Welcome to Second Grade
The second grade is a self-contained classroom in which language arts, math, science, social studies and religion are taught. In addition, students go to special classes once per week in art, music, library, computers, and twice to physical education.
*Every full day Friday, we celebrate “Fun-Day.” We get together with First Grade or our Eighth Grade Buddies, at the end of the day, to do a special project (glyphs, games, math, reading, etc.) to enhance our monthly curriculum.
Reading/Language Arts:
The focus is on reading comprehension skills and fluency. Comprehension strategies are emphasized moving from the literal to more critical thinking. In phonics, consonant and vowel sounds are reviewed. The children learn alphabetical order, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, contractions, prefixes and suffixes. Children learn to write and punctuate sentences. They learn to write and edit simple paragraphs, letters and book reports. They learn to identify nouns, verbs, pronouns, and adjectives. Spelling is incorporated in writing and as separated lists that are tested weekly. Vocabulary development is stressed in all areas of the curriculum.
*We play many movement games, such as Word Wall and Making Words. On full day Fridays, each child is allowed to choose a Beanie Baby from the classroom library to be their special reading partner for the day.
Math:
The children master addition and subtraction facts up to 18 and learn to regroup in addition and subtraction to the hundreds place. They also learn place value, time, counting money, and measuring. Geometry and fractions are introduced. They receive practice in visual thinking, problem solving, and critical thinking, in all these areas.
*We use manipulatives for most lessons to help visualize the assignment. We also use a coin system for behavior, or random acts of kindness, that teaches counting, saving, spending and making choices.
Religion:
In the second grade program the children’s awareness of the goodness of God is deepened. They see God’s love for them manifested in his readiness to forgive and in his gift of the Eucharist. They are prepared for a simple and meaningful first celebration of the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. They will learn the different parts of the mass and how to participate in it.
*We gather together each day to sing, pray and discuss lessons.
Science:
The curriculum includes units in life science, physical science, earth science and the human body. Children continue to develop skills in observing, predicting, interpreting, sequencing, classifying, and inferring.
*We do a “hands-on” experiment once a week as a reinforcement activity to enhance the science curriculum.
Social Studies:
The curriculum includes learning about our country today and long ago; how we live, work and play; the leaders of our country; and people and places in history. They learn through biographies, building citizenship, charts and graphs, folktales and songs, vocabulary exercises, and workbook follow- up pages.