2nd Grade Curriculum
Literacy: Literacy is the foundation of all instruction and I strive to have a classroom rich in literacy. We focus on teaching students to connect more deeply to their reading through oral and written comprehension. We will focus equally on fiction and non-fiction texts and students will learn to read for meaning. We will have whole and small group discussions about texts.
Students will also be learning to write about what they are reading. This allows students to make a deeper connection and understanding of the text. We will use the program EL Education for our comprehension lessons.
We also have a time specifically for writing instruction. During writing students will learn the writing process through guided writing mini-lessons. They will also write independently and have conferences about their writing with peers and myself. We will focus on content, structure, editing, revising, and conventions. During the year students will write narratives, informational, and opinion pieces.
Second graders are still growing as readers and continue to need phonics instruction. They will learn spelling patterns and phonics skills during whole group lessons and also in small groups. We will also work on increasing students’ vocabulary and the ability to determine the meaning of unknown words using their schema and context clues. Students will be exposed to new vocabulary during whole group and small group instruction. We will use the program Letterland for our phonics lessons.
Math: The main goal in math is to teach children effective mathematical problem solving.I will use multiple teaching methods to engage the students and develop their problem solving. It is important that students fully understand how they are solving math equations and story problems instead of just going through the process without understanding WHY. Students will work through problems independently, with partners, in small groups, and as a class. They will explain their problem-solving process. This helps students to verbalize their thought process and gives them a chance to understand the method; it also allows for their classmates to learn other methods. We emphasize this discussion process through Math Talk where students will be engaged in questioning themselves and each other about their thought process. This method gives students a much clearer understanding of math and a firmer foundation to build on as they grow. There will be further information about math topics as we go through the year.
Science: Science topics are best taught through inquiry-based instruction. Students will engage in hands-on science activities to help them develop a stronger, more meaningful understanding of the topics. I feel that students learn best when they are experiencing science and creating their own methods of learning. They will begin by making predictions; then they will test their predictions, and finally explain the outcome of their tests. Science topics taught in 2nd grade include, solids & liquids, life cycles, sound, & air & weather.
Social Studies: Social studies instruction in elementary school creates a child’s foundation in their understanding our how society functions. 2nd grade social studies topics give students a basic understanding of the past, citizenship, economics, and geography. They will create projects individually and in small groups to demonstrate what they learn.
Students will also be learning to write about what they are reading. This allows students to make a deeper connection and understanding of the text. We will use the program EL Education for our comprehension lessons.
We also have a time specifically for writing instruction. During writing students will learn the writing process through guided writing mini-lessons. They will also write independently and have conferences about their writing with peers and myself. We will focus on content, structure, editing, revising, and conventions. During the year students will write narratives, informational, and opinion pieces.
Second graders are still growing as readers and continue to need phonics instruction. They will learn spelling patterns and phonics skills during whole group lessons and also in small groups. We will also work on increasing students’ vocabulary and the ability to determine the meaning of unknown words using their schema and context clues. Students will be exposed to new vocabulary during whole group and small group instruction. We will use the program Letterland for our phonics lessons.
Math: The main goal in math is to teach children effective mathematical problem solving.I will use multiple teaching methods to engage the students and develop their problem solving. It is important that students fully understand how they are solving math equations and story problems instead of just going through the process without understanding WHY. Students will work through problems independently, with partners, in small groups, and as a class. They will explain their problem-solving process. This helps students to verbalize their thought process and gives them a chance to understand the method; it also allows for their classmates to learn other methods. We emphasize this discussion process through Math Talk where students will be engaged in questioning themselves and each other about their thought process. This method gives students a much clearer understanding of math and a firmer foundation to build on as they grow. There will be further information about math topics as we go through the year.
Science: Science topics are best taught through inquiry-based instruction. Students will engage in hands-on science activities to help them develop a stronger, more meaningful understanding of the topics. I feel that students learn best when they are experiencing science and creating their own methods of learning. They will begin by making predictions; then they will test their predictions, and finally explain the outcome of their tests. Science topics taught in 2nd grade include, solids & liquids, life cycles, sound, & air & weather.
Social Studies: Social studies instruction in elementary school creates a child’s foundation in their understanding our how society functions. 2nd grade social studies topics give students a basic understanding of the past, citizenship, economics, and geography. They will create projects individually and in small groups to demonstrate what they learn.