Second Grade Curriculum Overview

Language Arts
Second grade students read and write continually across the curriculum. Classroom assignments and homework focus on the writing process of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and creating a final draft. Students learn to write clear and coherent sentences and paragraphs with topic and supporting sentences that develop a central theme, as they consider their audience and purpose. A variety of writing projects are explored at this level: Book reports, letter writing, personal narrative, folk tales, report writing, descriptive writing exercises, poetry, journal writing, and creative writing. Research tools, including the dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and encyclopedia are introduced as aids in the writing process. Sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar are stressed in drills and writings. Spelling and vocabulary are expanded through word studies and vocabulary-building exercises. Cursive writing is introduced and stressed, and by the middle of the year, students are writing completely in cursive.

In second grade, students build on their solid foundation in reading, developed in the previous grades, by exploring a variety of genres such as folk tales, fantasies, realistic fiction, biographies, myths, and poetry from around the world through the Open Court series and a variety of class set literature books. American folk heroes and the mythology of ancient Greece are introduced. Comprehension and thoughtful consideration of the literature’s meaning are stressed. Students learn to distinguish between the structural features of the text through literary terms such as plot, setting, characters, and theme. They learn to make good use of the library and its many resources.

Students also learn speech techniques and begin to do formal declamations (memorizations) and speeches.

Mathematics
 Second grade students learn to count, read, write, compare, and order whole numbers to 10,000. They continue to work toward gaining automatic recall of basic math facts including multiplication and division tables. They learn how to calculate and solve problems using strategies, skills, and important concepts involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They estimate, measure, and describe objects in space and begin to understand the relationship between whole numbers, simple fractions, and decimals. Introduced to simple algebra and functions, students learn to select appropriate symbols, operations, and properties to represent, describe, simplify, and solve number relationships. They learn that math is built on patterns and learn how to use these patterns to help solve problems.

Throughout the second grade, emphasis is placed on the need to apply math in daily situations. Daily math games and activities, in both whole class and small groups, teach and reinforce important skills, such as strategy, problem solving, cooperative work, logical and critical thinking, probability, and statistics.

Science
Life science concepts covered in second grade include types of animals and their ecosystems, food chains and food pyramids, and an in-depth look at the life cycles of various plants and animals. They learn about extinction and the process of adaptation through physical structure or behavior which may improve an organism's chance for survival. Earth science concepts include seasonal cycles and the water cycle. Physical science concepts include the basic properties of matter, physical and chemical changes, energy, light, and simple machines. Students increase their knowledge of rocks and minerals through a study of how they can change through time and how they can be used. Hands-on experiments, reading literature, and videos are a regular part of the curriculum. Each year the students do an individual science project for the February Science Fair, helping them to learn the important concepts of observation, prediction, gathering information, recording results, creating a display, and presenting the material to their class and to parents.

Social Studies
The Social Studies program strives to develop citizens who are knowledgeable, skillful, and have the civic values that they need in order to become active and reflective participants in a global world. Students learn to identify the regions of the United States by their natural landforms and bodies of water, discuss how these elements shaped our country, learn some basic information about the 50 states, and are introduced to North America, Central America, South America, and Japan. Major themes in second grade include a study of American government (the Constitution, branches and levels of national and local government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, Civil Rights, immigration and assimilation, and citizenship),  the interactions of people in communities around the world (what makes up culture, the free enterprise system, and good consumerism), westward expansion and how Native Americans and their culture were impacted by it, the War of 1812, and the early civilizations of Asia (India and China), Ancient Greece, and present-day Japan. They also continue to learn about their own community, its history, and its architecture.

Spanish
Students in second grade review and expand the basic vocabulary they have already learned in Kindergarten and first grades while using a more formal textbook which adds the expectation that proper spelling and grammar now be used. They learn the calendar, numbers, clothing and accessories, foods, meals, and vocabulary related to health, animals, geography, and communities. Students have Spanish twice a week.

Art
Students in second grade learn to recognize shape, mass, and line in art and everyday objects. They discuss different kinds of pictures, such as landscapes, abstract art, sculpture, and architecture. They continue to explore their abilities with hands-on projects in different fields of art, including pottery, weaving and sculpture. Students have art class once a week.

Music
Second graders increase their knowledge of the basic elements of notation, rhythm, melody, form, and timbre by applying them in instrumental instruction on the recorder and various percussion instruments. They learn to synchronize with a group as both an instrumentalist and a singer, learn the basics of melody, harmony, and rounds, and solidify basic singing skills while singing character and patriotic songs. They continue their study of famous composers. Students have music once a week.

Physical Education
The physical education curriculum for second grade increases students' basic knowledge and skills in sport activities. They gain precision with increasing control and accuracy. They develop habits of teamwork, learn how to apply the basic rules of various sports, and participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness Program each year. Students have physical education twice a week.

Technology
Students are exposed to the computer several times each week. They learn to touch type and explore word processing and computerized slide-show presentations in conjunction with writing projects. They also use the computer to provide more depth in a fun way to their studies in language arts, science, and social studies and explore various educational software for practice and enrichment.

Research
In order to prepare them for independent research in the future, students begin researching topics which revolve around their science and social studies themes and, with guidance from the teacher, prepare a finished report. They learn how to use reference materials including a dictionary, an index, an encyclopedia, and internet resources. They formulate questions, locate information, take notes, and organize their information into simple reports.

Character Education, Environmental Education, and Community Service

Second grade students talk about the many character issues presented in their books: Justice, diversity, communication, cooperation for the common good, inventiveness, courage, perseverance, and creativity. During the year, the class does some sort of project which shows how conservation and care of our environment is important, because it impacts all of us. They also participate in at least one all-class service learning project during the year. The project is determined by the teacher and helps to give students a sense of the importance of being a good citizen. One example consisted of a fundraiser for an organization which helps people meet their basic needs.