Welcome to

Second Grade

where learning is a hoot!!

Ms. Sowa
Room 205
Religion, Math, Social Studies & Science

Welcome to Second Grade Room 205!!  I look forward to teaching your child and to an enjoyable and successful year together.  I am very excited to teach second grade as it is such a special year for your child.  How wonderful it will be for them to learn about and to celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion!!

RELIGION – A primary focus of instruction in grade two is the preparation to meet Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The children learn about the Sacrament as a sign of God's forgiveness and are encouraged to show their love by acts of penance. They learn to share God's peace and forgiving love with others.  First Reconciliation is scheduled for Monday, January 10th and Friday, January, 14th.  After Reconciliation your child will be preparing to receive the precious body and blood of Jesus in their First Holy Communion.  They will do this with all of the second grade members of St. Bernadette.  Your child will be scheduled for a day at a later time.  More information will be sent home about the preparation and fulfilling of both of these Sacraments.

MATH - Math is taught everyday in Second Grade and your child will earn a letter grade for their work.  Students will be working out of a consumable textbook and take notes in a notebook.  Many different learning approaches will be used in class to reach all students.  We will be doing paper/pencil work, hands on activities, playing games (educational ones) and reading math related stories.  It is important to obtain a strong math foundation and to be comfortable and independent in learning it.  Expect to see math homework on a daily basis.  Most often it will be in their workbook or a worksheet page, it will not be scored, however points will be given for the completion of the assignment.  Homework assignments, classroom work and tests will all be counted towards their grade. 

SOCIAL STUDIES - Social Studies is taught two days a week and learned from a textbook.  Our curriculum focuses on how we live together in communities and we will exercise doing that by working as a community in the classroom.  Again, do not expect to see this book come home as we share it with both rooms as well.  This subject is also graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory. 

SCIENCE - We will be learning science and health three days a week.  We have a science textbook that we will learn from as well as hands on activities and labs.  We will start the year learning about Life science and we will be raising and releasing Monarch butterflies!!  Do not expect to see the book to come home as we share them with both classrooms.  Homework will be occasional and the grading is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

What’s Going on in the Classroom?

Please look for weekly updates on what is happening in the classroom on Schoolnotes.  You can locate it by going to new.schoolnotes.com

Grades can be viewed using the log in assigned for your child on www.rvsgradebook.com.  You may also contact me via email through gradebook.

F.Y.I.

Birthday snacks – When sending in treats, please, please, please make sure that you include napkins and plates (if needed).  And also make sure that any treat is already divided or cut into individual pieces for your child’s classmates.  I do not keep a kitchen knife handy to take on this task!!  I love to celebrate birthdays and the above just makes it smoother!

Water bottles –Water bottles will not be permitted in the classroom.  I know that the classrooms get hot and your child will get plenty thirsty so I plan to adopt First Grade’s water dispensing system.  Each child will have two small plastic cups, one for my classroom and one for them to keep in their bins in room 206.  They will have an opportunity to take drink breaks in the classroom. 

Gym is on Thursdays and Fridays.   Please make sure they are dressed properly for the weather, as in sweatshirts and/or sweatpants as the weather turns cooler.

Homeroom – Please make sure that your child gets to school on time.  The earlier, the better for car riders.  The time before announcements is very important for second graders to prepare for their day.  It is less stressful for your child not to be rushed to unpack their book bags, sign up for lunch, hand in assignments, start morning work, sharpen pencils, etc.  Classes start promptly right after announcements and having a hurried morning can throw your child off track for the day. 

Supplies – Please check with your child on a regular basis to make sure they have the supplies needed.  Crayons, glue and pencils run out or disappear quickly.  Christmas and Easter are great times to replenish!!

Second grade is an important year for growing, both spiritually and independently.  I look forward to working with you to achieve both for your child!!

Do your part to save the Earth….Remember to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.