Second Grade Program
Johnson Elementary
Welcome to the new school year. I am looking forward to a great school year with your children! I wanted to provide you with some written information about our program. Please feel free to ask questions, or e-mail me for information about your individual child
Curriculum
Readers’ Workshop: In this time block, children will be engaged in a variety of activities designed to promote life long literacy. Activities include: a focused lesson providing instruction on a reading strategy or skill, self selected sustained silent reading time which provides an opportunity to practice or apply the strategy/skill, and a workshop time that allows children an opportunity to participate in literature discussion circles, do projects, and respond to literature in a variety of ways. Children will have opportunities to study different genres, as well as read and respond to quality literature. To ensure a continuum of skill development, we use a literature series by Harcourt: Trophies. This program closely paralles the reading with phonics, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and writing. This will ensure students to become active readers and writers and teach them how to effectively respond to literature. We are also focusing on second grade high frequency words through word walls and phonetic activities.
Writers’ Workshop: The format for this daily time block is a focus lesson on a writing skill, strategy, style, quiet writing time, workshop time, and sharing time. Workshop time will include time used for all stages in the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Each child will have a portfolio to collect best examples of different styles of writing. Samples will include: a Personal Narrative, a Poem, On-Demand Writing (letter format), and a Reseach Paper (brochure format). We will also be working on writing answers to open response / on-demand questions throughout the year. Other types of writing that we will study are, Fictional Narratives, Journals, Learning Logs, Writing Directions, and writing in content areas. This year we are studying the six traits of good writing. They are idea development, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions/layout.
Language Lab: We teach spelling, phonics, grammar, vocabulary, handwriting, open-ended questions, poetry, working with words, and other specific language skills. Students will be expected to learn grammar rules and understand how to apply them to their daily writing. Students will be encouraged to use self-expression and music to interpret poetry or show understanding of various concepts taught. Each Friday students will have a spelling test over spelling words and tested concepts. The Harcourt: Trohpies series is used as a teaching and reteaching tool. The spelling words have been chosen to follow a specific word pattern each week. They also include various high frequency words.
Math: We will be using a program called Everyday Math. This program is a “hands-on” program that teaches math concepts in an integrated way and is very strong in problem solving. In addition to Everyday Math, we are asking for your help in assisting your child in learning basic math facts. Your child will have a small group of facts to learn each week. He/she will be quizzed on those facts each week using a computer program called, Student Math Facts. We believe that quick recall of basic facts will help your child in the intermediate grades when computation processes are longer. You can help by going over the group of facts daily to make sure your child is prepared. Your child can use the following link to practice their facts. This is also the same website used to monitor their progress in the program. Other ways to review math facts are: in a game format, flashcards, or even practice verbally while you are driving in the car. Thank you for your support.
Science: Our science themes are taught in three cycles: first an immersion of information on the subject through books, discussions, magazines, the Internet, and videos. Second, exploring these concepts through hands-on activities in learning centers; and finally a culminating activity or performance event that allows students to demonstrate knowledge. Science themes that we will study this year are: magnets, sound, solar system, life cycles, as well as health/the food pyramid.
Social Studies: We will be studying African American History, Economics, Holidays Around the World, and Communities. We will be using the following program: Social Studies Alive’s: Communities, as well as an immersion of information on the subject through books, discussions, magazines, the Internet, and videos which are an excellent springboard for current event topics.
Technology: This year, in addition to the three computers in our classrooms, we will have access to the computer lab containing 25 computers. This will allow us to take the entire class to the lab to utilize the computers at the same time. We will be working on touch typing, word processing, accessing information through the Internet, and practicing concepts. We will also be using the Student Math Facts program each Thursday for our weekly math speed tests. This will allow the kids to have immediate feedback on their test results. We are using many types of software for concept development, especially Cornerstone, which reinforces skill development.
Affective Education: We will continue teaching conflict resolution on a dialy basis as certain issues arise. We are also continuing a program targeted at eliminating “bullying.” Specific bully program procedures went home at the beginning of school.