Composition: It is our hope that by the end of second grade, all students will view themselves as “writers”. We will give students numerous opportunities to write on a daily basis. The Lucy Caulkin methodology will be utilized as we model, instruct through mini-lessons, and take several of our written pieces through the entire writing process. During the year, students will have the opportunity to write such things as personal narratives, “All About…”research books, poetry, and Fractured Fairy Tales which we will turn into a Stop Animation Video.
Literature: We will incorporate a balanced literacy program in our classrooms using multiple strategies to become proficient readers. Reader’s workshops, book clubs, phonics and word study lessons, and read aloud opportunities will be implemented to help our students gain the confidence and skills that they need to become independent lifelong readers.
Math: Math will be taught through a collaboration of a Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) approach,engaging in hands-on activities, and with referral to Real Math texts. An emphasis will be placed on learning various strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems, mastery of addition and subtraction facts, and problem solving strategies. We also study shapes, graphing, fractions, and money. Starting first quarter every child will be given a pretest for each math unit. Then we will switch classrooms for math on every day but Wednesday (when we will complete a CGI problem). By switching, we are able to meet every child where they are in math and help them to excel. Starting 1st quarter we will start sending home homework for the individualized math groups nightly
Science: Our second graders will have many opportunities to engage in the scientific method as we explore four different scientific topics. We will study matter, weather, sound, and life cycles. In second grade we have a hands-on science experiment almost every day!
Social Studies: Students will spend the year learning about five different regions of the United States. We will study individual states in each region and travel to the Southeast, Northeast, Southwest, Central, and Western regions. While learning about these different regions we will also be comparing and contrasting them to our region-the Southeast! At the end of each region we will have a celebration to remember all of the fun information we have just learned. Before each new region we 'travel' to the new place in fun and exciting ways using our imaginations!
Literature: We will incorporate a balanced literacy program in our classrooms using multiple strategies to become proficient readers. Reader’s workshops, book clubs, phonics and word study lessons, and read aloud opportunities will be implemented to help our students gain the confidence and skills that they need to become independent lifelong readers.
Math: Math will be taught through a collaboration of a Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) approach,engaging in hands-on activities, and with referral to Real Math texts. An emphasis will be placed on learning various strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems, mastery of addition and subtraction facts, and problem solving strategies. We also study shapes, graphing, fractions, and money. Starting first quarter every child will be given a pretest for each math unit. Then we will switch classrooms for math on every day but Wednesday (when we will complete a CGI problem). By switching, we are able to meet every child where they are in math and help them to excel. Starting 1st quarter we will start sending home homework for the individualized math groups nightly
Science: Our second graders will have many opportunities to engage in the scientific method as we explore four different scientific topics. We will study matter, weather, sound, and life cycles. In second grade we have a hands-on science experiment almost every day!
Social Studies: Students will spend the year learning about five different regions of the United States. We will study individual states in each region and travel to the Southeast, Northeast, Southwest, Central, and Western regions. While learning about these different regions we will also be comparing and contrasting them to our region-the Southeast! At the end of each region we will have a celebration to remember all of the fun information we have just learned. Before each new region we 'travel' to the new place in fun and exciting ways using our imaginations!