Mrs.

Dean’s
Syllabus
2019-20
 A complete list of all state standards are available by going to…
http://ed.sc.gov/agency/Standards-and-Learning/Academic-Standards/old/cso/standards/

Language Arts
Goal: By the end of Second Grade, the students will be able to read on an independent reading level of M according to the Fountas and Pinnell system. For
Language Arts, students will be able to show fluency in their personal writing through correct sentence and paragraph structure.
Texts: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journeys, supplemental materials, and books from the following authors: Kadir Nelson, Jan Brett, Seymour Simon, Kevin
Henkes, and Patricia Polacco.
Teaching Methods: Fountas and Pinnell Balanced Literacy, reader’s workshop model, literature circles, teacher-directed Instruction, cooperative group learning,
and individual projects.
Activities: Book reports, acting out stories, SuccessMaker, self-selected reading, book talks, and centers.
Assessment: Informal testing, weekly reading tests, cold reads, formal skills test at end of each unit, class work, participation, homework, projects (group and
individual), reading record, work samples, literature circle packets, and rubrics. Assessments to be given weekly.

Handwriting
Goal: Students will be able to print letters of the alphabet correctly and gain a beginning understanding of cursive handwriting.
Teaching Methods: Teacher directed instruction, peer help, kinesthetic manipulatives, and writer’s workshop.
Activities: Projects, handwriting centers, and whole-group games.
Assessments: observations of handwriting, formal and informal tests. Assessments are given during and at the end of each unit.

Math
Goal: Students will master the standards.
Texts: HMH Go Math series, Every Day Counts Calendar Math, and manipulatives.
Teaching Methods: Teacher-directed instruction, hands-on experiences, manipulatives, and small group activities. Houghton Mifflin math will be used along with
supplemental hands-on and problem solving activities. Workshop model will be used for specific units.
Activities: Cooperative learning, partner games, projects (group and individual), modeling, problem of the day, problem solving, and Reflex Math.
Assessments: Homework will be given daily and checked for major errors in class. Informal assessment will occur throughout lessons in the form of quizzes, exit
tickets, individual practice, whiteboard work, etc. Formal assessments are given during and at the end of each unit.

Social Studies
Goal: Students will have an understanding of the local, national, and world community in which they live and how each is interdependent.
Text: "Working Together"
Teaching Methods: Teacher-directed instructions, cooperative grouping, peer help, small group activities, and individual reports/projects.
Activities: Cooperative learning, partners, projects (group and individual), and field trips.
Assessments: Informal tests, unit tests, teacher observations, written explanations and observations, discussions, charts, and projects.

Science/Health
Goal: The students will be able to use the scientific method proficiently and gain an understanding of animals, magnets, matter, and weather.
Texts: Macmillian/McGraw Hill Science
Teaching Methods: Teacher directed instruction, cooperative grouping, peer help, small group activities, laboratory and explorative experiences, and the hands-on
kits from Science Center.
Activities: Cooperative learning, partners, projects (group and individual), models, experiments, science journal, field trips, and Science Fun Day.
Assessments: Informal tests, unit tests, teacher observations, written observations by students, questioning and discussing, and science journal. Assessments will be
given during and at the end of each unit.

Note: Teacher has the right to monitor and adjust following schedule to meet the needs of the classroom. All state standards will be taught before the end of the year.

* Systems Used to Maintain a Record of Student Progress

-Second graders are assessed with the following grading scale: 100-90 A, 89-80 B, 79-70 C, 69-60 D, and below 59 U.
-For all subjects, daily grades, quizzes, weekly tests, unit tests, and projects are recorded in the grade book and are designated as a major or minor grade.
-The children use their journals and writing folder so that as time progresses, they can look back and see their own progress.
-An informal reading record notebook is also used to document student progress in Reading.
-Major Unit Assessments will be given at the end of the unit study. Spelling and reading tests are given weekly.
-80% accuracy is expected in achieving mastery of objectives.
-Second graders receive grades in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

* Student Records
A record of student grades is kept on PowerTeacher computer program.

* Homework Policy
Homework will be assigned on Monday and due on Friday. It will be listed on the weekly newsletter. Homework is passed out and the teacher reviews all directions with students.
Students take their homework home in their folder and bring it back on Friday. Students file their completed homework into the appropriate slot on or before Friday morning.

* Missed Work/Make-up Policy

Students who are absent will have their assignments waiting in their mailbox upon return to school. After talking with the teacher, all directions will be given and the student will
complete the work at home. The time allowed to make up the work will be five days. Any graded work not made up and turned in in that time frame will receive a 61. Any tests
missed will be given by the teacher at a convenient time.

* Attendance and Tardy Policies

Students are expected to be in class. A meeting with the parent will be arranged after eight unexcused absences. Ten absences are the limit, after this all absences MUST be excused.
Tardies should be monitored very closely. Students miss valuable work when they are late. Five tardies will cause a student to lose perfect attendance.

* Rules and Procedures for Managing Student Behavior (Instructional and Non-Instructional):

School/Classroom Rules
1. Do your best.
2. Keep hands, feet, objects, and comments to yourself.
3. Be Respectful.
4. Come prepared everyday.

Reward System
We will use an economy system this year. Your students will earn money and pay money for good and distracting behavior throughout the year. Each week, we will have a class
“Buy Day” where students will spend the money that they have in their account to celebrate the good behavior!

Class Behavior System

If our whole class is showing excellent behavior and earns a compliment from myself or any other adult we earn a tally mark. For every 10 tallies we will vote on a party (ice cream,
Popsicle, popcorn, extra recess, etc.) Great incentive for showcasing good behavior while in related arts, library, in line, or on a field trip!
Attendance
Attendance will occur each morning by 8:10. Children will enter the classroom, unpack and begin morning work.

Restroom
Children are allowed to go to the restroom at anytime, unless the teacher is giving directions. Students will give the taught sign language symbol when the bathroom is needed during
a time of instruction.

Pencil Sharpener
Pencils are sharpened during morning activities as children arrive at school. There are always pencils available in a bucket throughout the day to limit the distraction of the pencil
sharpener during instruction.

Presentation of Rules and Procedures

Students are introduced to the rules at the beginning of the school year. Procedures are instructed and modeled with the start of each new activity. Rules are reviewed as necessary
throughout the school year. Consequences are carried out as mentioned previously.

*Communication with Parents

Parents are provided with the following communications and opportunities for monitoring their child’s education:
1. Beginning of the year brochure, homework expectations letter, and list of school supplies.
2. A meeting in the classroom for information on class procedures, plans, discipline, methods of teaching, ways to help their child, and opportunities to become involved in the
classroom.
3. Parent/student surveys.
4. A weekly newsletter featuring events happening in the school and our classroom emailed on Sundays.
5. Homeward Bound folders are sent home on Thursdays with all graded work. Parents will need to sign this folder and return it on Fridays to let us know they have seen it.
6. Good notes as well as discipline notes are written and sent home.
7. Progress reports are sent home between report cards.
8. Personal phone calls and notes to the parent are made for good things as well as to note areas for improvement.
9. Parent conferences are set up in October/November and as needed throughout the school year.
10. A parent communication log is kept for documenting all communications with parents.
11. Our class website contains all important information.
12. Mrs. Smith can be reached via email at [email protected].
13. Mrs. Smith can be reached at 864-355-5431 after 2:30pm.