What makes this class different from other second grade classes?
Our class is comprised mostly of children who have been identified as having an above average IQ
and in need of more than the standard curriculum may offer. Students in this class will most
Our class is comprised mostly of children who have been identified as having an above average IQ
and in need of more than the standard curriculum may offer. Students in this class will most
certainly still be exposed to the basic material all other second graders are, but with fewer exposures and at a more rapid pace. Emphasis will be placed on completing higher order thinking activities which require students to employ more than basic recall of facts. Higher order thinking is comprised of activities such as analyzing, predicting, drawing conclusions, making judgments, explaining justifications and making inferences. Students in our class may spend more time working on project related assignments, working with a group, building research skills and growing into confident independent workers.
How can I contact you?
Please feel free to email me. You may do so by clicking on the email icon on the homepage of this
Please feel free to email me. You may do so by clicking on the email icon on the homepage of this
website or at Denise.Boehm@Browardschools.com. I will respond to most email within a few hours if during the school day. This is the easiest, most direct way to reach me for simple questions or to pass along information. You may also call me here at school (754)323-5850. I will return phone calls as soon as possible, but certainly within 24 hours. The student agenda book is another important communication tool. Most messages from me will appear there and I will check them each morning for notes from you.
What is your classroom management routine?
Our classroom adheres to the Gator Goals which are clearly posted in our classroom. These
Our classroom adheres to the Gator Goals which are clearly posted in our classroom. These
four common-sense rules are absolutely necessary to maintain a positive atmosphere in which
we all feel comfortable and are ready to learn. Students will always have a clear expectation of
acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
The Gator Goals:
1. Gator Kids arrive ready to learn.
2. Gator Kids model the district character traits.
3. Gator Kids are kind to other and the Earth.
4. Gator Kids respect personal space and property.
We will track our choices, both positive and not so, on our Behavior Clip-Chart. The Clip-Chart
allows students to be rewarded for positive choices while also providing directly proportional
consequences for inappropriate behavior.
Each student starts the day on Ready to Learn and then moves up or down the chart as their actions
dictate. Students who move down because of a poor choice have the opportunity to move back up
the chart by making positive choices. Each day every student returns their clip to Ready to Learn
and starts fresh. More information on the program and philosophy of the Clip-Up chart can be
found here: http://newmanagement.com/ebooks/index.html.
We also celebrate good choices with our behavior bingo program through which students visit
the treasure box in our classroom.
What is Fun Friday?
Each Friday we will enjoy a half hour of free choice games in the classroom - Fun Friday. The class works together to earn this time by moving the "Fun Friday Bus" located on our front board. The bus moves forward when the class earns a compliment, shows especially great behavior in class, at specials, at assemblies, or for various other scenarios presented by me. On this day only, students are permitted to bring in games from home, including hand held electronic games. Remember, the game is the sole responsibility of the student.
How do I get missed work if my child is absent?
According the Student Code of Conduct, your child is given 2 days to complete work from an absence for each day of the absence. Therefore, if your child missed 2 days of school, they would have 4 days from the date of their return to complete any missed work. Unless your child is absent for an exceedingly long period of time, work will be given upon their return. Work will not be sent home with other students or be left in the office for you to pick up.
What if we're going away for two week?
The same rule applies for longer absences. Upon your child's return to class, they will receive the work they miss. Rest assured, they will be only the assignments of utmost importance.
Doesn't my child need harder spelling words?
Our spelling program focuses on the phonetic structure of the words being studied. In class, we review the commonality of the words and your child should be able to explain this to you at home. Through this approach, we can strengthen the ability to spell many words with familiar patterns, attempt to read new words with similar patterns, and become a competent speller of words that they will actually use on a daily basis. There is truly no merit in learning to spell the word 'entrepreneur' if it is a word that they most likely do not have a clear understanding of and will likely not use often.
What is the reading log?
Each night, Monday through Thursday, the students are required to read for 15 minutes in addition to any homework that evening. They should keep track of the time on the calendar page for that month in their agenda book. The students themselves should be entering the time they read, for example: 5:50-6:10. They should then obtain your signature or intials as verification. Periodically, I will spot check the reading logs and students who have been correctly keeping the log and reading each night Monday-Thursday will be rewarded.
What is the Daily Five?
The Daily Five is our literacy program.
When will I see my child's work?
Each Monday your child will bring home a folder containing all of the classwork and checked homework that was completed during the previous week. Take the time to review the papers inside with your child, paying close attention to any notes written by me. Please sign the attached sheet, make any comments you feel necessary, keep all of the work at home and return only the empty folder to school by Wednesday at the latest. Rewards will be given to those who return the folder on Tuesday.
Will there be chances to volunteer in class?
Absolutely! I value the assistance from the volunteers in my classroom. Opportunities to volunteer include Meet the Masters, Sunshine Math Grader, field day and party volunteers. I also need one parent to commit to helping out each Monday to help get the weekly work folders ready to go home. I will also occasionally ask our room parent to find volunteers willing to come in and help with other classroom tasks, such as working on special projects, cutting, organizing, or helping children edit their writing.
How can I help if I can't come into school?
There are MANY things that often need to be cut, counted and sorted or assembled. These can certainly be done at home. Just let me know that you are willing to do this type of work and I can send things home with your child.
How can we celebrate my child's birthday?
Birthdays are so special to our children and we love to celebrate with them, but there are a few guidelines we must remember. Treats for children's birthdays may only be brought in and served during the lunch period. The Broward County Health Department requires that all such treats must be commerically prepared and have been purchased from a store. Treats that can be individually served such as brownies, cupcakes, or cookies are acceptable, but cakes are not. Balloons, party decorations, and cameras are not permitted. Invitations to birthday parties must be handed out before or after class and only if each child in our class is invited. If only select students are being invited, please distribute the invitations outside of school.
Will there be snack time?
Yes! We will have a snack break before lunch. Please send a healthy snack with your child each day. We would prefer snacks that do not need to be eaten with a spoon or fork. Great snacks to send in include crackers, granola bars, whole fruits, or pretzels. Children who forget snacks are not permitted to share, as per school policy.
What are the agenda book and homework guidelines?
Your child is responsible for writing in the agenda book each day and having it signed each night.
Along with being a place to copy homework, the agenda book is the primary communication toolbetween home and school.
Students are required to have a parent sign their agenda book each night. This will be checked each morning and failure to obtain a signature will result in the student moving their clip on our behavior management board. Writing down their homework, completing it with effort and obtaining a parent signature requires responsibility and is part of coming to school prepared to learn. These are two of our GATOR Rules. When you as a parent sign the book you are verifying that you did indeed know what the homework assignment was AND you have checked to see that it has been finished. Each homework assignment should be given careful attention and completed with maximum effort. Homework in second grade should not exceed approximately 20 minutes. Additional reading for 15minutes should be tracked in their reading log.
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