Here's some information about homework......
According to the district guidelines, second grade students should spend approximtely 20 minutes a day on homework. Please let me know if your child is experiencing any problems during homework time with you.
Math
Deer Valley Unified School District has adopted two new math programs this school year: Envision Math and Investigations. There are many options offered to teachers through these two curricula, so I'll be trying different variations of assignments to see what best fits the students' need for learning and my need to assess their understanding.
The work booklet from each lesson has a "home - school connection" feature which gives excellent ideas for activities you can do with your child at home to reinforce and practice the skills and concepts they are learning.
I'm finding that the kids need more than one day to cover the booklet that goes with each lesson, so I won't be using that for homework. They seem to need more classroom support to be successful with that piece. Also in class, I am supplementing the EnVisions booklet with lessons from the Investigations program. Don't be alarmed if you don't see the booklet coming home each night. For homework, I'm sending math facts practice sheets so your child will get to the point where they can recite the facts automatically. Please complete both sides of the homework sheets! This skill is crucial for mathematic success in future grades.
Reading
Providing opportunities for your child to read will help further his or her literacy. Thrift stores and book exchanges are great inexpensive sources of books, and of course, the library is free! Allow the children to choose books that interest them. Read to them and with them. It will be a great investment that will help your child attain the goal of reading 90 words per minute by the end of second grade.
The following is a list of upcoming stories we'll be covering in reading class in case you wish to look for these titles in the public library to give your child additional exposure to the text.
- The Enormous Turnip by Alexei Tolstoy
- Helping Out by George Ancona
- Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane by Cynthia Rylant
- Hedgehog Bakes a Cake by Maryann Macdonald
- Lemonade for Sale by Stuart J. Murphy
Spelling
There will be spelling homework Monday through Thursday as follows:
Monday - Write the spelling words three times each or create spelling word flashcards to use the entire week as a study aid. Be sure to use your very best handwriting!
Tuesday - Write the spelling list in ABC order.
Wednesday - Write a short story using at least five of the spelling words. Use proper punctuation and capitalization, spell the words correctly, write sentences that make sense and go together.
Thursday - Study for the spelling test on Friday.
