Second Grade

Reading and Writing Beliefs and Expectations for Second Grade

Reading Beliefs

We believe second graders:

    • should read a variety of genres strategically.
    • need silent reading time daily.
    • should have a variety of reading materials available.
    • should receive daily reading instruction in a small group or one-on-one conferring.
    • need whole group mini-lessons.
    • need daily word work instruction and practice.
    • should write about reading.
    • need read alouds.

Reading Expectations

    • 90-minute reading block
    • while teachers are working with reading groups other students are engaged in meaningful reading activities
    • comprehension strategies
    • word work
    • flexible grouping
    • decoding strategies
    • Fountas and Pinnell assessments
    • running records
    • reading a variety of genres

Writing Beliefs

We believe second graders:

    • are writers.
    • need to see writing as a process.
    • should be allowed to move at their own pace.

Writing Expectations

    • Students need to engage in a variety of writing genres
    • Students can choose the topic they wish to write about
    • Students are aware of the writing expectations
    • Whole and small group instruction
    • Individual conferencing
    • Uninterrupted writing time
    • Mentor texts
    • Write in all curricular areas
    • Peer-conferencing to validate and get ideas from one another