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Mrs. Caffrey - Grade 2 (Room 2A)
Welcome to 2A! I am looking forward to spending my fifteenth year here at St. Michael School as a second grade teacher.
I feel so fortunate that my teaching career has brought me back to the same elementary school that I attended in my youth. After completing eighth grade at St. Michael School, I attended North Andover High School and then Salem State College. After attaining a degree in elementary education, I began my teaching career at St. Augustine School in Andover. Later, as I raised my four daughters, I taught part-time at Sacred Heart School in Lawrence and in the North Andover Public School system. As fate would have it, the year I was ready to go back to teaching fulltime, St. Michael School decided to add another second grade classroom. I applied for the position and was hired. It has always been my dream to teach at St. Michael School so I feel privileged to teach and spend time with your children in the Homework Room each day.
When I am not at school, I am spending time with my husband, four daughters, three sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. My husband and I have been married for thirty- four years. Together we have instilled in our daughters the importance of education. Two of them have followed in my footsteps and are teachers in North Andover. My other daughters have taken alternate, but equally successful, paths.
Saint Michael School is a wonderful place. The environment is safe and nurturing. I feel blessed to be a member of this school.
Fondly,
Cynthia Caffrey
What's Happening In Grade 2
What do the children usually have for homework?
Homework is given Monday through Thursday. Usually the children have a math worksheet and spelling words every night. In addition they are responsible for a Poem of the Week. Each child has an assignment notebook. We ask that you check this notebook each night to review homework and any important messages that you need to be aware of.
When should we be studying for tests?
Thursdays are crucial because this is the night that the children need to study for a spelling test and a math test. They also need to know their poem. A Book Report is due each month. The book report is due the last day of each month.
Why do the children need to learn a poem each week?
We have found this activity to be very worthwhile for our students for several reasons:
- It helps them to master memorization skills
- It acquaints them with poetic rhythms and rhymes which they will continue to work with in later grades.
- It helps them to feel more comfortable in making presentations before the group.
- Learning poetry is fun!
What is 15 X 15?
The students are asked to read 15 minutes for 15 days each month. We usually highlight a particular author for each month. The parents help the children complete a calendar indicating which days they read. When they have completed their 15 X 15, they receive a No Uniform Pass.
What is a sticker card?
Students receive a sticker for good behavior and remembering to do their homework. They place the stickers on a special card. When the card is full, they can redeem it for a (1) No Uniform Pass or (1) No Homework Pass.
Enrichment Opportunities
- We have Learning Centers. These centers will give the children an opportunity to do hands on activities in spelling, language arts, science and math. The centers are available once the students have finished their in-school activities.
- The students have an Enrichment Folder. This folder is full of activities involving all parts of the curriculum. This folder is provided as an opportunity for children to expand their curiosity of things we are learning in the classroom. This folder is only available after all other work is complete.
- Children also have the opportunity to do an extra (in class) book report each month.
Fun Links to Check Out!
- Scholastic Books
- NASA
- PBS
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