Welcome to Second Grade

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Welcome to Second Grade!

• Sarah Gahl
• Mohr Elementary
• 2003-2004

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About Me

• Originally from San Ramon, California
• Teaching since 1992 (3 grades and English in 3
  states and 1 foreign country)
• Continuing Professional Development
• Work at Stanford, with National Board, my own
  studies

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Philosophy

• Teaching and learning is the what occurs when
  teacher, learner, and content meet
• All are important pieces of this equation.

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Goals for the Year

• Independent learners
• Critical thinkers
• Excited seekers of knowledge!

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Curriculum

• Based on California State Standards for Language
  Arts and Math
• Beginning to align with State Standards for
  Science and Social Studies
• Describes what students should know and be able
  to do by the end of the year
• Using two new curricula this year - expect change!

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Reading

• Fluency, Comprehension, and Expression
• Houghton Mifflin Anthology Text
• Guided Reading
• Independent Reading

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Writing

• Mechanics (grammar, capitalization, punctuation,
  spelling)
• Daily Oral Language
• Weekly spelling words and dictation
• Writers Workshop
• Rhetoric (expressiveness)
• Writers Workshop

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Mathematics

• Numeric Operations and Math Concepts
• Scott Foresman
• Mad Minute
• Problem Solving
• Mathland Math Journal and Math Log

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Science

• Standards skills in 3 branches of science --
  Physical Science (simple machines) Life Science
  (life cycles) Earth Science (rocks and minerals)
• Houghton Mifflin Series
• Investigation and Experimentation standards
• Classroom experiments
• Science Fair

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Social Studies

• Introduction to types of social organization,
  notable people, and world issues
• Houghton Mifflin Text
• Time For Kids
• Nonfiction reading
• Geography Challenge

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Speaking

• Focus on oral presentations with attention to
  phrasing, pitch, and modulation
• Reciprocal teaching opportunities
• Monthly speeches
• Class plays

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Assessment

• School level -- Fall, Winter and Spring
• Continuum-based report card
• District level -- Fall and Spring
• Class size reduction assessments
• Writing sample
• State level -- Spring
• Statewide standardized multiple-choice test in
  language arts and math

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Tribes

• Mohrs approach to character education, based on
  four principles
• Attentive Listening
• Mutual Respect
• No Put-Downs
• The Right to Pass

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Supporting Your Child

• Encourage daily practice
• Assist with remedial math concept work
  (www.onlineintervention.com)
• Pose higher-order questions about what your
  student reads

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Nuts and Bolts

• Scheduling
• P.E., Music, Computers, Library/Buddies
• Policies
• Snacks and drinks
• Homework
• Behavior
• Absences
• Ways to Support the Classroom
• Activity Fund
• Volunteer
• PTA, SCRIP, Aluminum Can Drive

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Ways to Contact Me

• Email (sgahl_at_pleasanton.k12.ca.us)
• Schedule a meeting (after school please)
• Phone [phone] x26)

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I am looking forward to a wonderful year!

• Questions?