Mrs. McNeil’sBack to School

Night

Room B42015-2016

All About Me

New Mom

Teaching 13 yrs.

Married for 11 yrs. to the best guy ever!

Master’s Degree in Education Administration

2/3 Combo – what does that look like?

MATH2nd stays in our class for math3rd graders are deployed to 3rd grade ‘Homeroom’ (Ms. Starks, Mrs. Varas, and Mr. Luhnow). They go to the same rooms dailyMath is from 8:00 – 9:30 dailyMath classwork, homework, tests and grades are given by the math teacher.

Science, Social Studies, Technology RotationsAll afternoon rotations will begin Monday, September 28th and are 3x/week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) from 12:40 – 2:002nd graders will rotate to Mrs. Lunsford for Science, Mrs. Grindstaff for technology/art, Mrs. McNeil for Social Studies3rd Graders will go to their ‘Homeroom’ and then rotate with that group of students as follows: Mrs. Varas for technology, Mrs. Starks for Science and Mr. Luhnow for Social StudiesAll grades will come from the teachers who teach the class. (for example, I’ll give all social studies grades for the 2nd grade etc.)

Spelling/Reading Leveled spelling groups based on

incoming Words their Way assessment Spelling lists will come home on Monday

on colored paper Students will only be tested on 12 of

these words on Friday Spelling pattern more important than the

word itself because it translates to different unknown words

Individual lists also available on SpellingCity.com

Writing Hearst is helping to pilot Lucy Calkins

writing program Blending both curriculums together so

far Currently highlighting narrative writing

for both grade levels with a focus on small moments (i.e. not my entire trip to Sequoia but rather the moment I saw General Sherman)

Field Trips/OpportunitiesField Trips

Our entire class will attend a play this year – together

2nd Grade San Diego Zoo program (end of the year)

Fossils exhibit (November/December)

3rd Grade Floating Lab (end of the year)

Practical Arts (begins Monday)

Different prices per grade level because of the different field trips/experiences that they’ll have. Be on the lookout for 2nd or 3rd grade opportunity letters/costs

QUESTIONS?

Our Classroom Webpage

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/jmcneil

District passwords

Check it for updates about the class – calendars, class work and homework

Password cards will come home soon

Internet Access Online testing for both grade levels

2nd Grade GATE test is now online this year

3rd Grade State testing is completely online

Students need multiple opportunities to get online to master typing skills, word processing skills, internet searching skills etc.

Wireless mouse would be helpful for our class (recommended supply list)

District agreement must be signed before students can use the devices

Weekly Email

Comes home Friday Afternoon Includes anything from

Dress up days Field trip info Any class/campus updates

Please enter your email address on the computer on the back table!

Class Policies Achievement

Student centered – this is the year to make them accountable

Homework Policy Cover page comes home on

Monday – keep it in your folder all week, return it on Friday (with spelling and reading log completed)

Math/literacy pages come back the next day

Homework

Monday: Blog on Class Webpage, SpellingCity

Tuesday: Typing, Spelling Word Sort/SpellingCity and Math

Wednesday: Reading Comprehension Worksheet, SpellingCity and Math

Thursday: Google Search, SpellingCity and Math

Nightly Reading Homework

Math/Spelling Scores

If four or more are missed on either the spelling or math tests, they will need to be signed and returned so that I know you are aware of the grades.

Students will correct missed math problems with crayon on their test during class time.

If you need to sign a math test: I can help with routines, or extra work to practice the skills

Timing of our other activities

Tuesday Library and Folk Dancing

Thursday PE

Friday Reading Buddies

Classroom Procedures

MONEY This class is based on an economy

– everything costs money (i.e. Pencils, erasers, bathroom passes etc.)

Each student has a classroom job – they earn $5.00/day for their job.

$10.00 in Rent for the use of their desks is collected every Friday

Earning Money Do your class job Bring in Box Tops for Education (10

boxtops = $1.00) Losing Money

Messy Desks (Student Custodian’s job)

Moving your class discipline number Spending Money

Pencils, bathroom, store Free bathroom opportunities

2nd Graders - Sight Words 1,000 Most Common words in the

English Language Begin with List 1 When they can READ them fluently,

then sign the list and return it to class

Students will be tested ASAP

Volunteering To Volunteer

Fill out the application from the Office Even if you would like to drive OR

chaperone on ANY field trip Volunteer Schedule is on the back

table

Food Allergies!

Please limit food to all fruit popsicles for any birthdays etc.

Please let me know ahead of time that you are planning on bringing them in so we can find a time when we’re all in the room

Our time is limited because we rotate, so it would be either just before recess (9:50) or just after recess at 10:15

The Ongoing Wish List Store Items!!

Small boy/girl items that cost less than $3.00.

$1.00 or less is best!

Leftover party toys etc.

Baby Wipes Colored Cardstock - letter size

– bright colors Colored Copy Paper Staples/Target gift cards

We have two Room Parents!Patty Murphy & Denise

KellerAny announcements?

Questions? Comments?

It’s going to be a great year! I can’t wait to get to

know each of you and your children even more!

We’re going to have a blast together!