Second Grade

Second Grade Curriculum and Goals

In Grade Two, our Religion book is We Believe, published by Sadlier.  The emphasis is on the study of the Sacraments with a review of Baptism and preparation for the reception of both Eucharist and Reconciliation. Throughout the year, many letters will be sent to you to keep you informed of all the details in the preparation and reception of these two sacraments.  You will be expected to work at home on two separate study books to help prepare your child for Eucharist and Reconciliation and attend a few meetings in the evenings.  The students attend Mass weekly.

In our Handwriting program, the students form upper and lower case manuscript letters.  The factors, which determine good writing, are:  a child's body position, correct paper placement and proper pencil holding.  Neatness and correct formation are essential in all written work.  Students start cursive writing in January.

The goal of our Spelling class is to have the children learn words that are essential to basic literacy. The Houghton-Mifflin/Harcourt Spelling maintains a systematic study of phonetic and structural spelling patterns.  Proofreading, dictionary skills and vocabulary development help the child to apply these skills to daily studies.                                      

A spelling test is given at the end of each week.  Words are posted in the classroom and posted on Ed-line. Review of the words will help prepare for a spelling bee in early spring.

Houghton Mifflin English is the basic text for Grade Two. Our program provides a foundation for the principles that encompass the elementary school Language Arts Program. Activities incorporate written and oral skills.  Creative activities and correct usage are developed according to the children's needs at this level.

The Social Studies program concentrates on children and  their communities, geography, and government. Basic map skills are introduced throughout the year. The text used is a Scott Foresman Publication called People and Places.

The Math program follows Houghton Mifflin Math Series. We are pleased with the challenge this program gives to students.  Emphasis is placed on the development and continuance of addition and subtraction facts to twenty.  The student becomes proficient in this area by using basic and enrichment skills.  Some concepts introduced this year are addition and subtraction with regrouping, multiplication up to five, and place value of hundreds and thousands.

Reading is presented each day for an hour and a half. This time period includes thirty minutes of Phonics instruction. There is a Phonics workbook to go along with the material taught. The remaining sixty minutes is devoted to instruction using the Houghton-Mifflin/Harcourt reading series. This includes the reading and discussion of the outstanding pieces of literature in the text, comprehension, main idea, fact or opinion, dictionary skills and many more skills to aid in the development of capable and confident readers.  A reading workbook helps reinforce these skills. Supplementary work is available during the week when each child is involved in reading enrichment. Students are also involved in a book club that encourages each child to partake of an abundance of rich literature.                

Harcourt Science is written specifically for the seven-year-old child.  Each Science unit allows for learning and investigation. This year students will study animals, plants, weather, space, human body and dinosaurs.     

Physical Education classes are conducted twice a week by Miss Rigterink, assisted by Mr. Barrett. One of the goals is to improve physical fitness through drills.  The children play games to learn both rules and following directions. Exercising to music is a regular activity to develop fine and large muscles.

The goal of Art in second grade is to improve skills with the use of materials such as scissors, paints, brushes, crayons, glue, various textures of paper, and other supplies.  The Art teacher, Mrs. Flyte, helps the individual student make something creative and personal.

In Music Mr. Napper teaches songs appropriate to our grade level. In addition, Mr. Napper, along with classroom teachers, prepares second grade students for a Christmas play in December.

Homework is regularly assigned in the second grade. If a student does not finish an assignment in class, it is expected to be done at home and returned the next school day. This action prevents the student from falling behind. Tests are given periodically and parents are usually notified in advance through notes and study guides.

Updated:  9/11