Academics
During the literacy block, students will be involved in authentic reading and writing activities while benefitting from whole and small group instruction.
Reading: Students will participate in a variety of reading activities, including: Read to Self (Independent Reading), Guided Reading Groups, Read to Someone (Partner Reading), Shared Reading and Read Alouds. Guided Reading Groups are formed based on each student’s reading level through a variety of ongoing assessments. Instruction in word analysis skills and modeling/practicing of reading comprehension strategies will occur during guided reading sessions. Students in 2S will read for a variety of purposes, including: to participate in literature discussions, to make book recommendations, to research a topic and to study a certain genre of literature or a special author.
Writing: Students will be engaged in a variety of writing activities, including: narrative, informational, and persuasive (opinion) writing, poetry and more. Students will write drafts, conference with the teacher, revise their ideas, and learn to edit for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Word Work: Students will engage in a variety of spelling, phonics and word pattern activities during Word Work time. When writing, students will be encouraged to spell words using phonetic knowledge and familiar patterns. They will also learn how to use our classroom Dictionary Cards as a resource when writing.
Mathematics: Second grade math includes the following topics: problem solving, place value, data and probability, time, fractions, measurement, geometry, estimation, whole number computation and operational fluency, and patterns and relationships. Students will learn and practice math skills through daily mini-lessons and through work with teachers in small groups. During the math block, students will have time for independent work, "Math By Myself," and work with a partner, "Math with Someone." Students will select from a menu of engaging, hands-on activities, games, puzzles and projects designed around the major themes of the math curriculum. Math assessments provide valuable information about each child and form the basis of differentiated learning. The class will also embark on a number of rich and exciting math investigations during math blocks that are devoted to "Problem Solving." These investigations encourage students to develop, investigate, solve and explain their own mathematical questions.
Social Studies: “Communities Near and Far” is the theme that will guide our Social Studies curriculum throughout the year. Children will begin to learn how to read maps in order to better understand the world around them. The children will also learn about continents and geographical regions/features. After exploring their own cultures and traditions, students will explore the life ways and traditions of three special cultures: the Hopi, Ghana and Japan. At the end of the year, second graders will explore in depth the lives of 8 amazing artists through our non-fiction biography unit.
Science: The children will investigate and explore the following topics: Nutrition (Health), Where Does Soil Come From?: LIfe in a Rotting Log (Biology) and How and Why Do Things Move? (Physical Science.) The skills of predicting, observing, making claims based on evidence, and drawing conclusions will be practiced. The children will use Science Notebooks to document, record and share their learning.
Handwriting: Second graders will continue to solidify their printing skills through the Handwriting without Tears program.
The “Brookline Public Schools 2nd Grade Curriculum Overview” is a document available on the Brookline Public Schools’ website: www.brookline.k12.ma.us Go to the home page, look for
“District Announcements” and click on Grade Level Curriculum Overviews.
Reading: Students will participate in a variety of reading activities, including: Read to Self (Independent Reading), Guided Reading Groups, Read to Someone (Partner Reading), Shared Reading and Read Alouds. Guided Reading Groups are formed based on each student’s reading level through a variety of ongoing assessments. Instruction in word analysis skills and modeling/practicing of reading comprehension strategies will occur during guided reading sessions. Students in 2S will read for a variety of purposes, including: to participate in literature discussions, to make book recommendations, to research a topic and to study a certain genre of literature or a special author.
Writing: Students will be engaged in a variety of writing activities, including: narrative, informational, and persuasive (opinion) writing, poetry and more. Students will write drafts, conference with the teacher, revise their ideas, and learn to edit for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Word Work: Students will engage in a variety of spelling, phonics and word pattern activities during Word Work time. When writing, students will be encouraged to spell words using phonetic knowledge and familiar patterns. They will also learn how to use our classroom Dictionary Cards as a resource when writing.
Mathematics: Second grade math includes the following topics: problem solving, place value, data and probability, time, fractions, measurement, geometry, estimation, whole number computation and operational fluency, and patterns and relationships. Students will learn and practice math skills through daily mini-lessons and through work with teachers in small groups. During the math block, students will have time for independent work, "Math By Myself," and work with a partner, "Math with Someone." Students will select from a menu of engaging, hands-on activities, games, puzzles and projects designed around the major themes of the math curriculum. Math assessments provide valuable information about each child and form the basis of differentiated learning. The class will also embark on a number of rich and exciting math investigations during math blocks that are devoted to "Problem Solving." These investigations encourage students to develop, investigate, solve and explain their own mathematical questions.
Social Studies: “Communities Near and Far” is the theme that will guide our Social Studies curriculum throughout the year. Children will begin to learn how to read maps in order to better understand the world around them. The children will also learn about continents and geographical regions/features. After exploring their own cultures and traditions, students will explore the life ways and traditions of three special cultures: the Hopi, Ghana and Japan. At the end of the year, second graders will explore in depth the lives of 8 amazing artists through our non-fiction biography unit.
Science: The children will investigate and explore the following topics: Nutrition (Health), Where Does Soil Come From?: LIfe in a Rotting Log (Biology) and How and Why Do Things Move? (Physical Science.) The skills of predicting, observing, making claims based on evidence, and drawing conclusions will be practiced. The children will use Science Notebooks to document, record and share their learning.
Handwriting: Second graders will continue to solidify their printing skills through the Handwriting without Tears program.
The “Brookline Public Schools 2nd Grade Curriculum Overview” is a document available on the Brookline Public Schools’ website: www.brookline.k12.ma.us Go to the home page, look for
“District Announcements” and click on Grade Level Curriculum Overviews.