Curriculum Overview - Second Grade
Throughout the year, students will learn about their role in the Church. In addition, students attend weekly Masses and a monthly Rosary with the entire student body. Students in 2nd grade focus on sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. They also put what they learn into action by participating in local, national, and international service projects.
The language arts curriculum is organized around the strands of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Study Skills. Inclusive of foundational grammar, mechanics, and usage as well as developmentally appropriate vocabulary and comprehension, the program is intended to expose students to the creativity of literature and empower them to express themselves competently through the written and spoken word. Our language arts program is centered around Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Journeys text. It is a comprehensive Reading/Language Arts program that includes instruction in phonological and phonemic awareness, explicit phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. We also use Scholastic Reading Counts to effectively match readers with appropriate texts.
Orton-Gillingham is a sequential, systematic phonics program that 2nd graders use throughout the week. Through explicit instruction, students learn and practice methods for mastering: phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding multi-syllabic words, memorization techniques for high-frequency words, auditory sound discrimination, and much more. This multi-sensory methodology engages the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning pathways – often all at once! - making the learning three times as meaningful.
The mathematics curriculum is organized around the strands of Numbers and Operations, Measurement, Data Analysis and Probability, Geometry, and Algebra. Common to all of these strands is the expectation of skill development in communication, problem solving, and the use of technology. The curriculum is written to address both the foundational content knowledge students need and the skills necessary to mature as a learner in the 21st Century. A hands-on approach to the basic mathematical ideas and concepts encourages children to experience mathematical relationships and interconnections.
Second grade science is comprised of three major themes; physical science, life science, and earth & space science. Our standards are based on the Next Generation Science Standards. Physical science focus is on Matter and its interactions. Life Science focuses on Ecosystems and Biological Evolution. Earth and Space focus is on Earth’s place in the Universe and Earth’s systems. Most science lessons use hands-on learning when possible. Second grade also utilizes an interactive science notebook.
Second grade social studies incorporates historical understanding of both United States and Georgia. Students explore concepts such as laws and the basics of how our democratic government works. Students learn map skills and experience how various factors influence communities; their development and evolution and how family and culture affect communities. Peace and justice themes are integrated within religion. Economic topics are also explored as related to goods and services. Second grade also explores current events and world cultures through weekly use of a news magazine.
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