Second Grade School Program

A comprehensive, literature-based series is used in addition to class novels. The reading series includes vocabulary, comprehension and language skills, and is supplemented by practice assignments. Outside reading, book reports, and projects are required.

Students learn many grammatical and word recognition components including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, diphthongs, digraphs, contractions, and homonyms. Creative writing, letter writing, spelling, dictionary skills, and word usage are also included. In the second half of the year, students will begin the transition from manuscript to cursive writing.

Second grade skills emphasize basic addition and subtraction facts with a focus on speed. The topics of regrouping, place value, money, time, measurement, graphing, geometry, fractions, problem solving, and multiplication/ division concepts are covered.

Social studies units include the study of our neighborhoods, country and world, community laws and workers, holidays and their cultural variations, and the acquisition of basic map skills. Some of the units in both science and social studies are coordinated with field trips. Scholastic News Weekly Readers are used for current events.

Science units include the habitats of plants and animals, properties of matter and energy, the engineering design process, and changes to Earth’s surface.

The art curriculum integrates the four disciplines of art education: art history and culture, aesthetic perception, creative expression, and art criticism. Each lesson exposes students to works of fine art, history and culture, creative art production activities, and critical thinking. Students will be introduced to artist profiles and children’s book illustrators. These skills are built upon annually with a greater degree of difficulty as students advance through the upper grades.

Extensive use of xylophones and small percussion instruments are utilized throughout the course of the year. Circle dances, rhythmic activities, and singing in rounds while playing percussion instruments are introduced. Note values and listening skills are emphasized through use of the smartboard.

Large and small muscle motor coordination skills are taught along with creative, rhythmic, and perceptual movements. Students participate in team and individual sports and relay activities, in addition to learning various exercises and ball skills. Health units are taught throughout the year. Cooperation, skill building, teamwork, participation, and sportsmanship are emphasized.

Students will become familiar with basic knowledge of how computers work, hardware, software, and terminology for use of computer and related technology efficiency. Emphasis will be on developing keyboarding skills and creating Microsoft Office Suite projects. Age-appropriate discussions of online safety and proper computer etiquette will be covered. Students create digital stories, games, tools, and scientific models while learning the basics of programming.

Elementary Spanish focuses on a variety of themes which will be reintroduced and expanded upon in successive years. These themes build vocabulary, communicative competence, and comprehension, and include: Greetings, Family, Animals, Numbers (0-50), Community, School Life, Food, Body Parts, Seasons, Weather, Calendar, Colors, and Cultural Awareness lessons taught through stories, games, songs, and videos.

The library curriculum is based on information access and problem-solving skills. Students learn to use databases to locate information. These resources are then applied to classroom research projects. Literature appreciation is also emphasized through class discussions. Students can choose from over 28,000 titles on our library shelves and in our e-book collection from the digital Overdrive/Sora library.