About our Classroom

Our Daily Schedule

8:10-8:40 Morning Meeting

8:40-8:55 Breakfast
8:55-10:00 Language Arts
10:00-10:30 Writing
10:30-10:40 Snack
10:40-11:00 Title Computers
11:00-11:25 Phy. Ed.
11:25-11:40 Quiet Time
11:40-12:45 Math
12:45-1:15 Lunch
1:15-1:45 Music (Tues./Thurs.) Library (Wed./ Fri.)
1:45-2:10 System 44/ Interventionist, Daily 5
2:10-2:25 Snack and Time with Friends
2:25-3:15 Science, Social Studies, Art
3:15-3:30 Closing Meeting
3:30-4:00 Recess
4:00-4:15 Classroom Jobs
4:15 Buses

Friday Folders and Homework

Homework will be minimal this year. If your child needs additional support, I will contact you to set up a plan. 
A Second Grader should not have more than 20 minutes of homework a night.  We have a long school day, and we will work hard!  Students need to have time for family and fun. 


Reading Levels/ Literacy Plan

Each child in my classroom will be in a leveled reader group based on their OWN reading ability.  You will receive information about your child's abilities based on our literacy plan.  There are three reading groups: below level (will receive intervention services based on our literacy plan), on level, and above level. These groups change throughout the year.  If a student is improving, I move them up.  If a student is not practicing their reading and struggle, I will move them down.  I use these leveled readers so that all students can be SUCCESSFUL.  We will also be using the basal (listening to reading and reading to someone), Daily 5, and CAFE. More information will come home during the year. 


Classroom Expectations
During the first week of school we will create our classroom rules/ consequences together so that students have ownership in their classroom.  I am responsible for my students and only send them to the office when I absolutely have to.  Examples of those incidences include bullying, physical harm, and safety issues.  You will be contacted if this occurs.  Please keep me informed of any concerns you might have.  Remember that your child might not be telling me all that they share at home. 

I have high expectations!  I expect EVERYONE to do their best work and show respect for others and the school.  We will work a lot on how to problem solve with others, what makes a good partner, and what qualities friends show each other.  Look for information coming home about How to Be a Bucket Filler.  This is a powerful program that teaches children how to treat others kindly.  

Birthdays

We love birthdays!  When it is your child's birthday we will celebrate in school. Your child will get a special birthday sticker, pencil, pick from the birthday bag and choose a class game to play.  If you wish to send a special treat, feel free! Just remember that treats must be store bought and packaged. Summer birthdays will be celebrated in May.

Mandated Reporting

I am a mandated reporter under MN State Law.  I am required to report any suspicions of neglect or wrongful treatment of a child. 

Emergency Closings/ End of the Day

Our school day ends at 4:15. Please do not plan on picking up your child earlier than that unless you have an appointment or emergency.  Scheduled learning activities are planned until 4:15.

Make sure that you are on the automated telephone service, SCHOOL REACH, so that you are informed of any early closings.  I will try and contact you, but that might nor always be possible. If we evacuate, we go to St. Ann's church one block north of the school. 

If there is anything different that your child needs to do at the end of the day CONTACT THE OFFICE!  They will in return notify me. (Remember notes from home can be lost.) Please don't send those requests via email or text as I may not be able to check them before dismissing students. "My Mom said" will not work.  Your child has to have a note.

Snacks/ Water Bottles/ Gum

The school will provide daily "Quack Snacks" and fresh fruits and vegetables for your child. Your child may also bring snacks from home. Healthy snacks keep us from being hungry and help our brains function. 

I also encourage your child to bring a water bottle to school!  We do not have a fountain in our room.  I will send water bottles home to be washed. 

Gum is allowed as long as I don't see it or hear it.  It must be spit out before we leave our room, and if it becomes a distraction it will go in the trash.

Alternative Seating

Students have many needs when it comes to how and where they learn best. My goal this year is to help your child discover where they can do their best work.  Students will often have the option of choosing to stand, sit on a crate, lay on the floor, sit in beanbag chairs, or work at tables. 

Brain Breaks 

These are short bursts of movement that give a student's mind a break so that they can refocus. A brain break might be as simple as moving from the carpet to a table or getting out a chrome book.  A brain break might be dancing to a song on Go Noodle or doing jumping jacks. Students need to move!  We will take many carefully planned breaks throughout the day. Instruction times typically will be limited to no more than five to seven minutes. After that, students will be actively working on the concept being taught.