Mount Horeb

PC

This is my 22nd year teaching in the Mt. Horeb District. I have a bachelor’s degree from UW-Whitewater and a master’s degree from National Louis University. My husband Mitch and I live in Mt. Horeb with our three children, Hannah (12th gr.), Ashley (9th gr.), and Eric (5th gr.) We also have a dog named Bella.

Students are let into school at 8:05. They have the option to purchase nutrition break. If your child wants to take part in the morning snack/breakfast, he/she should let a duty teacher know and they will be let into school before the 8:05 time. Students do not need to sign up for nutrition break.

Our day begins as soon as students arrive. The students are responsible in the morning for being ready for the day which includes sharpening pencils, getting new reading books, turning in folders, giving me notes, and filling their water bottles. We do hot/cold lunch recording, attendance, Pledge of Allegiance, and our Daily Language review book.

For our Opening Activities we do a Morning Message, Calendar, and Weather chart. We have some specials that begin at 8:05 or 8:10.

Second graders will learn about the following science topics this year:*Light

*Sound

*Magnets

*Electricity

*Dinosaurs

*Animal Habitats

*Matter

*Assessment will done through end-of-the-unit tests.

Our Social Studies topics include Maps and Globes, Communities of the Past, Citizenship, and Working in a Community. We will be going on several walking fieldtrips as part of our social studies curriculum. We will walk to the fire station, post office, Folk Art Fair, police station, and the Mount Horeb Historical Museum. Other bus trips this year are the Overture Center, Folklore Village, and the IMAX theater. Eugene Woller will talk to us about bee keeping and Carolyn Richards will talk about Dinosaurs. It is great to have parent volunteers help on our fieldtrips!

*Assessment will done by classroom participation.

We will be using the K-6 math series Everday Math. Everyday math is a program that: Uses problem solving approaches based on everyday situationsUses a variety of formats for frequent practice of basic skillsUses an instructional approach that revisits concepts regularlyUses a variety of mathematical concepts beyond basic arithmetic (numbers and numeration, operations and computation, data and chance, measurement, geometry, patterns, functions, and algebra)There is a homework portion called “Home links.” My class has a Homework Folder that comes home every Friday. The math home links for the week will be in the Homework Folder. The home links are due the following Wednesday. I encourage parents to help their child with the home links. Home links are meant to support what your child has learned in school. If your child is having difficulty with a particular home link please contact me and I can discuss it with your child.Assessment will done through end-of-the-unit tests. 

Gym: Mr. Steck (Mon. Tue. Fri.)

Music: Mrs. Underwood (Mon. Thur.)

Art: Mrs. G (Wed.)

Guidance: Mrs. McKee (Fri.)

Library: Mrs. Kabler (Thur.)

Students have recess before lunch. Recess begins at 11:00. After recess, students go to lunch at 11:30. Parents are welcome to join their child for lunch. Please send a note or call the office before 8:30 if you plan on eating school hot lunch.

We have snack in the classroom at 1:50.

Students may purchase milk at this time (chocolate or white)

Students bring their own snack from home.

Classroom snacks must be nut free.

These are the components of Writer’s Workshop (students like to call it “making books”):

Mini lesson

Teacher Modeling of writing

Writing time for students

Sharing of writing.

I also use the 6+1 Traits of Good Writing which focuses on Ideas, Word Choice, Voice, Organization, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, and Presentation. Often, we will read a book showcasing one of the traits and then do a writing activity based on one of the traits. Assessment will be done through teacher critique.

We will be beginning guided reading as soon as possible. During this time, I meet with small groups who have similiar reading abilities. The reading series we use is called “Literacy by Design.” While I am reading with small groups, the rest of the class is working on independent reading, writing, listening to books on CD, and word work. The students have their own “Book box” which contains appropriate books for their reading level.

Fridays will be devoted to whole class instruction on reading and language arts themes that integrate science and social studies.

Assessment will be done through MAPS and benchmark tests.

1. Most weeks students will have two or three math home link sheets to complete. Math homework will be sent home on Friday and should be returned the following Wednesday.

2. For spelling, the students will have “word study words.” Our word study program is called Words Their Way. This is a classroom program. There are not weekly “spelling” tests. We will also focus on 30 sight words this year.

3. Students should also read at least 15 minutes each night. We will be doing the Golden Dot Reader program. Please record on the monthly reading sheet how many minutes your child read that day. At the end of the month return the sheet to school. Your child will then add a sticker to their Golden Dot. Our class can earn books for our classroom from Mrs. Johnson’s Golden bookshelf.

4. Occasionally, the students will have a science assignment. There will be a Habitat Research Project in February/March.

Dismissal is at 3:15. Students will always walk out the doors by the gym. If you are picking up your child, the best spot would be on the playground or by the parent-pick up car lane.

Our Classroom rules are posted on the file cabinet by my desk. This is our Classroom Constitution. The Classroom Constitution will be written by the students. If a student doesn’t follow one of our classroom rules, he/she will fill out a “fix-it”slip. Any “fix-it” slips will be sent home in the Friday Folder. Serious problems may result in the loss of recess minutes and/or I will notify parents about the issue. The PC also has a positive reward program for students following directions and rules. When students are caught following rules, they might earn a token. The tokens are collected in our classroom. When we reach 20 tokens we exchange it for a gold token. When the PC collects 100 gold tokens, the whole school gets a reward. Our class can also earn classroom rewards.

Weekly newsletters will be sent via email. Please email me with any questions or concerns you may have. I am not always able to check telephone messages or emails during the day, so if you have a “going home” change of plans, please call the office and they will get the message to me.

Email: langetracy@mhasd.k12.wi.us

Phone: 437-2400 ext. 5131

The students will also bring home a Friday Folder which will contain important notes. Please sign the behavior sheet and return the folder to school on Monday.

Please check out my website on the District Web page for more info.

I am looking for volunteers to help in our classroom during our Daily 5 time. The times are as follows: Monday –Thursday from 12:30-1:25. Parents will be helping with the Word Work center of the Daily 5. Volunteers can be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. If these days and times do not work and you would still like to volunteer please contact me and we can set up a different time. Thank you!

Volunteer in our

Classroom!

We have 23 students in our class.

Birthday treats are fine to bring as long as they are nut free. Birthday invitations should not be handed out at school.

Conferences will be 1st/3rd quarter. Report cards 2nd/4th quarter.

If your child is to take medication at school he/she must have a parent note and a doctor’s note. Cough drops must stay in the office.

I try to send home book orders once a quarter. Please do not send cash. Please make your check payable to the book club.

Each child will have a week to be the “Star Student.” I will send home a poster and info. the week before your child is the “star.”

I look forward to working with you and your child this year. It is going to be a

wonderful year filled with exciting learning activities!