Welcome to Second Grade

1
Welcome to Second Grade
Second grade is an exciting year of transition
and growth in many areas. With guidance and
support, we begin to work more independently,
handle greater responsibilities, enjoy reading
for pleasure and explore social relationships.
2
Co-Teaching

• My name is Mrs. Milchman. I have lived in the
  Keys for about 9 years. I am certified to teach
  grades 1-6, as well as ESOL. I taught overseas
  for five years 2 years in Pakistan and 3 years
  in Egypt. I also taught in Minnesota for 2
  years. This is my 7th year of teaching at PKS.
  I am very excited to be here and cannot wait to
  begin the second grade journey with your child.
• This year I will be co-teaching with Mrs. Pais.
  She is a native to the Florida Keys and has been
  teaching for 11 years. Mrs. Pais is certified in
  grades 1-6, reading, exceptional student
  education, and ESOL endorsed. We are looking
  forward to working together to make your childs
  year a wonderful experience.

3
Reading
Our reading block consists of many parts,
including independent reading, shared reading,
guided reading, interactive read aloud with
accountable talk, word study and literacy
centers. We focus on rich literature and read
from a wide variety of genres in order to
practice and strengthen our reading skills and to
stretch our comprehension. Students learn how to
choose books at their reading level, to discuss
books, and to respond to stories. We learn new
vocabulary, practice phonics and phonemic
awareness skills, and work on fluency using
resources such as readers theater plays and
poetry. Book buddies is a reading partnership
that we form with another class to practice our
reading. We learn to read for pleasure and to
develop a love for books.
4
Writing

• Our literature discussions often lay the
  groundwork for our writing projects. We utilize
  graphic organizers to help focus our thinking,
  use writers dictionaries and our classroom word
  wall to help us with spelling, and follow the
  writing process for pieces of work that we choose
  to publish. We learn to write a variety of
  pieces such as personal narratives, nonfiction
  writing, and poetry. We learn to conference
  with peers and use revision and editing
  checklists to become proficient writers. We also
  make time to share and respond to pieces of
  student writing during our authors share chair
  time.

5
Math
Our math curriculum emphasizes student
involvement with support from learning materials,
teachers, and peers. It provides mathematics
learning that is active, rich in natural and
mathematical language, and filled with thought
provoking opportunities. In second grade, we will
explore units such as 2 and 3-digit addition and
subtraction with regrouping, money, time, data,
geometry and patterns, measurement, and
fractions. We will try to memorize our basic math
facts to 18. We will also learn a variety of math
games to support our learning.
6
Science
The second grade science program emphasizes
observation, discussion and hands-on
participation in classroom activities and science
lab experiments. Our science curriculum is
sometimes integrated with other subject areas or
coupled with thematic units whenever possible. A
sampling of our units include animal adaptations
and habitats, properties of matter, simple
machines, and other topics based on student
interest.
7
Social Studies
Some of the topics we learn about in social
studies include people, places and environments,
time and change, and civics and government. The
curriculum is often integrated with our
literature themes as we study the geographic
features and cultural similarities and
differences of our stories. We use maps and
globes to locate places around the world. We also
read a variety of books to learn about important
people, places, holidays, and events in our
countrys history.
8
Field Trips

• In Second Grade, we go on a variety of field
  trips. These tie into our curriculum studies
  throughout the year. Some of the places we have
  gone in the past are The Alligator Farm, Island
  Dolphin Care, and Miami Metro Zoo. We also have
  different speakers visit our classroom whenever
  possible for additional enrichment opportunities.
  

9
Technology
As a second grade teacher, I utilize technology
on a daily basis to help teach the children. As
a class, we utilize our classroom computers and
laptops to complete research projects, publish
writing, and practice reading and math skills.
10
Homework

• Your child will have weekly homework in second
  grade. One key component is to read for 20
  minutes a night. Your child will have a reading
  log to keep track of his/her progress. There
  will also be various assignments that relate to
  the topics we are studying in reading, math,
  science and social studies. A few home learning
  projects will be assigned throughout the year,
  such as book reports or social studies projects.
• Take home folders will be sent home daily and
  will contain completed work and other important
  papers. Please take a minute to go through this
  folder with your child each night.

11
Specials Schedule

• Second graders have P.E./Health every day. We
  also have Art twice a week and Music, Spanish,
  and Library once a week.
• Monday Music, P.E.
• Tuesday Library, P.E.
• Wednesday Art, P.E.
• Thursday Art, P.E.
• Friday Spanish, P.E.
• (Book Buddies Fri.)

12
Classroom Reminders

• Please send in a snack daily.
• Check your childs backpack and take-home folder
  every day for corrected work and notices.
• I am beginning a classroom web site. Check it
  out at the pks site under staff (milchman).
• I write a weekly class newsletter sent home every
  Friday to keep you abreast of classroom
  happenings, as well as important announcements.
• We are a family and we write our own class rules
  and sign them so that we may each be held
  accountable.