Parent & Student Links

Sight Words:

This year, we will be providing students with individualized lists of reading sight words that students will be encouraged to practice at home. These reading sight word lists have been prepared from frequently appearing words in research based word counts. Each week, students will be working at their own pace and are to practice the words at home. The new lists will be sent home in their homework folder when they are ready to move on to the next list. When they have successfully read their list to a reading parent, Mrs. Bonning or Mrs. Ohrn, they will go on to a new list of words.

 DOWNLOAD SIGHT WORDS

Math Facts:

DOWNLOAD PRACTICE SHEETS

HELPFUL WEB LINKS :

Crane Library

• Visit the Crane Library Website

TYPING LINKS:

• Custom Typing

• Dance Mat Typing "Type on me!"

• Typing Monster

• Arachnid Falls

• Typing Tidepool

• Type Type Revolution

• Super Typing Wizard- Speed Test

Teacher Favorites:

Math Links:

• http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/Mathmagician/cathymath.html

• http://www.teachingtime.co.uk/clock2/clockwordsres.html

• http://www.hbschool.com/activity/counting_money/

• http://www.prongo.com/math/index.html

• http://www.mathmastery.com/cyberchallenge/index.cfm

• http://www.hbschool.com/activity/hrise/hrise.html

• http://www.hbschool.com/activity/add/add.html

• http://www.mathsisfun.com/

• http://rainforestmaths.com

• http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-bloxorz/index.html

• Math Magician

• Math Races

• http://www.multiplication.com/interactive_games.htm

• http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/educators/em_games

Reading Links:

• http://www.readinga-z.com

• http://www.raz-kids.com

Spelling Links:

• http://www.firstschoolyears.com/literacy/resources/crossword/longvowel/vowel.htm

• http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/Games/Quizzes/School/SilentE.html

• http://www.starfall.com/n/long-a/la/load.htm?f

Other FUN Links:

• http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids

• http://kids.discovery.com/

• http://scholastic.com/

• www.chesskids.com/kidzone/index1.shtml

• http://www.kevinhenkes.com/

• http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/games

• http://www.roythezebra.com/reading-games/long-vowel-phonemes-oa.html

• www.starfall.com

• Soft School Interactive Clock

• Vowels

• http://blogs.scholastic.com/top_teaching/2010/10/educational-games-for-classroom-and-home-practice.html

Invention Timelines:

• http://www.ideafinder.com/history/timeline/the1800s.htm

• http://www.ideafinder.com/history/timeline/the1900s.htm

• http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/kids/Problem_Board/problems/invention/timeline.html

• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/inventors/

Math:

Crane School uses Singapore Math Program.   Singapore Mathematics was adopted with the belief that students can master concepts and use higher-level mathematical thinking when using models to help solve problems.
 
Hands-on activities provide a variety of math experiences geared to reinforce mathematical concepts, build number sense, increase computation skills and help students develop their problem solving abilities.  A variety of strategies are introduced in order to expose students to various ways to solve problems.
 
On-going assessment helps us gear math lessons and follow-up activities to meet student’s needs.  Math homework is often an opportunity to follow up the day’s lesson.

 Details about Singapore Math

Math Fact Practice

To be successful in math, it is helpful to be able to recall basic math facts quickly and accurately. Fact practice is introduced in first grade and continues each year after that. Second grade students are expected to know addition and subtraction facts, zero to eighteen.  (All the facts from 1+1 through 10 + 10).

Often, we will do a timed test to evaluate student's fact knowledge. Students will have a set amount of time to say the answer.  Sometimes, we will assess their knowledge by asking them orally.

The purpose of the timed test is to help students rapidly recall addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts.   We would like the Second Grade students to move away from counting on their fingers to solve basic addition or subtraction problems in their mind.  To help prepare for the timed tests, your child can practice taking timed tests at home, use flashcards, and play games.  Go to our resource page and download practice sheets.

Here are some strategies that will help your child practice facts at home. Which strategies works best for your child?  They can decide!

Tips for Solving Single Digit Addition Problems

1.  Count up for the higher number.   3+ 8 = ?     Say 8.  Count on 3 more.  9,10,11.

2.  Use the Ten's Facts.  7+4 = ?      Think:  7+3 = 10   +1  = 11

3.  Use the Double's Facts.  4+5= ?     Think:  4+4=8   + 1 = 9 

Here are some websites that will help reinforce speedy and accurate recall of basic math facts:  If you know more fun websites for practicing math facts, let us know and we can add them to our resource page.

• Alien Addition 

• Minus Mission 

Social Studies:

This year, the social studies curriculum will focus on community.  We will begin by looking at where we live, our neighborhood and school, and then move out to the global community.  This unit will emphasize how our needs are met in our local community, our role in our community, beginning map skills and geography.  Reading and writing are integrated within the weekly social studies activities.   Students will have an opportunity to read fiction and non-fiction text and to write and reflect on what they are learning in their Geo-Journals.  Other social study themes include Immigration, Local Businesses and Biographies.  See the attached "Second Grade Year at a Glance" to see a month-by-month calendar of social studies themes.

Throughout the year, we will also be learning about ourselves as a community of learners.  We will have class meetings to share concerns, listen to one another, and offer solutions in a safe environment.  We will be working together to help one another strive to be the best we can be.  We will explore international communities and their needs and partner with Direct Relief to involve students in community service.

Writing:

The language arts curriculum has a strong emphasis on written expression.  Students will be working on the process of writing as they practice story writing, personal experience writing, biographies, report writing and poetry. Writing is also integrated in reading, math, spelling and social studies.

Students use a Second Grade dictionary or wordbook to help them spell words correctly.  During Writing Workshop and journal writing, we encourage the students to sound out unfamiliar words as they write.  This is often referred to as "phonetic spelling." This allows students to focus on what they are writing about instead of perfecting the spelling.  When students re-read their work they are encouraged to look up words they are not sure about in their wordbook.  They are also asked to spell common high frequency words and spelling words correctly in the final draft of their work.

Students are taught D'Nealian style printing and are expected to form the letters correctly in their work.  For more information about printing go to www.mcpasd.k12.wi.us/sunsetweb/resources/printing.cfm.

Second Grade Family Read-Ins: Join us for one of our Second Grade Family Read-Ins.  This is a chance for you to listen to your child read aloud and share in the pleasure of reading together in our classroom.   Blankets and pillows are welcome to help make it a cozy experience.  Our Family Read-Ins will happen during the year either from 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.  or from 2:30 to 3:00.  We recognize that many of our parents have work obligations. If you are able, you can come earlier or later and you do not have to stay the whole time. Also, grandparents, aunts or uncles, or family friends are welcome to come as well as siblings.   We will send home notice when a family Read In is coming soon.

2nd Grade Spelling Program:

In addition to learning how to spell words through the writing process, Second Grade has a formal spelling program.  Each week, students will study and learn a list of ten to twelve words. Some words will be pattern words and some might be high-frequency words or independent words they have misspelled in their writing. Students take a pre-test on Monday and then a final test on Friday.  The pre-test is used to assess students spelling proficiency with the spelling pattern and specific word list. More challenging words following the same spelling pattern, will be assigned to students demonstrating proficiency on the pre-test words.  

On Monday, a list of spelling words will go home.  Students have all week to work on learning the words.   They should take a practice test at home by Thursday and have an adult sign their test paper.  This is a chance for students to see which words they still need to study and learn before the test on Friday.  They need to return the practice test to school by Friday, the day of the weekly test.

Students who score 100% on the final test are in the 100s Club and receive a coupon.   When students are in the 100s club ten times, they will receive a special spelling certificate. 

The weekly spelling test will always be on Friday.  After students take the spelling test in class, the corrected test will be returned to students so that they can record any words that they spelled wrong in their word study notebook.  Every so often, students will have a week where their entire spelling list will be made up of these misspelled words.  If a student misspells a word, it may remain on their word list until it is spelled correctly.

The spelling program is designed to help your child become a better speller, learn new vocabulary, recognize the words when they read and to use the words in their writing. You can help by encouraging your child to study their spelling words at home.   We encourage students to use the:  Look & Say, Think, Cover, Write, and Check method for studying.  Students can practice this at the following web site.   With each new spelling list, we will include suggestions for practice including on-line web sites for your child to go to if they are interested in additional spelling activities.

Mystery Readers:

Mystery Readers are special guests who come to our classroom to read a story to students. Mystery Readers can be parents, grandparents, older siblings, other relatives or staff from Crane School.

When do Mystery Readers come?

Mystery Readers come to our classroom on E Day at 2:30 p.m. However, if a Mystery Reader needs a different time to suit their schedule, we'll be glad to accommodate!

Why use the Mystery Reader program?

Students love to see their parents, grandparents, and special friends get involved in our classroom. The Mystery Reader program allows any one who wants to become involved because it requires little time, but the memories will last forever for the surprised students!

Where do I go to sign up to be a Mystery Reader?

The Mystery Reader program will begin in September.  We will have a Mystery Reader sign-up sheet in the room at Back to School Night. We will also send a reminder home, or you can let us know through email that you would like to be involved in this program. Your child will be SO excited that you participated, but remember to keep it "top secret" until your big day arrives!

How does the Mystery Reader program work?

Once you've signed up for a date to come read to our class, you can start thinking of a book you would like to bring to read. If you don't have a book, we will be glad to get one for you. The week prior to your visit, we will send you a reminder, along with a request for five clues to read to the students the day of your visit. There should be 5 clues that start general and become more specific. By the fifth clue, your child should be able to guess that you are the special mystery reader for the day!

Reading Workshop:

Students experience reading through a literature-based reading program which allows them to read for enjoyment as well as comprehension.  Students are offered a variety of material to spark their interest.  Whole group instruction is followed by small group work, partner work and individual student practice.  Students are placed at an appropriate level based on the student's ability.  Student/teacher reading conferences allow for on-going assessment, goal setting and one-on-one teacher instruction and guidance.    Mini lessons will focus on strategies that build Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, Extend Vocabulary.   When they finish a book, they record it in a reading log, and begin a reading response.   Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to join small group literary clubs we call "book-clubs."  The group will read the same book and meet to discuss the story together.  They decide on a reading response to complete so they can share the story with the class.

Sight Words:

This year, we will be providing students with individualized lists of reading sight words that students will be encouraged to practice at home.   These reading sight word lists have been prepared from frequently appearing words in research based word counts.  Go to our resource page to download lists for practice at home.

Each week, students will be working on a new list of words and should practice the words at home.  The new lists will be sent home in their homework folder on Monday. By the next Monday, they should bring their words back to school to read to a teacher.  When they have successfully read their list to Mrs. Bonning or Mrs. Ohrn, they will go on to a new list of words.   Thank you for helping your child read through the sight words.

Portfolios

Throughout the school year, we will be collecting samples of each child's work to put in their Second Grade Portfolio.  Assignments in reading, writing, social studies and math will be included.  The teacher will select some of the pieces and the student will select some of the pieces.  The students will have an opportunity to reflect on their work, seeing areas of strength and areas that need improvement.  Students will use the evidence in their own work to make academic goals.   Having samples of their work throughout the year allows us to look at their progress over time.  Parents will have an opportunity to look through their child's portfolio at parent/teacher conferences.   Each student will take home his or her portfolio at the end of the school year.

Parent Volunteers:

We love to have parent volunteers in Second Grade.  We need help during writing workshop, typing stories, as special guests and as mystery readers.  We also need parents available for special projects and field trips.   Please see the parent volunteer sign up for more information about times that you can volunteer.

Birthday Parties:

We will be celebrating birthdays at the beginning of the day from 8:00-8:15 a.m. or right after lunch at 12:45.   If your child's birthday falls during the weekend, please contact us to schedule a time.  Families are welcome to come celebrate with us.  If this time does not work for your schedule, please contact us and we can set another time.  Contact us to schedule a birthday celebration for your child a few days before their birthday.   We prefer if you send a treat that isn't too sugary like fruit, bagels, muffins, cheese/crackers, banana bread etc...  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Star Student:

Each full week of school, a student will be highlighted through the Star Student program.   Prior to your child's assigned week, they will receive a poster board to create a personal display to go on our bulletin board.  This poster can include 10-12 photos, awards, or any other memorabilia that is representative of his/her unique interests and activities.   The Star Student is celebrated throughout the week by being line leader, class messenger, and teacher helper.  

During the week, the Star Student may share items that have special meaning to them.  This might be their pet, a sibling, parent, friend or something special they want to show the class.  Sharing will take place at 8:00 in the morning.  If this time does not work, please email us to make other arrangements.

Gardening:

Our students have a wonderful opportunity to work in the Second Grade garden every week.  On Friday during SSR Ellen takes ten students at a time to work the soil, plant seeds, examine plant growth, water, weed, and harvest crops.  Ellen allows the students to get down and handle the soil and experience nature first hand.  Gardening is always a highlight for the Second Grade students.  Be sure to stop by and visit our gardens with your child.

Homework:

This year, our goal is to help the students feel successful at, as well as responsible for, their homework.  Homework logs are designed to help organize homework time with clear and concise directions.  It is very important that you and your child read the homework assignments on Monday night.  Our plan is for homework to follow up class activities and reinforce our class work.  It is also an opportunity for your child to practice, review, or complete unfinished work..

We believe that homework can be a great teaching opportunity as well.  Allow your child to teach you or another family member about what he or she is learning in class.  Current educational research suggests that higher levels of learning take place and solidify our own understanding of concepts when we teach someone else the information!

We have learning games, books and academic enrichment or support packets that are available for you and your child to use at home.  Let us know if you feel your child would benefit from extra learning opportunities at home. Periodically, we will send home web sites with games and or activities for those of you who would like to have your child interacting on the web.  These sites can offer another opportunity for studying and are for you and your child to use at home. 

If your child has difficulty with a specific homework assignment, please drop us a note.

How else can you help your child at home?

Talk with your child.  Ask them about his/her daily activities at school.  Tell them about your day.  Inquire about their friends, as well as their classes.  Most importantly, listen to them when they are ready to share with you.

Look at your child's homework log and discuss papers and assignments that come home.

Encourage reading for pleasure.  Have your child tell you about what they are reading.  Ask them about something interesting, surprising or funny that happened in their book.  Have them look for interesting words or spelling words they may have found.

Read aloud to your child.  Make it a family ritual.

Play a game together, take a walk or just hang out with your child giving them your full attention.

Set aside a daily time for school related activities, such as reading, practicing math facts, and reviewing spelling words.

Encourage your child to take responsibility for their learning.

Let your child know how proud you are of them and encourage them to keep trying their best.

Community Service:

The Second Graders are involved in several community service projects this year:  The Gold Project connects our class with Senior from the Friendship Center.  A group of five seniors will come to visit with our 2nd Graders to share about their life experiences. We also pack dental kits for local families at Direct Relief International, an organization that helps those in need locally and internationally.

Post Card Collection:

Going on a trip?  Don't forget to send our class a postcard for our post card collection!  Our address is 1795 San Leandro Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Second Grade Web Site:

We will be updating our web site with photos, articles and curriculum information as the year goes on.   There are some wonderful resources listed as well.  Go to the Crane School web site and click on Second Grade

Contact Us:  If there is anything that you wish to discuss regarding your child or what's happening in 2nd Grade, please contact us to set up an appointment.   We would be glad to meet with you.    The best way to reach us is by email or sending in a note with your child in the morning.

Please click on the following links:

•  Back to School Night 2011

•  Reflections of a Second Grade Teacher

•  Student Goals

Karen Ohrn   
2nd Grade Teacher
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(805) 969-7732 Ext. 329    

 I am thrilled to be in Santa Barbara at Crane School. It truly feels like a family here at Crane.

I was raised in Chicago, Illinois where I attended both undergraduate and graduate school and where I received my BA in psychology and my Masters in early childhood education. I have Illinois and California multi-subject teaching credentials.

I spent six years teaching kindergarten and second grade in Chicago before my husband and I moved to Monterrey, Mexico. I taught second grade at the American School Foundation of Monterrey for two years. We worked with an incredible teaching staff and fabulous student body, 90% of whom were local Mexican students. During our time there we traveled, studied Spanish, and enjoyed the wonderful people, great food, and culture of Mexico. After leaving Monterrey, we moved to Santa Barbara to be near my family. I taught kindergarten at Franklin School for two years before the birth of my daughter, Katie.

Ellen Bonning   
2nd Grade Asst.Teacher
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(805) 969-7732 Ext.332

Ellen, the Second Grade teaching assistant, has been at Crane School for the past 28 years.  She has worked with second graders for the past 15 years.  She recently retired from her position as After School Program Director.  Ellen is also co-editor of the school yearbook.  She bring to our class her knowledge and experience as well as her enthusiasm for learning.  During the summers, she spends time hiking, quilting, reading and relaxing with her husband in their home in North California.  

We are looking forward to another great year and are both so excited to work with the new Second Graders and their families.  Please stop by the Second Grade classroom and say hello!