Holt's Hodgepodge & Hullabaloo in Two

Wow! We are one week in and already we've learned so much! On the first day, all of the students came home with their grade two survival kits. Each item in the bag was a reminder of what's important a we journey together over the next several months. I hope the students shared the significance of each item with you.

During our first week we spent time getting to know each other with several friendship activities. We even created friendship poems while working together in small groups.

We learned that getting along and working in a group is an important responsibility in grade two.

We reviewed our playground safety rules to make sure everyone has fun on the equipment while still being safe.

We read the book First Day Jitters and discovered that it wasn't just students who get anxious about the first day of school.

We had a wonderful experience watching the Tour of Alberta speed past the school. The students clapped, cheered and blew their noise makers(generously donated by the Valin family)to encourage the cyclists.

We celebrated Maggie because she cut her hair for cancer over the summer and donated it to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program that makes and donates wigs for people dealing with cancer. She also did some fund raising and managed to raise $550 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Great job Maggie!

We ended the week reflecting on what our favourite part of the first week of grade two was.

Welcome to 2H!

Here are a few things to set you up for success in grade two this year.

In the past, a monthly classroom newsletter was sent home to keep parents up to date and encourage the students to share at home what they are learning at school. This year I have started this blog in place of newsletters. Please follow me online by clicking the email button on the page. Doing this will send any new posts on the blog to be sent directly to your email account. That means that busy parents don't have to remember to check the blog. The link to the blog will also be available at the school website if you choose not to have the blog updates sent to your email account.

Book orders will be sent each month. Please be aware that I can only accept cheques-no cash please.

Behaviour difficulties are prevented by ensuring children know the expectations before they are required to follow them.

Use quiet voices inside. Why? It is hard to think and hear others talking when it is loud.

Walk inside and stay at your desk when the teacher is out of the room. Why? It is important to keep ourselves and others safe.

Raise your hand to speak. Why? It is respectful not to interrupt each other.

Look, listen and wait your turn to speak. Why? It is considerate to let people know we care about what they are saying.

Follow the “Rules for Good Listening” example. Why? It is helpful to work in an environment where we can all learn and not be distracted.

Clean up after yourself and wash hands after visiting the bathroom. Why? Being responsible for ourselves and our things shows how grown up we are.

Ask to leave the classroom. Why? So the teacher knows where you are.

Use words, don’t hurt others. Why? So people know how you feel and can help you.

Behaviour Management

The word discipline comes from the word disciple, which means follower or learner. Discipline requires modeling or setting an example of the behaviour that we want children to learn and follow. Discipline requires consistency, commitment and an attitude of calmness. My practices are firm, fair and promote self-worth. If problems arise children will be redirected to more appropriate behaviours. Our behaviour management system is a kind of Classroom Economy to help students understand economics, responsibility, organization and saving. Using classroom currency students will earn money for the jobs they do in the classroom and for positive behaviour choices, working hard and helping others. Similarly students who don't follow the class created and student agreed upon behaviour expectations will be fined, resulting in a loss of earnings. The money the students earn is managed by them and spent at the classroom treasure chest. This classroom management system aligns with the grade two math curriculum as it reinforces handling monetary denominations, skip counting and trading money.

Agendas will be sent home nightly with students to share with you. The agenda will list the student’s tasks for the evening. Please initial once tasks are completed. Agendas must be returned to school every day. This is also a great way for you to communicate with me. Please do not print in the section that the students will need to use to write their message for the next day.

Students should not be bringing home more that 15-20 minutes of reading and spelling per evening depending on the rate at which your child completes their tasks. If you find your child is bringing home more that this approximate amount please don’t hesitate to contact me.

At the beginning of each week the students will be given a list of grade one and two words which they will be tested on at the end of that week. You can help your child to be successful on their end of the week spelling by visiting www.spellingcity.com and by doing the suggested activities included in their spelling package. Every three weeks the students will be given a review test of previously given spelling words. On these weeks no new words will be given.

Reading is an important part of your child’s education, therefore the students can bring home a book or pick a book from home to read each night. The same book may be read more than once. This serves as practice and reinforcement of reading skills which will be assessed in class. Please do not be alarmed if your child chooses to bring home the same book several times. Although this may be boring for adult readers this is developmentally appropriate for children this age and promotes confident readers.

I encourage anyone who can help in the classroom to do so. I ask that you let me know in advance so that I can properly prepare for your visit. Ideas for classroom volunteers:

-read a favourite family storybook

-share an occupation, hobby, craft, collection or special interest

-baking or cooking a favourite recipe with the children

All forms of volunteering are greatly appreciated and encouraged!

Assessment across the curriculum is done on an ongoing basis. Progress reports are provided to keep parents informed between report cards. The progress reports will include self, peer and teacher assessments. Please return signed progress reports on the next school day after they are distributed.