1. Welcome To Second Grade Second grade is a year of transition and growth in many areas. With guidance and support we begin to work more independently, handle greater responsibilities, enjoy reading for pleasure and explore social relationships.

2. Language Arts In Reading we focus on rich literature and read from a wide range of genres including realistic and historical fiction, non-fiction, biographies, folk tales, fantasy and poetry in order to practice and strengthen our reading skills and to stretch our comprehension. Our literature discussions often lay the groundwork for our writing projects. We utilize graphic organizers to focus our thinking and follow the writing process to write, edit and publish our work.

3. Math Our new math series, Growing with Mathematics, emphasizes student involvement with support from learning materials, teachers, and peers. It provides mathematics learning that is active, rich in natural and mathematical language, and filled with many thought provoking opportunities. In second grade, adding and subtracting two-digit numbers and mastering and practicing basic number facts are the major focuses of the number work.

4. Science The second grade Science program emphasizes observation, discussion and hands-on participation in classroom activities and Science Lab experiments. Our Science curriculum is integrated with other subject areas or thematic units whenever possible. A sampling of our units include; the study of leaves, animal adaptations and habitats, properties of matter, simple machines, as well as topics based on student interest.

5. Social Studies In Social Studies we learn about groups of people, different types of communities, rules and laws and needs and wants. The curriculum is often integrated with our literature themes as we study the geographic features and cultural similarities and differences of our story settings. We use maps and globes to locate these places around the world. We also read biographies to learn about important people, places and events in our country’s history.

6. Technology In Second grade we utilize our classroom computers daily. We often begin research projects in the Computer Lab and end there by creating culminating projects which we showcase on our class web pages. We invite you to visit our individual class pages to see our most recent projects and some of the work that our second graders have created in the last several years.

7. Reminders: Please send in a snack and a drink daily. Make sure that your child has his/her sneakers on Gym days. Check your child’s backpack and take-home folder every day for corrected work and notices. Please look for weekly homework assignments on Mondays.