This document provides an overview of the second grade curriculum at Shanghai American School. It discusses the goals of involving students and fostering success through a partnership between teachers, students, and parents. Key areas that are summarized include balanced literacy, math, science, social studies, assessments, homework, and parent resources and involvement. The document aims to inform parents about the second grade academic program and expectations.

1. Welcome to Second Grade
Tell me, and I might forget. Show me, and I
might remember. Involve me, and I will
understand.
Friday, September 10, 2010 1

2. Open House Overview
Shanghai American School
Jeanette Dixon, Sanna Robinson, Jackie Speece
● Introduction
● Expectations
● Core Subject and Material
● Interdisciplinary Units
● Grade Level Assessments
● Homework Information
● Visit Classrooms
September 8, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010 2

3. Goal
Our goal is for each student to
experience success in an enjoyable and
challenging educational atmosphere.
We view education as a partnership
between the teacher, student and parent.
Friday, September 10, 2010 3

4. Reader’s Workshop
Our balanced literacy program includes read-aloud,
shared, independent, and guided reading
opportunities in different genres.
Each student reads at their independent level
Each student selects ‘just right’ books for classroom and home reading.
It is important to understand the focus is not the level of
reading, but on gaining meaning from reading to prepare
students for a future academic life of interacting and
understanding all texts.
Friday, September 10, 2010 4

5. Children will ...
Not just decode text, but learn strategies that help
them:
Think
Interact
Reflect
Infer
Synthesize
To obtain these strategies children need to slow down and become thoughtful readers.
This slowing down gives children time to refine strategies learned and become more
active, fluent readers.
Friday, September 10, 2010 5

6. Writer’s Workshop
Our writer’s workshop is an exciting program designed to teach students
the love of writing while incorporating prewriting, writing and revision
skills. We encourage our students to learn that process of writing is as
important as the end product and that writing is a useful, everyday tool
to communicate.
Units we teach
Small Moments/Personal Narratives
Realistic Fiction
Non-fiction/Research
Poetry
Persuasive
Friday, September 10, 2010 6

7. Everyday Mathematics
Learning Corporation University of Chicago School Math Project
This is an enriched mathematics curriculum that empowers students to understand
mathematical content far beyond simple arithmetic. The emphasis is to develop more
meaning to math by integrating data gathering, analysis, probability, geometry,
patterns and algebra. Mathematics becomes part of the ongoing classroom routines,
outdoor play, and the spare transitional moments that occur every day.
What you will see being sent home!
Family Letters - at the beginning of each unit
Home Links - four nights of the week
Family Math Games – pick up in teacher’s classroom
Assessments - sent home at the end of each unit
Challenging math games are posted on classroom blogs
Friday, September 10, 2010 7

8. Word Study
Each student will work at their own level on learning words through
meaningful and enjoyable discovery activities. Activities call for active
problem solving, encouraging students to discover what they know about a
new word and how it is similar to words they already know.
Monday: Open sort
Tuesday: Closed sort
Wednesday: Looking for words
Thursday: Word practice
Friday: Review and assessment
Friday, September 10, 2010 8

9. Science and Social Studies
Me as an EAGLE (All about me and how I am an EAGLE)
Our Cool School (School Community Unit)
Wonderful Weather (Air and Weather Unit)
Continents and Oceans (Geography Unit)
Celebrations Around the World (Culture Unit)
Gravity in Motion (Balance and Motion Unit)
Spectacular Solar System (Planets, Stars, Moon Unit)
Plentiful Plants (Plant Unit)
Market (Goods and Services Unit)
Friday, September 10, 2010 9

10. Assessments
Rubrics
Peer Assessments
Self Assessments
Ongoing Anecdotal Notes
Checklists
Independent Work
Group Work
Common Assessments
Tests and Quizzes
Oral and Visual Presentations
Friday, September 10, 2010 10

11. Homework
Homework Folders:Students are responsible to return blue folders to school every day. All
homework, home reading books, and papers from home should be placed inside each folder.
Student Responsibilities: Students are responsible for completing reading and math Monday
through Thursday. Homework should take 30 minutes. Sometimes collaborative homework will be assigned
on weekends.
Suggestions:
Designated Time:With your child, decide on a specific time for homework to be
completed everyday.
Designated Space: With your child, decide on a quite, comfortable spot for
homework to be completed everyday.
Supplemental Homework: Family field trips, board and card games, activities
posted on classroom websites, cooking together, practice workbooks, etc.
Friday, September 10, 2010 11

12. Parent Information
Parent Volunteers:
Class room parties and activities
Helping teacher with the preparation of materials
Field Trips
We encourage parents not to work directly in their child’s classroom on a normal day.
Previous experiences have shown that children whose parents work directly in their
classroom often times become distracted and rely on their parents for assistance.
Lunch with Parents
You are welcome to have a special lunch with your child, but you may only
take your child to the big cafeteria. If your child wants their friends to join,
please enjoy lunch in the small cafeteria.
Friday, September 10, 2010 12

13. SAS Informational Websites
Principal
http://teachers.saschina.org/espudong/
Mrs. Dixon
http://teachers.saschina.org/jdixon/
Mrs. Robinson
http://teachers.saschina.org/srobinson/
Mrs. Speece
http://teachers.saschina.org/jspeece/
Friday, September 10, 2010 13

14. Please go to your child’s classroom
Mrs. Speece Room 136 (behind this board)
Mrs. Robinson Room 120 (across from this board)
Mrs. Dixon Room 121 (diagonal from this board)
Friday, September 10, 2010 14