Welcome to Second Grade at Sacred Heart School.

Our classroom is an environment where children experience the joy of learning. At this age, children are becoming independent learners. With increased reading ability they are able to discover new interests. They are capable of completing projects that they have imagined and take pride in their accomplishments. This is a special year in their journey of faith with the reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist.

Class Rules:

Our class rules are:

1. Be kind to others.
2. Raise your hand to speak.
3. Don't laugh at mistakes.
4. The bell means quiet.
5. Hand all work in on time.
6. Listen the first time.

These rules are written with the intention of fostering respect for the teacher, their classmates and themselves. No one's behavior should keep another child from learning or keep the teacher from teaching.

Homework

Homework will reinforce learning in the classroom and help to develop good study habits. The children should be able to complete their homework with minimum parent involvement. At the second grade level written homework should take approximately twenty minutes to complete. Parents should sign the daily homework book to indicate that they have checked that the homework was completed.

Philosophy

Learning should be a lifelong process. I want the children to get off to a great start by developing a love of learning. Our classroom is a place where they can be actively engaged in learning in a safe and welcoming environment. Everyone's ideas and opinions are valued. We try to do our best but know that we can also learn from mistakes.

Curriculum

Religion

Sacramental preparation is the basis of my Religion lessons. The text will help the children develop a deeper understanding of our beliefs and traditions.

Math

Each Math lesson begins with a problem of the day to be solved using various learned strategies. Manipulative such as snap cubes are used to develop concepts.

Science

Science in second grade is hands on. The children practice observation skills and record their findings. They make predictions and use tools to make observations. Areas of study include plants and magnets.

Social Studies

Social Studies introduces the children to map skills. They work on a computer program to identify geographic areas and landforms.

Spelling/Vocabulary

In Spelling the children learn that sounds form words and various letters or combinations of letters make specific sounds. In other words, they learn to spell phonetically. Phonics is also taught as part of our reading program.

Reading

Reading skills are developed throughout the day, not only in Reading group. After whole group instruction we break into leveled Reading groups. Each group meets with me for approximately 20 minutes while the other groups work independently. The focus of reading group instruction is comprehension. The second grade skills involve higher levels of thinking such as predicting outcomes and making inferences.

Language Arts

The children will learn to express themselves in writing in English class. They will gain knowledge of the parts of speech and grammar while writing narratives, poetry, letters, and descriptive paragraphs.

Handwriting

This is the year the children learn to write in cursive. The first two months of the school year are spent reviewing manuscript letters. Handwriting is taught one letter at a time beginning with lower case letters. By May, all writing will be done in cursive.

Highlights

• For All Saints Day the children will give a "first person" report dressed as their saint, and then participate in a special way at Mass.
• The Pizza Hut Book-It Program encourages children to read. They complete different projects, culminating in a class Pizza party. One of our projects is a dress up biography book report.
• We celebrate major holidays with a snack and appropriate video.
• We meet once a month with our eighth grade and fourth grade prayer partners for prayer and a craft.
• We visit Jacobsburg Environmental Center and see a play at DeSales University.
• We support our parish Tricky Tray fundraiser with a classroom "yard sale"
• United with our fellow second graders in public school we have a retreat and celebrate the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion.

About Me

My name is Phyllis Spencer. I started my teaching career at St. Peter's School in Coplay, teaching 4th grade. I was in my 11th year of teaching when I took a child rearing leave to raise my 3 children. During that time I substitute taught in several local school districts. I also volunteered to teach Religious Education and Vacation Bible School at SHS. After that I accepted a full time position as a second grade teacher at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish School and have been here for 22 years. I consider teaching a very rewarding career. In the primary grades, one can really see progress from September to June. Each class is different and every day brings new rewards and challenges.

When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have been married for 34 years and have three grown daughters and one grandson. I am an outdoor enthusiast and enjoy many outdoor activities including swimming, biking, kayaking, boating, fishing, and cross country skiing.