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| How to Reach Me | About Me | |
| Thematic Teaching | Literature Backpacks | Birthday Parties |
| Reading
Olympics Our class participates in an at home reading program called "The Reading Olympics." I would like to see each child read at home at least three nights a week, as well as do nightly homework assignments. For children who need encouragement five to ten minutes a night is a good starting point. Other children may choose to read for a longer period of time. The books can be any book your child chooses or one your might suggest, which includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, magazines, etc.. The idea is just to get them reading!! It is more beneficial for strong independent readers to read a few challenging books, rather than many easy books. If your child is reading from a chapter book just list the book title each night and the amount of pages or chapter that were read. Children can read to themselves or orally to an adult. A quick way to check your child's comprehension or understanding of the book is to ask them to tell you the story. Or you may have them read their favorite part aloud to see if the book is something that is at their level. Please return the "Reading Olympics" sheet each Friday to let me know how often your child read. I will send a new form home every Friday afternoon. In June, every child who has participated on a regular basis will receive an award and special gift. We'll keep track of our reading progress using a sticker each week on a chart we hang proudly in the room. Since reading is such an important part of your child's education I would like to see every child try to reach the goal of reading three times or more per week. Please remember to initial their record sheet. Go for the gold!! |
| How
To Reach Me The best time to reach me is before school between 7:45 and 8:45am. Another good time is after school before 4:30pm. Sending a note with your child is always a great way to contact me. |
| About
Me My name is Amy Hoctor. I have been teaching 2nd Grade for five years at Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School. I have a Bachelor's of Art in Psychology from Niagara University and my Masters of Science in Education from SUNY Oswego. I am originally from Sodus Point, NY. |
| Thematic
Teaching Each month we study a different theme in our room. For example, September was our school theme. We read and did activities all about school. Other examples of themes that we'll study this year are friendship, dinosaurs, animals, folktales, and much more! I will keep you posted through a newsletter as we go through the year!! |
| Literature
Backpacks Our class has the privilege to take home literature backpacks during the school year. A literature backpack is a backpack full of books on a particular theme or author. Every other week your child will bring home a backpack to enjoy. They will come home Friday afternoon and must be returned by the following Thursday. IN each backpack you will find a journal to respond to the books you read. The whole family can participate. On Fridays we share our responses, however they are optional and don't have to be done each time. It's a great way to enjoy books with your child and to see the kind of books we are reading in Second Grade. Please make sure you return the backpack in the same order it arrives. Thank you and happy reading!! |
| Birthday
Parties Birthdays are a special day! We enjoy celebrating birthdays in our class! You are welcome to send a birthday treat on your child's special day. Please send in cupcakes or something that is easy to hand out to a large group. If you send a drink, juice boxes are recommended. I would appreciate advanced notice so that I can plan for the party. If you chose to send in a treat please drop it off in the morning to the main office. Depending on our schedule we will then celebrate at an appropriate time during the day. To see our class birthday page click here! *Please remember that it is not necessary to send in a birthday treat. Even if we do not have a snack we will take a few minutes to honor your child on their special day! Thank you for cooperation! |