Parent Corner

The Parent Corner

Everything You Want to Know About Your Child's Second Grade Year in Mrs. Domanski's Classroom

Class Web Site

I believe in providing excellent communication to parents and students in my class.  You will find our classroom blog loaded with information for parents and children.  I update our site often.  I must admit, I'm proud of our blog and its contents, so be sure to check it out!!!

E-Mail Correspondence

I check my e-mail throughout the day.  It is a great way to get instant feedback to your questions or comments, and I encourage you to contact me this way.  My e-mail address is sdomanski@nbisd.org

Due Dates for Assignments

Classroom assignments are generally due the next school day after they are assigned.  Class time is always given to complete assignments.  Students may need to finish an assignment at home if it is not completed during the given class work time.  This is in addition to the normal assigned homework.

Monday Mail

A Monday Mail Newsletter will be sent home every Monday along with correspondence from the office.

Graded Papers 

 Student's work from the previous week will be sent home every Tuesday.  After carefully reviewing all of your child's work and checking for any teacher comments or requests, please sign, date, and return the folder Wednesday morning.

Math

The units of study include, but are not limited to, numeration, place value, addition and subtraction with and without regrouping, time, money, linear and liquid measurement, fractions, geometry, and problem solving.  Students will be introduced to the multiplication facts at their own pace.  A variety of math manipulative materials are used to support the program and allow for self-discovery.

Language Arts

The second language arts program incorporates reading, spelling, grammar, writing, and penmanship in daily activities.  These activities provide experiences for growth and development of reading skills by meeting the individual needs in phonics, decoding, and vocabulary development.  Written communication focuses on the various writing genres and emphasizes correctness in handwriting.  Our high quality, literature - based program offers opportunities for the students to increase his/her interpretive comprehension skills.  The program is supplemented with thematic integrated novel units.

Reading Logs

Daily reading at home is extremely important to building fluency and enjoyment of reading.  Every child is expected to read at home daily.  Reading practice aloud with an adult is preferable.  The children should read a minimum of 20 minutes everyday. This is something every child is capable of doing.  The weekly requirement is 100 minutes, and reading on both Saturday and Sunday is encouraged.  Parents should initial the calendar inside the homework folder daily indicating that their child has read.   Each Sunday please write (on the calendar) the total number of minutes read during the previous week.

Book Talks

Every child is required to read daily at home and maintain a reading log.  Toward the end of each month, students will choose one of their "at home" reading selections to share with classmates in a "Book Talk" setting.  The children will sit in random circles of 4 to show and talk about a favorite book from the month's reading.  Students must bring the books to show to their group.  They May (not required) also bring posters or other items to help capture the group's attention to the title, author, or story.

Spelling

We will cover a different spelling principle each week.  The students will receive spelling words each Monday and be tested over them on Friday.  Students who make below 70% on Friday's spelling test will receive suplimental spelling activities the following week to help ensure their success. 

Science

Units in Science include, but are not limited to, plants, animal, motion, weather, the night sky, seasons, living/nonliving, basic needs of plants and animals, water cycle and natural resources. 

Social Studies

Units to be covered are; good citizenship, maps and globes, local history, local and national governments, freedom week, settlement patterns, historical figures and events, and economics.

Exciting Reciting

Every other Friday the students will be expected to recite or present a predetermined assignment.  The project will be announced in Monday Mail.  Examples of assignments may include:  reciting a short poem or tongue twister, talent showcase or readers' theater.  My goal with these activities is for the students to become more comfortable with public speaking and presenting.

Music of the Week

Each morning, as the students enter the classroom, there will be classical music, international music, or music from a specific genre or time period playing.  During morning moments we will discuss the composer, artist (if applicable) and the piece of music. 

ACE
Academic Enrichment

We will do many activities throughout the year that will challenge and stretch the thinking of the students.  These activities may include, but are not limited to:

        Idiom of the week -  Each week we will discuss a different idiom and its meaning, literal and symbolic.  This activity will expose students to a vast vocabulary and improve their creative writing.

        Sign Language -  The first week of school I will begin teaching the students the alphabet in sign language.  This is a great way for students to practice their spelling.

        Character Development - Character development is of vital importance in the education of children.  It is achieved through daily instruction and modeling.  Lessons are continually planned to enhance and develop each student's character growth.  There will be character lessons on the word of emphasis for the month.  Examples:  honesty, responsibility, compassion, service, and generosity. 

Student of the Week

Each week there will be a different "Student of the week."  The specific week will be posted on the web site.  Each student will need to bring a poster board, reflecting themselves, to be displayed for the week.  Students may also bring their favorite book to share with the class.

Literacy Projects

Each grading period the students will have a literacy project covering different genres.  More information will be sent home in Monday Mail.

Mastery Club

I believe that students should be challenged to learn as many new things as they can.  Saying "I'm bored" is not going to happen in my classroom!   Students may become members of my classroom Mastery Club.  Students who achieve 20 accomplishments or more become members of the Hall of Fame and will have their name added to the Hall of Fame board in our classroom.  Their name will remain there as long as I am teaching.  These challenge activities may be done at home or at school.

Snacks

Students may bring a HEALTHY snack to eat mid-morning.  Good items to send for a snack would be fruit or vegetables, applesauce, yogurt, cheese sticks, crackers, or juice.  Please DO NOT send items with lots of sugar in them.

Accelerated Reader
A.R.

Students will receive a classroom A.R. goal for each term.  This based on the student's individual reading ability.  They are required to earn 10% of their goal each week.  Students who have not accomplished this will be required to read at recess.  I encourage you to log on to the accelerated reader website and follow your child's progress.  I will send directions and information about this during the first or second week of school. 

Parent Volunteers

I cannot imagine teaching without the assistance of parent volunteers!  Parents play a critical role in the functioning of our classroom.  In order to help in the classroom or chaperone on field trips, all volunteers must fill out the district volunteer form and attend an orientation.