In Grade Two, our Religion book is We Believe, published by Sadlier. The emphasis is on the study of the Sacraments with a review of Baptism and preparation for the reception of both Eucharist and Reconciliation. Throughout the year, many letters will be sent to you to keep you informed of all the details in the preparation and reception of these two sacraments. The students attend Mass weekly.

Reading is presented each day for an hour and a half. This time period includes thirty minutes of Phonics Instruction. There is a Phonics workbook to go along with the material taught. The remaining sixty minutes is devoted to instruction using the Houghton-Mifflin/Harcourt reading series. This includes the reading and discussion of the outstanding pieces of literature in the text, comprehension, main idea, fact or opinion, dictionary skills and many more skills to aid in the development of capable and confident readers. A reading workbook helps reinforce these skills. Supplementary work is available during the week when each child is involved in reading enrichment. Students are also involved in a book club that encourages each child to partake of an abundance of rich literature.

Houghton Mifflin English is the basic text for Grade Two. Our program provides a foundation for the principles that encompass the elementary school Language Arts Program. Activities incorporate written and oral skills. Creative writing activities and correct usage are developed according to the children’s needs at this level.

The goal of our Spelling class is to have the children learn words that are essential to basic literacy. The Houghton-Mifflin/Harcourt Spelling maintains a systematic study of phonetic and structural spelling patterns. Proofreading, dictionary skills, and vocabulary development help the child to apply these skills to daily studies.  A spelling test is given at the end of each week. Spelling words for the year were sent home with each child.

In our Handwriting program, the students form upper and lower case manuscript letters. The factors, which determine good writing, are a child’s body position, correct paper placement, and proper pencil holding. Neatness and correct formation are essential in all written work. Students start cursive writing in January.

The Math program uses the Houghton Mifflin Math Series. We are pleased with the challenge this program gives to students. Emphasis is placed on the development and continuance of addition and subtraction facts to twenty. The student becomes proficient in this area by using basic and enrichment skills. Some concepts introduced this year are addition and subtraction with regrouping, multiplication up to five, and place value of hundreds and thousands.

The Social Studies program concentrates on children and their communities, geography, and government. Basic map skills are introduced throughout the year. The text used is a Scott Foresman Publication called People and Places.

Grade Two Science uses Pearson Science, written specifically for the seven-year-old child. Each unit allows for learning and investigation. This year students will study animals, plants, weather, space, the human body, and dinosaurs.

Art:  in second grade is to improve creative expression with the use of materials such as scissors, paints, brushes, crayons, glue, various textures of paper, and other supplies. Students go to the Art room weekly for a 40-minute class.

Computers: Students in second grade will focus on learning proper keyboarding skills.  By the end of second grade, they will have learned all letter keys and proper keystrokes to use them.  They will be able to use shift to capitalize letters.  They will use Word processors to produce simple paragraphs, PowerPoint to create a one slide presentation, and a browser to navigate a website.  They will discuss ethical computer use.  They will continue to demonstrate proper etiquette, behavior, and body position when using computers.

Library:  Students review Library Rules and Procedures, Book Care and Parts of a Book. They participate in Story Time, Author of the Month, participate in March is Reading Month Themed Weeks and activities and students in this grade check out 2 books to take home for 1 week.

In Music, students learn songs appropriate to our grade level. In addition, the second-grade students involved with preparing for a Christmas play in December.

Physical Education: students attend classes twice a week. One of the goals is to improve physical fitness through drills. The children play games to learn both rules and following directions. Exercising to music is a regular activity to develop fine and large muscles.

Spanish:  Students develop the foundation to develop communicative competence in Spanish. They expand their vocabulary and are introduced to key grammar concepts.