Welcome to Second Grade

Ms. Gale Myles

Ms. Susan Parker

Ms. Myles's Class

Hello from Room #107!

My name is Gale Myles. I teach 2nd grade. This is my third year at Concord.
I'm looking forward to next year when my first students will be 5th graders and I get to see them graduate!

I have two daughters. Faye, 24 yrs old, who is teaching 3rd grade in Cairo, Egypt.
Anastasia, 22 yrs old, who is finishing an Urban Studies degree in New York City.
She would like to return to Chile and Argentina where she lived and studied for 6 months.

My first college degree was in Textile Design. I am a weaver and fabric maker.
Science is another favorite subject of mine.
So, I weave art and science together every chance I get.

* * * * *

Thank you to all the students and families who welcomed me into your homes during the Home Visits! Students, how fun to see your favorite place to read and play, meet your sisters and brothers and see what makes you unique!

Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunties and family friends you are always welcome in the classroom.

#107 Students "wear many hats"! They are Sociologists, Scientists, Writers, Readers and Problem Solvers.
We have gotten to know one another and our families.
Now, we are beginning to learn more about our community and neighborhoods.
But, First we had to take time to dive into the Election!

This fall and winter, our science unit is Liquids and we continue our Social Studies unit on Neighborhoods and Communities.

Please, share any stories you have about the neighborhood you live in with your children.
We live in such an exciting part of the city here in the South End.
We will learn about South Park, the Duwamish People, Duwamish River, Mara Farm, and also West Seattle and the International District neighborhoods.

Spring... ahh... sun and gardening. More about that later!

Please, contact me for any reason or concern you might have. I am available by email or phone. A note with your child works well too.

See you soon!

Ms. Myles

P.S. Isn't it great to get those phone calls about the 10 Compliments!

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Ms. Parker's Class

Ms. Parker has been a teacher at Concord since 2007, teaching third and second grades at Concord. She has been a teacher in the Seattle School District for over ten years, teaching mostly at Brighton Elementary and also at Gatzert Elementary. She has taught kindergarten through fifth grade students and enjoys the divesity of students and staff in the Seattle Public Schools.

Expectations for Student Behavior

• Students in Ms. Parker's class are expected to come to school on time, ready to learn.
• Students are expected to behave appropriately, treating people and property with respect.
• Students are expected to cooperate with others and participate in learning activities.
• Students are expected to work independently, doing their best work.
• Students are expected to follow the school and classroom rules at all times.

Homework

Homework is given every day, Monday through Thursday, with an occasional Friday. Homework assignments are always due the next day, as we go over the work in class. Please return the homework the next day even if the work is not complete.

• Homework is a habit.
• Homework is extra practice of what we learn in class.
• Homework is feedback to the teacher and student.

Typical Homework Assignments include:

Language Homework

MONDAY: Practice reading new word list for the week; complete phonics & language exercises.

TUESDAY: Vocabulary exercises

WEDNESDAY: Practice reading the story that goes with the word list, two times.

THURSDAY: Reread the story and answer the comprehension questions that go with the story.

Daily Reading Logs

•  Students are expected to read or be read to at least 20 minutes every day.

What counts?

• Team Read
• homework story
• library books
• Weekly Reader/Scholastic News
• other news or magazines

• Students should keep a record of their reading on their Reading Log.
• Parents should initial the log for each entry.

Math Homework

• Daily practice of skills taught and reinforced in class.

  What are some typical 2 nd grade math skills?

  • Ordering numbers
  • Comparing numbers
  • Skip counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, 25s, 50s, 100s
  • Adding numbers (addends through 10)
  • Subtracting numbers (minuends through 10)
  • Telling time to the quarter hour on an analog (face) clock
  • Telling time to the 5-minute marks on an analog clock
  • Counting coins & making change up to $1.00
  • Measuring length, area, weight, volume, temperature, time using appropriate tools
  • Adding & subtracting 2-digit numbers

For a summary of what a second grader needs to be able to do: click here

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