2nd Grade

 

An integrated curriculum reaches a variety of students’ learning styles providing a
firm foundation in all subject areas.  Students are encouraged to become independent thinkers, develop higher order thinking skills, and become life long learners through a variety of experiences.  Students learn to work co-operatively and are provided with opportunities to become student leaders through classroom responsibilities and by participating in making classroom decisions. Field trips to the zoo and science museum, for example,  supplement the curriculum.  Second grade students participate in class projects such as a Second Grade Recipe Book and a Mother’s Day Tea.     

• READING:  Grade 3 Level:  Classic and contemporary selections are presented in thematic form.  Program provides opportunity for the development of listening and decoding skills, for reinforcement of skills and skill practice, and for both formal and informal assessment.

• SPELLING:  Grade 2 Level:  This program supports the connection between Spelling and Thinking, Phonics, Vocabulary, Reading, and Writing.  Challenge Words provide opportunity for enrichment.

• ENGLISH/GRAMMAR:  Grade 2 Level:  Strong integration between grammar and writing. Sentence structure and parts of speech directly support writing skills.

• MATHEMATICS:  Grade 3 Level:  Fundamental mathematical concepts are introduced to develop a variety of problem-solving skills.

• SCIENCE:  Grade 2 Level:  The exploration of the world using active learning through hands-on activities is developed.

• SOCIAL STUDIES:  Grade 2 Level:  Through the study of history, geography, and current events, connections are made between past and present.

• HANDWRITING:  Following the practice of manuscript writing, cursive writing is introduced.

• TECHNOLOGY:  Keyboarding skills are practiced using Mavis Beacon.  Mathematics and science web sites support the curriculum. Students also participate in a “special” project.  They each prepare a recipe to share with their classmates and then learn how to type and edit it in the computer lab.

• SPANISH:  The students will be able to understand oral messages that are based on familiar themes and new vocabulary. The second grade student will be able to read words in Spanish and respond orally by drawing and through writing. Students should also be able to recognize familiar objects, numbers, letters, colors, body parts, shapes, sports, and foods in Spanish.  Students in the second grade begin an exciting journey through our computer program Rosetta Stone.  Our goal is that the student be able to communicate with short phrases in Spanish. Students have Spanish three times a week.  
  

• MUSIC:  What to expect for 2nd grade music classes:
  
  
  • vocal music and proper singing techniques for unified sound
  • music theory concepts which lead to the ability to read and comprehend music
  • sight singing techniques
  • performance opportunities and proper etiquette
  • Christmas concert which incorporates 2-part choral singing
  • Spring concert which showcases Broadway choreographed songs
  • Music appreciation while introducing Music History and composers
  • Movement
  • Board games corresponding to music
  • Vocal warm-ups
  • Students have music once a week
    

• ART:  Students express themselves through art while honing their skills and techniques with a variety of art materials.  They are introduced to famous works and styles of art and begin to develop an art vocabulary.  Students attend art class twice a week.

• SACRED STUDIES:  Overarching theme is a love of God, self, and others.  Students:
  
  
  • Learn Jesus’ summary of the Law and that God is Love.
  • Learn that prayer is talking and listening to God.
  • Explore various Bible stories.
  • Learn about Creation; that all God makes is good.
  • Explore Peace Education with I-Care Cat (puppet) and friends.
  • Practice service to others.
  • Students have Sacred Studies once a week.

• PHYSICAL EDUCATION:  PE will teach age-appropriate fundamentals of several sports;  how to properly catch and throw a ball and how to hit off of a Tee in T-ball;  how to catch and run with an irregular shaped ball in flag football;  how to dribble and shoot a basketball;  how to manipulate and shoot a ball using the feet in soccer;  how to control and shoot a puck in hockey;  how to hit a ball off of a tee and control a put in golf;  how to hit and return a ball in tennis;  how to field and throw a ball in lacrosse;  and proper running technique in track.
  
  Sports taught throughout the year:
  • Volleyball
  • Flag Football
  • Soccer
  • Basketball
  • Hockey
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • T-ball
  • Tennis
  • Students have PE every day.
    
    
• LIBRARY:  During their scheduled library period each week, students are taught the respect and appreciation of books.  During story time, they learn listening and participation skills.  Vocabulary and comprehension of the text are explained as well as library organization.  Computers are used to search Athena, our library’s management program, and also for testing with our Accelerated Reader program.  The emphasis is placed on enjoyment of literature in order to make students life-long readers. Students have library class once a week.