All About 2nd Grade D62 weblog-Created by Mrs. Djurdjevic 

Tile System
As part of our classroom management we are following the “Tile System.” Everyday they start with a blue tile. If they “misbehave” or “forget” to complete their homework on a daily basis they will receive a green tile – which results in a 5 minute loss of recess. After the green tile they receive a yellow tile – which results in a 15 minute loss of recess. Finally after the yellow tile they receive a red tile – which results in a loss of all of their recess and the parent(s) are contacted. One verbal warning is given between each tile color. A second verbal warning requires a “trade” of a tile. In TWO places you will find what color your student ends his/her day with. They will have it in their notebook with my initials next to it and in their Behavior Calendar. The Behavior Calendar will be a way to keep track their behavior throughout the month. You can find it in your student’s Take Home Folder.

Homework
When a student does not complete an assignment they will be sent to a Study Hall during recess. Once the assignment is completed they will be able to go outside for recess. However, if a student is consistently not completing their assignments they will miss the entire recess.

Grading Scale:
+ = Exceeds Standards (student went above and beyond what is expected-Extra Credit)

√ + = High End of Meets Standards

√ = Meets Standards

√ – = Low End of Meets Standards

– = Does Not Meet Standards (should be fixed and returned)

Money
“Giacone Money” and “Butera Bucks” The students will receive a “Dollar” if they end their day with a blue tile. So, if they have done exceptionally well at the end of the week, they will have accumulated 5 “Dollars” which they will be able to purchase something out of the Treasure Chest. At the end of every month we will hold an auction for the students to purchase items. This is a great way to teach students about earning, saving, and managing their money! They also can receive money by completing their AR chart.

AR
AR (Accelerated Reader) tests: Students will check out at least one book from the library that has an AR test online. They will know it is an AR book because there is a smiley face on the spine of the book. It is expected that students take at least one AR test per week. Tests can be given during Silent Reading or at an appropriate time when work is done early. A half hour is built into our weekly schedule on Thursday’s to take AR tests either in the computer lab or using the cart filled with laptops. Library days are on Friday’s. This gives students 6 days to read an AR book and be ready for the test. Please read the AR book with your student at home if you would like. Also, encourage them to take the weekly AR test at school. When your child takes an AR test, a print out is made that I will send home telling you the level of the book and the score of the test. There is a chart that will be stapled inside of each student’s Home Folder. Each chart has 25 squares. When a student gets a 100% on an AR test, they get a sticker for a square. When all 25 squares are filled, $25 Butera Bucks/ Giacone Money are awarded. A new chart is stapled in and they start all over again. AR tests are used to assess comprehension and independent reading. Some books also have a vocabulary test as well. At home access is not available. At any time, we can go in and view a student’s individual progress and tests taken.

Friday Folder
Your child will be taking home a “Friday Folder” every Friday. The contents of the folder will be their work for that week and our Friday Note. On the back of the Friday Note you will find their weekly report. Please sign and return the Friday Note by the following Tuesday. In addition, in the “Friday Folder” you will find a parent sign-off sheet. Please sign it and have your child return the “Friday Folder” so we can see you have received and checked their graded assignments.

Fruit Break
Please send a nutritious snack to school every day if possible. The students eat fruit break around 10:00 a.m. They are usually very hungry at this time, and lunch is still well over an hour away.

Readers’ Theater
This is a weekly play or skit that significantly increases reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Not to mention, most of the kids really get into it and love it. I pass out Readers’ Theater on Monday’s and the students are expected to read and practice their part (regardless of the size) at home each night until Friday. Friday is when we perform for the class and other classrooms around the building. Please try to encourage your student to read with enthusiasm and get into the part. They will be assessed weekly.

ISEL
ISEL (Illinois Snapshot of Early Literacy) Testing is done in the Fall and Spring. It tests several areas like reading, spelling, comprehension, vocabulary and reading response. For most portions, the test is given individually. I get a substitute to take care of the class while I pull each student one by one to complete the test. The test given in the fall is easier and different than the one given in the spring, although, the format of the test remains the same. I plan to report the scores to you in the spring, showing you growth. These scores are used during the year to group students and to highlight areas of concern, or areas of strength. This is as important to us as MAP or ISAT is in the upper grades.