Ms. Bartow's 2nd Grade Class

Information

About Ms. Bartow

Hello! I am thrilled to continue teaching at Eagle Ridge Academy.  This is my 11th year as a 2nd grade teacher and my 4th year at ERA. I am originally from Eden Prairie, but I went to college in Boulder, Colorado and also attended graduate school at Hamline University.   I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Psychology and Development, and I am working on my Master’s Degree in Teaching.  Currently I live in Hopkins with my husband Mike, our two sons, Michael (9) and Elliot (4 ½),   and our cat, Lucy.  As a family we enjoy going to the cabin, traveling and spending time outside.  I also enjoy reading and boating on the lake.  Please feel free to email me at abartow@eagleridgeacademy.org if you have any questions or concerns and I look forward to working with your family this year.  I know it’s going to be a great year!

About our Class

At Eagle Ridge Academy we combine  Classical Education and Core Knowledge with Responsive Classroom Methods  Some of the topics covered in our class this year are Ancient Civilizations, Westward Expansion, The Civil War, Greek Myths, Magnets and The Water Cycle.  We will read aloud Charlotte’s Web, study various authors and even publish a book at together at the end of the year. You will be amazed at all the topics we cover in 2nd Grade!   
In my class, I combine the ERA pillar program and expectations with Responsive Classroom methods.  How this looks in the classroom is we have daily Morning Meetings.  Morning Meetings are a time for us to get together, share about ourselves, play games and build classroom community.  It is often one of the students’ favorite times during the day.   This is also a time where I teach character education and the Pillars and we work on not only being good students but also good people.   It is my goal for my students to leave 2nd grade with more independence, self-advocacy and empathy towards others. 
The Responsive Classroom Philosophy builds on the ideas of Logical Consequences, You break it You Fix it and Loss of Privileges.  These are also philosophies I have adopted in the classroom. I feel mistakes are opportunities for learning and I am there to teach my students how to fix their mistakes and learn from them. 
I am so excited to have your student in my class! I know it’s going to be a great year!

Homework and Grading

In our class, weekly homework consists of

• Daily Reading and Reading Logs (Due each Monday or first day of the week)

• Reading Comprehension pages (Due Friday or last day of the week)

• Weekly Word Study Homework

• Daily Math homework

Additional homework will go home on an as needed basis. 

Homework is due on the due date given.  A 1 day grace period is given for late homework unless student is ill or absent.  After that late homework is given a zero.  Please help your student remember to put their names on their papers!

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2ND GRADE GRADING CATEGORIES & WEIGHTS

Reading:

• Comprehension 50%

• Skills Practice 20% (includes reading log- click on the link to the right for reading log grading)

• Wordly Wise 10%

• Work Habits 20% 

Math:

• Skills Assessments 45%

• Facts Assessments 25%

• Homework 10%

• Work Habits 20%

Writing:

• Writing Assignments 30%

• Grammar Assessments 25%

• Word Study 25%

• Work Habits 20%

History:

• Assignments 30%

• Tests 50%

• Work Habits 20%

Science:

• Assignments 30%

• Tests 50%

• Work Habits 20%

Homework Policy/ Late Work

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We have a homework folder that will go home each night and will need to be returned each day. (Please see the diagram on the left). The purpose of the folder is to carry homework, spelling lists, and other important documents to and from school. It is also a way to enable communication between myself and families. Your child's planner will be stored in this folder. It is imperative that this folder, along with your child's planner is reviewed every night (preferably together). I also ask that you initial or sign your child's planner EVERY night. **I will also send important information or updates via email and post on our classroom website. 

EXCELLENCE & LATE WORK

Excellence represents one of the pillars of Eagle Ridge; students will demonstrate this pillar by taking pride and turning in their best work. Neat work is expected across all subject areas. Student homework that is turned in late (any other day than when it is due) will be marked late and reflected in the work habits grade. Late homework will receive zero points after the one day grace period, unless an absence occurred. No name papers and illegible work may not receive full credit.