Second Graders are ready to further explore skills and knowledge learned in First Grade. They're poised to "take off" as readers, writers, mathematicians and young scientists! Opportunities are provided for them to both grow in the basic, essential skills gained in First Grade and to also gain more independence and confidence in themselves as learners and students. It is an exciting year! Their enthusiasm, imagination and openness make it possible for their teachers to say, "The sky's the limit!"
Reading
Students develop reading skills using different approaches and in a variety of settings. Our goal is to have our students leave Second Grade as fluent readers and as young people who derive pleasure from reading a "good book". In class, one finds Second Graders reading in small groups, partner reading or reading all together under the guidance of the teacher.
Writing
Writing is an exciting program for us. We want students to leave Second Grade with solid writing skills and with the confidence that they can write well. Stories and poems are "published" and read in class via a writing process which clearly shows young writers that writing is a skill that you develop and build on. Writing is also developed in journal entries, nonfiction writing, responding to books read, explaining a math strategy or science experiment.
Math
Second Graders use the Singapore Math program which focuses on building a secure foundation in the base ten number system. From here, they learn to add and subtract two-and three-digit numbers with regrouping. They explore different strategies for solving story problems making use of manipulates and diagrams as groundwork for getting to the solution. We aim to make math an active, participatory study that brings delight in discovery of skills and solutions.
Science
The physical and life sciences are very present in our classroom through investigations, experiments, and hands-on learning experiences when we study: apples and plants; rocks and minerals; magnets; endangered animals and their habitats. An emphasis is placed on working with materials in open ended ways so that predictions can be made, other experiments can be set up and the thrill of discovery firsthand can be shared as many times as possible!
Social Studies
The social studies program engages students in learning about different cultural groups in the Bay Area and learning about what brings us together as Americans: our immigration stories and the Presidents of our country. The Chinese American people are highlighted in our study of different cultural groups. We have an ongoing exchange during the year with a Second Grade class in Oakland's Chinatown. Before a much anticipated visit, our students learn about the Chinese American culture and bring their knowledge and enthusiasm with them on the visit to Oakland Chinatown.
