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2ND GRADE CURRICULUM
Reading & Language Arts
With the help of the Scott Foresman/Pearson reading curriculum, thematic units and guided reading strategies, 2nd graders build on the emerging and beginning reading skills they bring from 1stgrade. They read a variety of grade appropriate literature, building on background information, recognize simple themes and learn to recall setting, main idea, and details. The reading done in second grade also encourages the love of reading and the love of literature. Second graders continue to build upon and apply phonetic vowel and consonant sounds learned, focusing on blends,“special” vowel sounds, and sight word patterns. They begin to develop creative, expressive and expository writing and are taught that their writing needs to have a beginning, middle and end. The use of descriptive words is added, and students are taught beginning paragraph writing using the “accordion paragraph” from the “Step Up to Writing” model. Second graders are taught to recognize and correctly use statement, question, command and exclamatory sentences, as well as to identify and use contractions, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns. Writing with complete sentences using grade appropriate capitalization, end marks and spelling is part of the curriculum. Developing eye contact, posture, clarity and projection when speaking in front of classmates is part of oral language development.
With the help of the Scott Foresman/Pearson reading curriculum, thematic units and guided reading strategies, 2nd graders build on the emerging and beginning reading skills they bring from 1stgrade. They read a variety of grade appropriate literature, building on background information, recognize simple themes and learn to recall setting, main idea, and details. The reading done in second grade also encourages the love of reading and the love of literature. Second graders continue to build upon and apply phonetic vowel and consonant sounds learned, focusing on blends,“special” vowel sounds, and sight word patterns. They begin to develop creative, expressive and expository writing and are taught that their writing needs to have a beginning, middle and end. The use of descriptive words is added, and students are taught beginning paragraph writing using the “accordion paragraph” from the “Step Up to Writing” model. Second graders are taught to recognize and correctly use statement, question, command and exclamatory sentences, as well as to identify and use contractions, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns. Writing with complete sentences using grade appropriate capitalization, end marks and spelling is part of the curriculum. Developing eye contact, posture, clarity and projection when speaking in front of classmates is part of oral language development.
Handwriting
The D’Nealian alphabet is reviewed and used throughout the year with particular attention to size, form and spacing of letters, and developing the slant that transfers to cursive writing. Students are introduced to cursive writing and are taught the lowercase cursive alphabet and to write their names in cursive.
Math
Problem solving, mental math, critical thinking and logical reasoning are concepts woven throughout the Saxon curriculum taught in 2nd grade. Numeration concepts taught include skip counting, greater/less than, odd/even numbers, number lines, and place value. Mathematical operations of addition and subtraction including double-digit numbers are taught. The meaning of multiplication and introduction of the multiplication tables, as well as the meaning of division is part of the curriculum. Also included in the Saxon math curriculum are fractions, patterns and graphing, measurement, time, money and geometry.
Religion
As second graders study God’s Word, share and worship together, they learn that the Triune God is the only one true God; God the Father is the Creator of all things and their provider. They learn to know Jesus or know Him better as their personal Savior from sin, and their friend. As they learn more about the Holy Spirit, they realize that He is their helper in every situation and gives them the power to believe and live out their faith every day. They learn that the Bible is God’s Word, and the only truth. They commit verses from the Bible to memory. In 2nd grade, there is a focus on each person as a forgiven child of God, and a special part of Christ’s family as well as His body, the church. Second graders learn to express joy in worship and in loving service to others, participating in God’s mission. They also focus on openly sharing their faith in Jesus as their Savior and Friend, and a Savior and Friend to all. They actively learn more about the importance of prayer in their life, growing in their understanding and in developing their own prayer life.
Science
Thematic units often using AIMS educational materials are used to encourage further development in the area of science. Students are taught to ask questions and make predictions based on observations and previous scientific knowledge. They observe and record simple data related to scientific investigations. Second graders communicate scientific learning through describing, comparing, sequencing, identifying, classifying and identifying characteristics and properties. Thematic units may include insects, nutrition, magnets, animals, and rocks.
Social Studies
In second grade students are taught a balanced understanding of people in our world through knowledge about different and similar cultures. They begin to develop concepts of sequence, cause and effect, and the roles of people in a community. They also develop an understanding of locations in our world, how people depend upon, and adapt to, as well as modify their physical environment. Second graders are introduced to the study of regions of land, oceans and continents. Beginning map skills are taught, including the use of the compass rose, and maps key on a map. Organizing people, events and family characteristics in the history of their own family is part of the curriculum. Students also taught the
importance of historical celebrations, symbols and figures. They also begin to learn about government leadership and citizenship, and the relationship it has to them.
importance of historical celebrations, symbols and figures. They also begin to learn about government leadership and citizenship, and the relationship it has to them.
Art
Children develop their artistic abilities, as they become more knowledgeable of art as an expression of themselves. They will add to their developing skills in art – the use of color, value, line, shape, texture, pattern, and design. As is appropriate at this age, students begin to critic their own artwork and that of others. By introducing different Master artists and their works, students begin to appreciate different styles of art and become familiar with the artists who created them. They will come to understand that their creative expressions are a gift from God, who is the Master Creator of all.
Technology
Students will start working in Typing Club as they begin to develop their keyboarding skills. They will work on WPM (words per minute) and accuracy through timed lessons and games. Students will receive a school email address and begin navigating through this Google-based email account.
Music
Music is incorporated into many areas of the curriculum and is an integral part of worship. Second graders participate in a Kindergarten through grade two choir learning aspects of music and of singing together as well as learning the songs. They are also introduced to singing in parts through “rounds”. In music time, 2nd graders are taught to recognize, feel, and move to the beat in music as well as to recognize strong and weak beats. They learn to understand the up and down movement of melodies and the use of introductions in music. They have an opportunity to respond to different types of music, to clap to simple rhythms and to hear differences in music, recognizing contrast. Through their music experiences, 2nd graders are encouraged to continue to develop a love for music and singing.
Music is incorporated into many areas of the curriculum and is an integral part of worship. Second graders participate in a Kindergarten through grade two choir learning aspects of music and of singing together as well as learning the songs. They are also introduced to singing in parts through “rounds”. In music time, 2nd graders are taught to recognize, feel, and move to the beat in music as well as to recognize strong and weak beats. They learn to understand the up and down movement of melodies and the use of introductions in music. They have an opportunity to respond to different types of music, to clap to simple rhythms and to hear differences in music, recognizing contrast. Through their music experiences, 2nd graders are encouraged to continue to develop a love for music and singing.
Physical Education
Games and activities that build on manipulative skills are emphasized. Second graders learn to catch a ball that is thrown or bounced by a partner, a skill that demonstrates development of motor control and the ability of the student’s eyes to track moving objects. Students participate in parachute activities and learn to jump over a rope turned by someone else. The Second graders are enthusiastic about learning
new games, and even the rules and directions that go along with them. Special emphasis is given to cooperation and teamwork as it begins to develop.
Texts:
One in Christ – Concordia Publishing House, 2011English Standard Version Bible
Saxon Math – Saxon Publishers, 2nd Edition, 2010
Scott Foresman Reading, Scott Foresman/Pearson, 2013
Step Up to Writing — Sopris West Educational Services, 2003
People & Places, McGraw Hill School Division, 2009
AIMS Educational Materials, 1991
Western Dairy Council
Physical Education for Elementary School Children – Kirchner/Glenn – William C. Brown Publishers, 1989
Quaver Music Curriculum – online portal
Meet the Masters – Meet the Masters
Typing Club – online keyboarding1989
