1. Welcome to Room 20
Second Grade
Karen Macari

2. A Day In The Life of a
Second Grader
• Morning Work / Meeting Time / Yoga
• Fundations
• Writing
• Grammar
• Snack
• Specials (Gym, Art, or Music)
• Literacy Block
• Recess/Lunch
• Math
• Library Research/Computer Skills
• Science/Social Studies
• Open Circle
• Jobs

3. GRADE 2 EXPECTATIONS
• In second grade, an emphasis is placed on
developing student effort and understanding that
EXCELLENCE MATTERS!
• An important part of our focus will be:
- teaching organizational skills
- promoting academic and behavioral responsibility
and accountability on the part of students.

4. “Habits of Mind” that are as important to a student’s future success
as academic learning:
• Persistence
• Managing impulsivity
• Listening with understanding and empathy
• Thinking flexibly
• Controlling and executing metacognitive processes: (Develop a plan before
approaching a learning task, Monitor understanding, Evaluate thinking after completing the
task.)
• Striving for accuracy and precision
• Asking questions and posing problems
• Applying knowledge to new situations
• Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision
• Gathering data through all their senses
• Creating, imagining, and innovating
• Responding with wonderment and awe
• Taking responsible risks
• Finding humor in the world around them
• Thinking independently
• Remaining open to continual learning
» From Educational Leadership: by Jenny Edwards and Arthur Costa

5. - Homework is assigned Homework
each night, Monday-
Thursday and is
collected the next day - Homework Folders are
expected to come to school
every day
- Send in a note with
homework if your child has
spent 30 – 40 minutes on an - Reading should occur
assignment and is having daily and be recorded on
difficulty your child’s wiki.
- Daily practice of math facts is
needed for mastery. There is a page
on your child’s wiki to record this as
well.

6. Grading
-New report cards are
- students are assessed based on new standards
both formally and informally
and we are always collecting
data based on the new - Unit Tests will be
standards. weighted heavier and
graded with an E, M,
-writing assignments P or B
will be graded based on
content and mechanics
*Boomerangs are assignments that
are returned to the student to be
completed or corrected

7. Star of the Week
- Each student will have
the opportunity to be
the Star of the Week
- Family members can visit
the class to talk about their
jobs or read a story
- Students can bring in
pictures of themselves or
other objects to share with - A letter with the date of
the class your child’s week and other
details is included in your
folder.

8. COMMUNICATION
• School News posts are written and
recorded by students weekly and posted
on our class blog for sharing and
discussion.
• Edline postings of grade level dates
• “Tidbits from Room 20” Blog linked to
Edline. Postings include student writing,
photos and short action videos.

9. CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT THROUGH
WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING
• Classroom Rules with
gestures Scoreboard
– Rule #1: Follow Class/Yes
directions quickly Teach/Okay
– Rule #2: Raise your
hand before you Practice Cards and
speak letters
– Rule #3: Make
smart choices
– Rule #4: Use
appropriate level
voice

11. Math
- reinforce skills and Mastery of:
concepts introduced in 1st
grade - Telling time to five minute
intervals
- use games as a way to -coin values, counting money,
practice and reinforce making change
skills -place value to the 1000’s
-linear measurement
-solving word problems -basic geometric shapes
- math facts (addition and
- encourage students subtraction) to 20
to write about math
* Home practice is needed
for mastery to occur*

12. Math Tiered Instructional
Model
- Pre-assessments - Calendar
- Lesson - Weather
-Independent practice
through games and hands-on
activities
- Guided Instruction and
Review

13. Literacy
Fundations John Collins
Writing
Daily 5 with Grammar Skills
C.A.F.E. goals
and strategies
Tiered Instructional
Reading Model

14. Social Studies & Science
- rotate between the - incorporate reading
two subjects and writing into
activities
- at home and in school projects!

15. Communities
- Walking tour of Reading
-Community Workers
Research project

16. Mapping
- locate continents,
oceans, rivers, and
mountain ranges
- identify directionality
using a map

17. Native Americans
- study of the four
regions of Native
Americans in North
- terrain & climate, food,
America
shelter, transportation,
beliefs, tools & weapons,
and clothing
- one at-home project
and a field trip to
Harvard Museum

18. Balancing and Weighing
- hands on Science unit
that explores the
relationship between
weight and balance
- students have to act
and think like a
Scientist
- explore the factors
that effect the
weight of objects

19. Heritage
- locate on a map and
research each
family’s countries
of origin
- identify important
landmarks, traditions,
and customs

20. Insects
- hands on study of - witness first
the lifecycles of hand the
various insects metamorphosis of a
caterpillar to a
butterfly
- recyclable insects!

21. TECHNOLOGY
• Weekly lesson in computer lab
• Learn basic functions of computer
• Research topics using computers
• Create power point slides
• Use wiki to record reading and math
practice
• Podcast, Photostory, Glogster,
Voicethread