2nd Grade Curriculum

Overview of Second Grade Curriculum

LANGUAGE ARTS

HANDWRITING

SCIENCE

Our science units will be Solids and Liquids, Pebbles, Sand and Silt, and Plants and Insects.  All science units focus on exploratory and hands-on learning as well as reading related material and writing about their learning.  Students are taught to make observations, form hypotheses, conduct experiments, and develop conclusions. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

In social studies, we continue to use the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies program.  Our overarching theme of Neighborhoods will include units such as People and Places, Places Near and Far, Ways of Living, People at Work, America’s Past, and America’s Government. 

MATH

Our goal is to teach to the Common Core Math Performance Standards.  In 2nd grade we focus on the following four areas: 1) extending understanding of base-ten notation; (2) building fluency with addition and subtraction; (3) using standard units of measure; and (4) describing and analyzing shapes. Eureka math program is the resource we will use to meet the math standards.

A year long goal will be to develop fact fluency in addition and subtraction.  Weekly homework will focus on strategies for being flexible when mentally solving single digit addition and subtraction. 

STANDARDIZED TESTING

In second grade students will participate in MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing provided by the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association).  MAP testing is administered to students 3 times throughout the year - in the fall, winter, and spring.  MAP tests are computer-based adaptive assessments.  This means that as a student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty.  The assessment covers both reading and math and includes a variety of strands within each test.  The scores will be shared with parents during the first parent-teacher conference.