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Mr. Mulligan's 2nd Grade Classroom Blog

All the Latest from Pine Ridge Elementary

Hello Parents of Mr. Mulligan's 2nd Grade! This is our blog for our wonderful class. I will update this blog with important dates, information and pictures to show the learning happening in 2nd Grade C Track!

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FAQ

Questions About Second Grade

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What time does school start and release?

This year, Cherry Creek School District has changed the start and release times of all Elementary Schools. We start school 8:00 (soft start at 7:50) and we release at 2:45. All students who are parent pick up will be released at the EAST doors on Wheatlands Parkway.

What are 2nd Grade Homework Policies?

Every student has a STAR Binder. Within this binder, there is a Homework folder and planner. 

Students are expected to read for 20 minutes Monday - Thursday. iReady reading or any eBook may count towards this requirement. Parents MUST sign their student's planner/reading log in order for it to be valid. If there is any reason why your child cannot read for the night, simply send me a note or email. 

Math homework is not every day. Please check your child's homework folder every night to see if math homework was sent home. Math homework is always due the following day. 

If your child forgets to do their homework, they will sign our class "Oops Book." Every Friday, we have Fun Friday to celebrate our hard work during the week. If your child has 3 signatures in our Oops Book, they will miss Fun Friday. Oops Book signatures can come from missing homework and/or behavior violations. 

When is Library?

Every Thursday at 2:00, your child will have the opportunity to visit our school library. Please make sure your child returns their books weekly to return or renew.

How do I know what Integrated Arts we have for the day?

In your child's STAR Binder, there is an Integrated Arts Schedule. Please check this weekly.

What are the names of the programs you use for instruction?

Throughout the day, we use multiple resources and programs to guarantee success for your child. 

Reading: Lucy Calkins Reading Workshop Model - Through this resource, your child is going to be diving deep into books consistently throughout the year. I will be pairing your child with just right books to analyze and comprehend appropriately. I will be conferring with every child throughout the week to track progress and scaffold/differentiate where needed. 

Writing: Lucy Calkins Writing - Through this program, students will be exposed to a variety of writing styles such as Narratives, Opinion Writing, andScientific/Informative Writing. 

Grammar & Handwriting: WordSmith & Streamline - Students will utilize this great resource to learn the 6 syllable types and rules of the English language. We will no longer expect students to simply memorize spelling patterns. WordSmith helps give students resources and understandings of patterns and rules to master 2nd grade grammar. Streamline helps reinforce rules and practice with magnetic boards that will be used whole group to build and analyze word and spelling patterns. Home Run Handwriting will be used to help students with the correct stroke order of every letter in our alphabet. 

Math: Bridges - This curriculum covers all 2nd grade content using a variety of teaching strategies to support all ranges of students. 

Science: Foss - Our Science topics this year will be Weather, Plants, and Balance/Motion

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Daily Schedule

2018 - 2019


8:00 – 8:15

Warm Up, Morning News 


8:15 – 8:35


Phonics, Spelling, Handwriting

8:35 – 9:30

Brain Break 

9:30 - 9:45


Writing

9:45 – 10:45


Reading

10:45 – 11:25


Recess & Lunch

11:25 – 12:10


Math

12:10 – 1:05


Specials

1:05 – 1:50


Social Studies / Science

1:50 – 2:30

Read Aloud & Closing

2:30 - 2:45

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Home: About

Services & Apps

Home: Services

Class Dojo

Classroom Management System

Our classroom utilizes the application "Class Dojo." This app tracks your child's daily behavior traits. By downloading this app for your phone, you can track your child's daily behavior and explore lots of growth mindset ideas and themes we are studying in class.

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Seesaw

Student Digital Portfolio

This application helps our classroom practices and work come straight to you. Students will build a digital portfolio throughout the year where you will be able to see and hear your child's ideas and thinking towards our learning through the year.

YouTube Podcast

Bridges Math & WordSmith Support

Check out our link to our 2nd Grade Podcast that will be updated weekly to ensure success in your child's phonics and Bridges Math strategies and skills. 

Please visit the following YouTube link to check out Pine Ridge 2nd Grade Podcast for these weekly updates! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKn9jb_5soEBiUmjChv2tWg

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Meet Your Teacher

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Scott Mulligan

2nd Grade Teacher

Hello everyone! My name is Scott Mulligan and this will be my sixth year teaching and my third year here at Pine Ridge. I am so excited to be back in the Cherry Creek School District. Before teaching 2nd grade here at Pine Ridge, I taught a dual 3rd & 4th grade in Jeffco Public Schools and also 2nd grade in Aurora Public Schools. I got my M.A. degree at Regis University in 2012 and have loved teaching ever since! I have known that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher since I was in 2nd grade. I hope to inspire all of my students as I was in school to reach for the stars! Last year, I earned my second Masters Degree from Regis University in Administration and Principal Licensure. I hope to be an Assistant Principal within the next few years in the Cherry Creek School District. 

When I am not teaching, I try to stay as active as I can! During my first M.A. program, I opened and managed my own online bakery. Because of this, I love to bake all sorts of desserts. I feel that my iPad is my endless cookbook and love experimenting all the time with foreign and crazy foods! I enjoy hiking, skiing, cooking, and traveling with my friends and family! I have been to 9 countries across our amazing world ranging from France, Japan, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. I absolutely love to travel and try and travel at least once a year. My favorite country that I have ever been to has to be Japan because Japanese is my second language and absolutely love the culture the country has to offer!


I have an English Bulldog, Emi Lou, who is one of my best friends and also a French Bulldog named Ozzie. Named after the amazing St. Louis Cardinals player, Ozzie Smith. I love bringing them wherever I can to make others smile and laugh as they do for me every day. 


Over the summer, I got to finally marry my best friend. Also, we moved into our brand new home just outside of downtown in Stapleton. 

Teaching is something that I wake up every morning and am excited to do as my profession. I am so honored to be a teacher here at Pine Ridge and hope to establish wonderful relationships with every student and family member that walks through our classroom door! I hope to meet you all and let's have an amazing year here in 2nd grade!! 

A few of my favorite things:
Food:  Mexican 
Color: Mint
Book:  Where'd You Go Bernadette
Children's Book:  Love Monster & Erika-San
Travel Destinations: Tokyo & Vancouver
Candy:  Starburst & Girl Scout Cookies
Beverage: Iced Coffee
Shop: Nordstroms & Target
Sports Team:  Vancouver Canucks
Music: Country & Piano Guys
Birthday: April 3rd​

Get In Touch

Get in Touch

I’d love to hear from you! Please send me a note or comment and I’ll reply promptly.

Thanks for submitting!

Address:

6525 S Wheatlands Pkwy
Aurora, Arapahoe County 80016
USA

Email:

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