General Information

Our second grade curriculum provides a comprehensive

framework for teaching all areas of a childs development;
spiritual, physical, emotional and cognitive.
The key to our efectiveness is a faculty that models a biblically
integrated living curriculum to our students.

A variety of individual, small group, and large group activities
are incorporated into the daily program. Our classroom
environment provides opportunity for children to learn
through active exploration and interaction with adults, other
children and materials.
Bible
Age appropriate in-depth study, active involvement, life
application and creative response are all approaches used in
the Christian Schools Internationals Walking With God and
His People curriculum. Topics covered include the attributes
of God, knowing Jesus, praise/worship, service, love for
Gods Word, and dependence on God, as expressed in prayer,
trust and obedience. Emphasis is placed upon scripture
memorization and songs. The application of spiritual truth is
emphasized throughout each day. Our second grade students
enjoy memorizing Luke 2 throughout the frst semester.
Language Arts
Reading/Phonics
The Open Court program for second grade includes a review
of phonics, continued practice in decoding, analyzing words to
determine meanings, emphasizing comprehension and critical
thinking skills, developing writing, and utilizing the writing
process.
Readers Workshop strategies are taught through read alouds
and novel studies. Reading comprehension strategies are
taught by modeling thinking with the use of picture books
and other literature. Students will deepen their understanding
of text by making connections, visualizing, asking questions,
making inferences, determining importance, synthesizing, and
repairing comprehension when necessary. As students read
novels, they participate in literature groups by completing a
task as either the summarizer, connector, artist, work smith,
discussion director, or Bible builder. Narration is taught
and used to increase comprehension in all content areas.
Accelerated Reader is used to encourage reading for pleasure
as well as developing comprehension.
Writing Workshop
Through songs and jingles, our students are introduced to
grammar rules and to correctly identify the diferent parts of
speech. Writing skills are developed as students are exposed to
a wide variety of genres, including both fction and non-fction.
Student are introduced to the writing process as they publish
selected pieces. Each child is given various opportunities to
develop communication skills through sharing their work with
the class or in small groups.
Spelling
Open Court provides the basic spelling curriculum. Lessons
based on a variety of spelling patterns are included in this
curriculum. Spelling words parallel phonics skills being
reviewed.
Penmanship/Handwriting
Handwriting is an important skill for our second graders.
Penmanship (Handwriting Without Tears) continues to be
emphasized on all assignments in all disciplines, as well as,
being taught in lesson format. The frst semester is a review of
the manuscript letters including correct formation and spacing
of letters. Cursive (DNealian) handwriting is introduced to
second grade students just before the semester break.
Mathematics
Concepts are emphasized in the Addison Wesley curriculum.
Math facts are studied and memorized. Other topics of study
include the following: addition and subtraction through sums
of 18, place value, geometry, graphing, money, 2-digit addition
and subtraction, time, measurement, fractions, 3-digit addition
and subtraction, and an introduction to multiplication and
division. Students are expected to have mastery of the basic
addition and subtraction facts through 18.
Social Studies
Scott Foresman curriculum centers on communities what
they are, how people live and work together, communities of
long ago, and communities around the world. Time will also
be devoted to a brief state study, and our countrys symbols as
well as holidays. Map skills and citizenship will be emphasized.
The role of a Christian in his or her community will be a
foundational theme throughout.
Science
Utilizing the Scott Foresman curriculum, instruction will be
given in these main areas animals, matter, water cycle,
and the solar system. All of these topics will be integrated
with Gods Word and will challenge the students with their
responsibilities in our world. Hands-on activities are essential
to this program and utilized through the teaching of the
scientifc method.
Second Grade Curriculum Description
2014-2015