Second Grade Curriculum
Reading and Phonics
Emphasis in second grade is placed on establishing solid reading skills. These include strong comprehension, fluency in silent and oral reading, and the necessary tools to decode words. Children 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, locating the main idea, inferring, using context clues, cause and effect, comparing and contrasting, predicting and drawing conclusions are integral parts of the reading program.
English
Second grade students build on English and language skills previously learned. In addition, a “Weekly Bonus Words” program provides a structured format to help students expand their vocabulary. The program includes activities that build vocabulary and promote critical thinking skills, English skills, spelling skills, comprehension of new concepts and reading comprehension. Emphasis is also placed on composing complete sentences, using correct capitalization and punctuation, and identifying and using nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Reference skills are strengthened through the use of the dictionary and arranging words in alphabetical order up to the fourth letter.
Spelling
A developmentally appropriate list of spelling words is systematically assigned each week along with “Weekly Bonus Words.” 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. Spelling plays an important role in each student’s vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and reading rate and fluency.
Writing
As students begin the writing process, they understand that what they think and say may be expressed in written form. The students are surrounded with a print-rich environment which provides the ideas and vocabulary necessary for thoughtfully drafted stories and journal writing. Students learn to organize ideas to create a story with a sensible sequence. Writing rough drafts and editing are important aspects of the learning process.
Mathematics
Closure and mastery of many skills introduced in first grade is an integral part of the second grade math program. Students broaden their view of mathematics when they investigate mathematical situations drawn from real life experiences. Instruction includes hands-on activities in place value, regrouping, numeration, operations, measurement, geometry, and probability and statistics as they develop the concepts of conceptual understanding, skill proficiency, logical thinking, and problem solving. Major emphasis is placed on mastery of addition and subtraction facts to eighteen.
Science and Social Studies
Students are actively engaged in a yearlong program entitled Exploring Earth’s Ecology. This program provides second graders with challenging activities 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 discover what life is like all over the world. Students learn about geographical features, cultures/life-styles, weather/climate, landmarks, historical events and ecology. Students also discover the role they play in protecting the environment, and learn how they can affect their natural surroundings. Students research and report on endangered animals in preparation for a culminating event, Earth Day, celebrated in April. Students also participate in an Adopt-A-Road program. These activities help develop individual responsibility and concern for the welfare of the Earth.
Learn more about Riverside's Third Grade Program »»
