Guided Reading

We participate in Guided Reading through a Reader’s Workshop approach 3-4 times a week. The children will all be screened at the beginning of the year and then put into flexible groups. The groups may change throughout the year. The children will be reading books each time they are in Guided Reading that are at their independent reading level. The children will know 90% of the words. Basically, this approach relies on teaching the children many strategies or “tools” to use to become successful and fluent readers. As their confidence builds, so will their reading ability. The children will be trying to successfully read the 10% of the unknown words to them by using these strategies or “tools”. During this time, the children will be also learning skills, working on their comprehension, and doing extensions. You will see your child dive into reading, enjoy it (if they don’t already), and see their confidence increase through this program. When they are not in their Guided Reading group, they will be listening to stories, writing, working on word work, and much more.

Library Books

Please have your child return their library books on time each week so that they can check out new ones. This should be your child’s responsibility. I encourage you to have a routine setup for caring for their library books so that they are not misplaced. Once I know our Library check-out day, I will communicate that information to you.

Lunch Recess

They will be going outside unless the weather does not permit it. They will rotate between going to the gym and playing games in their classroom when going outside is not an option. If your child needs to stay inside because of an illness, injury, allergies, etc. please send a written note. I will only keep them in for 3 days without a doctor’s written note.

Math

We are using an excellent hands-on, vocabulary enriched math series this year. Your child will be getting a very in-depth experience. Instead of touching on a lot of topics briefly, the Everyday Math series creates problem-solvers by engaging them in very real-life, practical situations. We also will be engaging in math games.

Math Sundaes

Towards the end of the year, we have a motivational program to help us remember our basic addition and subtraction facts. I do not believe in the traditional timed test because I feel that it can be a very stressful and detrimental to your child’s self-esteem. I have added a different twist to this concept. I focus on the progress of them learning the facts. They can take as much time as they want and then they have to try to beat their time without missing more than 1. This focuses on accuracy and quality instead of speed. To get ready for this, please try to practice their addition and subtraction facts throughout the year. We will be learning and reviewing strategies to help us learn them in the beginning of the year. Please try to reinforce this throughout the year.

Meet Mrs. Fisher

This is my 19th year of teaching. During my first year of teaching, I taught 3rd grade at Epiphany Grade School. The next 5 years I taught 2nd grade at Brigham Elementary. I taught at Prairieland since it opened in 1999-2000 school year. I am very proud and happy to be a Benjamin Bear and have the privilege of being a part of this beautiful school. I graduated from Bloomington High School where I had the unique experience of having my father as a teacher and a coach. My mother is also a retired teacher from Bloomington High School, but I wasn’t lucky enough to have her for a teacher.  My husband is a teacher as well and teaches adapted P.E. at Grove, Northpoint, and Pepper Ridge. He also has his own business and teaches teenagers how to drive.  We have three children who all attend Benjamin Elementary School.   I think it is pretty obvious that teaching is literally in my “blood”. I graduated from Illinois State University and received my master’s degree in Administration.

Meeting Individual Needs

I am dedicated to working with your child to meet his/her individual needs throughout the year. I really focus on maintaining and/or improving their self-esteem. I am dedicated to consistently keeping them challenged. I will help them through their frustrations and motivate them to attack new challenges. I have extension activities and centers set up at all times throughout the year. These activities are offered to all the children. If you ever have any concerns or questions about this, please do not hesitate to call me for a conference. Your insight is the Key to all of this working.

Parent Volunteers

As I have stated earlier, I like to engage children in their learning. Being actively involved in their learning allows for more motivation, connection, growth, and fun!!! To have this active environment, parent or grandparent volunteers would be very helpful. There will be a volunteer sheet sent home for you to fill out. Please keep in mind that you are always welcome to join us at anytime. Please remember that you have to go through the Unit #5 volunteer screening process to be able to help at school. 

Portfolios

Your child will have a portfolio that will consist of their BEST work, special activities, important work, creative poems, etc. The children will be keeping the majority of their work here at school. As I have stated previously, I like to engage the children in their learning through “hands-on” activities. Please do not expect a lot of “paper” to come home. However, this does not mean that we are not working hard and learning new things. Please utilize the newsletters to communicate with your child about their learning. They will be taking these portfolios home right before Christmas vacation and at the end of the year as well.

                         Programs

We will be having a Thanksgiving Program and a Mother’s Day Program this year for all of your family to enjoy. I will try to let you know in as advanced notice as possible.

Report Cards / Progress Reports

Report cards are sent home 3 times a year. This is a new reporting system this year. Progress reports are sent home in the middle of every trimester to communicate your child’s progress.

Snacks

Healthy snacks are always welcomed in Second grade!!!! Please provide an individual snack for your child each day. To respect and ensure the safety of our class-family, I am asking for no peanut products or items made in a peanut factory.  Fruits and vegetables are highly encouraged.  We do have students with food allergies. We will be having snack each morning since we eat lunch at a later time.

Special Events Outside of School

I truly enjoy being a part of your child’s life. If they are in any special events (piano recitals, soccer games, gymnastics, swimming, baseball games, basketball games, performances, etc.) outside of school, please let me know. I will make every effort to be there!!!!

Spelling

In second grade, our spelling program will include two components: sight words and word patterns. The sight words are words that are most frequently used in writing. Each week, the students will be given  words to study. These words are learned best through practice and memorization. In addition to the sight words, the students will study a word pattern each week. These word patterns may consist of word families, prefixes, suffixes, or word parts. Throughout the week, the class will practice spelling, writing and reading words from this pattern. The challenge words are given to all students and are optional.  There are two dictated sentences using the words from the week.  In addition, there are 5 try-it out words that follow the same pattern but have not been studied.  This is to show that your child can apply the pattern.  Our tests will be on Friday.  We do practice our patterns each week through word work.

Star Student

I will be sending home a note letting you know when it is your child’s week. When it is their week, they will need to bring in a bag that is special to them somehow, and 3-5 items that are also special to them. Please try not to send all toys. I would like to see family pictures, trophies, or other sentimental items. Pets are welcomed, but please call me ahead of time to arrange a good time. They need to work on their Star Student Poster. They need to bring the items in their special bag to school and Star Student Poster on the day of their Star Student Presentation. All the children will listen to your child discuss and explain their items and then we will be making a class-book based on the information they learned about your child. During this time, I really focus on giving and receiving put-ups or compliments. Parents may join us for this fun activity. Your child will get to take this book home to share with the family, and then it can be added to your home library. Your child may bring in a star student treat to share with the class. Bringing a peanut-free treat for the class is completely up to your family.

Water Bottles

Your child may keep a water bottle on their desk throughout the year. I have explained to the children that they are not to play with them. If this is a problem, the water bottle will be sent home with a note and will not be allowed to come back to school.

Weekend News

At the beginning of each week the children will be writing in their Weekend News notebook about their weekend. This is a great way to see their writing development throughout the year. It also gives the children a chance to go back and reflect on their year.