Guess Who? Smile Edition!

Directions: Take a minute to look at the adorable smiles up front! See

if you can guess which child belongs to YOU!!!

“They may be small, but they sure do have some BIG smiles!”

WELCOME TO: Olive B. Loss Elementary

Mrs. Jennifer Monyak Second Grade

Our Daily Schedule8:40 –9:05 AM Activities/Morning Routine9:05 – 9:50 Guided Reading/Math9:50-10:35 Guided Reading/Math10:40-11:25 Related Arts11:30 – 12:00 Small Groups12:00-12:30 Recess12:30-1:00 Lunch 1:05-1:50 Writing/Social Studies or Science1:50-2:35 Writing/Social Studies or Science2:35 – 3:05 RtI (Tuesday-Thursday) Phonics (Monday & Friday)3:05-3:15 Pack-up3:20 Dismissal

Team Teaching • Ms. McCullin and I will teach our

students together this year.• I will be responsible for teaching math

and social studies. Ms. McCullin will teach guided reading and science. We will both teach phonics, small group reading, grammar and writing.

How Will This Work?• At 9:05 students will either join Mrs. Monyak for

math or Ms. McCullin for reading. At 9:50 students will switch and have the other subject.

• At 1:05 students will either join Mrs. Monyak for social studies or Ms. McCullin for writing. At 1:50 students will switch and have the other subject.

• Right now we will keep students together as a homeroom.

• Our goal is that once we have a good understanding of our students’ academic abilities, we will group students according to their needs.

Advantages of Team Teaching • Students will receive expertise from two teachers

instead of one. • Teachers focus on one subject at a time and can devote

all the attention to this subject instead of dividing time. Teacher then becomes an expert in this subject.

• Input about ways to help students succeed comes from two teacher’s perspectives.

• More differentiation: students will be grouped by needs at the beginning of each unit. Struggling students will receive more time spent on mastering basic skills. Advanced students will receive more challenging assignments once they have mastered skills.

Communication• Teachers will plan together weekly so that each knows

what is happening in all subjects.• Teachers will communicate with each other weekly

about any difficulties a student is experiencing so that a plan can be made by both teachers.

• All students will use the same behavior chart so that the same behaviors are expected in both classrooms.

• Both teachers will communicate with parents throughout the year.

• A parent is welcome to contact either teacher with questions or concerns.

• Both teachers will collaboratively complete interims and report cards.

A Little Bit About Mrs. Monyak!

• I am from Newark, DE. I am married to my husband John and have three children: Alex-20, Andrew- 8 and Grace- 6.

• This is my 17th year of teaching, all in the Appoquinimink School District.

• I taught at Cedar Lane Elementary for 6 years. This is my eleventh year at OBL.

Mrs. Monyak’s Education…

• Master of Curriculum Instruction from McDaniel College, Maryland (2006)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from the University of Delaware (1996)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, University of Delaware (1989)– Trained in:

• 6 +1 Traits• TERC (Math Investigations)• Smithsonian Science Kits • Delaware Writing Project • Common Core/LFS

• I am from Newark, DE.

• This is my 11th year of teaching. • I taught in the Christina School

District for 5 years.

• This is my sixth year at OBL.

A Little Bit About Ms. McCullin!

• Master of Education in Elementary Education from: Wilmington University, New Castle, DE

• B.S. in English Education from: University of Delaware, Newark, DE

• Trained in: – 6 +1 Traits– TERC (Math Investigations)– Smithsonian Science Kits – Delaware Writing Project – Common Core/LFS

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Ms. McCullin’s Education...

Common Core State Standards

What are they?• They were created by Council of Chief State

School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), teachers, parents, community leaders, researchers, and experts. Common Core matches up with college and work expectations, incorporates rigorous content, higher order thinking skills, previous state standards, and ensures that students will be ready to compete in the global world.

Common Core State Standards

Why?• To clearly communicate to everyone (teachers,

parents, and students) what the standards are for success. Teachers will know exactly what students should learn and provide benchmarks to achieve success.

• Most states have adopted Common Core to make a more unified system of standards.

• For more information: http://www.corestandards.org

• Framework for thinking about, planning, and delivering instruction using EXEMPLARY practices! These practices have proven successful in highly impacted schools where 90+% of ALL students are performing at or above grade level.

• Integrates current educational research and practices.

• Driven by our Common Core Standards.

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What Is Learning-Focused?

What to Expect From LFS?• Learning maps for reading and math

that give the students a visual aid as to what they will learn throughout the units.

• LFS binders for reading & writing as well as math. Learning maps, student work samples and important papers that correspond to the units will be placed in these binders. Students will use these binders in class as well as at home to review concepts and skills taught in class.

• Each unit will follow the Common Core Standards.

• Units covered throughout this school year:Unit 1: Getting to know story elements (character development,

setting, plot)Unit 2: Features of non-fiction (text features, word meaning, main

topic details)Unit 3: Evaluating narrative texts (story structure, summarizing,

central message, lesson, or moral)Unit 4: Comparing different versions of the same storyUnit 5: Comparing and contrasting information (author’s

purpose/main purpose, author’s reasoning)Unit 6: Poetry/rhymed textUnit 7: Persuasion (author’s purpose/main purpose, author’s

reasoning)Unit 8: Research

Our Reading Units for this School Year are…

Reading-Guided Reading Block

• Comprehension– Activate prior knowledge– Set purpose(s) for reading– Make reasonable predictions (picture walks)– Read for meaning – Understanding WHAT we are reading– Make connections to text– Answer oral and written comprehension questions– Summarize text– Make inferences– Extract story elements (character, setting, problem

and solution)

• Vocabulary (context clues)• Phonics• Fluency

– Goal by end of year is 90-100 wpm– Expression/intonation– Appropriate pace and rate– Accuracy – Attend to punctuation

More Reading Notes…

As your child is reading, check to see if he/she is…

Small Group Instruction

• Differentiated Instruction to meet all students’ skill levels

• Groups of children meet with the teachers while other students work independently.

• Practice reading fluently, review phonics and other skills, extend learning of vocabulary and new concepts

• Use leveled readers which are designed to support concepts, develop concepts or extend concepts based on students’ skill levels.

RtI- Response to Intervention

• RtI is the practice of providing high-quality instruction and intervention matched to student’s needs and monitoring progress frequently to make decisions about changes in instructional strategies.

• Students that qualify to be part of a small RTI group must meet for 30 minutes 3 times a week.

• While in small group with the teacher, students will be working on skills specific to their need, such as phonics, fluency or reading comprehension.

• All students will be working on enrichment activities to promote critical and creative thinking. The students will have opportunities to learn from other second grade teachers as well as staff members from the Related Arts team.

LITERACY - Writing Block

• Writing for a variety of purposes.• Follow the writing process

– Brainstorming– Prewriting– Rough draft– Revision– Editing– Final copy

LITERACY - Writing Block

• Forms of writing– Friendly letters– Informative pieces– Expressive pieces – Narrative pieces – Persuasive pieces– Poetry

“6 TRAITS” OF GOOD WRITING– Ideas– Organization– Voice– Word Choice– Sentence Fluency– Writing Conventions+(***PRESENTATION***)

LITERACY - Writing Block

LITERACY - Writing Block

• Writer’s notebook• Grammar• Speaking, Listening, Viewing• Research/Study Skills

LITERACY – Word Work

Spelling– The weekly list with 12 words will be sent home at

the beginning of the week. – Spelling tests will occur on Friday.– Your child will be responsible for practicing their

spelling on their own during the week. – Spelling words reinforce the pattern practiced during

our phonics instruction– Test will include 12 practiced words, 2 transfer words

(words that were not on the list, but have the same spelling pattern), and 2 dictated sentences to assess maintenance of patterns.

Our Math Units for this School Year are…Unit 1: Mathematical PracticesUnit 2: Addition and Subtraction and the

Number SystemUnit 3: Shapes, Arrays and FractionsUnit 4: Patterns, Fractions, and Change Unit 5: Addition and Subtraction and the

Number SystemUnit 6: Addition and Subtraction and the

Number SystemUnit 7: Data AnalysisUnit 8: Measurement

• Smithsonian /FOSS Curriculum• Hands-On Science Kits• Units we will work on in 2nd

grade:– Insects…(Fall)– Balance and Motion...(Winter)– Soils…(Spring)

Be Prepared to Learn, while having FUN!!

Science

• Our social studies units are aligned with the Delaware Content Standards.

• Units covered are:– Respect in Civil Society (Civics)– Trading Partners (Economics)– Scarcity and Wants (Economics)– Writing the History of the Past (History)– Landforms and Climate (Geography)

Social Studies

What is MAP Testing??– MAP stands for Measures of Academic

Progress. – These are tests that help us know what

skills and concepts in reading and mathematics the students know and what the students need to learn.

– The students will take the tests on the computer.

– The students take the test 3 times per year.

How Does MAP testing work?

– With MAP tests, the questions are displayed on the computer screen.

– The student will select an answer using the mouse or the keyboard.

– The difficulty of the test will adjust based on how the student answers the questions.

– No two tests will ever be the same. It will build a test just for the individual student!

Why Take MAP tests?– We want to find out exactly where

each of our students are performing in reading and mathematics.

– That will best help us know how to help our students and what you should be working on to improve the most.

Meet the OBL Related Arts Team

Katie Martinenza – MusicBarb Bobik – Physical Education

Greg Ciccone – ComputersCary Fentzloff – Art

Pam Broomall – Counselor, Social Skills(Not pictured) Megan Zarzycki - Library

Positive Behavior Support

• School Wide Expectations • Behaviors are taught, modeled,

and expected by all• ABC’s• Wise Owl Program• Behavior sticker sheet used in

both classrooms.

• Weekly Spelling Words – Spelling words will include words with a common spelling pattern.– The list will come home on Monday. There will be a weekly spelling

test on Friday. There is no assigned spelling homework, but your child is responsible for practicing their words during the week.

• Reading at home each night – helps prepare students for story/unit assessments. This also helps the children to become better readers.– Reading Log – 10 to 15 minutes EVERY night.– Reading Comprehension sheets

• Math Sheets-go along with our daily math lesson.• Homework will come home daily. Please send it back in your

child’s take-home folder. • Important considerations:

– Routine– Environment – Agenda Book recording habits

Homework

Classwork• Because of scheduling this year, there will

NOT be a workroom. • Students will be responsible for bringing ALL

unfinished class work home.• Students will need to return this work to

school the NEXT day.• If your child misses an assessment, your

child will finish it at some point, during the school day.

• Class work is a very important part of learning—it is very important that your child complete each assignment given.

• Friday Folders– Weekly progress will be stated in a

report along with additional work habits or comments for the week.

– Please read and sign each weekend.

– Return the folder on Monday.

Friday Folders

Appoquinimink District Birthday Policy

• Appoquinimink School District has decided that food is no longer allowed for birthday celebrations.

• If you would like to send in something with your child, please consider non-edible treats, such as pencils, erasers, or stickers. Another suggestion would be something for the class like a book or a game.

• Thank you for your understanding!

Snack Time! • Each student will have an opportunity

during the school day to have a snack. • Please send in a healthy snack to help

keep your child focused throughout the afternoon.

• Healthy snacks include fruit, vegetables, crackers, pretzels, etc. Please do not send candy in for a snack. “Desk Friendly” snacks are much appreciated!

• Water bottles are highly recommended.

Reminders…• It is important that you are a part of

your child’s education. • Please check the take-home folder

(blue) each night.• Please check and sign the agenda each

night.• Please sign the reading log (red).• Please sign the behavior card each

night.

Ways to Reach Us…

• Agenda Book or Take-Home Folder• E-mail: Jennifer.monyak@appo.k12.de.usErin.mccullin@appo.k12.de.us• OBL Voice Mail: 832-1343• Olive B. Loss Website:

www.olivebloss.org

THANK YOU!Thank you for coming

tonight. I look forward to being a

partner in your child’s education!