The Second Grade Curriculum

Religion:  The second grade program of the Christ Our Life series is designed to prepare the children for the first celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and Eucharist.  The children are introduced to Jesus’ willingness to forgive them and to bring them peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  They learn about the wonderful gift of the Eucharist, through which Jesus come to us as food to strengthen us and unite us with Him and one another.  The children will study the meaning of the Mass; its different parts, and how to participate in it.  Through their study of these great gifts, the children come to appreciate better God’s great goodness and love for them.

Reading:  Trophies published by Harcourt Brace is an innovative theme based program. It is integrated reading and language arts program.  This program will emphasize a full range of communication skills that will include reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking.  A wide variety of instructional activities will provide for individual learning styles.  Multicultural literature and activities will enable the children to appreciate cultural diversity.

English: Trophies Language Handbook and Grammar Practice Book published by Harcourt Brace provide activities that reinforce grammar instruction through guided and independent practice exercises.

Spelling:  The children will complete a screening inventory to determine each child’s knowledge of spelling to begin word study.  This screening will identify their stage of development in spelling.  Word study instruction will mimic cognitive learning processes; comparing and contrasting categories of word features and discovering similarities and differences within and between categories.  During word study, words are sorted in routines that require children to examine, discriminate and make critical judgments about speech sounds, word structures, spelling patterns and meanings.

Phonics: Harcourt Phonics Practice Book systemically introduces and reviews more advanced phonics and word study skills, including vowel digraphs and diphthongs, inflectional endings, prefixes and suffixes.

Mathematics:  Sadlier-Oxford’s Progress in Mathematics will include addition and subtraction of one, two and three digit numbers, place value, money time, measurement, simple geometry and introduction of multiplication and division.  These concepts will be taught and reinforced through he use of manipulatives, hands-on activities and ACTIVboard lessons.

Handwriting:  Zaner-Bloser Handwriting a Way to Self-Expression is a systematic approach to teaching handwriting.  Specific guidance on modeling, reciprocal teaching, and grouping learning situations are utilized in review of correct manuscript formation of letters and numbers.  Children will be introduced to cursive writing in the second semester.

Science:  The science program will highlight Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science.  Science labs will enable the children to experience the wonders and mysteries of the world that God created.  ACTIVboard lessons will reinforce concepts taught.  Ms. Slifkey will teach this curriculum to both second grades.

Social Studies:  The second grade curriculum begins to expand outward, moving from family and neighborhood to the local community and North America communities.  The community theme for second grade stresses sociology, civics, geography and history.  ACTIVboard lessons will reinforce concepts taught.  Current events will be discussed using the Scholastic News magazine.  Mrs. Bolka will teach this curriculum to both second grades.

Art:  The children will attend a 45 minute class weekly with Mrs. Sears. The theme this year is animals.

Physical Education:  P.E. will be held twice a week, 30 minutes per class.  P.E. uniforms along with non-marking sneakers should be worn each Monday and Wednesday in order to participate.

Music:  Children will attend a 45 minute class weekly.

Computers:  Second graders will go to the Computer Lab each week for a 45 minute instructional period.  Lessons will be linked, when possible, to the second grade curriculum to enhance mastery of skills.

Spanish:  Teacher generated materials will provide the children with continuing instruction in Spanish.  Two 30-minute periods will take place in the regular classroom each week.

Homework:  Homework will involve reinforcement of skills and concepts taught in the classroom.  Assignments will be given to the children Monday through Thursday.  The children will be responsible for copying their assignments from the assignment board.  During the month of September, we will check and initial your child’s assignment book each daily.  Please check your child’s notebook each evening and help him/her as necessary.

Students who have completed all assigned work for the week are eligible for participation in “Fun Friday”, a preferred activity period on Friday afternoons.  Students who are not eligible will use that time to catch up on remaining work.

Any work that is not completed by Friday morning will be noted on the child’s Weekly Paper Folder.  It is the child’s responsibility to complete that work over the weekend and return it in his or her folder on Monday for partial credit.

Folders:  The children will have two classroom folders.  One folder will be a “Travel Folder”.  This folder will go home daily and will include any papers received during the day.  Please ask your child to show you their folder nightly,.  The second folder will be the “Weekly Paper Folder”.  All complete work will be sent home on Friday in this folder.  Any work that is not completed from the week will also be included for completion over the weekend.  Please review the folder, sign the Weekly Report Comment Sheet, and return the folder with your child on Monday.

Classroom Rules:  We will continue with the discipline policy established in Kindergarten.  Please read the attached “Discipline Plan” with your child.  The Discipline Plan affords every child guidance in making good decisions about his/her behavior and thus an opportunity to learn in a positive, nurturing classroom environment.  Your child deserves the most positive educational climate possible for his/her growth, and we know that together we will make a difference in this process.  Please sign and return the bottom portion of the Second Grade Discipline Plan sheet (page 4) to let me know that you and your child are well aware of the rules, rewards and consequences of the plan.

Field Trips:  Field trips will be scheduled as the curriculum allows.  Parents will be notified of these special trips.  Class rules and school rules are expected to be followed.

Standardized Testing:  The Terra Nova Assessment Test will be given the week of April 23, 2012.  These tests will reflect what your child has learned in Kindergarten, First and Second grades.  These results will be forwarded to you.

Special Events:  Second grade is a very special year.  The children will be receiving First Penance and First Holy Communion.  Information regarding these sacraments will be sent home at a later date.  The Second Grade also has the honor of crowning Mary during the month of May.