 4: 10:50- 11:35 5: 11:35- 12:10 Recess/Lunch: 12:10-12:55 6: 12:55- 1:40 7: 1:40- 2:20 8: 2:20- 2:56 Bus Departure: 3:06
Parent Volunteers
Throughout the year, I will ask for volunteers so please make sure you have your Criminal Record and Child Welfare checks completed and filed in the office. Your help and support through the year will help make field trips and special activities possible!