This page includes descriptions of major themes, skills, and concepts that Greendale students will be working on throughout the school year. This is an overview of the curriculum in the Greendale Schools and provides a brief description of each academic area. Although presented separately, a partially integrated approach is often used in the classrooms of Greendale. Most often, literacy (reading and writing) is taught through social studies or science content. Frequently, math skills are used in collecting data for science & social studies. Specific skills and expectations listed within each area represent those to secure by the end of second grade. The skills and concepts will be introduced and practiced throughout the school year and close attention will be paid to individual growth and development.
Each student will learn at their own pace and in their own way. Instructional practices in the Greendale Schools are intended to address the varying student needs within the classroom by providing varied activities, instruction, and materials. Throughout the school day and the school year, students will be grouped based on common needs within the classroom. Groupings are flexible. The diversity among students is respected and celebrated within the classroom by applying various strategies to meet the needs of all learners.
Literacy
(Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Language Arts)
Developing literacy is a complex, lifelong process. The Greendale Schools has adopted a “balanced literacy” approach to instruction. This model for instruction includes large group instruction, small group instruction, and individualized instruction when necessary. Children will be engaged in literacy activities at least 90 minutes every day. However, reading and writing are not taught in isolation. These skills are part of all areas of instruction.
Large Group Instruction
Students will participate in large group read aloud and think aloud during which time the teacher will share a selected text and model a variety of reading strategies and comprehension strategies. These strategies will include, but are not limited to, predicting, making connections, retelling, summarizing, sequencing, questioning, noting details, and drawing conclusions.
Small Group Instruction
Each week, students will receive approximately 2 – 4 small group instruction sessions lasting 20 – 30 minutes in length. During this time, students with similar reading needs will receive direct instruction in phonics and/ or reading strategies such as predicting, making connections, retelling, summarizing, sequencing, questioning, noting details, and drawing conclusions. This small group work may be referred to as “Guided Reading,” a “Strategy Group,” or a “Literature Circle.” At times during small group instruction, students may read books or text at a level slightly below a student’s instructional level to practice a challenging comprehension strategy. While small groups are working with a teacher, other students will be engaged in independent literacy activities. All students will have opportunities to independently rehearse new skills through Reader’s Workshop. Students will be taught to select books that are “Just Right” for them. Weekly, students may visit the library to expand their selection of literature. While reading the just right book, students will keep a journal of their thinking either on post-it notes or in a notebook. This journal may be used later in a conversation with the teacher. Some students may receive one-on-one instruction to support additional needs that cannot be met within the small group.
The writing program is heavily focused on opportunities to write stories, describing events, and be an author through a Writer’s Workshop approach. Children will use a combination of pictures, words, and sentences to communicate. Students will receive direct instruction in staying on topic in writing, organizing writing, using interesting word choices, adding details, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Children will write stories independently, revise and edit with adult support, rewrite, and illustrate stories. These stories will be shared with peers and parents.
Second grade students also participate in formal spelling instruction focused on recognizing patterns in words. Students will use the “Words Their Way” sorts to explore the nature of words. Student lists are assigned based on their developmental readiness. Students will be expected to spell common words correctly and will receive word lists regularly for practice, instruction, and assessment. Teachers will introduce words and patterns in small groups.
The primary goal of the literacy program is to help children develop a variety of strategies and the confidence needed to become independent readers and writers. Goals and instruction follows similar content throughout development at the elementary level focusing on increasing the challenge and complexity of texts as students grow.
To grow as a reader, second grade students will:
- Recognize hundreds of words that appear most frequently in text.
- Read text on grade level. Parents will receive specific feedback regarding children’s reading level through conferences and other communication.
- Read grade level text fluently (80 or more words per minute)
- Read grade level texts with 90% accuracy or better.
- Identify the main idea in a book or piece of writing.
- Retell a story (sequence events and identify characters, setting, problem, and solution of a story).
- Use word solving strategies to figure out unfamiliar words. These may be phonetic clues, picture clues, and context clues.
- Answer comprehension questions (who, what, when, where, why, how, and what do you think?)
- Make predictions about a story.
- Make inferences.
- Ask questions while reading.
- Make connections between a story and personal experience, other stories, and the world.
To grow as a writer, second grade students will:
- Retell experiences in a journal and in written stories (using pictures and words).
- Recognize that writing is important for communicating and sharing ideas.
- Write on a single topic.
- Write pieces with a beginning, middle, and end.
- Include details in a logical order/ sequence.
- Make strong word choices to communicate their message.
- Write for different purposes.
- Use complete sentences in writing.
- Spell words that appear most frequently in text correctly.
- Use sound blending to write words, ideas and sentences.
- Use capital letters appropriately for names and at the beginning of a sentence.
- Use ending punctuation correctly in writing.
- Read own writing.
Second graders will also be able to:
- Speak clearly and in complete sentences.
- Follow the rules of normal conversation.
- Use appropriate volume and tone of voice.
- Present and share information and experiences in front of a group.
- Use increasingly complex vocabulary and language structure to express needs and feelings, share ideas and experiences, and make comparisons of objects, pictures, and events.
To support instruction and the development of these skills, the Greendale Schools have a large library of leveled books. These books are part of the Scholastic Guided Reading Program. Teachers will also use the Primary Comprehension Toolkit developed by Stephanie Harvey as a resource for developing instruction.
Parents can access a library of literature options for reading and sharing at home at:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bookwizard/
and
http://www.lapl.org/kidspath
Students will check out books from the school library weekly, and you may also search books in the school library by following the link from:
http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/GHS/schools/ghs/Library/library.html
Math
The Greendale Schools has adopted Everyday Math (3rd edition) as a resource for math instruction. The math program involves children in a variety of activities that create a foundation for mathematical understanding and problem solving. Children manipulate concrete materials such as unit blocks, pattern blocks, unifix cubes, and plastic counters to form mathematical concepts. Children discover the world of math through game activities and exploration that involves counting, number recognition and sequencing, sorting, classifying, patterning, measuring, graphing, and solving real life problems. Students grow skills in addition, subtraction, fractions, telling time, money, simple graphs, basic geometry, and measurement. Students will be introduced to the concepts of multiplication and division. Students will be involved in math activities at least 60 minutes every day.
Math instruction will occur in both a large group setting and a small group setting.
By the end of the year, second grade students will:
- Count forward into the thousands by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s.
- Write numbers to 10,000 and use symbols or objects to represent whole numbers up to 100.
- Compare numbers and put numbers in order up to 10,000.
- Add and subtract accurately single digit numbers automatically.
- Add and subtract two-digit whole numbers and estimate the reasonableness of an answer.
- Collect and organize data.
- Use graphs to answer simple questions and draw conclusions.
- Measure length, weight, temperature, area, and perimeter.
- Know & compare the value of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills.
- Make exchanges between coins.
- Model fractions and solve problems with simple fractions.
- Tell time to the nearest 5 minutes.
- Describe, create, and extend patterns. Articulate the rule for the pattern.
- Read and write problems using +, -, and = and use < and > to solve equations.
- Describe commutative and associative properties of addition and apply them to mental math.
- Identify, describe, and model 2-D & 3-D shapes (including trapezoid, rhombus, hexagon, prism, sphere, etc.).
- Create/ complete shapes having lines of symmetry.
Students will have opportunity to practice math facts online using:
www.everydaymathonline.com
You may also allow your child practice facts at:
http://resources.oswego.org/games/mathmagician/cathymath.html
Lessons in both science and social studies integrate math and literacy skills and require students to be actively involved. Students will be involved in science OR social studies lessons at least 45 minutes at least three days per week.
Science
Science is an active experience, made active by our ability to think. Scientific knowledge advances when scientists observe objects and events, think about how they relate to what is known, test their ideas in logical ways, and generate explanations that integrate the new information into the established order. Thus the scientific experience is both what we know (content) and how we come to know it (process). The best way for students to appreciate the science, learn important scientific concepts, and develop the ability to think critically is to actively construct ideas through their own inquiries, investigations, and analyses. Students will use scientific strategies to make sense of the world around them. Teachers will use materials from FOSS Science kits and Delta Science Modules as approved by the Greendale Schools.
Second grade students will:
- Investigate the world around them and objects using the senses
- Observe and understand the life cycle by studying Butterflies & Moths (Delta Science)
- Explore states of matter by investigating Solids & Liquids (FOSS)
- Observe the effect of air, record weather conditions, and understand the pieces of our solar system through Air & Weather (FOSS & Delta)
- Identify healthy habits by exploring Nutrition & Digestion
For greater unit detail, visit http://www.lhsfoss.org/ and
http://www.delta-education.com/dsmgallery.aspx?subID=79&menuID=7
Social Studies
In Social Studies, children learn about themselves, others, and the world around them. Units of study are introduced using picture books and big books. The Greendale Schools has adopted the Houghton-Mifflin text and leveled readers as a resource to support student learning of the content listed below. Children learn to be aware and respectful of the world and people around them.
Second grade students will:
- Read maps and understand the impact of land formations through Geography
- Know branches of government and understand the roles of each branch in the United States by studying Political Science & Citizenship
- Become educated consumers, understanding wants and needs by studyingEconomics
- Understand the challenges of early Americans, explorers, and settlers by consideringAmerica’s Past
Websites to use to support learning at home will be shared in monthly newsletters from the teacher.
Information & Technology Literacy
(Computers)
In today’s society, technology literacy is as important as learning to read. It provides access to information and the world. Second graders will have access to computers regularly. Students will learn to create digital content using the program KidPix. This program allows students to draw and type. Students will also be introduced to appropriate, educational websites to support their learning. Other software will be explored during projects throughout the year.
Second grade students will:
- Know basic computer terminology and identify functions of a computer
- Use the keyboard and mouse to log in and navigate on the computer
- Navigate to educational internet sites that are age appropriate
- Open and run a software program
- Create a file (Kid Pix software) using text and graphics
- Save & retrieve an electronic file
- Begin to use spell checker and editing tools
- Begin to develop keyboarding skills
Teachers will use lessons and instructional resources from the CyberSmart curriculum at www.cybersmart.org as an integrated component of other content areas.
Spanish
Second grade students will begin their study of Spanish language and culture of countries that speak Spanish. Research indicates improved cognitive skills and increased connections in the brain are acquired through second language learning at the elementary level. Research also indicates a positive correlation between standardized test scores and second language learning. Second grade students will study the Spanish language in a thematic format from a certified Spanish teacher. This will involve participation in Spanish class three times per week for 25 minutes.
Second grade students will learn Spanish language to:
- Talk about places in the community.
- Identify jobs that people have/do in the community.
- Discuss where people work in the community.
- Describe the community where they live.
- Discuss events that take place in the community.
- Incorporate vocabulary and grammar taught in previous years.
Physical Education
Three days per week, students will participate in a physical education class for 25 minutes. Physical activity is a key component to having a healthy mind and body. Second grade students are developing both large motor and fine motor skills. Through physical education classes, students will:
- Develop hand/ eye coordination.
- Understand how movement helps our bodies.
- Learn and respect the rules of various games.
- Take turns and be respectful of others during games and activities.
Art
While second grade students spend time in art activities regularly, students will participate in an art class once per week for 50 minutes. Through this class, students will explore different media such as ceramics, drawing, painting, and crafts and develop an understanding of design including shape, line, texture, pattern, and color.
Music
Second grade students will participate in a general music class two times per week for 25 minutes. During this time, students will explore:
- Playing instruments
- Singing
- Listening to and describing music
- The relationship between music, history, culture, and other disciplines
Second grade students will perform in a concert during the month of December.
C.A.R.E.
In the Greendale Schools, we expect children to C.A.R.E. This means students will:
Social skills and interactions are modeled and practiced everyday in school. Students quickly become part of a community and focus on working and playing respectfully with peers. The classroom should be a positive and safe environment, and teachers work hard to make sure that each individual is celebrated, listened to, and appreciated. As a class, students will meet regularly to engage in community building activities. During these meetings and throughout the say, students will discuss and practice how to build positive relationships, solve problems, and be good citizens.
Helping at Home
Parents are their child’s best first teacher. Parents can continue to support learning at home by:
- Reading to and with your child daily or setting a time for children to read independently.
- Practicing math facts to increase speed. Use flash cards or websites.
- Build your child’s vocabulary and background knowledge by providing a variety of rich experiences. These experiences don’t have to cost money; they just have to involve exploring the world. This will have a significant impact on literacy skills.
- Review the agenda/ assignment notebook each night and review take home folder.
- Check teacher websites for updates and review the newsletter.
- Create a consistent time and place for students to work on homework.
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