**Contact Info**
My email address is [email protected]. This is definitely the best way to reach me because I check it periodically through the day. I have a voicemail through the office (903-842-3071) if you need to reach me by phone. I will call you back as soon as I can. My conference time is 10:40-11:30. Please call or email me if you want a conference. If you show up unexpectedly, it is very likely that I will have another meeting or parent conference at that time.
I use the online classroom management called Class DoJo. This system is used for multiple things: parent-teacher communication, behavior management, and it even allows your student to share with you what he/she is doing in class! To get connected, you can find the free Class Dojo app in the app store on your smart phone or by visiting classdojo.com/parent. You will receive two activation codes: one for you and one for your child. Use these activation codes to get connected with our classroom. You will be able to see your child’s behavior at any point in the day and they will be able to customize their “avatar” that will show up on the board in class! You will also be able to communicate with me and receive important messages and reminders. Please let me know if you have any trouble signing up.
Students will be able to earn points for good behavior like being a good listener, following directions, helping a friend, etc. They may also get points taken away for poor behavior like interrupting, not following directions, teasing, etc. At the end of each day, I will write their points on a calendar that will be kept in their take home folder. If they have a positive amount, it will be written in green and there’s nothing you need to do! If they have a negative amount, it will be written in red and a parent will need to sign on that date. (An explanation will be written.) Students will receive points for green points and they will be rewarded by “shopping” with those points in our classroom treasure box on Fridays!
I will contact you through note or phone if a behavior does not stop or becomes a bigger issue. If the behavior continues and does not improve after appropriate consequences, a visit to Mrs. Ledford will happen. There are some instances such as fighting that will result in your child going straight to the office.
*PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SIGN THE CALENDAR ON THE WEEKENDS. This is an awesome opportunity to talk to your child about the positive or negative choices they have been making during the school day. Reward those good points, they deserve it!
ACCELERATED READER
We want your child to become an even stronger and more independent reader this year! AR is a wonderful program that we use to track and encourage your student’s reading progress. AR is much different in second grade than in first. Each student will receive three colors (levels) that they may read during AR time. These levels are based off of scores from an end of year assessment they took in first grade. These levels will change throughout the year.
Each student will also be assigned a points goal. They have the grading period (9 weeks) to meet this goal and it will reset to a new goal at the beginning of a new grading period. They earn points by reading and testing on AR books.
At the end of the grading period, your child’s AR average will be entered into the grade book as 2 reading grades. If they have met their points goal, they will receive an extra 100. Each week, you will receive an AR report letting you know how your child is doing.
At the beginning of the year, we have 35 minutes of AR reading time and it will increase to 45 minutes by the end of the year.
Students will check books out from the school library and may bring those books home to read. We also have a small classroom library that they may choose from but those books are not to be brought home.
**FUN FRIDAY**
Most Fridays we will have Fun Friday. This will be a fun activity at the end of the day such as extra recess, special art project, etc. If they are in the negative points on Class Dojo they will not be allowed to participate in FUN Friday. Homework also plays a factor in the participation to FUN Fridays. We use this to motivate our students into making good choices and doing homework.
Graded papers
Your child’s papers will be coming home weekly. If the paper does not have a grade on it, it was done as a class or just simply not graded. If your child has received a low grade on a paper, your child may have the opportunity to redo this paper at home. The papers that can be corrected will have a stamp or some indication on the paper. Only these pages can be returned for grade adjustment. When these papers are returned to school, they will be regraded and a new grade will be entered in the grade book. The new grade will not be over a 70. These papers must be returned in a timely manner. If they are not returned within a 2 day period, the grade may or may not be able to be reevaluated because of grade book due dates.
Homework
Your child will have three things that they are responsible for each night. They will have a math workbook, and a take-home folder which will include a reading log to record what they read and for how many minutes. I will explain each of these things in detail. All three of these items need to be at school with them EVERY day. Students are also highly encouraged to read their AR books and study spelling words at home.
Math Workbooks
I will assign one page on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays for students to complete at home. This page will be marked with the date at the top. (One page is about four problems.) The purpose of the math homework is not only to reinforce math skills, but to help students become more independent and responsible. Students will keep a bookmark in their workbook to keep track of which page we are on. They will receive a reward for bringing their completed homework back. *This will begin the second week of school.*
Take-Home Folders Your child will bring home a take-home folder every day. The right pocket will contain items that need to be left at home. The left pocket will contain their behavior calendar and items that need to be reviewed and sent back to school. Every Monday, they will bring home reports from the previous week in their take-home folders. These reports include their weekly newsletter, Dojo report from the previous week, and their AR progress report. Take-home folders need to be signed at the end of each week unless your child has come home with red points. In that case, the folder will need to be signed that day. Take-home folders will have important notes and graded papers so please be sure to check them and send them back to school every day. There will also be a reading log included in the take home folder which will be used to record what books were read and for how many minutes each night.
Schedule
Our special time is from 10:40-11:30. Then we go to lunch at 11:45-12:15. Our special schedule is different this year. Please check the calendar for what days to wear tennis shoes.
I encourage you to make your child’s doctor or dentist appointments in the later afternoon. We learn so much during the day. As a parent I do understand that sometimes you do not have much choice in the scheduling, but I wanted to make you aware.
RIDE CHANGES
We want to do everything we can to ensure your child’s safety. If your child will be leaving campus differently than his/her normal routine, please contact me to let me know. I cannot take your child’s word for it. Unless we have a written request or a phone call, your child will leave campus in their usual manner.
BIRTHDAYS
You may send birthday treats for your child’s birthday if you’d like! We will celebrate birthdays towards the end of the day, after lunch and recess.
Second Grade Play
There has been a tradition for many years now at Troup Elementary. Each year, the second grade students attend a play and have a nice luncheon afterwards. For those of you that have already been involved with the 2nd grade play tradition, you know that we decorate according to the theme. I cannot wait!
Math FACTS
One of the math requirements for 2nd grade is to know your addition and subtraction math facts with automaticity by the time they leave for 3rd grade. Everyone starts on +0. Every day we will practice and then test on Friday. Each week we will move to the next level and the facts are spiraled (repeated). Grades may be taken on these tests, so please help me in making your child successful. Some students need extra practice at home in order to master the facts. Dollar store flashcards are great to practice in the car!
My email address is [email protected]. This is definitely the best way to reach me because I check it periodically through the day. I have a voicemail through the office (903-842-3071) if you need to reach me by phone. I will call you back as soon as I can. My conference time is 10:40-11:30. Please call or email me if you want a conference. If you show up unexpectedly, it is very likely that I will have another meeting or parent conference at that time.
I use the online classroom management called Class DoJo. This system is used for multiple things: parent-teacher communication, behavior management, and it even allows your student to share with you what he/she is doing in class! To get connected, you can find the free Class Dojo app in the app store on your smart phone or by visiting classdojo.com/parent. You will receive two activation codes: one for you and one for your child. Use these activation codes to get connected with our classroom. You will be able to see your child’s behavior at any point in the day and they will be able to customize their “avatar” that will show up on the board in class! You will also be able to communicate with me and receive important messages and reminders. Please let me know if you have any trouble signing up.
Students will be able to earn points for good behavior like being a good listener, following directions, helping a friend, etc. They may also get points taken away for poor behavior like interrupting, not following directions, teasing, etc. At the end of each day, I will write their points on a calendar that will be kept in their take home folder. If they have a positive amount, it will be written in green and there’s nothing you need to do! If they have a negative amount, it will be written in red and a parent will need to sign on that date. (An explanation will be written.) Students will receive points for green points and they will be rewarded by “shopping” with those points in our classroom treasure box on Fridays!
I will contact you through note or phone if a behavior does not stop or becomes a bigger issue. If the behavior continues and does not improve after appropriate consequences, a visit to Mrs. Ledford will happen. There are some instances such as fighting that will result in your child going straight to the office.
*PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SIGN THE CALENDAR ON THE WEEKENDS. This is an awesome opportunity to talk to your child about the positive or negative choices they have been making during the school day. Reward those good points, they deserve it!
ACCELERATED READER
We want your child to become an even stronger and more independent reader this year! AR is a wonderful program that we use to track and encourage your student’s reading progress. AR is much different in second grade than in first. Each student will receive three colors (levels) that they may read during AR time. These levels are based off of scores from an end of year assessment they took in first grade. These levels will change throughout the year.
Each student will also be assigned a points goal. They have the grading period (9 weeks) to meet this goal and it will reset to a new goal at the beginning of a new grading period. They earn points by reading and testing on AR books.
At the end of the grading period, your child’s AR average will be entered into the grade book as 2 reading grades. If they have met their points goal, they will receive an extra 100. Each week, you will receive an AR report letting you know how your child is doing.
At the beginning of the year, we have 35 minutes of AR reading time and it will increase to 45 minutes by the end of the year.
Students will check books out from the school library and may bring those books home to read. We also have a small classroom library that they may choose from but those books are not to be brought home.
**FUN FRIDAY**
Most Fridays we will have Fun Friday. This will be a fun activity at the end of the day such as extra recess, special art project, etc. If they are in the negative points on Class Dojo they will not be allowed to participate in FUN Friday. Homework also plays a factor in the participation to FUN Fridays. We use this to motivate our students into making good choices and doing homework.
Graded papers
Your child’s papers will be coming home weekly. If the paper does not have a grade on it, it was done as a class or just simply not graded. If your child has received a low grade on a paper, your child may have the opportunity to redo this paper at home. The papers that can be corrected will have a stamp or some indication on the paper. Only these pages can be returned for grade adjustment. When these papers are returned to school, they will be regraded and a new grade will be entered in the grade book. The new grade will not be over a 70. These papers must be returned in a timely manner. If they are not returned within a 2 day period, the grade may or may not be able to be reevaluated because of grade book due dates.
Homework
Your child will have three things that they are responsible for each night. They will have a math workbook, and a take-home folder which will include a reading log to record what they read and for how many minutes. I will explain each of these things in detail. All three of these items need to be at school with them EVERY day. Students are also highly encouraged to read their AR books and study spelling words at home.
Math Workbooks
I will assign one page on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays for students to complete at home. This page will be marked with the date at the top. (One page is about four problems.) The purpose of the math homework is not only to reinforce math skills, but to help students become more independent and responsible. Students will keep a bookmark in their workbook to keep track of which page we are on. They will receive a reward for bringing their completed homework back. *This will begin the second week of school.*
Take-Home Folders Your child will bring home a take-home folder every day. The right pocket will contain items that need to be left at home. The left pocket will contain their behavior calendar and items that need to be reviewed and sent back to school. Every Monday, they will bring home reports from the previous week in their take-home folders. These reports include their weekly newsletter, Dojo report from the previous week, and their AR progress report. Take-home folders need to be signed at the end of each week unless your child has come home with red points. In that case, the folder will need to be signed that day. Take-home folders will have important notes and graded papers so please be sure to check them and send them back to school every day. There will also be a reading log included in the take home folder which will be used to record what books were read and for how many minutes each night.
Schedule
Our special time is from 10:40-11:30. Then we go to lunch at 11:45-12:15. Our special schedule is different this year. Please check the calendar for what days to wear tennis shoes.
I encourage you to make your child’s doctor or dentist appointments in the later afternoon. We learn so much during the day. As a parent I do understand that sometimes you do not have much choice in the scheduling, but I wanted to make you aware.
RIDE CHANGES
We want to do everything we can to ensure your child’s safety. If your child will be leaving campus differently than his/her normal routine, please contact me to let me know. I cannot take your child’s word for it. Unless we have a written request or a phone call, your child will leave campus in their usual manner.
BIRTHDAYS
You may send birthday treats for your child’s birthday if you’d like! We will celebrate birthdays towards the end of the day, after lunch and recess.
Second Grade Play
There has been a tradition for many years now at Troup Elementary. Each year, the second grade students attend a play and have a nice luncheon afterwards. For those of you that have already been involved with the 2nd grade play tradition, you know that we decorate according to the theme. I cannot wait!
Math FACTS
One of the math requirements for 2nd grade is to know your addition and subtraction math facts with automaticity by the time they leave for 3rd grade. Everyone starts on +0. Every day we will practice and then test on Friday. Each week we will move to the next level and the facts are spiraled (repeated). Grades may be taken on these tests, so please help me in making your child successful. Some students need extra practice at home in order to master the facts. Dollar store flashcards are great to practice in the car!