Second Grade

Projects | Important Dates | Teacher Information
Email Addresses | School Supplies

 

Second Grade Projects
2007-2008

Students in 2nd Grade will have class projects to complete in class and at home.  Listed below are the projects and the (tentative dates) that the projects are due.  A reminder letter will go home 2-3 weeks before the project is due.

  1. Music Instrument Project: Students will create a musical instrument from materials found at home.  Project is due August 31.
  2. City Projects: Each student will be asked to create a miniature building found in Fayette County.  Project is due September 14.
  3. Seed Projects: Students will be asked to collect 12 different types of seeds from plants at home.  (DO NOT BUY SEEDS!) Project is due October 12.
  4. Seasonal Changes Project: Students will research the changes in our seasons.  All research will be done in class. Project is due November 16.
  5. Poem Recitation Contest: All students will be asked to select a poem consisting of 12 lines to recite in class. Two winners from each class will represent their homeroom in the School-Wide Recitation Contest. Classroom Contests will be November 29.
  6. Holiday Activities: Students may be asked to send in items for our Holiday Festivities.  Dates to be announced.
  7. Australia Media Project: Students will research a specific item from Australia.  All research will be done in class.  Project is due February 1.
  8. African American History Project: Students will complete a project on a famous African American. All research will be done in class. Project is due March 1.
  9. Night Sky Project: Students will research and journal phases of the moon.
  10. State Projects: All students will research a specific state.  Research will be done in class. Project is due May 9.

Important Activities for 2007-2008 School Year

Friday, August 31: Music Parade 12:40-1:00 on blacktop
September 4-6 (COGAT)
Thursday, September 27: Apple Pies 8-8:50 in cafeteria (Byrd, Akins, Watkins, and Cordell)
Friday, September 28: Apple Pies 8-8:50 in cafeteria (Corley, Watson, Daugherty, and Barkoot)
Wednesday, October 31: (Trailer Treats)
Friday, November 2: Fall Festival
Monday, November 12: Junie B. Jones Field Trip to the Fox @ 10:00
Tuesday, November 20: Colonial Rotation
December 6-7: Sweatshirt activity
December 10-14: Holiday Activities
December 18: 1:00-2:00 Gingerbread Trains
December 20: Holiday Party
Wednesday, February 13: Coke Floats 1:30 in cafeteria
February 14: Holiday Party
April 16-18: CRCT
May 12: Field Day/End of the Year Party

 


Teacher Information

Kathleen Akins has been a teacher for 19 years. She has been at Burch since the school opened. Prior to that, she taught at Tyrone Elementary.

She received her undergraduate teaching degree from Georgia State University and her Masters and Specialists degrees in Elementary Education from the State University of West Georgia. Currently, she is taking her last class to be certified to teach Enrichment. If you don't find her at school, you'll find her at the gym lifting weights or working in her garden.

Mrs. Akins believes that every child is gifted in some area. Our job as teachers is to help their child discover their passion and do everything we can to assist them in pursuing their dreams.

Did you know that Mrs. Akins was an accountant before she taught school? She worked for Macy's for many years as their Payroll Manager.

Linda Barkoot has taught for fourteen and will be starting her fifteenth year in a new grade.  She is excited to be starting second grade and seeing where her first graders head to each year.  Before coming to Burch seven years ago I was a para pro for Marietta City Schools for five years while I attended Kennesaw State University and earned a bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She then taught for the Marietta City Schools for the next four years.  Her husband relocated and moved the family of two young daughters to Twinsburg, Ohio where she taught for four years in the Cleveland Municipal School District.  After five years of the snowy north, the family returned home to Fayette County where Linda and her husband of twenty-four years graduated high school.  They now brought with them a new born little girl and the family was complete and back home near relatives.  She was excited to be working for Fayette County Schools and give back to the community a high standard of education just as she received from this same school system.

Mrs. Barkoot’s mission statement is as follows:

As a dedicated educator of young children, my classroom is a learning environment that provides an atmosphere in which self-confidence is built and compassion is shown.  A strong partnership based on respect and trust between student, parent, and teacher will be fostered.  Motivating students to learn how to be successful and begin to master and understand beginning reading, math, and writing skills will be the foundation for becoming a productive citizen of our global society.

Did you know that Mrs. Barkoot likes to walk and bike?  She also likes to go to the beach with her family every year.

Becky Byrd has taught for twenty-eight years. Prior to coming to Burch Elementary ten years ago, she taught at J.W. Arnold Elementary in Jonesboro, Georgia. She has also taught first, third, fourth, and fifth grades. Mrs. Byrd earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, both from LaGrange College. She was chosen by the faculty as Burch’s 2002-03 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Byrd felt especially honored and humbled when she was included in the 2002 and 2004 editions of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. To be included, outstanding high school students are asked to nominate only one teacher from their school career who had the most impact on their learning.

Mrs. Byrd believes ALL children can learn, and that they thrive in a structured environment with high expectations.

Mrs. Byrd has been married for almost thirty-five years. She and her husband have two adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and Sable, their beloved black Labrador Retriever.

Did you know that Mrs. Byrd’s hobbies include genealogy, working in her yard, decorating her home, and going to the beach as often as she can?

Vanessa Cordell came to Burch four years ago and has taught for 16 years. She is a native of Alabama and has taught in Alabama and North Carolina. She graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and completed work for teacher certification in Early Childhood Education at Jacksonville State University.  Mrs. Cordell and her husband, Ray, have been married for 30 years. They have one daughter and three sons.  Her philosophy of teaching comes from her belief that teaching is an opportunity to serve and give to others.  "Teaching, therefore, must provide opportunities, experiences, challenges, and memories which will enable students to be successful and encourage them to be life long learners."

Did you know that Mrs. Cordell is a singer?  She once sang at an event honoring a senator in Alabama and in 2006 was accepted to sing with a West Georgia choral group.


Eileen Corley has been with the Fayette County School System since 1996. She came to work at Burch Elementary in 2002 and worked as a Kindergarten paraprofessional with Dianne Bettis. Prior to coming to Burch, she spent three years at Spring Hill Elementary working as a paraprofessional in Kindergarten. Preceding her position as a paraprofessional she worked in the After School Program as an aide, teacher, and an Assistant Site Coordinator. This is her fifth year as a regular classroom teacher. Mrs. Corley received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Mercer University. Mrs. Corley is currently pursing her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is very familiar with the Fayette County School System because not only has she been employed for over eleven years she is also a graduate from Fayette County High School. Mrs. Corley has been married for over eight years and owns a home in Newnan where she is lucky enough to share it with two poodles, Kobi and Kampbell! Mrs. Corley and her husband have a daughter born in December, 2004.

Mrs. Corley's Philosophy of Education is the belief that every child has an opportunity to learn and it is her job to make sure that no child is left behind in her classroom.

Did you know that Mrs. Corley loves to travel, read, relax, and spend time with her family. She also loves to spend time with her husband watching their favorite team, the Georgia Bulldawgs in action! She also enjoys collecting bears and flowers as you can see displayed in her classroom!

Teresa Daugherty was a paraprofessional for ten and a half years. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education at Mercer University and has been teaching for nine years. Her husband, of 39 years, is Dr. Tom Daugherty, pastor of Heatherwood Baptist Church with congregations in Riverdale and Newnan. They have a married daughter, who is a nurse in San Francisco, California, and a married son, who serves as music director at the Herndon United Methodist Church in Herndon, Virginia. Mrs. Daugherty has one granddaughter!

Mrs. Daugherty’s Philosophy of Education is very simple. She believes learning is a lifetime process and her goal is to help students achieve their fullest potential.

Did you know that Mrs. Daugherty is an advanced scuba diver? She and her husband have been diving in Bonaire, Roaton, Cozumel, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Key Largo, and Panama City, Florida.

Cheryl Watkins has taught for 10 years.  She graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Elementary Teacher Certification.  Before getting her teaching certificate, she worked for 8 years as a teacher assistant in both the public and private school systems.
Mrs. Watkins has been married to her husband Burt for over 30 years.  She has 2 children.  Her son Matt is 27 and a graduate of Georgia Tech.  Her daughter Lisa is 22 and a current student at The University of Georgia.  She also has a maltese dog named Maggie and a cat named Oliver.
Mrs. Watkins Philosophy of Education is she believes it is important to instill in her students the love of reading and an excitement of learning new things.

Did you know that Mrs. Watkins was the Volleyball Varsity Coach at McIntosh High School?


Kim Watson is beginning her 3rd year teaching at Burch Elementary. She graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. She enjoys teaching 2nd grade and looks forward to another great year.
Mrs. Watson has been married to Mark Watson for 16 years. He is employed as a Lead AMT with Delta Airlines and has been with the company for 19 years. They have a 13 year old son in 8th grade at Whitewater Middle School. She enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, and going to her son’s sporting events.
Mrs. Watson believes a student-centered classroom is the best environment for students. She wants her students to be actively involved in hands-on activities to achieve learning outcomes. Respect for students and an understanding of their needs create a productive learning environment.

Did you know that Mrs. Watson had a previous career as a realtor for Century 21?