About Second Grade
Second Grade is the next step up from the foundation laid in kindergarten and first grade. We take things to the next level in all curriculum areas.
In Math we expand on simple addition and subtraction, begin learning to add 2 and 3 digit numbers, counting past 100 all the way to 999, place value, problem solving, patterning, fractions, regrouping, time, money, and more. We also have a program to help students master their addition and subtraction facts. It is called “Otter Creek Math”, and requires nightly studying.
In Reading, we are really beginning to get into the “meat” of what reading is about, learning to enjoy stories, and looking more for the author’s purpose and cause and effect. We do a lot of “word work”, learning contractions, compound words, parts of speech, prefixes/suffixes, antonyms/synonyms, and many more skills helpful in learning to be a better reader and writer.
Writing continues with our focus being primarily on personal narrative and some poetry. We work on writing good sentences, using correct spelling, adjectives, transition words, and opening and closing sentences to paragraphs.
Our Spelling program teaches spelling mastery through learning skills, not weekly spelling lists. The program practices phonics, reading, writing, usage, and vocabulary. It also emphasizes parental involvement.
Our Social Studies text is titled, “Then and Now”, and will focus on comparing and contrasting the way things are now and the way they used to be in our country.
In Science we explore forms of matter, electricity, sound, earth science, and life cycles of animals and plants.
Second graders have now experienced school for two years. They are expected to be independent workers who can enter the room, get right to work, and stay on task throughout the day. They should be able to bring and take information to and from school. Second grade students are expected to work on homework assignments for about twenty to thirty minutes a night. In order to reinforce student responsibility, assignments are to be turned in on time, which is the beginning of the day. Behaviorally, students are expected to maintain self-control in all situations and activities and show proper respect to adults and fellow students.
In Math we expand on simple addition and subtraction, begin learning to add 2 and 3 digit numbers, counting past 100 all the way to 999, place value, problem solving, patterning, fractions, regrouping, time, money, and more. We also have a program to help students master their addition and subtraction facts. It is called “Otter Creek Math”, and requires nightly studying.
In Reading, we are really beginning to get into the “meat” of what reading is about, learning to enjoy stories, and looking more for the author’s purpose and cause and effect. We do a lot of “word work”, learning contractions, compound words, parts of speech, prefixes/suffixes, antonyms/synonyms, and many more skills helpful in learning to be a better reader and writer.
Writing continues with our focus being primarily on personal narrative and some poetry. We work on writing good sentences, using correct spelling, adjectives, transition words, and opening and closing sentences to paragraphs.
Our Spelling program teaches spelling mastery through learning skills, not weekly spelling lists. The program practices phonics, reading, writing, usage, and vocabulary. It also emphasizes parental involvement.
Our Social Studies text is titled, “Then and Now”, and will focus on comparing and contrasting the way things are now and the way they used to be in our country.
In Science we explore forms of matter, electricity, sound, earth science, and life cycles of animals and plants.
Second graders have now experienced school for two years. They are expected to be independent workers who can enter the room, get right to work, and stay on task throughout the day. They should be able to bring and take information to and from school. Second grade students are expected to work on homework assignments for about twenty to thirty minutes a night. In order to reinforce student responsibility, assignments are to be turned in on time, which is the beginning of the day. Behaviorally, students are expected to maintain self-control in all situations and activities and show proper respect to adults and fellow students.
