Hello. My name is Dianna Buis, and I have worked in the school system for 23 years (14 as a teacher and 9 as a counselor/psychometrist). I really enjoy teaching, and I strive to make it interesting for the children. We do a lot of hands-on experimenting, group work, and individual seatwork. We also review previously learned skills daily.
Second grade is a great grade to teach. It's an important transition year that readies the children for the end of the Primary grades and entrance into the Intermediate grades. One of the most important skills a child can possess at this age is responsibility. I try to make each child responsible for getting in his or her own work, and for getting their stenos signed each night.
Each child will receive a new Spelling list on Monday. Feel free to keep this list at home to help with the nightly homework, because I have extra lists at school for the kids. The children are to write their words three times each on Monday, use each word in a sentence on Tuesday, write their words in a.b.c order on Wednesday, and study for their test on Thursday. The children are also to take home their Reading books on Thursday and read the week's story aloud to an adult. By this point each child has listened to and discussed the story and any unfamiliar words. Please don't read the story to your child. Instead, ask your child to read it to you. Follow up with questions about the story. Your child should be able to read the story fairly easily, and sound out any words that slow him or her down. Listening to your child read will help you to know how your child is progressing in school.
As you have probably noticed, I really push reading with my students. The reason is simple: Practice makes perfect. We provide two hours of Reading and Spelling instruction each day, and try to tailor our Reading program to meet the needs of every individual child. Every child also spends time on the Breakthrough Reading program. This is a computerized program that allows the teacher to set reading levels and Spelling skills to meet each child's needs. These levels are raised as each child progresses. We also incorporate Weekly Readers and National Geographic magazines on a weekly basis. These make the children eager to read, and teaches Science and Social Studies skills in a really interesting format.
Math is covered heavily in second grade too. We spend an hour and a half daily on our Math skills. Plus, we go to computer lab every day for SuccessMaker Math. This, like Breakthrough, is a computer program that is tailored to meet the needs of each child. It progresses as the child masters skills. It's a great program that lets every child work at his or her own pace, and challenges the students that are working above grade level. In second grade children are required to learn several new skills. They must master addition and subtraction with regrouping, times tables (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10), telling time, counting money, geometry, and measurement. Be sure to ask your child questions from these areas to see how he or she is progressing.
One of the hardest things to master in second grade is handwriting. We write in print until Christmas. Then, we start teaching cursive. We take it slow, and practice a lot. Most kids love to write in cursive, and welcome the opportunity to share what they know. Whether in print or in cursive, neatness is extremely important. I cannot pass a child to third grade if I can't read the writing.
If you need to speak to me, please call me during my planning period (1:00-1:40) or after school. The number at school is 379-2712. As I mentioned earlier, stenos must be signed nightly. I check these every morning, so please feel free to leave me a message on the page. Sometimes I leave messages for parents too. So, the steno is a great communication tool for both parents and teachers. If you ever want to come to the room and hang out, just let me know. Be ready to be put to work though, because we definitely stay busy. However, you're always welcome in our room (that goes for grandparents too).
- 7:40-7:50-Complete steno work
- 7:50-Breakfast
- 8:25-8:30-Announcements and Pledge
- 8:30-10:30-Reading, Spelling, and Language Arts
- 10:30-11:45-Math
- 11:50-12:15-Lunch
- 12:15-1:00-Open Response, Weekly Reader, National Geographic
- 1:00-1:40-Specials (Library, Art, Music, P.E.)
- 1:45-2:05-Recess
- 2:05-2:40-Writing
- 3:00-3:15-homework time, review of skills
- 3:15-Parent Pickup
- *******************************Special Classes********************************
- Monday-Music
- Tuesday-Library
- Wednesday-Art
- Thursday-Library
- Friday-P.E.
- ***on alternating Wednesdays we also have either Guidance or P.E./Life Skills
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January 22 Spelling Words
cheerful
visitor
slowly
weekly
teacher
helper
hardly
graceful
yearly
quickly
fighter
sailor
gardener
competitor
extremely