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