Second Grade
Mrs. Hawkins’ Class
All About Me
• Born in Pittsburgh, PA
• Attended Clarion University of PA
• Moved to Fayetteville, NC
• Taught 5th Grade for 2 years
• Taught 1st Grade for 4 years
• Followed my family to Cornelia, GA and taught 2nd
Grade in Habersham County for 2 years
• Recently married on July, 23rd and moved to
Atlanta to teach at Austin
A Typical Day
• D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read)
• Math
• PE/German/Recess
• Read Aloud
• Word Study
• Writers Workshop
• Reading Workshop
• Lunch
• Science
• Social Studies
• Buddy Study
Homework
ASSIGNMENTS AND PROCEDURES HELPFUL HINTS FOR HOME
• Assignments are written in newsletter • Convey your expectations about
• Will be a variety from different homework to your child
subjects • Set aside a special time just for
• Reading and Buddy Study every night homework
• Sent home and returned in Homework • Set up a proper study area
Folder • Show interest in your child’s
• Checked daily assignments
• Graded (late assignments will have • Offer praise as motivation
points deducted)
• Students completing all assignments
for the week will get to pick from the
treasure box.
• Students completing all assignments
for the month will receive a homework
pass.
Language Arts
• Word Study
• Read Aloud
• Interactive and Shared Writing
• Reading Workshop
• Writing Workshop
Word Study
Systematically planned and applied experiences focusing on the
elements of letters and words. The goals of Word Study
are as follows:
• Knowledge of how to look at and use features of print
• Knowledge of large core and high-frequency words
• An understanding of simple and complex letter-sound
relationships
• The ability to notice and use patterns in words
• The ability to use a repertoire of word-solving strategies
• Skill in using references, resources and proofreading
Read Aloud
The teacher reads a story aloud. The goals of Read Aloud are
as follows:
• An appreciation of literature and knowledge about the
written language
• How to make personal connections to what they read
• Skills in how to have a discussion about reading, and the
connections that are made
• The ability to recognize the parts of a story
• The ability to hear the expression and fluency of an
experienced reader
Interactive and Shared
Writing
A group writing process where the students and the
teacher share the pen on chart paper. The goals
of Interactive and Shared Writing are as follows:
• How to express their ideas in writing
• Knowledge of letter names, handwriting and skill
• How to make connections between letter sounds
and words
Reading Workshop
One way of organizing a balanced literacy
program. The purpose of reading workshop is
to promote fluency, provide and occasion to
promote the love of reading and learn about
texts in various ways. Reading workshop builds
a community of readers as students receive
support from the teacher, their peers, and
interact with others to develop good literacy
habits.
Reading Workshop
The goals of reading Workshop are as
follows:
• An understanding of strategies that will
benefit them while they are reading.
• The ability to respond to literature in
Reading Response Journals
• The ability to make decisions about their
own reading
Reading Workshop
Reading Workshop consists of three main parts:
• Mini lesson
• Reading
-Guided Reading groups
-Conferencing
-Reading Response Journals
• Share
Writing Workshop
A forum for students to Writing Workshop consists of
independently write while the three main parts.
teacher guides the writing
towards publication. The • Mini lesson
goals are as follows:
-Based on their needs
• Students write uninterrupted • Conferencing
• Knowledge of the essential • Share
parts of a story and a feeling
of ownership over their work
• Synthesis of the strategies
from other Language Arts
components into their writing
Math
• Classes are homogeneously grouped
• How are they grouped?
1. CRCT and ITBS scores
2. Teacher Observation
3. Previous classes in 1st grade
• Classes are flexible
• Same skills are taught using different techniques
• 6-week pacing guide
• Homework and grades will come from your child’s
math teacher
Science/Social Studies
• All classes teach the same topics at
the same time
• Skills are often taught using
projects, literature, experiments,
and technology
• Second Grade pacing guide
Buddy Study
A different approach to spelling.
• Students are tested on the “No Excuse” word list
• Missed words become their “Words to Learn”
• Five words are picked from their “Words to
Learn” folder and five are picked from class
generated list (based on a Word Study lesson
from that week)
• Students complete weekly activities that promote
retention of the spelling of these words.
Buddy Study
Weekly Buddy Study Activities:
Monday: Choose, Write, Build
Tuesday: Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check
Wednesday: Buddy Check
Thursday: Making Connections
Friday: Buddy Test
Get ready for a great
year!
For questions, comments, or concerns,
please contact me at
Jennifer_L_Hawkins@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us