Grade 2

Mr.-Goodwin-Classroom-300x200Reading: 100 Minutes Daily

Students become inquirers through the exploration of skills and strategies within whole group instruction. Teachers use the McGraw Hill’s Treasures Reading Series to facilitate growth in reading comprehension, story structure, fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as other foundational concepts. Small group instruction is an integral part of second grade curriculum. Through small groups, each student’s individual academic needs are met with the use of leveled readers that focus on weekly skills and strategies. Small group is a time for students to build their confidence in reading so they can apply those skills independently. Vocabulary is also reviewed daily in whole and small group instruction. Students continue their study of words through the Words Their Way spelling program. Through an initial spelling inventory, students receive spelling words that are tailored to their needs.

Writing: 40 Minutes Daily

Writing is delivered through the use of the Lucy Calkins Workshop Model. Writing skills are enhanced through the study of personal narratives, informational writing, poetry and opinion writing. Teachers also focus on writing conventions through modeling and conferencing. Students are directed through the writing process of prewriting, drafting, editing, revising and publishing. Students select a topic and collaborate to design and publish a class book.

Mathematics: 85 Minutes Daily

The Everyday Math Series is a spiraled curriculum framework where students learn basic fact mastery, number sense/numeracy, geometry, as well as data and chance. Students are instructed in a variety of methods in which they can apply math in real world scenarios. Math is taught in small groups where students rotate between stations based on their skill needs. Readiness and enrichment opportunities are available to students, as needed. Teachers use games as a tool to reinforce skills that are taught each week via technology and hands-on activities.

Science/Individuals & Societies: 60 Minutes Daily

The units of Plants and Animals; Pebbles, Sand, and Silt; and Air and Weather are taught using the FOSS modules. Teachers make transdisciplinary links between all curriculum areas. Students explore topics through hands-on investigations. They create inquiries and design methods to test these questions. Students reflect on the outcomes of their investigations and journal about the results.

Individuals & Societies is taught through a combination of state standards and the IB units of inquiry. Teachers incorporate community resources such as Junior Achievement, local government officials and local community facilities to provide students with the opportunity to participate in their own community.

Second grade students uniquely participate in an Artist in Residency program through the Cultural Alliance of York, which is tied to the How We Express Ourselves IB unit of inquiry.

Swimming Program

As part of the York Academy Physical Education Program, all students in second grade learn the basic skills necessary to ensure that they are comfortable swimming in the water. Instruction is provided by certified swimming instructors at the YMCA of York. Children are transported to the YMCA for swimming instruction weekly for 12 weeks. In addition to learning to swim, this activity provides children with the knowledge of a physical activity that can be used throughout their lives.