Back To School Parent Letter From Mrs. Hedberg

August 22,2012

Dear Parents,

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be teaching your precious children.  This is my 11^th year teaching 2^nd grade at Mill Creek Elementary.  I love second graders; they are my favorite brand of kids!

My purpose in writing this letter is to give you an overview of the second grade curriculum and my expectations for your child, in order that they may have a successful year of learning!

I believe one of the most effective tools for enhancing your child’s education is good communication between home and school.  Communications will be ongoing throughout the year via Friday Folders, notes, phone calls or-mail.  My number here at Mill Creek is 585-3065 ext 650.  My e-mail address is Lhedberg@msd.134.org. All classroom news will be available on my blog.

Just type the following in the URL bar    mrshedbergsclass.blogspot.com  

Please check the blog weekly for important dates, weekly spelling lists ,and link to weekly reading homework if you choose to do this with your child.  Homework or practice work is optional and available if requested but will not be assigned daily.  Families are so busy it is my hope that you will find time to just let your child read for enjoyment and play games and do activities as a family!

Reading The reading program is in two parts on grade level instruction and at grade level instruction.  Your child will receive second grade direct instruction and small group instruction geared to your child’s individual learning needs, thus meeting the needs of all learners at every level!  I provide a reading homework link that is optional on the classroom blog site there is one page per day if you feel your child needs extra it is available. You will find them linked by date. Each skill sheet provides important at home practice of second grade skills taught such as high frequency words, phonics, nonsense words, vocabulary, and fluency passages. Individual and class reading incentives are provided each month beginning in October I will send home a Book it Calendar to log reading minutes at home is your child would like to participate they may earn a free Pizza Coupon each month if they reach the goal set by the parent!

Spelling will be provided in connection with the Open Court Reading program, a pretest will be given on Monday.  Students will bring home their pretest and the post test will be given on Fridays. The first ten words are phonics based; additional vocabulary words are connected with the weekly stories and will be included as challenge words. However, grades will be derived only from the first 10 on the list. You may also look on my blog to find the new spelling rule and list of words each week! You can look on the back of your child’s communication folder and find fun to practice their words at home or click the Spelling City link on the class blog.

Math:  The Middleton School District is currently in the process of aligning our current math program Envisions Math to the new Common Core State Standards.  We will be focusing a great deal on the process and procedure of getting the correct answer.  Your child will be learning a variety of different strategies for solving math problems and different ways to understand and make sense of numbers.  The Common Core State Standard will be driving out instruction, some lessons may be utilized from the Envisions program as a resource.  You may get familiar with the new math standards by visiting my blog as I will be adding a link to these standards this year for parents to view. I am currently working on how to link those.  In the meantime you can see them if you go to http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/mathematics/

Social Studies and Science includes the study of Communities, Government, Inventions, Air and Weather, Solids and Liquids.  If you would like to participate in any way during the study of one of these units I welcome guests to come and speak or share their enthusiasm for the subject.

Art    I try very hard to integrate art into the second grade curriculum as much as I can to enhance learning.  I believe children should have the opportunity to express themselves and experience different art medians whenever possible. I am looking for an Art Mom, if you are interested in teaching a monthly art project and can commit to just one hour a month, please let me know. I have created lessons based on famous artists such as Matisse, Monet, O’Keeffe, Picasso, and Rivera, my students enjoy the study of Art.

 Appropriate classroom behavior is expected at all times in the classroom.  Good behavior is always recognized and rewarded.  I believe in positive classroom management and take a “Love and Logic” approach to discipline in general.   I use a ticket system were students are rewarded for exhibiting positive behavior and good study habits. The tickets may be redeemed for prizes or privileges.  At the same time inappropriate behavior and poor choices come with consequences.    I fill out a weekly comment sheet on the back of your child’s Friday folder so you can review your child’s attitude /behavior, and in class work habits each week. 

Thank you for following our school wide Rules The M & M’s  

Make Responsible choices

Maintain the Right to Learn

Show Respect to all

I am looking forward to a fabulous year with your child and feel privileged to touch their lives.  It is my desire to arouse the curious minds of my second graders and to nurture their true potential.  My favorite quote sums up why I love my job…

I touch the future. I teach.

(Christa McAulliffe)

Thank you,   Mrs. Hedberg