Second Grade Overview

Southside Christian Lower School

Teachers: Jennifer Atkins, Beth Ledford, Debby Oveson*

*Denotes lead teacher

Subjects Taught:

v  Bible – A Beka

Bible memory verses, Bible knowledge, and life application are taught.         

Scriptures Memorized

Ephesians 6:11-17

Luke 2:8-14

Psalm 119:9-16

I John 4:7-15

v  Math – Harcourt

An emphasis is placed on mastery of basic facts and skills, problem solving, and real world applications.  Concepts covered include numbers, operations, and data; money and time; two digit addition and subtraction; geometry and measurement; number sense and fractions; three digit addition and subtraction, multiplication and division.

Math facts timed tests will include addition and subtraction facts 0 – 18 with the following guidelines:

First nine weeks                   10 per minute (+) (-)

Second nine weeks              10 per minute (+/-)

Third nine weeks                  15 per minute (+/-)

Fourth nine weeks                20 per minute (+/-)

v  English Language Arts – Bob Jones University Press, ACSI, novels, Zaner Bloser Simplified Handwriting, 6+1 Traits of Writing.

Second graders receive intense, systematic phonics instruction with an emphasis on comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and writing through the Bob Jones University Press series and cross-curricular projects.  Novels are used for literature enrichment.  ACSI curriculum  is used for a systematic approach to spelling.  Cursive handwriting is introduced beginning the second grading period.

Novels Read in Class                     Basal Readers 

Flat Stanley                                     If Skies Be Blue

Come Back Amelia Bedelia              When the Sun Rides High

Crispus Attucks

Charlotte’s Web

Novels Read Outside of Class

Second graders are expected to read a minimum of four novels outside of class and complete book reports for each novel.  Two of the book reports will be completed at school.  The other two will be completed at home.  One book report will be assigned each nine weeks. Students will also be required to keep a reading log throughout the school year.  Reading time should not be considered homework.  Having your child read to you familiarizes your child with book print and helps with decoding skills.  Parents can enhance comprehension and awareness skills by asking questions during and after reading times.  The novels are to be chosen by the student and must be on an appropriate reading level for the student.  The novel selection and book reports follow the guidelines listed below.

Reading is assessed in four areas for grades 2-4. Oral reading assesses fluency and accuracy as the student reads from a set passage. Two oral reading grades are taken per nine weeks. Oral comprehension assesses four levels of comprehension: literal, interpretive, critical, and appreciative. Students are asked questions from the different levels after reading a passage. The oral reading grade is taken from a minimum of twenty oral questions asked throughout the nine weeks period. Written comprehension is assessed using workbook pages corresponding with the passage they have read. Students may also respond to what they have read through writing. Reading is also assessed through book reports and a reading log.

v  Science – Bob Jones University Press

Science is taught on an alternating basis with social studies.  Topics include animals, plants, fossils, patterns of the sun and moon, weather, motion, magnets, matter, and bones and muscles of the human body.  Scientific Inquiry is incorporated throughout all unit of study.  Students attend science lab weekly.  Each student will complete a science project using the scientific process.

v  Social Studies – Bob Jones University Press

Social studies is taught on an alternating basis with science.  Second grade social studies is a colorful narrative of Colonial American history and includes studies on communities, farming, kings and queens, and freedom.  

Weekly Co-Curricular

            Chapel 

Music              

            Physical Education

            Library Science

            Spanish

            Art

            Science Lab

Homework

Second graders will spend approximately 30 minutes completing homework.  Science, history, or special projects will require additional homework time.  Homework is an extension of skills taught in class and should be considered part of the education process.

Music

Students will have music on a weekly basis.  Grade appropriate skills are taught which include introducing notes visually, playing xylophone instruments, aural and visual identification of familiar instruments, performance, and moving to music.

Library

Students in second grade are encouraged to read a variety of books from all parts of the Lower School Library.  They practice finding books by the author’s last name and are introduced to the fiction section.  Students learn the parts of a book and practice finding the parts in actual books.  Students are encouraged to participate in the Accelerated Reader Program.  Library is viewed as an extension of the English language arts program.

Physical Education     

Second graders will continue development of fundamental locomotor and non-locomotor movements, practice movement with manipulatives, begin development of sports skills, and begin focus on importance of overall fitness. 

Field Trips

Roper Mountain Science Center

Happy Cow Creamery

Furman/Peace Center Play

Strawberry Farm

Hollywild Animal Park

Special Projects, Special Days, and Special Activities

Spirit Week

Field Day

Pet Day

County Fair Day

Grandparent’s Day

Lower School End of the Year Party

ACSI Spelling Bee

SCS Science Fair

Poems Memorized

Mr. Scarecrow

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

The Wind

The Creation

Songs Memorized

Nothing but the Blood

Joy to the World

Onward Christian Soldiers

When the Roll is Called Up Yonder