I've been thinking about what I want to do for homework next school year. This year, while teaching 3rd grade, they had a reading passage with 12 questions (Thunks Reviews) and 2 spiral math sheets (Math Madness). I sent it home on Mondays and it was due on Fridays.
For next year I created a Weekly Homework Menu. It will go home on Mondays and be due on Fridays. I wanted to be as flexible as possible which is why I listed "weekly suggested times" instead of "nightly" ones. I know how busy parents and students can be so I want them to be able to schedule their homework options.
Reading- Reading for enjoyment is a given. I'm not into reading logs so I won't require them to track their reading. I also wanted to incorporate Find the Evidence passages so they can practice Text Dependent Questions.
Math- Our county has a subscription to Dreambox Learning. It's an online math program that all elementary students have access to. I also wanted to incorporate math card games into our homework. While in 3rd I gave each family a ring of games and playing cards when they attended Math Night. I use the Dealing with Math Homework from Teacher's Clubhouse. I plan do the same next year during Back to School Night. My goal is to list the games that will help reinforce what's being learned in class.
Study Guides- Like I shared last week, each family will also get a book of Study Guides that also have Study Methods included.
Word Study- Since we do word study each day in class, it will not be apart of their weekly homework but I'll include options for parents who want their children to complete them.
The Friday before Spring Break my principal asked me if I was still interested in teaching 2nd grade... and the answer was YES! I taught 2nd grade for 7 years before transferring to my current school to teach 3rd grade. After 7 years, I'm ready to go back to my first love. I cannot explain how excited I am. I've been busy unpacking my new standards and purchasing resources. My new team even ordered me a shirt so it's official!
One thing that I love about teaching 2nd grade in Virginia is the curriculum! I've already started purchasing books to support my science standards. Have you heard of Picture Window Books? I love their Informational Picture Books, I've ordered all the ones that connect to my standards and they've already started arriving.
When I taught 3rd grade, I created a learning handbook full of study guides from Adrienne Wiggins. Now that I'm going to 2nd, I knew I wanted to do the same thing. I spent my ENTIRE Spring Break creating study guides to go with every Standard of Learning in every subject in 2nd grade.
Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Check back throughout the summer, I can't wait to share ideas and resources for 2nd grade with you!
