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Mrs. Sarah Davis
Mrs. Lou Ann Miller
SECOND GRADE CURRICULUM
 LANGUAGE ARTS
Harcourt Reading is a literature-based, integrated language arts program. It provides for the integration of reading, writing, and listening. This year we will emphasize three modes of writing: narrative, procedural, and report writing. The program provides a variety of supplementary materials to use in meeting students' needs across a range of skill levels. The activities used by each teacher may vary,but the same objectives will be taught in each classroom.
Key points of the Language Arts Series
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Emphasis is placed on making reading meaningful and pleasurable.
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Skills such as spelling, grammar, mechanics, and vocabulary are taught to help students make a connection with their reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
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Provides language arts activities to explore content across the curriculum.
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Assesses student achievement and documents student progress with a variety of formal and informal assessment options.
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Involves parents in the process through letters in the Additional Homework Ideas and the School-Home Connection.
 Language Arts Theme
1. Being Me
2. Helping Hands
3. Our World
4. Imagine That!
5. Neighborhood News
6. Travel Time
Spelling
The students will be given a spelling list on the first day of each week. Some of the words may seem easy, but our goal is to have each student master the spelling of these words for all assignments, not just to memorize them for the spelling test.
 Handwriting
Correct letter formation and neatness are stressed. Cursive handwriting will be introduced during the second semester.
 WRITING PORTFOLIOS
Students in second grade use writing portfolios. Children collect, select, and reflect upon their work throughout the year. The portfolios demonstrate student progress and self-reflection.
 MATH
The Houghton Mifflin Mathematics program is used in the second grade. It focuses on number facts to twenty, regrouping, place value, money, measurement, multiplication, fractions, geometry, time, and problem solving. Enrichment and reinforcement materials are provided on an individual basis.
Students also work with Everyday Counts, a supplementary program which includes daily discussions about the calendar, counting, money, time, and graphing.
Click on MATH DOUBLES at the top of the page to see a classroom project based on the book, Two of Everything .
 SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies, students study rules, neighborhoods, good citizenship, map skills, and the suburban community of Mount Lebanon. In the spring, students take a walking tour of Mt. Lebanon and visit the Safety Building.
Character education is also part of the second grade curriculum and integrated into the other areas of the curriculum. The themes for the year are respect, honesty, love, justice, courage, loyalty, and hope.
ASSET (Allegheny Schools Science Education and Technology) units are used for the science curriculum. The ASSET program is a "hands-on" approach that emphasizes the steps of the learning cycle: focus, explore, reflect, and apply. (F.E.R.A.) The science modules units include:
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Changes-physical science
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Balancing and weighing-physical science
Space science is also covered and concludes with a trip to the high school planetarium. Science lessons are often integrated into other areas of the curricululm.
 FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Spanish is taught twice a week for 25 minutes. Senora Brown is the teacher.
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Important Classroom Information
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Please label all belongings--lunch box, jackets, boots, and backpacks.
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Please inform the teacher when your child will be eating lunch at a friend's home, or if there is a change in your regular schedule.
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Parent conferences are formally scheduled twice a year; once in November and again in April. Active parent involvement is encouraged. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the classroom teacher.
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Excused absence: please file an educational trip form in the School Office prior to a trip.
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Please check your child's take-home folder each day for papers, notices, or special notes.
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Birhdays are celebrated with a simple song. Children are not required to bring a treat. If you send a treat, it should be without nuts due to allergies. Treats should remain as simple as possible. No cakes, no ice cream, no pizza, no cookie cakes. We requests that you not provide drinks now that we have drinking fountains in each classroom. Individuallly wrapped items work best.
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Thank you for your cooperation!
Special Subject Schedule for 2008-09 School Year
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Monday |
Gym |
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Tuesday |
Art |
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Wednesday |
Music/Spanish/Library** |
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Thursday |
Spanish |
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Friday |
Gym* |
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*Please remember to have your child wear tennis shoes on gym days.
**Please help your child to remember to return his or her books on time.
 Homework
Nightly homework is not a Second Grade practice. However, there are a few areas that all second graders should devote time to regularly. These include:
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Reading silently and aloud approximately 60 minutes per week or 15 minutes a day.
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Math facts (addition and subtraction) for quick and accurate recall
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Weekly spelling list (to master, not just memorize for the test)
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Vocabulary (for recognition and meaning)
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Other work on an "as-needed" basis.
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