A Parent’s Guide to the Second Grade Curriculum

This synopsis can be used by parents to better understand the breadth and depth of the curriculum a student will encounter during second grade.  Although curriculum is unique to each district, the objectives are created in alignment with the core content standards for the state of New Jersey.  The concepts presented enable the students to develop the skills necessary for today and prepare them to succeed in the future.  This brief overview may help you to guide your expectations for your child.

Reading and Language Arts

Students experience reading, writing, listening, and speaking in this Balanced Literacy Model.  Students will read a variety of materials at varying levels of difficulty.

Major Objectives

Reading

• Understand and apply knowledge of phonics
• Apply reading strategies
• Decode through sound-symbol relationships
• Develop vocabulary
• Demonstrate comprehension of material of various genres
• Increase fluency
• Develop conceptual understanding through word study

Speaking

• Speak in clear and organized language patterns
• Engage in class discussions in order to verbally demonstrate comprehension of  materials

Writing

• Write in clear, concise, and organized language
• Expand ability to follow the writing process including prewriting, drafting, and revising
• Apply rules of grammar through daily writing and speaking

Listening

• Concentrate on phonemic awareness
• Identify rhyming words
• Respond to oral directions

Handwriting

• Form all letters of the manuscript alphabet
• Introduction to basic strokes of cursive

Mathematics

Mathematics is taught using a hands-on approach.  Students are given daily opportunity to manipulate various teaching tools to formulate and understand mathematical concepts.  Students arrive at the realization that there are multiple ways to solve a problem.  Class discussion and cooperative learning are integral components of the program.  Literature is also connected to the concepts through trade books.  Skills are evaluated daily through oral and written performances.  Written assessments are also administered at the completion of each unit. 
 

Major concepts

• Base 10 system with a strong concentration on Place Value
• The number grid
• Properties for addition and subtraction
• Multiplication and Division
• Fractions
• Money (coins)
• Time to nearest five minutes
• 2 and 3 dimensional shapes
• Length, width, and height
• Area, Perimeter, Capacity
• Graphing

Basic Skills as Supplement to Math and Reading Instruction

Each year, the BSI Program is tailored to meet the needs and number of students serviced. 

In the Pull-Out Setting, students leave their classroom to receive small group instruction.  Careful scheduling and planning between the BSI and regular education teachers ensure that the students do not miss direct, whole-group instruction.

The Team-Teaching Model allows the students to remain in their regular education classrooms. Both the classroom and basic skills teacher assume responsibility for all students during ICS and plan accordingly based on the needs of the students.  

Science

The three major areas of science: life, earth, and physical are all addressed in second grade.

Life: Animals

• Living things have basic needs for survival
• Change
• Interdependence of ecosystems

Earth: Oceanography

• Land formations beneath the ocean
• Change
• Waves, tides, currents

Physical: Light and Sound

• Energy
• Spectrum
• Reflection and Absorption
• Force
• Volume and Pitch
• Light and Sound waves

Social Studies

The focus is on Community.  Resources used include trade books, videos, and related projects. 

• Geography
• Needs and wants
• Civics within the community
• Changes through historical events

Health

Students study topics of well-being such as: self-esteem, safety, interpersonal skills, personal hygiene, nutrition, and the difference between medicine and drugs. 

Art

Students will study the concept of color through the works of Russian artist, Marc Chagall. They will learn about abstractionism in modern art by examining designs by Wassily Kandinsky.  Students will also have the opportunity to study the Egyptian culture through a look at hieroglyphics.  During the year, these studies will lead to the creation of three “masterpieces”  by each of the students.

PEP (Primary Enrichment Program)

Lessons enrich and extend the concepts taught in the regular classroom. The topics covered focus on science, social studies, and mathematics.  Children are encouraged to develop their creativity, problem solving skills, higher order thinking skills, and their listening skills.

Music 

Students will continue to strengthen skills including rhythm, melody, and voice tone adding harmony to the elements.  Students will build on reading and writing music and recognizing such symbols as staff, clef signs, time signature, and names of the lines and spaces on the staff.  

Library Curriculum

Students know where fiction, nonfiction, biography, and reference materials are located according to call numbers.  They identify the parts of a book such as the title page and copyright date. They also explain the origin, background, and importance of the Caldecott Medal and demonstrate listening skills to appreciate various multicultural stories.  

Physical Education

The students adapt and change movements to fit different activities.  They will be able to combine a series of movements with a smooth transition.  Students also will be able to correct movement error when given feedback.  Basic vocabulary is taught to describe physical activity.  They will demonstrate safety rules and good sportsmanship through activities.  They will participate in regular physical activity and explain how it contributes to wellness. Students will engage in activities that develop all components of fitness. They will monitor heart rate and breathing before, during, and after exercise.