2nd Grade Curriculum
Second graders at St. Joseph School engage in sacramental preparation, develop literacy skills, and participate in hands-on projects that build real-life skills and foster critical thinking.
2nd Grade Curriculum Highlights
- Throughout the year, students prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Through daily religion lessons, students gain a better understanding of the seven sacraments, Ten Commandments, and sequence and parts of the Mass.
- Students continue to develop reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, writing, and spelling skills. Students also strengthen their reading skills and fluency by choosing books to read at home to complete a monthly Reading Log.
- Real-life skills are incorporated in a hands-on project that results in a small café run by the second graders. This Social Studies unit includes the study of economics, as well as math, religion, and writing. Students take on key roles in the café where they practice collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking. This educational and engaging experience has become a memorable tradition for second graders at SJS!
2nd Grade Curriculum
Religion
The students will prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Our Religion lessons include our focus of the day, Scripture, prayers, music, activities, biographies, Bible stories, and doctrine. Our second grade curriculum includes:
- Creation
- God’s Promise and Word
- God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Making good choices and God’s Mercy
- Praying as Jesus did
- Worship
- God’s word
- Jesus’ sacrifice
- Sharing the Holy Meal
- Forever in Heaven
Math
Our Math program (Big Ideas Learning – Math and You) follows our Math teaching standards very closely and shows the application of Math to the real world. Our Math lessons will include Math vocabulary, strategies, an introduction to the lesson, practice and maintenance, and at times, the use of manipulatives. To stress the importance of keeping Math skills sharp, we encourage practice at home with flash cards, XtraMath, or other materials. Students also use iReady or IXL on their Chromebooks for additional practice.
Math Curriculum Topics:
- Repeated Addition and Arrays
- Fluently Add and Subtract within 20
- Addition and Subtraction Strategies within 100
- Subtract Numbers within 100
- Place Value and Numbers to 1,000
- Add and Subtract Numbers within 1,000
- Measurement and Estimate Lengths
- Represent and Interpret Data
- Money and Time
- Identify and Partition Shapes
Reading
Our Reading program (McGraw Hill – Wonders) includes six different units. The texts are divided into weekly stories taken from children’s literature. Along with our texts, we have a reading workbook and leveled books for independent reading. Our daily reading class will include lessons in:
- Phonics
- Vocabulary
- Reading aloud and Independent Reading
- Reading Strategies (Main idea, visualization, etc.)
- Comprehension
- Writing
Language Arts/Reading
We use our Language Arts series in conjunction with our Reading and Spelling series. We cover grammar, speech, usage, mechanics, punctuation, vocabulary, speaking, listening, study skills, and writing. A very strong emphasis will be placed on the six traits of writing:
- Ideas and Content
- Organization
- Sentence Fluency
- Voice
- Word Choice
- Conventions
Handwriting
The Zaner-Blaser handwriting method is used for instruction. We review letters and handwriting skills early in the year and stress correct letter formation, appropriate size and spacing, pencil grip, paper position, margins, headings, and legibility.
We teach cursive strokes and begin cursive letters. We work on the connection of letters and reading cursive writing.
Spelling
Spelling lessons are taught weekly and include a written test. We stress the recognition of structural similarities as well as phonetic similarities. Students are asked to study for weekly spelling tests with a parent.
In our daily work and homework, correct spelling is encouraged. We teach it in the writing process (prewriting, writing, revising, proofreading and publishing).
Listening/Speaking
Students will listen for understanding, follow directions and respond appropriately to the speaker/classmates. They use acquired language and vocabulary to express opinions and will:
- Present material orally
- Participate in discussions
- Read and retell stories (summarize)
Science
Students use informational magazines from Studies Weekly and Scholastic News, along with additional resources. The students focus on Science vocabulary, reading and understanding the material and participating in activities. Units of study include:
- Life Science
- Physical Science
- Earth Science
- STEM activities
Social Studies
Social Studies is taught three times a week. We enjoy doing this while giving the children an in-depth approach to the experience of changing classes. Our Social Studies topics include where we live, our Earth, working together, our country today, our country long ago, and people and places in history. Holidays and calendar activities will also be included.
Physical Education
Twice per week students will:
- Maintain personal fitness
- Demonstrate gross-motor skills
- Participate in cooperative games
- Come dressed for class
Specials
Students participate weekly in Music, Art, STEM/Technology, and Spanish classes.