Meet your Teacher:

Greetings students and family of Cottonwood! I am truly excited to begin another here at our fabulous place of learning! I have been teaching for 17 years... and love every minute of it!

Did you know???

*I grew up in Palos Verdes, California
*I attended college at UC San Diego
*I have two children, Nikola and Gwyneth
*I am 100% Serbian
*Favorite color: blue
*Favorite hobby: Music and the great outdoors
*Favorite food: snowcaps
*Favorite Place: Big Sur

I look forward to a fun year ahead and know that each and every one of you will learn so much this year!

Websites to visit:

http://www.Classbrain.com

http://www.Funbrain.com

http://pbskids.org/lions/games/
PBS kids-This site made by PBS has some great reading games!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/whlife/index.html
White house for kids ? Wanna learn more about our wonderful country and our government? Visit this website!

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
National Geographic for Kids- Find out all sorts of interesting facts and information and even experiments that you can do at home!

http://www.starfall.com/
Starfall - This site has really fun books, stores and comics to read? or click on the words and the site will read them to you! Second grader should choose number 3 or 4.

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/

http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/palmasola/contractions.htm
Contraction challenge- Test your contraction making skills on this site.

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/
Astronomy for kids- Look into outer space at this site! You can even design your own planet!

http://www.mathfactcafe.com/view/view.aspx?t=F&g=2- Download and print your math facts!

What's New:

  

The students of Room 10 are making a great transition into second grade! I have added a link for printable Math facts. These are to be printed and studied daily.... Although we are currently working on review addition facts, feel free to assess your child and work with him/her on his/her individual level.

 

 

Challenge words, "List 2", Spellling words were sent home as an attachment with those students who earned 100% on Monday's pre-test. These are to be replaced with the regular weekly Spelling words for daily practice. The paragraph is optional for those who are up to the extra Writing practice.

Please remember to return Math daily (except for test days...normally Fridays). I ask parents to correct and sign each day to catch mistakes and reinforce learning.

Homework- Per district guidelines, 2^ND grade children should plan to spend 20-30 minutes per day, 4 day per week as a study period.  If assigned homework is completed before study period is over, the remaining time should be spent reading, studying math facts, studying spelling words, and practicing writing. Educational internet links are also highly recommended. Your child will begin using many in our lab they may also use at home. Please listen and speak with your child about what they are studying in class. Your conversation alone taps them into more learning. Our homework will come home in packets on Monday and will be due on Friday. Always detach the mini-books; repetition is key! Read and re-read these texts nightly to enhance fluency. Keep these at home to add to your home-library and re-visit them as often as possible. I cannot emphasize the important of these texts as they reinforce our spelling, grammar and high-frequency words. Enrichment packets are available when quality work is being turned in and per parent/child request.

Classroom Management Strategies- Establishing and maintaining on-task behavior and productive work standards are high priorities in our class.  Our classroom rules are designed to promote a safe and positive place for students to learn.  Respect and responsibility are stressed.  Students are expected to be on time, be prepared for class with materials and assignments in hand, and always do their personal best.

Classroom Rules

1. Respect yourself and others

2. Follow directions

3. Listen the first time

4. Raise your hand before speaking

5. Do your best work

6. Keep hands and feet to yourself

Rewards and Consequences- Our classroom uses a Behavior Chart as a way to monitor the students behavior.  Each child starts each day with its tag on Cool Kids.  If he or she is not following the rules, they will get a warning and be asked to move their tag down.  The second time their tag moves down, they will be asked to sit alone, the third time their tag moves down, they will lose their recess and if a forth warning is given a note will be sent home.  On that same token, on-task behaviors will be rewarded with such things as, stickers, a visit to the treasure box, treats and of course praise.  (See attached behavior chart.)

Communications- I believe communication between home and school is vital to your childs success.  To keep you informed and aware of what we are doing, I plan to send home a weekly Boomerang folder (Friday) with your childs completed class work. Please take the time to review and discuss these papers with your child. Keep the papers (unless other wise noted) and have your child return the empty folder to class on Mondays.  In addition, should you need to talk to me during the school year you may reach me by calling (951) 244-2585 and leaving a voicemail.  I will check my messages daily and will try to respond back with-in 24 hours.  I am also available by email if you prefer.  My email address is linked above. This e-mail link and CCE current information is available at our school website: www.ccecubs.com. This website is a brand new addition to our school management procedure. You should be able to access homework and classroom information here shortly.

Birthdays- Students may bring treats to share on their Birthday.  We recommend a simple nutritious snack.  Treat should arrive in the a.m. to avoid classroom disruption.  However, we will wait to sing and enjoy the treat until our afternoon recess.  You may also wish to purchase a Birthday Book with your childs name on it as a donation for our school library.

Volunteers- The students of Room 10 love their volunteers! Please notify me of your availability. I normally like to have volunteers work in Reading center in the a.m. (see our schedule). I also like to send work home to parents who are willing but unable to make it in to class. Clearance is necessary in order to work in reading groups. Guidelines for clearance are posted in the back-to-school CCE folders. I review clearance and availability and post a volunteer schedule in September.

Supplies- Please send your child with the following:

          8 x 10 whiteboard
          eraser

          whiteboard markers

          bacterial wipes

          pencils

          child-safe scissors

          glue stick

          ruler

*Please label these with your childs name. Permanent markers work great for thi

Photos