Religion

Priority topics for the Grade 2 Religion Curriculum are: Jesus our Savior and the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Students have opportunities to grow in understanding of God’s merciful love for each person as they prepare to celebrate the Lord’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students also begin to explore the meaning of the Eucharist in preparation for their First Eucharist (in third grade). Children continue to learn traditional prayers and experience other forms of prayer. The lives of the saints provide students with role models for following Jesus faithfully.

Reading/Language Arts

Reading skills are taught to the students by whole group instruction and in small group settings. The students read a variety of stories and focus on skills such as predicting, identifying the main idea and details, and summarizing. The language arts curriculum includes instruction in: English, Phonics, Spelling and Handwriting. The students will learn cursive in the second half of the year as well as complete writing pieces such as couplets, free verse poetry, descriptive writing and friendly letters.

Math

The curriculum focuses on topics such as addition, subtraction, place value, introduction of multiplication and division, money, time, fractions, measurement and geometry. Problem solving skills are taught and enforced in each unit.

Science

The curriculum consists of many different topics. It focuses on Physical and Earth Science and includes Magnets, Matter, Dinosaurs, and a review of Weather and Plants.

Social Studies

The curriculum focuses on the different types of communities and the economic forces within them. It also includes map skills, citizenship, and Native Americans.

Specials

Students attend an art, music, library, gym, and computer class once per week. In art the concentration in Kindergarten through Grade 4 is to develop fine motor skills, learn about the art elements and principles or design, color schemes, basic drawing and painting, blending colors, discovering new media and working 3 dimensionally within various material. Lessons are related to the history of art, famous artists and their works, and international, cultural practices and crafts. An Art Show is held in the spring each year showcasing the artistic accomplishments of all students.

In music, second graders continue to learn note values and playing rhythms of the eighth and sixteenth values.  They also learn note placement on the music staff as well as music markings — dynamics, tempos, and meter.  They enjoy singing songs of different occasions and holidays.

In PE instruction and activities concentrate heavily on basic locomotor skill development (walk, run, skip, jump, hop, etc.) and the development of hand/eye and foot coordination through catching, throwing and kicking.  Simple game play and activities are utilized to introduce and reinforce these skills.

Foreign Language

All students in Kindergarten through Grade 4 receive an introduction to the Spanish language and culture. The curriculum is presented in an active, cheerful manner with never a dull moment! During their once a week lesson, the instructor emphasizes listening, comprehending, and speaking the language. Students learn to speak the basics of Spanish (ABC’s, numbers, colors, days of the week, seasons, months of the year, etc.) through games, songs, and conversations. They also learn about traditions, dance styles, and prayers.

Highlights

Second grade is full of fun and exciting events! We take field trips including a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo and Environmental Day at DeSales University. We have a traditional Polar Express celebration in December and our Traveling Bears will begin their adventures in February. Throughout this year, students also learn about many different artists and hold an Art Gallery Day showcasing their work.