Things are coming along!

Hello Parents of Super Second Graders,

     Our first week together was a beautiful success. We read, wrote, used problem solving and teamwork, designed structures, analyzed books and laughed often. Thank you for sending your young student to me with adequate rest and nutrition. It makes our days so enjoyable.

     In second grade, readers and writers are establishing the personal culture of what type of readers they will become. Many imagine themselves already as fully self-extending, able to self-select materials for both interest and propriety for their ability and contextual understanding. Others fall at the other end of the spectrum, reading more reluctantly and often with a scattershot approach that leads them on a less linear growth profile. With this the case, I would encourage you to look closely at your young reader and help guide their attitudes towards reading. 

     Reading should be emphasized as simply a fun, productive, normal part of life for both adults and kids. We read to glean information, for entertainment, and for communication. Children should understand reading through this same lens. Reading should not feel like a test and should not be carefully evaluated and commented upon by all adults in their lives. Read to and with your child, picking out one or two things to work on together without overwhelming them with tasks. Celebrate the many successes of your child, both small and large, without cheering for reading "harder" books or "longer" books. Instead, talk about the books that they are reading as you would with a friend, emphasizing that books are about ideas, not about evaluation. 

     With this in mind, I will be beginning individual and small group reading instruction next week. I am a coach to the students, with vast knowledge of the literacy acquisition process, and will help guide them according to their needs. Beyond this, the whole class will be benefitting from lessons in both the technical side of "how" we read and the more meaningful long term understanding of "why" we read and comprehend texts. In order to accomplish both of these tasks we will be reading from series of award-winning authors and books chosen specifically for your child. Please make sure to complete your child's book box project by Monday if at all possible. That way, we can start filling their personal library with appropriate texts. 

    Currently we are exploring the books of David Weisner, an author whose carefully illustrated books are full of mystery and intentional moments of inferential necessity. With his books we have reconnected with the joy of discovery associated with books while emphasizing that reading is about ideas, not simply word solving. We have compared and contrasted his texts and made connections to other texts and our own experiences. We will continue with his books for just a touch longer before delving into a new study. 

    Back to school night is this next Thursday with two sessions available, one at 6 and the other at 7. The same information will be covered at both meetings. Please plan on attending without children. 

    Thank you so much for both the flowers and student supplies on the first day of school. They brightened my days. 

    Take care and enjoy your special kids.

     Best,

         Andrew Smith

This Week’s Highlights

August 31- September 4

Open house on Thursday from 6-7

Phonics and word study focus

H digraph review (ch, sh, th)

Reading focus

Comprehension focus: Narrative structure and inference work based on the books of David Weisner

Book club individualized strategy lessons: Lessons created for specific skill outcomes based on individual and group needs

Focus books: Getting back into school, responsibility, and the novel The Chocolate Touch

Writing focus

Conventions- Spacing, Feeling ending of sentences, Periods and Capitals,

Writing skill- Narrative structure and the writing process

Topical writing- Narrative, “What I Did Not Do On Summer Vacation” Student choice: “My Version of The Three Pigs” or “My Magical Juice Recipe”- building from our reading of Freckle Juice.

Math focus

Math journal problem solving through visual models

Individualized challenges

Computation- Fluency with groupings and arrays

Social Studies focus

Introduction to Geography

Science focus

The House of the Fourth little Pig STEAM challenge

Homework

Daily reading

STEAM+ Weekly Schedule

In addition to the work we do in class, our students get to spend time integrating learning through all content areas with our STEAM+ specialists. Here is the schedule for your convenience.

Mondays- Library, Please return books.

Tuesdays- Physical Education, Please wear appropriate clothing
                 Art,
                 Science Lab

Thursdays- Technology

In the near future we will be starting our music classes and visits to our Innovation Center for engineering exploration.

Spanish instruction will begin in the near future as well thanks to our brilliant PTA.
               

8/24

                                                              This Week's Highlights                                                         
                        
                                                                    August 24-28

Open house on Thursday, September 3rd from 6-7

Phonics and word study focus

Review and assessment

Reading focus

Comprehension focus: Narrative structure and inference work based on the books of David Weisner

Book club individualized strategy lessons: Lessons created for specific skill outcomes based on individual and group needs

Focus books: Getting back into school, responsibility, and the novel Freckle Juice

Writing focus

Conventions- Spacing, Feeling ending of sentences, Periods and Capitals,

Writing skill- Narrative structure and the writing process

Topical writing- Narrative, “What I Did Not Do On Summer Vacation”

Math focus

Math journal problem solving through visual models

Individualized challenges

Computation- Repeated addition as multiplication in “draw me a star” project inspired by the Carle title

Social Studies focus

Science focus week

Science focus

The House of the Fourth little Pig STEAM challenge

Homework

Build a book box!

About Mr. Smith

                                                     

Though born in Boston and raised in Minneapolis, I have lived in San Diego since 1991. I was educated at UCSD, where Art History and Education were my foci. I have been teaching at Del Mar Heights School since 2001. I live in Del Mar with my wife, Amy, who is a teacher at Del Mar Hills Academy, my son, Grant, who is in fourth grade here at The Heights, my daughter, Lauren, who is in Kindergarten at The Heights as well, and my old dachsund. I enjoy surfing, soccer (Tottenham Hotspur are my team), Baseball (Viva Los Padres!), and great books and films. I also coach, write, and play music regularly.

 My classroom is a caring and rich environment where children can immerse themselves in learning. Students learn to work autonomously and cooperatively on assignments that challenge them appropriately. Students learn that reading and writing can be fun, preparing them for a lifetime of enrichment and enjoyment.

 I hope that you will want to spend some time in our classroom as a parent volunteer. You might tutor individually, you might sing a song with us, you might get a little messy, but you will be involved. Please make it a priority to visit your child in class a few times during the school year. The children are really encouraged by a parent who comes to spend time with us. Additionally, they learn that school is important- just like Mom and Dad’s work. If you want to volunteer, I only ask that you sign up for the time you are coming- it helps me make the best use of you as a resource for the children. More information about signing up will be forthcoming

Your child needs to bring a body that is well-nourished and a mind that has had enough sleep. He or she needs to bring appropriate clothing for the weather since we will be outside daily. He or she needs to bring a HEALTHY snack to nibble during our daily morning recess. No candy, I plead to you, for my own sake.

Educational Philosophy:
It is my goal that each student develops a passion for learning and the responsibility and confidence necessary to follow that passion. I work hard to teach each child as an individual, meeting their specific needs and encouraging their strengths. I also strive to teach each child that they are part of a larger community- a community who will care for them and to whom they are responsible.

In order to reach these goals I:
-Create an environment that nourishes confidence and allows students to feel safe while pushing themselves towards greater goals.
-Create an environment that nourishes both positive individual decision making and community spirit.
-Offer motivating and meaningful activities that both teach skills and authentic applications of those skills.
-Implement structures that allow a maximum of individual instruction time with each student.

Statement of Beliefs:
-The parent is the child’s most profoundly influential teacher.
-Student self-esteem and security is critical to development of an enthusiasm for learning.
-Each student is important and must be taught at their level, offering challenge and support in instruction.
-Achievement requires hard work.
-Learning does not stop when the school bell rings.

-Student activities should prepare children for thinking and living both in and out of school.