2nd Grade Curriculum Highlights

2nd Grade Teachers: Mrs. Dawn Preisler and Mrs. Beth Hordesky
Math
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
  • Fluently add and subtract within 20
  • Solve one and two step addition and subtraction word problems within 100 using various strategies
  • Identify odd and even numbers up to 20 by counting by twos or pairing objects
Numbers and Operations in Base Ten
  • Count within 1000
  • Skip count by 5s, 10s and 100s
  • Mentally add or subtract 10 or 100 to any number
  • Read, write and model base ten numerals
  • Read and write number names
  • Express numbers in expanded form to identify place value up to 1000
  • Add and subtract within 1000 using various concrete strategies
  • Compare two 3-digit numbers using >, < and =
Measurement and Data
  • Measure and estimate the length of an object using standard units of length
  • Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to the nearest 5 minutes, using a.m. and p.m. 
  • Solve word problems using money with appropriate use of dollars and cents symbols
  • Create a bar graph or picture graph from a data set
  • Solve simple addition, subtraction and compare problems related to data on a graph
Geometry
  • Partition circles and rectangles into two, three or four equal shares; use the words halves, thirds and fourths
  • Recognize and draw shapes with specified attributes 
  • Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons and cubes
Reading
  • Apply grade-level decoding strategies and word-analysis skills
  • Use reading strategies (context clues, prediction and prior knowledge)
  • Monitor for and self-correct reading miscues
  • Read grade-level fiction and nonfiction with appropriate fluency
  • Identify main events of a story: beginning, middle and end
  • Retell a fiction or nonfiction story summarizing important events and supporting details
  • Identify character, setting, problem and solution
  • Accurately respond to comprehension questions in fiction and nonfiction pieces
  • Classify text as fiction or nonfiction
Writing
  • Write narrative, informative and opinion texts
  • Write friendly letters and poems
  • Develop writing prompts and original ideas with one main topic and supporting details
  • Organize writing pieces in a logical sequence; include a beginning, middle and ending
  • Show growth in vocabulary and word choice
  • Demonstrate sentence fluency
  • Take selected writing pieces through the writing process: prewriting drafting, revising, editing and publishing


Students are introduced to Keyboarding using All the Right Type
Social Studies, Science and Health
Curriculum objectives in the content subjects may be taught as integrated themes. Themes allow children to more easily make connections with real-life activities. Several 2nd grade themes include: 
  • Families past and present
  • Geography and map skills
  • Economics
  • Goods & services
  • Government & citizenship
  • Our country's past
  • Earth long ago / Dinosaurs
  • Space
  • Weather
  • Matter/Solids, liquids, gasses
  • Elementary Engineering - Chemical Engineering
Social Development
We follow the Stone Bank Way. Students are expected to: 
  • Respect the rights, diversity and feelings of others
  • Listen to and follow directions
  • Demonstrate self-control in the classroom and throughout the school
  • Accept responsibility for behavior
  • Demonstrate proper manners, kindness and compassion

Work Habits
We follow the Stone Bank Way. Students are expected to:
  • Demonstrate their best effort and strive for quality
  • Work well independently and in small groups
  • Have good attendance
  • Participate in classroom discussions and activities
  • Use time productively 
  • Return school materials and homework on time
Specials
Art
  • Use design techniques and details to more fully develop and complete artwork
  • Identify the primary colors and use primary color paints to mix secondary colors for use in painting
  • Create drawings, paintings, collages, paper weavings and other mixed media projects using a variety of art techniques and processes
  • Make 3D ceramic animal-themed containers using a combination of clay construction techniques
  • Describe their artwork
  • Communicate thoughts, feelings and ideas through their artwork
  • Identify art materials and techniques used by different children's picture book illustrators and create artwork in the style of an illustrator such as Eric Carle
Library
  • ​Students learn to find books in the most popular sections for this age
  • Students become more self-sufficient with the checkout process
  • Students learn to be responsible for up to four books at a time, including at least one at their reading level
  • Students become more familiar with Destiny Quest and the school website
  • Students experience storytime centered around popular authors and classroom themes 
  • Students are introduced to a variety of literary genres, lifelong reading habits and technology resources
  • Time allotted for independent reading makerspace activities, games and puzzles
Music
  • Students perform independently in the winter concert and with third grade in the spring concert
  • Music textbooks are used to introduce and reinforce concepts and standards
  • Students secure note-reading skills on the treble clef
  • Students apply knowledge of rhythm, melody and tempo during the keyboard unit
Physical Education
  • Explore and develop locomotor and non-locomotor movement patterns used to travel, balance, transfer weight and manipulate objects
  • Identify various body parts and understand the healthy benefits of exercise and movement
  • Develop an enjoyment of being physically active and learn the importance of exercise for being healthy
  • Develop an understanding of self-space, following directions, social etiquette and safety procedures used in an active environment with others. 
  • Students are introduced to concepts such as: sharing, taking turns, cooperation and responding to signals
Tips to Help Your Child Succeed
Family support for student learning is vital to student success. Listed below you will find several ways in which you can help your child have a more positive school experience.
  • Praise your child's efforts and accomplishments
  • Promote good health habits as a family - sleep, food and exercise
  • Have your child read every day
  • Encourage your child to sound out unfamiliar words
  • Provide encouragement when your child is challenged by a task
  • Model use of good manners and expect your child to use good manners
  • Be responsible for reading school and classroom communications
  • Find ways to let your child measure materials or food ingredients
  • Explore nature in your own backyard
  • Encourage your child to try new experiences
  • Find ways to experience the fine arts
  • Monitor your family's screen time (video games, computer, TV)
  • Participate in parent-teacher-student conferences
  • Make homework, school attendance and student effort a priority
  • Provide a quiet area for homework
  • Help your child learn to appropriately handle conflicts
  • Talk with your child about school
  • Let your child help make a grocery list of healthy foods