Abby's teacher is Ms Broomfield. She came to America from Jamaica when she was 23. She has 15+ years teachingfrom 1st grade to high school. This is her first time teaching 2nd grade. We were pleased to learn that this is a gifted class and the teacher has high expectations of the students. We were also pleased to learn that she believes in the early childhood style of teaching. Serena completed coursework at SIU in early childhood education. This is a more developmentally appropriate way of teaching children through 3rd grade, then an elementary teacher is taught to lead class. The desks were arranged in groups of 5 or 6. There was a rug in the corner of the room and on either side against the walls were shelves with baskets containing books, in easy reach while sitting on the rug.
School doors open at 8:40 am. The teachers come out to the playground to get the children. Abby is in class 203 and room 307, which is in Unit 1.
The kids have to label each assignment and do each on a seperate sheet of paper. The teacher likes their work to be need and organized. They use composition notebooks all year and have a homework sheet. The class is taught at a 3rd grade level. She has themed units and right now they are doing the farm. Interesting, these children have no clue about a farm and the teacher said she has had a hard time explaining where food comes from before it gets to the store. I said Abby could teach them a lot about farms.
They are doing land animals next week, then pets. The teacher stresses comprehension, explain it in your own words, rather than rote memorization. She doesn't believe in tests in the normal sense of the word. She said parents need to remember that these are still young children and that we overtest as it is. Two parents were not happy and expressed displeasure about this practise. The teacher said when you say we are having a test children stress and do poorly. There are other ways to measure progress. The point is not to just pass a test but to learn and understand.
They do a lot of group work. They study the same topics in math just at a higher level. Social studies is heavily emphasized. This month is our community, reading maps, learning carindal directions. Next month in New York city, comparing urban and rural. (The history of NY is a requirement for all students by the Board of Education. Katie will have to do this as well.)
The teacher has introduced multiplication and is having the students look for patterns.
The children are beginning to use cursive. When the teacher thinks at least 1/2 the class is ready she will beginning teaching it.
Abby will need a good dictionary and should carry it back and forth between home and school.
The class goes on as many field trips as possible. Their first trip is October 17. They will ride a bus.
There will be 5 enrichment classes with different teachers. Teacher has not learned yet what for their class, but definately dance class on Wednesday and Music on Friday. We are thinking they don't have physical education.
Teachers only got $110 this year to spend on their rooms so parents may be asked to help purchase books during the year. Last year they got $250 per classroom.
She does not have a discipline policy because she has no discipline problems. If the need arises she will address the issue on an individual basis.
The homework assignments can be done at any time during the week. There is a mini project about the unit due the following Monday.
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