Second grade encompasses the
strengths and interests of all students and helps to make each a better person
through acts of kindness.
*In our classroom there is a heavy
focus on science.
Learning is done through discovery of materials and discussion of evidence
that was found.
Interactions and systems attract students who enjoy working through hands-on
activities, exploring theories that they have.
Magnets, electricity, gears, and chemistry are used to teach students about
how objects interact within a system.
Life science is studied through units on insects and frogs.
Life cycles are witnessed through actual specimen of xenopus frogs, silk worm
moths, and praying mantises.
Development is compared, and food chains, habitats, and characteristics are
examined.
*Social studies comes to life with a
focus on the past and present.
Students learn about the past with units on Native Americans,
Columbus
, and historical figures.
Children learn about
China,
Mexico, and
Antarctica through in depth units on
each. They
learn about the way of life in the past and present in these countries and
continent.
They also learn about the wildlife, celebrations, and interesting facts about
each. We
also focus our attention on the environment and how we can help take care of
it through our actions.
*
Character
Building
is a strong focus.
Students learn how to “build their character muscles” through practicing
caring, cooperation, citizenship, etc.
Role playing and self examination play a vital role in building the person
each student hopes to be.
Acts of Kindness Month is celebrated school wide and is hosted by the second
grade.
Community service is practiced through cupcake sales twice a year.
Students take part in
making and selling the cupcakes.
They write about the experience both to the charity receiving the money earned
and in their writing journals.
*Math is studied during a three part
program. A
typical math book is used, focusing on addition and subtraction with
regrouping, time and money, and geometry.
Students also work on problem solving activities each class time, setting up
each problem as an addition equation.
After reading the information in the problem, students plug in numbers that
are given and find the missing number.
Finally, math facts are practiced on a daily basis through timed tests.
Second grade also
begins the step ahead program for students who are more advanced in math.
They may be advanced to
the third grade math class if recommended by the teacher and if testing
suggests that the student is ready.
*Reading instruction is given through
basal readers and chapter books.
Students strengthen their oral and silent reading skills through basal
textbooks, focusing on skills of each unit.
Then, chapter books are incorporated in to expand comprehension and vocabulary
skills.
Students are given a goal each quarter to fulfill reading and taking tests in
an Accelerated Reader program.
*Students learn to strengthen their
writing skills through creative writing activities and the six traits of
writing. In
each activity, students are taught different methods to use to generate ideas
(story web, picture, etc.).
The writing process is carried through from rough draft to final copy.
Research skills are
also taught.
*Manuscript writing is reviewed,
paying particular attention to neatness, form, and size.
Mid-year, cursive writing is taught through daily instruction and is practiced
in cross curricular activities.
*Spelling and phonetic instruction
goes hand in hand.
Students practice spelling through weekly lists, combining new words with
review and challenge words.
They team up with another classmate for daily spelling tutoring.
Spelling sentences, made up of commonly spelled and used words, accompany
weekly instruction.
In this way, students are exposed to spelling words that they naturally use in
everyday writing, and are required to master the spelling of each.
Phonetic instruction is
taken from the pattern of spelling used in the weekly list of words.