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2

Second Grade



Second grade is a Sacramental year as the children learn about, and begin to understand the true meaning of forgiveness and repentance through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Preparations for First Holy Communion bring them ever closer to the mystery of the perfect love of our brother and Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Second Grade Curriculum

Religion

An important element of the second grade sacramental preparation is understanding that the gift of forgiveness includes forgiving others as well as being forgiven ourselves, and that being truly sorry is underscored by a sincere desire to not repeat hurtful or wrong behaviors. Through Reconciliation, children are led to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. First Holy Communion brings us ever closer to our God, through his Son and helps the children learn to distinguish the connections between life and faith.

Language Arts

 Second grade continues with the use of the Four Blocks Literacy Model for language arts instruction. The blocks consist of Guided Reading, Self Selected Reading, Writing, and Working with Words. Each block has a scheduled time in the classroom and is integrated to other areas of the curriculum. Children also receive ongoing instruction and practice in basic spelling skills through the usage of high frequency words. Instruction targets the individual spelling needs of each student.

The grammar curriculum for Grade 2 introduces students to many grammatical rules and challenges students to incorporate grammar into their writing. The skills taught build in the material learned in first grade. The students continue to become effective writers as they are guided through the steps of the writing process. Students learn how to write a paragraph, are introduced to a variety of writing genres, and engage in narrative writing, expository writing, and poetry. As a culminating project, second graders create original fables.

Handwriting

 Trinity uses the D'Nealian Program for manuscript and cursive. This program uses an easy step-by-step approach to learn handwriting and creates a solid foundation upon which elementary students can build.

Mathematics

Second graders continue using the Saxon Math program to master math concepts. The Numbers unit covers numeration, whole number computation, fractions, and money. In Geometry students are taught time and temperature, measurement (linear, mass, and volume), and lines and shapes. Graphs and probability are covered in the Data Analysis unit. The Patterns and Functions unit includes comparison symbols, continuing and repeating patterns, number line, and coordinate graphs. Using the Saxon method, students are taught a new concept daily followed by review and reinforcement of previously learned concepts.

Social Science

 The second grade curriculum presents a variety of units that help increase students' awareness of their environment, on both an individual and global level. Students develop a large-scale appreciation of the world as they study map skills, the solar system, and pioneers. The exploration of health science and physical science enables students to increase their understanding of their bodies and the immediate world around them. Material is taught using a multi-sensory approach and students actively participate in a variety of learning experiences. Hands-on opportunities motivate students to learn, engage students in the material, and help to increase student understanding of concepts. Individual and cooperative activities allow students to develop critical thinking skills and provide opportunities for students to practice scientific thinking processes. The curriculum is enriched by a study of many multicultural holidays and current events.