Grade 2 Curriculum

English/Language Arts

• Recognize and use nouns, adjectives, and verbs in conversation and writing.

• Identify synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms.

• Use prefixes, suffixes, compound words, and simple abbreviations.

• Recognize elements of a complete sentence: simple subject and predicate.

• Participate in group discussions using correct grammar.

• Identify periods, question marks, exclamation points, and apostrophes in contractions and possessives.

• Begin to use a dictionary and other reference books.

• Edit for the correct use of punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

• Print legibly and begin cursive handwriting.

• Write a short story with the basic elements of plot, setting, and character.

• Use commas after the greeting of a friendly letter, in the date, and in a series.

• Use graphic organizers (charts, webs, etc.).

• Use a variety of forms when writing for different purposes.

• Retell a story using beginning, middle, end and including characters, setting, and plot.

• State the main idea of a selection.

• Make predictions about what will happen next in a story.

• Describe relationship between cause and effect.

• Distinguish between fact and opinion; fiction and non-fiction.

• Recognize the author’s purpose in writing.

• Read independently for learning and pleasure.

• Explore different genres such as poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction and traditional literature (folktales).

Math

• Choose the appropriate operation (addition/subtraction) to solve word problems.

• Read, write, and order whole numbers to 1000.

• Identify and use ordinal numbers to describe the position of objects.

• Compare numbers using appropriate signs: <, >, =.

• Skip count by 2’s, 3’s, 4’s, 5’s, and 10’s.

• Identify place value to the hundreds.

• Describe and create addition and subtraction number patterns.

• Write number sentences to represent mathematical relationships in everyday situations.

Geometry

• Identify plane figures: circle, triangle, rectangle, and square.

• Identify solid figures: cylinders, spheres, cones, and cubes.

• Identify and draw congruent and symmetrical figures.

• Explore linear measurement through standard and non-standard units.

• Explore concepts of time to five minute intervals.

• Read thermometers, pictographs, graphs, and Venn-diagrams.

• Distinguish the value of coins and bills.

• Investigate similarities and differences in sets of related objects, people, and data.

• Collect, organize, and represent data to communicate information clearly, accurately, and sensibly.

Religion

The Religion Curriculum focuses on the theme of Jesus as the gift to each child in the community. The children examine relationships with others in the Christian community. They discover the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist.

The children are taught that the sacraments originate from the witness of Christian life within the family. Thus, preparation for First Eucharist is primarily given by parents, with guidance and direction from the classroom teacher and the Director of Religious Education.

Science

• Perform simple experiments showing parts of the water cycle including evaporation and condensation.

• Chart weather changes over time including temperature, precipitation, and kinds of clouds.

• Create models to identify the sun and planets and their positions.

• Investigate the causes and effects of the earth’s changes.

• Explore the various needs of living things: food, water, shelter, space, and air.

• Identify the major organs in the human body.

• Explore plants and animals with different life cycles, environments, and habitats.

• Describe the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gas.

• Discuss safe behavior regarding electricity and lightning.

• Identify natural and manufactured objects.

• Identify tools and simple machines used for specific purposes.

Social Studies

• Use a compass rose and map key to identify direction, landforms, resources, and climate on a map.

• Locate the continents, major oceans, state boundaries, and the Equator on a map and globe.

• Develop an awareness of jobs and careers in the community.

• Discuss laws and rules of home, school, and community.

• Give examples of rights and responsibilities that students have as citizens.

• Give examples of leaders and citizens that have made a difference.

• Use words or phrases related to time: past, present, and future.

• Write accounts of experiences, identifying family culture and traditions.

• Locate the continent and countries from which students and their ancestors came. Describe food, customs, music, art, and styles of clothing from those countries.

• Identify special Americans and their contributions.

• Describe the functions of money and how money makes trade easier. Describe how people in the school and community are both producers and consumers.

• Explain what buyers and sellers give, and give examples of goods and services that are bought and sold.

Spanish

Introduce:

Concept of Spanish Alphabet is introduced and used extensively to:

o         Identify letters both written and oral

o         Pronounce correctly

o         Spell words both oral and written

To strengthen above, children make a 3-part alphabet booklet and learn to alphabetize words throughout the year.

·          Vocabulary building, both oral and written

·          Introduction of simple 2-way conversations

·          Special projects including First Eucharist

Enhancing:

·          Family member names

·          Words describing parts of face and classroom items

Recognition of:

·          Days and months

·          Numbers 1-25

·          Phone numbers when said orally

Art

• Know that different media, technology, techniques and processes are used to communicate ideas, experiences and stories.

• Use a variety of media and materials such as crayons, chalk, paint, clay, and textiles.

• Understand and apply the different art principles.

• Promote sequential development of art skills and design concepts.

• Identify styles of specific artistic masters.

• Identify specific works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times and places.

Music

The Music Curriculum focuses on the following seven standards:

• Students will sing a varied repertoire of music.

• Students will improvise melodies, variations and accompaniments.

• Students will listen to, analyze, and describe music.

• Students will understand music in relation to history and culture.

• Students will master new music vocabulary that pertains to the level of musical songs selected for this age group.

Computer

The Technology Curriculum is designed to ensure that the student has mastered the appropriate beginning and intermediate computer knowledge and skills to accomplish tasks assigned in and outside the classroom. Learning/usage of skills is integrated into the classroom curriculum and instruction is taught in the lab.

Physical Education

The Physical Education Curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the students to grow physically, cognitively, and socially. Every child will be given the opportunity to experience success and the joy of movement as they:

• Improve coordination by using mature form in object control, and by demonstrating basic sport-specific skills for a variety of activities (kick, run, strike, throw).

• Use control in weight-bearing and balance activities.

• Use sportsmanship strategies for net and invasion games, demonstrating the understanding of personal challenge, cooperation and competition.

• Develop an appreciation and enjoyment of physical activity.

• Identify the benefits of good health habits and an active lifestyle, engaging in activities that increase cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and physical flexibility.

Library

Children come to the library weekly.  They learn to explore the reading materials and find books to take home.  Library and listening skills are introduced.  Children learn the responsibility of borrowing and returning books on a weekly basis.

The Librarian works in conjunction with the classroom teacher on class projects.  Children are guided to select appropriate materials at their level.