Welcome to Second Grade

Dear Visitor:

Welcome to the second grade classroom. The following is meant to provide a brief overview of the key elements of our curriculum for the school year.

In language arts we use literature to further develop literacy skills, discuss story elements, and explore math, science, and social studies topics. Spelling, phonics, and handwriting rules are reviewed. Oral and written creativity is facilitated through journal writing, creative writing assignments, and writer’s workshop, which consists of proof reading with the teacher. Simple book reports are introduced and later become more complex as students’ skills develop. Oral and written projects are expected of all students. Thematic units incorporating all segments of the curriculum are used in the classroom.

In addition to our language arts curriculum, we use the Accelerated Reader computer software program, which has achieved great success in stimulating children's enthusiasm for reading as shown by the results of research in schools across the nation. (The office has a copy of the research summary issued by School Renaissance Institute if you would like to peruse it.) Teachers provide students with lists of books within their reading range and interest level. Once a book is read, a quiz for comprehension is taken on the computer, and the student is provided with immediate feedback.

Everyday Math has been adopted as our math program because this instructional design was carefully crafted to guide both teacher and student instruction.  The comprehensive program capitalizes on student interests and maximizes student learning, and provides teachers with well-designed and practical lessons.

Project based learning is a teaching technique at our school which encourages collaberative learning, leadership, cooperation, and group organization. Several projects throughout the school year will be completed relating to our year's curriculum.

The second grader is ready to think from another’s point of view and to learn to take responsibility for one’s self, one’s space, as well as the classroom space. Teamwork is stressed in academics using the best of cooperative learning and interactive learning techniques. Our classroom philosophy is based on the Positive/Assertive Discipline approach. Every effort is made to help children become responsible for their own work and themselves.

Thank you for visiting,

Ms. Terri Monell, Second Grade Teacher

TEXTS

Reading/Language Arts/Literature
Accelerated Reader Educational Software Program. Renaissance Learning, 2001.
English Workbook Plus: Practice and Enrichment. Houghton Mifflin,1995.
Spelling Workout Level B. Modern Curriculum Press, 2005.
Wordly Wise. Educators Plblishing Service, 2003.
Handwriting. Zaner Bloser, 2003.
Phonics. Sadlier Phonics Reading , 2001.

Math
Destination Math: Course II, Mastering Skills & Concepts. Riverdeep Interactive Learning Limited, 2005.
Everyday Mathematics (California version), McGraw Hill Wright Group, 2008.

Thinking Algaebraically, Dale Seymour, 2003.

History/Social Science
Maps, Charts, Graphs. Modern Curriculum Press,1990.
Some People I Know. Houghton Social Studies, Houghton Mifflin, 1994.

Science
Discovery Works: California Edition, Houghton Mifflin, 2000.
Building a Healthy Me, Dairy Council of California, 2005