2nd Grade

1. We are Respectful.
2. We are Responsible.
3. We are Safe.

In 2nd grade, we will be looking at the Social Emotional Learning model that emphasizes self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and responsible decision-making.

Our school day begins at 8:30. The students have breakfast in the classroom, then we have a morning meeting. During the day the students will have either Social Studies, Science, or Skills block, Reading, Writing, Math, Lunch, Recess and a Specialist class. Our specialist classes include: phy ed, art, music and science.

The 2nd grade curriculum aligns with district guidelines and is based on the state and national standards. We use the Parallel Curriculum Model as a framework for challenging gifted and talented students. PCM helps students learn the core curriculum, make connections, become practitioners and develop a sense of identity in each discipline.

Literacy Block

Writer’s Workshop allows students the opportunity to learn the entire writing process: gathering ideas, choosing a topic, drafting, revising, editing, publishing and sharing their writing. We publish several pieces throughout the year. These include: personal narratives, how-to books (procedural writing), an all-about book (research/non-fiction) and poetry. In 2nd grade we focus on building stamina as writers as well as learning how to read as a writer. We look for writing tools to help paint pictures with our words and then try to incorporate those tools in our own writing.

Reader’s Workshop in 2nd grade includes Read Alouds, Shared Readings, Guided Reading Groups, and Independent Reading. We use the Schoolwide Enrichment Model for Reading (SEM-R) as a framework for teaching reading. Students in 2nd grade learn about: different genres, how to choose a just right book, how to build stamina as a reader, how to write a response to literature. We use many strategies to improve reading fluency and comprehension. Skill’s Block includes: Vocabulary, handwriting, grammar, spelling, parts of speech, and dictionary skills.

Science/Social Studies

In 2nd grade, some science units are taught in homeroom while others are taught by the science specialist. The homeroom units are: Frogs and Toads, Insects, and Plants. We focus on life cycles. The Social Studies curriculum includes Government, Economics, History and Geography.

Math

At the beginning of the year, students’ math skills are assessed and each student is placed in an appropriately challenging math class. At Capitol Hill, we have school-wide math time that allows us to meet the needs of each individual math student.  We use the Everyday Math curriculum and supplement that with Calendar Math and Problem Solving. You can also help your budding math magician by practicing basic addition and subtraction facts at home for accuracy and speed.

We go outside every day, weather permitting. Please make sure your child has the appropriate clothing and accessories. During winter months, children should have jackets, hats, mittens, snow pants, and boots. During the muddy seasons, please make sure your child has rain boots. This helps to keep our classrooms and our school clean when we aren’t tracking in sand, mud, and snow.

In lieu of having homework, 2nd graders and their families will have home activity options. There will be sheets in the take-home folders and parents make the decision about which activities to do with the children.

The PTO fundraiser funds all of the field trips we take in 2nd grade. This includes the entrance fees and bussing costs. Thanks to the families who donate to help fund these experiences.

Prior to each field trip, we will send home a permission slip. If you are able to chaperone, please indicate that on the permission slip and we will contact the lucky volunteers.

A few of our field trips are:

• Como Conservatory – plants and insects investigations
• Minneapolis Institute of Arts
• Ordway
• Belwin Nature Center