Second Grade Curriculum
Reading and Phonics
The RPDS Second Grade curriculum maintains a major emphasis on establishment of solid reading skills. These skills include strong sight word base and comprehension, fluency in silent and oral reading, and the necessary tools to decode words. Students are taught systematic, sequential skills that focus on phonemic and phonological awareness, sound to symbol relationships, blending, syllabication, high frequency words, and word study skills. Summarizing, sequencing, locating main idea, inferring, using context clues, cause and effect, comparing and contrasting, fact and opinion, predicting and drawing conclusions are integral parts of the reading program. Many opportunities are provided throughout the school day for students to practice reading skills. These involve oral, repeated, shared, partner, guided, and independent reading. A variety of reading materials are utilized in the classrooms. They consist of basal readers, trade books, children’s literature, recorded books, informational non-fiction books, and interactive reading books. In addition, a reading incentive program known as “Reading Around the World” challenges students to read for pleasure at home in order to further strengthen their personal skills.
English and Spelling
Students build on English and language skills previously introduced and mastered at earlier grade levels. A developmentally appropriate list of spelling words is systematically assigned each week, using a third grade level book, along with “Weekly Bonus Words.” The spelling lists directly correlate with the basic, review and challenge words in the spelling/vocabulary book. Students learn major principles and patterns of spelling. They learn reliable spelling strategies that can be applied to both familiar and unfamiliar words and they become aware of the rich network of spelling-meaning relationships that significantly extend their vocabulary. Real-world context and vocabulary clues, sequential order, classifying and word building, proofreading, word meaning, word families, and dictionary and thesaurus usage are integral parts of the spelling program. Spelling also plays an important role in each student’s vocabulary development, reading comprehension, reading rate, and fluency. “Weekly Bonus Words” program provides a structured format to help students further expand their vocabulary. The program includes activities that build vocabulary and promote critical thinking skills, English and spelling skills, comprehension of new concepts, and reading comprehension. Emphasis is placed on composing complete sentences, using correct capitalization and punctuation, and identifying nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives. In addition, students have daily practice exercises that include editing sentences for corrections in punctuation, capitalization, spelling, vocabulary and grammar, as well as practicing a variety of word study, language, reading and reference skills.
Writing
As students begin the writing process, they begin to recognize that what they think and say may be expressed in written form. Second Graders advance this recognition with more mature storytelling. Students are surrounded with a print-rich environment which provides the ideas and vocabulary necessary for thoughtfully composing, drafting and editing stories and journal writing. Students learn to organize ideas to create stories with a sensible sequence. Writing rough drafts and editing are important aspects of learning that successful writing is a process. Students keep daily journals for practicing writing. They are also exposed to a variety of writing opportunities throughout the year which include: summaries, poetry, fiction and non-fiction, research reports, letters, theme based writing, and creative story writing.
Mathematics
Closure and demonstrated mastery of many first grade math skills is an integral part of the early second grade math program. Students then broaden their view of mathematics as they investigate mathematical situations drawn from real life experiences. Instruction includes independent, collaborative and cooperative learning with hands-on activities. These activities reinforce skills taught including place value, addition and subtraction (with and without regrouping), multiplication, measurement, geometry, fractions, odd and even numbers, estimation, patterns, telling time, interpreting data, graphs and charts, as well as probability and statistics. Classroom activities foster the development of conceptual understanding and proficiency, enhance logical, critical and creative thinking, and encourage problem solving skills. Students have the opportunity to practice math skills through the use of a wide assortment of manipulatives, activities and games. In addition, students have daily practice exercises that reinforce these skills.
Science and Social Studies
Students are actively engaged in a multi-faceted science/social studies year-long program entitled “Worldwide Geo-Journey.” Other subjects integrated within this program include literature, math, computer technology, music and art. In addition, students are exposed to all areas of science: life science, earth science, and physical science, with weekly hands-on experiences in a fully equipped science laboratory. Many of the science units are directly integrated with the social studies curriculum. This program was designed for students to become well-informed and aware of our ever-changing world as they explore all seven continents. Students create a friend, Flat Stanley (taken from the literature classic “Flat Stanley”), who travels with them as they begin their journey around the world. Students learn about varied geographical features, cultures/lifestyles, weather/climate, landmarks, historical events, ecology of the different regions, and endangered animals and their habitats. Students utilize atlases, maps, library and computer resources, which enhance the understanding of these studies. In these cross-curricular studies, students become aware of the significant role all geographical areas play in balancing life on Earth. An emphasis on this segment of the curriculum is designed to help students discover the relationship of living things to one another and their environment. Throughout the school year, students build an interest in global environmental awareness with engaging hands-on activities and projects. Many of these activities and projects are displayed during the annual Second Grade’s “Earth Day” event celebrated in April. Second graders also participate in an Adopt-A-Road program sponsored by the city of Jacksonville. This community service program involves keeping the adopted area litter free, as the students gain valuable experience developing civic responsibility and concern for the welfare of the Earth.
Technology
Second grade students are exposed to informational technology throughout the day. They utilize various classroom computer centers, recorded book listening centers, CDs, and interactive reading materials. Students also participate for pleasure reading in the accelerated reading program, employs computer-based comprehension testing. Students are introduced to the wireless projector in second grade, which relays information from the teacher’s computer onto a class whiteboard. Programs and websites are used to extend students’ learning with daily weather updates, virtual field trips, research of social studies and science topics, as well as educational activities and games. To ensure broad coverage of multiple learning styles, other technological tools utilized in the classroom are the COW (Curriculum on Wheels), web-based CORE software that support instruction with media pieces in math, science and social studies. A digital high resolution document camera, the ELMO, captures 3D objects, movement and small print so the entire class gets a clear view of visual aids used in instruction. Second grade students also participate in direct instruction of technology skills with hands-on experience in our fully equipped computer lab each week.
Learn more about Riverside's Third Grade Program »»
