2nd grade with mrs. natale...
Second grade is a very important year for many different reasons. First and foremost, this is the year students will receive two special sacraments, that of First Reconciliation and their First Eucharist. In addition, it is one of the last critical years for instruction in reading fluency and the foundations of Language Arts. The differences in skill levels between students can be quite large, so we use various resources, including technology, to meet the needs of each student, whether they are advanced or in need of extra help.
Language Arts
The Language Arts curriculum is centered on a Scott Foresman basal, which includes materials covering phonics, sight word recognition, grammar, spelling, and writing across the curriculum. Several additional programs are also used to supplement the Foresman program. In the beginning of the year, each student is tested in order to determine their independent reading levels. Also, an internet-based, individualized reading program called Ticket to Read is used both at school and at home. This program is accessed by student several times during the week in the primary computer lab and on mobile devices and laptops used in the classroom.Writing is taught by specifically addressing the writing standards. Students engage in writing activities each week and follow the writing process. The first trimester is spent writing personal narratives, with the main focus on writing clear and complete sentences in an order that makes sense to the reader. During the second trimester, we introduce the friendly letter and start writing informational and persuasive paragraphs.
Mathematics
Mathematics is taught using a Houghton Mifflin core program, although many different resources are used throughout the curriculum. Manipulatives are used often, especially when introducing a new concept. Various centers give students the opportunity to practice skills in a fun way. Mathletics, an online program, is accessible to students at home and in the classroom on devices and laptops. Students use Mathletics to practice all types of skills, as well as to learn new skills using the tutorials provided.The year begins with a review of the addition and subtraction facts that have been introduced in first grade. A major focus now is committing them to memory, which we assess with short, timed facts tests given weekly. From there we move through place value to adding and subtracting with regrouping, analyzing data with graphs and charts, and using money. Finally, students are introduced to fractions, multiplication, and division.
Social Studies
Social Studies is a very exciting topic in second grade. Many of our field trips and special projects have root in this area of study. We read about many people who have made a difference in our nation and our world. Students use a variety of sources to observe how different our lives are now from those of students many years ago. .They talk to family members about the past and create an illustrated family tree that is presented to the class. Students also create a timeline of their own lives.Recognizing how important knowledge of geography is, students learn the names and locations of the seven continents and oceans. They label a map from memory. North America is studied in even greater detail. A unit on our national government concluded the year, and includes mini-projects on several landmarks, including Mt. Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty.
ScienceFinally, our science class studies a range of topics covering the physical, life, and earth sciences. We learn about magnets and simple machines, the different parts and functions of a plant, and the lifecycles of animals. We study rocks and minerals, and have even toured the mineral vault at the Natural History museum.
Language Arts
The Language Arts curriculum is centered on a Scott Foresman basal, which includes materials covering phonics, sight word recognition, grammar, spelling, and writing across the curriculum. Several additional programs are also used to supplement the Foresman program. In the beginning of the year, each student is tested in order to determine their independent reading levels. Also, an internet-based, individualized reading program called Ticket to Read is used both at school and at home. This program is accessed by student several times during the week in the primary computer lab and on mobile devices and laptops used in the classroom.Writing is taught by specifically addressing the writing standards. Students engage in writing activities each week and follow the writing process. The first trimester is spent writing personal narratives, with the main focus on writing clear and complete sentences in an order that makes sense to the reader. During the second trimester, we introduce the friendly letter and start writing informational and persuasive paragraphs.
Mathematics
Mathematics is taught using a Houghton Mifflin core program, although many different resources are used throughout the curriculum. Manipulatives are used often, especially when introducing a new concept. Various centers give students the opportunity to practice skills in a fun way. Mathletics, an online program, is accessible to students at home and in the classroom on devices and laptops. Students use Mathletics to practice all types of skills, as well as to learn new skills using the tutorials provided.The year begins with a review of the addition and subtraction facts that have been introduced in first grade. A major focus now is committing them to memory, which we assess with short, timed facts tests given weekly. From there we move through place value to adding and subtracting with regrouping, analyzing data with graphs and charts, and using money. Finally, students are introduced to fractions, multiplication, and division.
Social Studies
Social Studies is a very exciting topic in second grade. Many of our field trips and special projects have root in this area of study. We read about many people who have made a difference in our nation and our world. Students use a variety of sources to observe how different our lives are now from those of students many years ago. .They talk to family members about the past and create an illustrated family tree that is presented to the class. Students also create a timeline of their own lives.Recognizing how important knowledge of geography is, students learn the names and locations of the seven continents and oceans. They label a map from memory. North America is studied in even greater detail. A unit on our national government concluded the year, and includes mini-projects on several landmarks, including Mt. Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty.
ScienceFinally, our science class studies a range of topics covering the physical, life, and earth sciences. We learn about magnets and simple machines, the different parts and functions of a plant, and the lifecycles of animals. We study rocks and minerals, and have even toured the mineral vault at the Natural History museum.
