H.E.R.O. Have Everything Ready

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H.E.R.O.Have Everything Ready
Organized!Binder Drew WoodSecret Agent 22

• Dell Rapids Elementary
• Mrs. Reecy
• 2nd Grade
• 2007-2008

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H.E.R.O. Table of Contents

• Red Communication Folder
• Supply List
• Class Information
• Class Schedule
• Calendars
• Expectations
• Classroom Management
• Curriculum Basic Homework
• Choosing Books
• Family Reading Log
• Phonics Readers
• Spelling Words
• Sight Words
• Math Helpers
• Science Vocabulary
• Social Studies Vocabulary
• Traveling Teddy
• Birthday Celebrations
• Volunteers

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Welcome!

• Welcome to our classroom and to second grade! I
  am anticipating many exciting and fun-filled
  learning experiences for your child. My
  philosophy of teaching is that I am a mentor to
  my students and it will be clear in my classroom
  that I expect all students to succeed at their
  individual level.
• I Believe in what I am doing and I DO what I
  believe in! I try to encourage a sense of wonder
  as I understand these are lives we are building.
  I have also found that when we learn with
  pleasure, we will never forget and a happy
  atmosphere is one in which all things thrive!
• 2nd graders
  
  TRY THEIR BEST, TAKE CHANCES MAKE MISTAKES!
• Coming to school prepared is very important for
  success. Therefore I have prepared this
  information for you to read and use. You will
  find information about our classroom discipline
  plan, necessary school supplies, classroom
  policies and other useful information.
• Please remember you are the most important
  element in your students success. For that
  reason, you are always welcome in our classroom.
  If for some reason you need to communicate with
  me, feel free to send a note with your student or
  call me at school (428-3192). You can also
  e-mail me at reecyje_at_dellrapids.com. I
  appreciate feedback from you throughout the year.
  I feel we can work together to make this a great
  year for your child.
• I look forward to an exciting and rewarding year!
  For I am allowed to spend my days with the
  future!
• A Sincere Thank You,
• Mrs. Reecy

Parent Signature Date
Please sign and return after you have thoroughly
reviewed the information enclosed within the
H.E.R.O. binder. Please contact me with any
questions or clarifications.
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Communication

• My main source of communication to the home is
  the H.E.R.O. binder . Your second grader will
  bring home their H.E.R.O. binder containing their
  graded work, the days homework and other school
  information.
• Please take time to sit down with your second
  grader and go over the papers in the folder.
• Please check and empty your childs folder daily.
• Once a month a newsletter, calendar and current
  book order will be replaced in the H.E.R.O.
  binder. Please look for these items. Your
  attention is appreciated.
• Staying involved in your child's education is the
  key to a successful year.
• Engage your child in conversation about his/her
  day, but know that children won't always give out
  much information.
• Instead of saying "What did you do at school
  today?" (the answer is often "nothing!"), you can
  say, "Oh, I see you're learning about....what did
  you find out?"

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2R Classroom Supplies

• The following is a list of supplies required for
  second graders
• On the Back Backpack (durable zipper, no wheels)
• Container to hold ALL art supplies listed
• 4 (1 red, 1 blue, 1 yellow, 1 green) PLASTIC
  pocket folders WITH 3 HOLE PUNCH
• 1 Black White Composition Notebook (9 ¾ x 7 ½
  inch wide ruled)
• 1 set 3x5 note cards
• 2 red pens
• 2 pkgs. 10 2 pencils (not husky, please consider
  quality) Sharpened
• 2 thin-line Highlighters
• Hard Eraser
• Pencil top erasers
• Box of 24 crayons
• 1 box (24 count) colored pencils
• Set of 8 Washable Crayola Markers
• Set of Waterpaints
• 4 Glue-sticks
• 8 oz. Bottle of Elmers Glue
• Fiskars Scissors
• 1 Large box of tissues

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2R Class Information List

• Dear Parents,
• At times, it is convenient for families to have
  a class list with the following information
  student names, home phone, address, email address
  and parent(s) names. If you agree to release
  this information to the class, to be placed in
  the H.E.R.O. binder, please sign release below.
• ______________________________________________
• (Parent Signature)
• I agree to release this information to the class.

Note A class list will be available upon
release from parents.
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A Day in the Life of a 2nd Grader!
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Calendars

• 2R Class Monthly Calendar
• Dell Rapids School District 2007-2008 Year
  Calendar
• DRES Lunch Calendar
• Kids Circle Calendar

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Activity Areas? Students will receive Physical
Education, Art, Music, and Computer one day in a
four-day rotation. We will check out books at
the school library once a week. I also encourage
students families to visit the Dell Rapids
Carnegie Public Library to find books for nightly
reading time.

• Whos Who
• Principal Dr. John Jewett ? Secretary Mrs.
  Heidi Adams
• Counselor Ms. Erin Kane ? Nurse Mrs. Jill
  Dvorak
• Physical Education/ Reading Workshop Mr. Ryan
  Robb
• Computer Mr. Justin Stanford ? Art Ms.
  Eileen Elverson
• Music Mrs. Audrey Boerma ? Library Ms.
  Sharon Judd
• Special Education Mr. Eric Magnuson Mrs. Dawn
  Sorenson
• Title I Mrs. Feehan
• Speech Mrs. Julie Wynja Mrs. Beth Nagel

Schedule Changes?If for some reason your childs
after school schedule should change please send a
note or email letting me know of the change. ?
Sometimes once we get into our day it is easy to
forget the directions that were given orally that
morning. ? Please make any last minute changes
through the office at 428-3192.

• Internet Presence
• ? I have a web site that our classroom maintains.
  During the year I will use pictures and
  students work on the web page to let you know
  what we are doing. I want you to know that no
  close up photos will be used and only first
  names.
• ? Check our page often, as I will be working to
  improve it.
• You can find us at http//dellrapids.k12.sd.us
  /es.staff/reecyje/

Parent Participation ? Throughout the school year
there will be a variety of special classroom
activities and celebrations. I encourage you to
attend these functions when possible and to
support them by sending needed supplies or
treats. Your support of school activities makes
you child feel important and sends the message
that you value them and the school. I would love
to have you or a grandparent or neighbor come in
on a regular basis and listen to students read or
do activities with small groups of students. If
you or someone you know has time they would like
to donate to us please fill on the form on the
following pages.
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Classroom Management? Our school has a school
wide discipline plan that includes our classroom
rules. On a repeated offense or very serious
offense the school discipline plan will be
followed.? The first day of school the second
graders will be reviewing the classroom rules. A
copy will be added to the H.E.R.O. binder. Please
take time to go over these with your child and
check often to see how they are doing. ?
Students will receive one sticker for their
sticker chart located inside their H.E.R.O.
binder each day that they keep their star yellow.
This is meant for parents to know exactly how
their day went. Students will be allowed to
choose out of the prize box when their sticker
chart is filled completely. Students will receive
a new sticker chart when one is complete.
Expectations 2nd Graders
TRY THEIR BEST,
TAKE CHANCES MAKE MISTAKES!I expect three
things of each second grader1. Always do your
best. 2. Try hard. 3. Be polite
and kind.
2Rs Classroom Rules1. Be Responsible2.
Follow Directions3. Be polite and kind to
others4. Keep your hands, feet, and other
objects to yourself5. Use your inside voice6.
Please walk7. No severe behaviorCONSEQUENCESC
hange from yellow to blue star ? WarningChange
from blue to orange star ? Lose 5 min.
recessChange from orange to red star ? Student
writes note to parents and explains his/her
choices for the day  ? Student loses 10 min.
recessSevere Behavior ? Sent to Principal
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Spelling Words ? Spelling words Spelling words
will be sent home each Monday. This sheet has
activities to do to practice the spelling words
each night, which are simply suggestions. Some
weeks the words may seem easy. I expect that
second graders not only be able to spell the list
words but also be able to apply the rule being
taught that week to other words and spell those
correctly also. On the test Friday I will also
give 2 sentences using some of the spelling words
for the week.
CurriculumOur second grade curriculum is very
rewarding and comprehensive. The following is a
brief outline of what you can expect your student
to study this year. Feel free to visit with me
for more of the details.
Basic Homework?Homework is a time for your child
to shine and show you what they are learning in
school.  The purpose of this homework is to help
your child develop organizational skills, learn
responsibility, as well as reinforce and enrich
skills introduced in school.  It is also a time
to involve the parent in the academic progress.
? Assignments will require some direct help or a
quick check, but all require a parent signature. 
? I check my students' homework each morning.
Thank you in advance for your support and
cooperation with home assignments.  When parents
and teachers work together, the child comes out
the winner! Homework may include unfinished
class work as well as the followingReading ?
Recommended Reading of 15 minutes each evening ?
Completion of one oral-reading log per
week.Spelling High Frequency Words ?
Spelling Practice Test given each FridayMath
Worksheets ? Returned promptly the next day
corrected signed ? Recommended Math Fact
Practice 15 minutes each eveningScience ?
Review Understand current Science vocabulary
wordsSocial Studies ? Review Understand
current Social Studies vocabulary words
Handwriting ? Handwriting instruction is taught
incrementally and systematically. As new letters
and sight words are introduced, children will
have opportunities to learn how to write them.
If a child needs additional practice in writing a
letter an extra worksheet will be sent home for
practice and will need to be returned the next
day.
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ReadingReading I cannot stress enough how
important daily reading practice is. Please have
your second grader read aloud at least 15 min.
each night. Students could read aloud to a
stuffed animal, movie camera, sibling, adult,
tape player, parent, a favorite doll. ?
Remember to also read aloud to your child as well
as it is important for them to hear fluent
reading. Complete a Family Reading Log EACH WEEK.
This will be collected for an oral reading grade
each Monday. ? All blocks of reading will
incorporate a program based on the Scott Foresman
Literature Series and training provided by the SD
Reads strategies. The literature in this program
is broken into six themes. These themes will
incorporate our other curriculum areas also. I
believe that our best learning takes place when
students see how all areas are connected.

• Language Arts
• Reading Workshop
• Guided Reading will be a time to meet with small
  groups of students and expose them to a wide
  range of literature and teach comprehension
  strategies.
• Self Selected Reading is a time for students to
  read for practice and enjoyment with guidance.
  Each student will meet on a regular basis with me
  for a reading conference.
• Shared Reading is a time for students to read
  together a text that is rich in language, has a
  rhythmical pattern, and is at the interests of
  the students in the class. The shared reading
  gives students the skills to acquire the
  knowledge in many other areas.
• Working with Words is our time to learn to read
  and spell high frequency words and the patterns
  that allow them to decode and spell lots of other
  words.
• Writing Workshop
• Writing Workshop will include a mini-lesson on an
  aspect of writing and then time for their own
  writing. Students will meet with the teacher on
  a regular basis for a writing conference and
  there will be a daily time to share their work
  with their peers. Teach the writer not the
  writing Jill Eggleton
• The Scrapbook Journal is an exciting segment to
  our writing program.  We will put new entries in
  on Fridays.  Please help your second grader
  remember to bring their item to write about.

When there is a purpose for the writing the
writing comes from the soul. Jill Eggleton
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Math ? The basis for our math curriculum is
Saxon. This series is a hands-on,
success-oriented series that emphasizes
manipulatives and mental math. ? It addresses
the multi-sensory approach to teaching and will
enable the students to develop a solid foundation
in the language and basic concepts of
mathematics. ? Please help your student by
drilling addition, subtraction and multiplication
facts throughout the year. This will help them
in all that we do! ? In the Take Home folder you
will find the daily math worksheet. The front
side has been completed in class. The backside
will be the student homework to be completed at
home and returned the very next day corrected and
signed. ? The purpose of worksheets is to
provide written work that reinforces new
learning, reviews previously introduced material,
and tracks childrens progress daily.
Science ? Please utilize the monthly calendar
newsletter to stay informed of our current
Science unit. ? Students will learn about Life
Science in Plants Animals and Homes for Plants
Animals Earth Science in Changes on Earth and
The Sun and Its Family Physical Science in Matter
Energy and Watch It Move ? The
MacMillan/McGraw Hill Science focuses on the
scientific method as a model representing a
process used by scientists to find answers to
their questions through Observation, Question
Hypothesis, Experiment and drawing Conclusions.
? Students are expected to know and understand
unit vocabulary. Please encourage use of current
vocabulary into your communication with your
child.

• Social Studies
• Please utilize the monthly calendar newsletter
  to stay informed of our current Social Studies
  unit.
• The Houghten Mifflin Series focuses on the
  integration of being a successful reader through
  vocabulary support, reading strategies skills
  and comprehension support.
• Units are focused on Neighborhoods of People
  Places (Cultural Community), Places Near and Far
  (The World and You!), Ways of Living (Traditions,
  Customs, Diversity), People at Work (Economics
  Earn, Save Spend), Americas Past (History
  Exploration, Settlement, New Country) and
  Americas Government (Citizenship Rights
  Responsibilities).
• Along with these units will we have some special
  Internet projects and exciting holiday units. If
  you ever have additional information on these
  areas, like a trip you may have taken, please
  contact me to set up a time to share with our
  group.
• Junior Achievement is also an integral portion
  of extending our Social Studies curriculum.

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Choosing Books

• Too Easy
• You know all of the words
• You can tell about the book
• You know it by heart because you have read it
  before
• It is an old favorite
• You can read the pages without looking
• Just Right
• You know most of the words
• You can understand what you are reading
• You would be able to tell about the book
• Not too hard and not too easy
• Should be a little challenging
• Too Hard (Dream Books)
• If you miss 5 or more words on a page
• If you dont understand what you are reading
• If you dont tell about it
• Ask someone to read it to you or with you

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Why I Cant Skip My Twenty Minutes of Reading
Tonight?

• Student A reads 20 minutes every night.
• Student B reads only 4 minutes a nightor not at
  all!
• Multiply minutes a night x5 times a week.
• Student A 20 minutes x5 100 minutes
• Student B 4 minutes x5 20 minutes
• Multiply minutes a week x4 weeks a month.
• Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
• Student B reads 80 minutes a month.
• Multiply minutes a month x9 months.
• Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
• Student B reads 80 minutes a month.
• Multiply minutes a month x9 months.
• Student A reads 3600 minutes in a school year.
• Student B reads 728 minutes in a school year.

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2nd Grade Sight Word List
telltheirthesethose uponususe very w
ashwhichwhywishworkwouldwrite your

• alwaysaround
• becausebeenbeforebestbothbuy
• callcold
• doesdon't
• fastfirstfivefound
• gavegoesgreen

its mademany offor pull readright si
ngsitsleep
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2nd GradePhonics Reader

• Please indicate with an X each time you ORALLY
  read this weeks 2nd Grade Phonics Reader.
• Remember oral reading increases fluency and
  comprehension!

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(No Transcript)
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Traveling Teddy Adventures!Traveling Teddy is
our classroom Teddy Bear that will travel to each
students home this year. He comes home with
your second grader in their backpack the Friday
of the week on the schedule. He will spend the
weekend at your home and then return back to
school on Monday morning. He comes with a
journal so he can write about all the fun he had
while visiting your home. You may do the writing
and have Teddy and your second grader dictate the
message. If Teddy has a photo op while at your
house you may send the picture later and I will
add it to the journal entry. The students will
have a special time in the Author Chair sharing
the adventures enjoyed with Traveling Teddy!
Pick a Star! Traveling Teddy will go home with
a random student in 2r!
Pick a Star! Traveling Teddy will go home with
a random student in 2r!
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Birthday Celebrations!?On your childs birthday
we will have a small celebration for the Birthday
child. If the birthday does not fall a school
day check the monthly calendar for the
celebration date. Summer birthdays are celebrated
on the half-birthday (designated on the classroom
calendar) throughout the school year. Healthy
Birthday treats are certainly welcomed but not
required. Please NO invitations to personal
birthday parties at school. ? Birthdays are a
time for celebrating and we want to know how your
family does it! Please use the Birthday
Journal to write about and illustrate what you
do to recognize this special day. Your child
will have the opportunity to share his/her
journal page with our school family. We will
also be doing some special celebrating of our own
in our classroom, which your child can share with
you! Happy Writing!
Celebrations and Volunteers!? We are in need of
a parents to help with the celebrations or would
like to provide treats or supplies. A sign-up
sheet was available at Back to School night 2007
in August. If you missed the opportunity to
sign-up, please contact me.? Students will be
also asked to bring 3.00 for special activities
and celebrations. If your student cannot provide
this please contact me. Please send as soon as
possible.? In 2nd grade we do many seasonal and
holiday activities. If any of these may conflict
with the beliefs of your family please let me
know soon!
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Classroom Volunteer Form
Dear Parent(s), There are times we can use an
extra set of hands. If youd be willing to help
please sign up below. Thanks!
Second Publishing Party! Treats 1. Henri
Carrette Family 2. Barbie Bishop Family Drinks
(Please bring 45 cups and 2 Gallons of Apple
Juice) 1. Austin VanEngen Family   100th
DayLate January/February Treats 1. Andrew
Geurts Family 2. Amanda Tomes Family   Chinese
New Year Treats 1. Brenna Radigan Family 2.
Samantha Miller Family   Valentines
Day Activities/Games (Prepare 2 please) 1. Drew
Wood Family Treats/Napkins 1. Caleb
Kirschenmann Family 2. Chrystina Anderson
Family Drink Boxes 1. Tristan Leeper
Family   Third Publishing Party! Treats 1. Blake
Reider Family 2. Trystian Svatos Family Drinks
(Please bring 45 cups and 2 Gallons of Apple
Juice) 1. Carrington Entringer
Family

• Fall Festival Party on Oct. 31st
• Activities/Games (Prepare 2 please)
• 1. 2R Family
• Treats/Napkins
• 1. Shaina Visser Family
• Drink Boxes
• 1. Haley Moeller Family
•  
• First Publishing Party!
• Treats
• 1. Entire Class Family
• Witchs Brew!
• Drinks (Please bring 45 cups and 2 Gallons of
  Apple Juice)
• 1. Morgan Nemmers Family
•  
• Holiday Express Culmination
• Treats (will be explained) )
• 1. Hannah Nyman Family
• 2. Riley Anderson Family

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Milk Snack Break ? Each day after our morning
recess the children will have a milk break, with
their choice of white or chocolate milk.  Tickets
for this milk time can be purchased in the
office.  ? At this time children may also enjoy
a small snack from home. These will be
individual HEALTHY SNACKS. Students will keep
their snack in their backpacks until snack time.
I appreciate your consideration of healthy
choices.
Simple Healthy Snack Ideas ? Raw vegetables,
such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli,
green pepper, green beans, cucumbers, mushrooms
or zucchini. Fresh fruit in season, such as
apples, oranges, bananas, peaches, grapefruit,
grapes, melons, pears, plums or strawberries.
Sliced, lowfat quick breads and muffins, such as
pumpkin, zucchini, banana or bran. Non-sugared
cereals, snack mixes made with popcorn and whole
grain cereal. Lowfat popcorn, Canned fruit,
Yogurt, Nuts, Dried Fruit, Trail Mix, Granola
Bars, Cereal Bars, Pudding, Applesauce
Book Orders ? Book orders will be sent home by
way of the homework folder about once a month.
This is totally OPTIONAL. I send them home, as
it is a good way for me to build my classroom
library. I would like to encourage you to
purchase 1 or more books for your child. The
books are very reasonably priced and for every
book purchased the class is given bonus points
by the book clubs. These bonus points will be
used to buy multiple copies of certain book
titles, which we will use in our room. ? If
you would like to donate a book to the class
indicate so on the order form in the margin.
When the order comes in Ill keep the book and
have your childs picture taken with his/her name
inside the over and the date! This is a special
present that your child can give the class and
students in the years to come will appreciate it
as well. ? If you are ordering and need to send
a check please make check out to SCHOLASTIC. ?
If at anytime you would like me to hold some
books that you wish to use as a gift, just
include a note letting me know and I will be
happy to do that!
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Star Student ? During your childs Star
Student week help us celebrate your special
child by providing the items listed to our class
on Monday. All items will be returned to you the
following Monday. ? Please include The
completed sheets attached to the star student
note, Five pictures that are your childs
favorites, A favorite book, and The Show
Share bag. ? If you can visit for lunch during
your childs special star week, it would be a
special treat for your child! You may also
consider (10-20 minutes please) sharing a special
talent/hobby with the class, sharing interesting
facts/items from any area of interest (perhaps a
place you have visited or traveled to) sharing
your occupation and what you do at your
workplace. I appreciate your help in making the
week special for your child!
Giving Tree ? If you have any of the items
(gently used) or are willing to donate any of the
items listed on the apples, please take the apple
down off the tree outside our classroom door and
bring it back to the classroom with your
donation. Your family will be recognized on each
donated item(s). ? One more note while were on
the topic of gifts. I request no teacher
Christmas gifts. I feel that the privilege of
working with your child this year is a gift.
Each and every day your second grader enriches my
life. I really treasure the opportunity to get
to know and work with them. If you really feel
like you must do something then it would be nice
if it could be something for our classroom that
we could all enjoy.
Star Student Show Share Bag ? The Show and
Share bag will also be coming home with your
child each evening during his/her special star
student week. The Show and Share bag is
intended to have one item brought to show and
share with the class. Your child will have the
opportunity to explain the significance of the
item and bring the bag home to be returned the
next day with another special item to Show and
Share. This will continue each day throughout
your childs STAR week. Please encourage your
child to bring non-breakable items to share.
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Star Student Schedule
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Giving Tree Items

• Giving Tree Items August 2007
• If you have any of the items (gently used) or are
  willing to donate any of the items listed on the
  apples, please take the apple down off the tree
  outside our classroom door and bring it back to
  the classroom with your donation. Your family
  will be recognized on each donated item(s).
• Current Apples
• Pencils
• Plastic Page protectors
• Fine line permanent markers
• All sizes and colors of permanent markers
• Double sided scotch tape
• Radio/CD Player/Tape Player for Classroom (ours
  broke!)
• Electric Pencil Sharpener (ours broke!)
• Walkman CD Players with Headphones (listening
  center)
• Extra Student FISKAR scissors for Art Center
• Seasonal BOOKS on Tape or CD
• "The American Story 100 True Tales from
  American History" by Jennifer Armstrong
  Illustrated by Roger Roth
• "John, Paul, George Ben" by Lane Smith
• Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith
• ESIOTROT by Ronald Dahl
• Subscription to National Geographic Explorer