Mrs. Simpson
Learning at Home
Some of the best ways to help your child at home: (1) Read with your child each evening; (2) Encourage your child toward automatic recall of basic addtion and subtraction facts; (3) Help your child practice counting mixed change to $1.00; (4) Help your child practice telling time on "old-fashioned" clocks.
For the math skills, the memorization of the basic facts through 9 + 9 and 18 - 9 is critical and a great way to begin. Traditional flash cards, dice or card games, and computer programs are just a few ideas. Mix and match to find the best way for your child. They simply MUST memorize these facts this year, and the earlier the better. Counting on their fingers or on the number line was a great way to begin but now must move to secure memorization. Third graders emphasize multiplication table memorization from the beginning of the year, so second grade really is the time to be sure the addition and subtraction skills are mastered.
Resources
Barnesandnoble.com and kindle.com both have free downloads for their online readers in computer desktop versions. Both websites give you the capability to download to these readers free samples of books as well as free samples of audio formats of books. Several "smartphones," including Android, Blackberry, and iphone, have matching free downloads. No need to purchase a nook or kindle to access these books, although those devices are nice to have and easier on the eyes than a computer screen. Once an account is set up, ebooks may be purchased, but much can be accessed without spending a penny.
Audible.com is another resource that may be helpful to your child. It is the "books on tape" concept in a high tech format. Students may follow along as they listen to the audio from either a computer or another listening device, such as an MP3 player.
Class Policies
1) Students may bring "neat" and nutritious snacks to take outside at recess time. We have an early lunch period this year, so snack time will be in the afternoon. Snacks are not required; some children are hungry before the end of the school day, and some are not.
2) Children are also welcome to bring water bottles with a sport cap to have in the classroom during the day.
3) Students may bring a light weight sweater or jacket to keep in the classroom if needed, as the temperature varies somewhat during the day.
4) Please sign your child's assignment book each night. I have asked students to take responsibility for coming to you with a pen in hand and asking for that signature, as well as for being sure required materials are in the backpack before bedtime.
5) If your child has a change of the regular way home, please send me a note as well as talk with your child to avoid misunderstandings. Thank you for your help with this. The office will not accept phoned-in changes in the way home, due to the safety issues involved. In the event of an emergency, however, please call Mrs. Randolph.
6) If your child should be absent, please send in a note for me to forward to the office so the absence can be officially recorded in the system as "excused." If you have contact with the doctor, a doctor's note is always the best documentation to send. Notes should be sent the day the child returns to school if possible.
7) Please send me a note as soon as possible to let me know of any food allergies or medical conditions I should be aware of.
8) Mrs. Randolph has asked that teachers remind parents about the safety issues regarding cell phone use in the car rider line. Due to the danger of distractions, we are asking that parents not use their phones while in the area where children are going to their cars. We appreciate your help in keeping all the children safe.
9) Our typical schedule is to have homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings only. Please read with your child every night, however. It really does help build skills more quickly.
10) It is very helpful to have all supplies marked with your child's name or initials. Even small things like individual markers, crayons, and pencils tend to cause disputes if not clearly labeled. I would appreciate your help with this.
Thank you for sharing your children with me this year! I look forward to working with each of you.
