Second Grade Studies
Welcome to a classroom where children are encouraged to think about the world around them as they are guided through their studies. Units are developed with a hands on approach to learning, striving to bring out the best in each child. Once the door is open for learning, there is no limit to what might be accomplished on any given day in our classroom.

Science/Social Studies
Teaching the love of learning is so easy in the area of science. Some of the topics covered over the course of the year include: categorizing, classifying, recording and arranging data, formulating possible solutions, and working with a team to share findings. We will be involved in working with the properties of sound and matter as well as exploring the earth and its homes for living things.
It is really fun teaching when the kids are as enthusiastic as they have been in our geography studies. They have already expanded upon what they know about locations, landforms, and water bodies. Map skills are developing as we continue to explore basic map elements. We will look at the child in relation to government, citizenship, resources, needs & wants, and making economic choices

Language Arts
We are reading with fluency and understanding in second grade. Up to this point, we have been learning to read. Now we are reading to learn! We are reading from a rich variety of literature and using a number of different types of story frames and graphic organizers to improve our comprehension. The Accelerated Reading Program is also used to guide the children at their own levels while promoting a love of reading. In addition to reading comprehension skills, students are also encouraged in writing to communicate for a variety of of purposes. Their writing skills are nurtured with studies in vocabulary, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Students are also asked to share their written work while their "audience" listens for specific purposes.

Class Meetings
Weekly meetings are held to address social and emotional needs of the students. We call our "family" to the carpet at the back of the room to discuss conflict/resolution issues. It is a great time to compliment good behavior while giving the kids appropriate ideas for possible situations that may arise. We all work with one common goal: We are peacemakers!

Computers
Our classroom is equipped with 5 computers. They are all loaded with learning software and are internet ready. They are in constant use for Accelerated Reader testing, math challenges and word processing. We always look forward to our trips to the lab where everyone is able to work from the computers at once. Three days each week we travel to the lab to participate in The 10 Fingers Club. We eagerly line our tiny hands up on the home row keys and keyboard for 15 minutes while we try not to look at the keys. Our hopes are to improve our speed and accuracy. You should see us go!

Math
Our goal in math this year is to build skill ability and confidence with numbers. Once we are secure with our basic math facts, we will work on solving real world problems with double and triple digit addition and subtraction problems. Using mental math problems will give the children a chance to strengthen their paper and pencil skills. Examples of math concepts taught this year are: estimation, calculators, fractions, telling time, counting money, measuring, inequalities, flat and 3D geometry, perimeter, area, symmetry, data collection and graphing. We will use games and manipulatives whenever possible to introduce and reinforce something new. It looks as if we will have more than enough to keep us busy this year!

My Favorite Sites
Supplement for Time for Kids Magazine
Student Friendly Research Site
Reading Motivation Program