Curriculum
CURRICULUM:
Religion:
Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist is the heart of our curriculum. Students receive preparation through school and home activities. However, the parish will have a couple of classes leading up to the Sacramental celebrations. The school is an educational arm of the parish, but not a replacement for the parish community.
A list of formal prayers the students need to know is attached. We also pray spontaneously through word, song and action.
Reading:
Reading is a developmental process. Some children catch on quickly; some take a while. Second grade is often a year of “take-off” for many readers.
3 basic cues that fluent readers use:
*Meaning – Does it make sense?
*Structure – Does it sound right? (e.g. grammar)
*Visual – Does it look right? (e.g. phonics)
Home reading:
*AR or other assigned reading
*oral or silent (If silent, check periodically for comprehension)
*weekly reading goals
Spelling:
Again, this is a developmental process. Most 2nd graders are transitioning from phonetic to conventional.
Spelling is a visual process. It is important to practice writing the words, not just spell them out loud.
While approximations are encouraged in draft writing, all published work must be spelled correctly.
Students will take a pre-test each week. If they miss one or none they will have a challenge list instead of the regular list.
Writing:
Writing is a process that includes planning, composing, correcting and publishing.
Student approximations in spelling, sentence structure, etc. are valued as attempts and as future teaching points.
Handwriting:
Focus in on increasing legibility and speed.
We will introduce cursive toward the end of the year. Please discourage your child from experimenting with it before then. Incorrect habits can be VERY hard to break.
Math:
By the end of the year, all 2nd graders should have addition facts through 10+10 memorized and should be very comfortable with subtraction facts.
We also introduce the concepts of multiplication and division and a host of other mathematical concepts.
Challenge activities will include things like problem solving and looking at math from different angles. (Pun intended.)
Math curriculum website: www.macmillanmh.com
Social Studies:
The 2nd grade focus in on community.
Along with formal lessons, social studies is integrated with other curriculum areas whenever possible.
Science:
Our formal units are on weather, sound and insects.
As with social studies, science in integrated into the curriculum whenever possible.
Library:
Our library day is Thursday. Please help your child remember to return books on times. (I suggest books be returned by Wednesday.)
P.E., Music, Art, Spanish:
We are lucky to have specialists for these classes!
Our P.E. days are Mondays and Wednesdays. Because we have recess every day, though, students need to wear appropriate shoes for play.
Computers:
We have 1:1 Chromebooks in our classroom. We use them mostly for learning centers. Along with educational games, the students will do some word processing, internet research and Powerpoint presentations.
Please discuss the computer use policy with your child, and sign and return it by Monday.
Google Classroom, Freckle, Spelling City, Seesaw