Second grade students are eager to gain new skills and knowledge in all areas of the curriculum. They build upon the foundation they received in first grade. At this stage of their development, they are curious, imaginative, and becoming less self centered and more aware of their responsibilities to others. The second grade is a self-contained classroom in which language arts, math, science, social studies, and religion are taught. In addition, students meet with specialist teachers in Spanish, physical education, music, and library studies.
Language Arts We recognize all children learn differently. Our goal is to reach children no matter what their strengths and weakness might be. Quality literature is the core of the curriculum. The aim is to build the foundation for a lifelong love of books and learning. The teacher reads aloud to the students every day, presenting a broad array of literature to stimulate and motivate their imaginations, interests, and knowledge.
We focus on reading comprehension skills and reading fluency. Vocabulary development is stressed in all areas of the curriculum. Students practice reading in pairs or in small groups, and receive a great deal of support from their teacher and from their classmates. Independent reading is strongly promoted and nurtured. A wide selection of suitable books is available in the classroom, and frequent use of both the school and public libraries is encouraged.
Students express themselves in writing in many areas of the curriculum. They have an opportunity to practice penmanship, learn about the writing process, grammar, and the mechanics of good writing. The students are taught to use their knowledge of phonics to write compositions, and share their experiences and ideas orally. They present their original storie to the class.
Students explore words, word families (patterns), spelling, and phonics, and see how they can use what they learn about words in their reading and writing. Cursive handwriting is introduced in the second semester.
Mathematics The Excel Math Program is used in second grade. It uses traditional arithmetic to promote structure and order of the real world. It lays the correct foundation for understanding mathematics and increases the child’s capacity to develop concepts. The program emphasizes the facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The curriculum includes study in the following areas: number, time, money, geometry, problem solving, fractions, graphs, measurement, and logic.
Science The second grade science curriculum includes appropriate units in life science, earth science, and physical science. Students are introduced to the scientific method, and continue to develop skills in observing, classifying, sequencing, inferring, predicting and interpreting. Their natural curiosity is maintained and stimulated through sharing their experiences and interests. Social Studies Students learn they are members of many different groups and how groups work together. They are taught about the land, its resources and how it affects our lives. The change and growth brought about by technology, the environment, and people is explored and discussed. The concept of goods and services and how to make good choices is taught, as well as, the branches of our government.
Religion The students learn about Jesus’ forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation, and the gift of the Eucharist through which they receive Jesus. They also study the different parts of the mass and how to participate in it. They come to appreciate God’s goodness and His love for them. The students study and prepare for the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
