Second Grade


Ms. Summer Choi	Ms. Gail Jutkowitz	Ms. Susan Zacks	Ms. Alison Glaser

Want to know what's going on? Check our our class schedule! Ms Choi's Class Ms. Zack's Class Ms. Jutkowitz's Class

Math
Please note: If your child is in Ms. Zacks’ math class, please refer to the math section on the third grade web page.

Second graders have been pre-assessed on and are working on Unit 2 - Geometry. Over the next several weeks, we will continue working on the following essential questions:

What are the attributes of a shape?
What are ways shapes can be sorted?
How are plane shapes different from solid shapes?
What make a shape symmetrical?
What makes shapes congruent?
Through whole-group, small-group, and independent exploration using manipulatives, models, and technology, we will develop a greater understanding of these topics.

How is second grade differentiating mathematics instruction?
A classroom that is differentiated is a classroom in which all students are being appropriately challenged through academic tasks. In Second Grade math, you can see your child’s class differentiated in a variety of ways:

In whole-class lessons – through asking a variety of questions that appropriately challenge children of differing abilities.
In smaller group lessons – students are placed temporarily in smaller groups with children of similar abilities based on their performance on pre-assessments. These flexible groups spend time focusing on topics presented with an appropriate level of challenge. This includes support for students requiring enrichment through above-grade-level objectives as well as those needing review.
Through one-on-one instruction, for those students needing more concentrated support.
Through anchor activities – tasks that students may complete after finishing required work. These activities change each time the students work with them, and are available at a variety of levels of difficulty.

Below are some good websites to check out with your child:

Harcourt School Web Site The password is Johnson.
Multiplication Practice
Online Flash Cards
Math Fact Cafe - Print out traditional flash cards for your child, as well as practice pages.

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Reading/Writing
Second quarter, we will be Reading to Be Informed. Students continue to be taught how to read and use the features of non-fiction texts. Students will be instructed in the use of graphic organizers and text structures, such as compare and contrast. Also, the strategy of questioning will be introduced. When we use informational texts to be informed, we can also Read to Perform a Task. Texts used for performing a task explain how to do something, describe how something was done, or answer the question, “How did it happen?” The purpose for this type of reading can be found in recipes and following directions for a game or project. Some of the questions we will be exploring are:

How are directions written to help me perform a task?
What could be added to make a set of directions easier to understand?
What are the text features I can use to help me locate facts and information quickly?
What is the author’s purpose in writing this text?

Writing to Inform will be the instructional focus during the second quarter after children read and listen to multiple nonfiction texts. By reading nonfiction texts, students not only learn new factual information but also learn about how nonfiction works. Connections will be made between using text features and structures while both reading and writing.
We will focus on the following essential questions:

How can writing help me share information with others?
What is my reason for composing this writing?
Who will be reading this piece of writing?

Get an overview of our reading and writing programs at the MCPS Website.

Below are some websites to check out with your child.

MCPS curriculum overview This website will provide you with an overview of our reading and writing programs.
Starfall Here is a great website that offers free reading activities and practice for primary students:
Language Arts This is a great website that reviews and reinforces many second grade language arts skills.
Parent's Corner Learn more about the importance of reading with your child.

Spelling/Language Mechanics
The spelling/language mechanics program is on a two week cycle. The first week of the cycle focuses on spelling. Students will have spelling homework during this week and a quiz on Fridays. The second week of the cycle focuses on language mechanics. Topics to be studied include parts of speech, sentence and paragraph formation, capitalization and punctuation. There will be homework during the week and a quiz on Fridays.

Science
We have finished our study of painted lady butterflies.

Our next unit is balance and weighing. Check back soon to find out more!

Social Studies
Second graders will begin to study two diverse cultures: the Wampanoag Native Americans and the Pilgrims. We will continue to focus on the individual’s role in a democratic society and students will learn how writing down rules and laws helped the Pilgrims and Wampanoag to work together.

This year in second grade we will be learning about communities and economics. Check out these websites with your second grader:
Learn about community workers
The History of Making Money click here to learn all about the history of money.
The United States Mint visit the site to learn all about coin collecting, take the time machine to other eras in US history, or play some cool money games.
The Story of the Coin Press click here for fun online activities that help your child learn about money

Field Trips
On November 19th, we will take a field trip to the Strathmore Fine Arts Center. The outing is sponsored by MCPS and there will be no charge to parents. Please return your permission slip (in Spanish) by November 9th.

Birthdays
We have a very packed academic schedule. If your child wishes to celebrate his/her birthday in school, please notify your teacher at least two weeks prior. In addition, please limit the birthday celebration to a small treat. Because there are children throughout the grade that have nuts and chocolate allergies, please be prepared to provide an alternative treat as well.

Other Important Information
Parents, please check your child’s homework assignment book daily. Be on the lookout for the spelling/language mechanics homework, which occurs weekly. Returning homework on time is an important work study skill to foster. Let your child know, “This is important!”

We have a very long day in second grade. Please send your child to school with a healthy snack everyday! We will not be providing snack for your child.

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The second grade team would love to receive your email. If you have questions or concerns about your child and would prefer to correspond electronically, please email: