Welcome to Grade 2

My name is Lori Crocker-Lincoln and I am thrilled to be your child's teacher this year. It is my hope as partners in education we can stay in close communication throughout the year. Please don't hesitate to contact me. You can e-mail me at lcrockerlincoln@eastfordct.org

Below you will find a snapshot of the grade 2 learning experiences. 

Reading-

The grade two Reader's Workshop provides students with a variety of genre study and exploration. Students self select their reading materials ranging from narrative stories, poetry, and informational texts as well as high quality novels. The reading materials students select are at their guided reading levels to support individualized reading development throughout the year. 

Writing-

Second grade writers will be engaged in a daily Writer's Workshop. The units of study we cover throughout the grade 2 year include students developing their skills in the writing genres of narrative, informational, opinion and poetry. The workshop model focuses on students self-selecting topics of interest to write about. Grammar conventions and work on further developing manuscript writing skills are also included. 

Phonics - 

Grade 2 students also have a daily lesson in phonics during the Phonics Workshop. The workshop model begins with a mini-lesson where students are exposed to a grade 2 phonics skill such as "R-Controlled Vowels" and then have rug time where they practice the skill. This is followed by some independent time and partner time to share their work. Sharing brief writes and more formal pieces of writing with the intended audience is also a goal of the program.

Math-

Illustrative Math is a problem-based math program. Lessons in grade 2 will be presented to students digitally via the Smart Board. The math problems focus on real world scenarios and there is a focus on the teacher facilitating mathematical discourse among students. Students working in the second grade program focus on representing and solving problems using addition and subtraction, understanding place value, measuring and estimating lengths in standard units, and work with time and money. 

Science-

This year, Mrs. Lynch is joining us to explore the many exciting topics in second grade science. Our scientific areas of study include forces, relationships in ecosystems, life cycles and traits, and weather and climate.  The topics are explored with a hands-on approach and are inquiry based.

Social Studies-  

Second graders will  take part in an extensive exploration of the theme "Making a Difference." Second graders will explore how people both past and present make a difference in their community, country, and world. Grade two students will also explore how and what we decide to remember about the past. Students will look at these topics while incorporating history, civics, economics, and geography. 

Second Step is a program we use to engage students in developing their social-emotional learning skill set. Each week, students have a lesson from their teacher and a follow-up lesson from the school counselor. Areas of focus include: self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and decision-making.

Technology-

The Eastford Technology Curriculum engages students in a variety of technology skills such as file navigation, keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheets, Internet, multimedia presentations, related vocabulary, and ethical user topics. The primary digital platform used in second grade is Seesaw. Seesaw allows students choice in the way they show their learning. It is also a communication portal for both teachers and parents. 

Classroom Management-

Restorative Behavior Practices focus on behaviors. Students are encouraged to reflect on their behaviors, voice their needs, consider others who have been impacted, make better choices, and repair relationships. Focusing on behavior helps students learn from their mistakes and take action and responsibility. 

The following is a sample of one kind of restorative behavior prompt:

What happened?

How did you feel?

What were you thinking?

What were the consequences?

How can you make it better?

What will you do next time?

I  hope this gives you a brief understanding of some of the skills and concepts your second grader will be learning this year. I will be sending home weekly communications on Fridays with a more detailed account of our academic and classroom schedule. I look forward to an educationally rich year with your child. 

                                             Your Partner in Education,

                                             Mrs. Lori Crocker-Lincoln