Second Grade Open House - Shanghai American School, Pudong Campus: This slide show outlines the curriculum taught in second grade. It also outlines the units of study, assessment tools, information for parent volunteers, and homework expectations.

1. Welcome to Second Grade
Tell me, and I might forget. Show me, and I might
remember. Involve me, and I will understand.
M rs . N az li, M rs . R ob in so n, M r. R om ard & M rs . Tuck er
Shanghai American School, Pudong Campus - September 2011

2. Overview
Introductions
Expectations
Core Subjects
Interdisciplinary Units
Grade Level Assessments
Homework
Visiting Your Child’s Classroom

3. Our Goal
Our goal is for each student to experience
success in an enjoyable and challenging
educational atmosphere.
We view education as a partnership between the
teacher, student and parents.

4. Reading Workshop
“If parents understood the huge educational
benefits and intense happiness brought about by
reading aloud to their children and if every parent
– and every adult caring for a child – read aloud a
minimum of three stories a day to the children in
their lives we could probably wipe out illiteracy
within one generation.”
- Mem Fox, Reading Magic

5. Reading Workshop
Our balance literacy program includes read-aloud,
shared, independent, and guided reading opportunities
in different genres.
Each student reads at their independent level
Each student selects ‘just right’ books for classroom and home
reading
It is important to understand the focus is not the
level of reading, but on gaining meaning from
reading to prepare students for a future academic
life of interacting and understanding all texts.

6. Your children will...
Not just decode text, but learn strategies that help them:
Think
Understand
Interact
Reflect
Infer
Synthesize
To obtain these strategies children need to slow down and
become thoughtful readers.
This slowing down gives children time to refine strategies and
become more active, fluent readers.

7. Writing Workshop
Writer’s workshop is an exciting program designed to develop
students’ love of writing, while incorporating prewriting, writing
and revision skills.
We encourage our students to learn that the process of writing is
as important as the end product and that writing is a useful,
everyday tool to communicate.
Writers Workshop Units:
Small Moments & Personal Narratives
Realistic Fiction
Nonfiction and Research
Poetry
Persuasive Writing

8. Word Study
Each student will work at their own level on learning words
through meaningful and enjoyable discovery activities.
Activities call for active problem solving, encouraging
students to discover what they know about a new word and
how it is similar to words they already know.
Weekly word study activities:
Monday - Open Sort where students explore and sort words
Tuesday - Explicit teaching of the word study pattern
Wednesday - Exploring new words that follow the pattern
Thursday - Practice of patterns
Friday - Review and assessments

9. Everyday Math
Learning Corporation University of Chicago School Math Project
This is an enriched mathematics curriculum that empowers students
to understand mathematical content far beyond simple arithmetic.
The emphasis is to develop more meaning to math by integrating
data gathering, analysis, probability, geometry, patterns and algebra.
Mathematics becomes part of the ongoing classroom routines, outdoor
play, and the spare transitional moments that occur every day.
What will you see being sent home:
Family Letters - sent home at the beginning of the unit
Home Links - homework for students who require reinforcement of concepts or skills
Family Math Game Kit - pick up in the kit in your child’s classroom
Assessments - sent home at the end of each unit
Challenging Math Games - posted on classroom websites

10. Science and Social Studies
Me As An Eagle - All About Me
Our Cool School - School Community
Wonderful Weather - Air & Weather
Continents and Oceans - Geography
Celebrations Around the World - Culture
Gravity in Motion - Balance & Motion
Our Solar System - Planets, Sun & Moon
Plentiful Plants - Life Science
Market - Goods & Services

11. Assessments
Rubrics
Peer Assessments
Self Assessments
Ongoing Anecdotal Notes
Checklists
Independent work
Group Work
Common Assessments
Tests and Quizzes
Oral and Visual Presentations

12. Homework
Purpose:
Reinforce skills and concepts
Extend educational opportunities beyond the walls of the classroom
Develop independent learning habits
Time: Homework should take no more than 20 minutes
Classroom teacher - 10 minutes
Language Learning Block Teacher - 10 minutes
Occasional collaborative family projects will be assigned on
weekends

13. Homework
Homework Suggestions:
Designated Time - With your child, decide on a specific time for
homework to be completed everyday
Designated Space - With your child, decide on a quiet, comfortable
spot for homework to be completed everyday
Supplemental Homework - Family field trips, board and card
games, activities posted on classroom websites, practice workbooks,
after school activities, etc...

14. Parent Volunteers
Parent Volunteers:
Classroom parties and activities - room parents will notify you of events
Helping teachers and teaching assistants with the preparation of materials
Attending Field Trips - being responsible for a group of students
We encourage parents not to work directly in their child’s
classroom on a regular day. Previous experiences have shown
that children whose parents work directly in their classroom
often become distracted and rely on their parents for assistance.
Lunch with Your Child: You are welcome to have a special
lunch with your child. However, you may only dine with your
child in the MS/HS cafeteria. If your child would like their
friends to join you, please enjoy lunch in the ES cafeteria.

15. Messages from the PTSA
Important Dates
Founder’s Day - 16th Sept
9:45 - 10:45 2nd Grade Celebration
1:15 School wide parade
3:00 Swim team 100 Leap Rely
Centennial Carnival - 15th Oct
2 Game Booths
Halloween Parade & Party - 31st Oct

16. On Going Programs
Literacy Program.
The present task is reorganizing the book room.
This involves putting the books into alphabetical order, counting each title and checking
the books against a database, then putting the books back into labeled baskets.
Library
It is more than just putting books back to the shelf
It is a fun place to meet other parents.
Eagle Shop
10% discount on all items during your work day

17. Important School Websites
Elementary School
http://teachers.saschina.org/espudong
Mrs. Sanna Robinson
http://teachers.saschina.org/srobinson
Mr. Mike Romard
http://teachers.saschina.org/mromard
Mrs. Elizabeth Tucker
http://teachers.saschina.org/etucker

18. Visiting Your Child’s Classroom
Mr. Romard - Room 121 (diagonal from this board)
Mrs. Robinson - Room 120 (across from this board)
Mrs. Tucker - Room 136 (behind from this board)