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Second Grade

In 2nd grade, students become more experienced writers, readers, and mathematicians by practicing their skills in more complex and comprehensive ways. Students read longer and more involved books, write longer and more structured pieces, and learn more about the concepts behind math skills. Our second graders work on projects that involve research and critical thinking. In Science, students continue to explore the world around them, but they do so in a more rigorous way by using hands-on experimentation to develop questions, hypothesize, collect data, and make observations and conclusions. In Social Studies, students develop their reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills as they gain a deeper understanding of ancient history and societies.

Language and Literacy:

Reading is organized into shared read alouds that are then organized into themes. Themes are supported through both fiction and nonfiction sources that reinforce the theme through the use of authentic literature. Comprehension questions and vocabulary come from the readings. Writing is developed to reinforce and support the readings.

Themes in Reading:

Early Asian Civilizations and Mythology

Ancient Greek Civilizations and Mythology

Fighting for a Cause

Acceptance, Tolerance and Understanding

World Cultures

Biographies

Immigration

Westward Expansion

Writing Units:

  • Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
  • Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  • Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

The Social Studies Curriculum is integrated into the Reading Themes. The reading themes incorporate World and American history and geography, a well as integrating topics in civics and the arts. This helps students build knowledge of diverse civilizations, cultures, and concepts. The goal is for students to acquire language competence through listening, specifically building a rich vocabulary, and broad knowledge in history

Read Alouds:

The book read aloud listing in second grade will be a representative selection of books including different genres and are chosen to infuse more culturally responsive, multicultural and inclusive stories into the classroom. Read aloud listing also includes selected nonfiction topics and biographical selections to supplement curricular areas of study. Shared reading, independent reading and Reading Response Journals support the development and practice of Common Core Reading Standards.

Racial Literacy: Second grade lessons use nonfiction and fiction texts to explore the role and impact geography has on our lives, including the development of culture. Through this lens of geography, students will learn more about how people live around the world.

Phonics and Spelling:

Wilson’s Fundations and Sitton Spelling

Math:

Bridges in Mathematics

Science:

Following the Next Generation Science Standards, science is fully integrated into the classroom, through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics)

Units of Study:

Properties and Patterns of Water

  • How do the properties of water and other earth materials affect life on earth?

The Changes to Land Over Time:

  • How do wind and water change land?

Plant and Animal Interactions:

  • How plants and animals depend on each other?

Engineering design:

  • How can a problem be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool?

Technology:

  • Keyboarding without Tears- The program for teaching keyboarding is developmentally appropriate by grade.
  • Digital Citizenship: Common Sense Media
  • Google Classroom - Google tools; Google Docs and Google Slides

Field Trips:

All field trips in Second Grade support the curriculum in the classroom, are local, accessible by walking or involve limited transportation.