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Second Grade
Curriculum
Language Arts and Handwriting
The Language Basics and Open Court programs provide a strong multi-sensory and phonics-based foundation for learning the consistencies of the English language as they apply to reading, spelling, and writing. The focus is on building phonics and word skills. As reading ability increases, comprehension and and word meaning take on added importance. Expanding vocabulary creates a natural opportunity for dictionary and spelling skills. Oral reading continues both as a listening comprehension tool and as a source of pleasurable literary experiences. Daily writing and practice in using words correctly helps the child communicate his thoughts. Study includes the meaning and use of verbs, nouns, and adjectives as action, naming, and describing words.
The D'Nealian Handwriting Program continues to be taught in second grade. The D'Nealian system was developed in the late 1060s by an experienced teacher, Donald Neal Thurber, and its title was coined from his name. The model letters of this manuscript alphabet are somewhat different from those we may have learned to print. The letters slant, and ending strokes make it easy for the child to convert to cursive handwriting.
Social Studies
Second grade social studies seeks to expand the child's world beyond the school into the neighborhood and local community: people working and playing together, customs and holidays, laws and government, and famous Americans. Students work with simple maps, graphs, and charts.
Science
Emphasis is on the major groupings of living things: plants and animals. Study includes mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Students discover what makes weather conditions, study water, and explore the properties of sound, light, force, movement.
Mathematics
After a review of addition and subtraction, the processes become more sophisticated with the introduction of regrouping and three digit numbers. New concepts introduced this year include telling time, measurement, geometry, and an introduction to simple multiplication and fractions. Word problems show practical applications of mathematical processes. The use of manipulatives facilitates a better understanding of the concepts.
Enrichments
Students in the second grade have specialized instruction in art once a week, and attend classes in music and Spanish twice a week. They visit the library and computer lab once a week and have physical education classes three times a week. In addition, the drama teacher works with the class and classroom teacher to integrate drama into the curriculum in many interesting and innovative ways. Students attend chapel twice a week.
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