Second Grade

Second grade is an exciting year. Children of this age are very eager and ready learners. Their enthusiasm is contagious! During the year they become increasingly focused on their relationship with God by preparing for and receiving the Sacrament of First Communion and through regular readings of the Bible . 

Our goal with Language Arts is to inspire confidence and a passion to read, speak, and write. A variety of genres and themes are introduced throughout the year. Some of the themes include multicultural studies, fairy tales, heroes, important people, and inventions. To achieve growth in reading, children are exposed to a wide range of literature, given creative writing projects, and continually work on phonetic awareness. Second graders have a vivid imagination in their writing. They are offered many opportunities to incorporate their ideas into original stories, the production of research projects, letters, journal entries, acrostics, and poetry. Second graders love to express themselves verbally. A favorite way to use this skill is to participate in PRIDE. Here they share their learning with a Kindergarten through fifth grade audience. Of course, they always enjoy sharing their ideas in the classroom as well. 

Problem solving, time, money, measurement, fractions, and simple geometry are some of the areas of study in second grade math. There is an emphasis on using mental arithmetic to add, subtract, and solve problems. This is coupled with the more traditional method of solving mathematical equations. Manipulatives and a hands-on approach are used to introduce new concepts.

Global awareness is experienced through studies of Mexico, China, Africa, and Ancient Egypt. To help in their understandings of the world, second graders explore geography, learn to use maps, identify continents and oceans, classify various land forms, learn the basics of supply and demand, and discover the reasons that we have government.Topics that are investigated in science include studies of plants, animal classification, ecology, health, sound, weather, and space. A variety of hands-on learning experiences are used to promote students’ understanding of themselves and their environment. Divergent questioning, laboratory investigations, experiments, and creative activities are used to encourage critical thinking.

Some of the exciting second grade field trips include The Children’s Theatre, The Science Museum, The Minnesota Zoo, and an “in-house” collaboration with Playmaker’s Theatre. For this one the children end up performing on stage in their own rendition of a fairy tale. The children truly enjoy these special learning opportunities.

Second graders begin the transition to becoming more responsible learners. This process is encouraged through the use of daily homework journals, more independent classroom work, and growth in self-discipline. Second grade is a well-rounded year filled with ample opportunities.