Second Grade

Language Arts

The second grade language arts curriculum includes reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and handwriting. Students continue to build their reading and writing skills through a blended curriculum incorporating Reading and Writing Workshop, Words Their Way, Handwriting Without Tears, and grammar practice. Greater importance is placed on independence as students develop strategies to become more fluent readers and bold writers. This differentiated approach continues to build phonetic awareness, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills. Students apply these skills throughout the year while working on individual and collaborative assignments and projects. 

Math

Students explore ways that math is used in daily life through the Everyday Mathematics program. The second grade program focuses on problem-solving skills and strategies that enable students to reach solutions in multiple ways. The spiraling curriculum takes distributed practice approach, as mastery is not expected the first time a concept is introduced. Students practice a variety of concepts (e.g., money, place value, geometry, number stories) and skills (e.g., numeration, operations, exploring data, spatial sense, measurement, recognizing patterns, variable use). We supplement and extend the math curriculum with a variety of resources, including logic puzzles and problem-solving strategies. We reinforce fact practice through Reflex Math, which is an effective and engaging web-based program.

Science

Our science curriculum includes Mystery Science and FOSS (Full Option Science System) Next Generation, a curriculum that engages students in active investigations of scientific concepts. Mystery Science lessons are driven by a central mystery and include discussion questions, supplemental reading, and a hands-on activity. Second grade students continue to build their understanding of science concepts through a wide range of experiences that develop scientific habits of mind. The course of study comprises two units: Solids and Liquids; and Plants and Insects. These units provide a connection to the natural world students experience every day. Students are actively engaged and take ownership of their learning by asking questions, gathering information, testing ideas, observing surroundings, recording data, and communicating discoveries. 

Social Studies

In second grade, students gain valuable insights into their communities, which helps them make connections to the larger world. By using literature, biographies, maps, charts, diagrams, and web-based resources, students are introduced to past and present people, cultures, and events. Current events are highlighted through the use of Scholastic News Magazine, and the curriculum also includes project-based learning opportunities and service learning projects.

World Languages

In second grade Spanish, students gain confidence in their speaking and listening abilities while further developing their reading and writing skills. Students read and write simple phrases while responding orally to phrases and questions in the target language. By answering warm-up questions, listening to stories, playing games, singing songs, responding to listening activities, and completing written work, students interact with the teacher and each other using the target language to communicate. Project-based units round out the curriculum.