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<p class="fontlook">LANGUAGE ARTS
<p class="fontlook">The Second Grade Reading/Writing Workshop program continues the development of basic reading and writing skills.  Through this program the girls are given many choices of reading and responding to fiction, non-fiction, poetry, biographies and others.  A primary focus is reading for enjoyment, enrichment and the development of critical thinking skills.  A secondary focus is reading for information to be used in projects. The Writing program focuses on the writing of clear and interesting sentences and paragraphs. Stories, poetry, personal narratives, and letters are written. Emphasis is placed on listening and speaking skills. Spelling, grammar, and handwriting, including cursive, are integrated into the learning process.  
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<p class="fontlook">MATHEMATICS
<p class="fontlook">The students will learn through active participation and the use of manipulatives. They review and master addition and subtraction facts to 20. The students work with time, money, measurement and geometry.  Regrouping using 2 and 3 digit numbers for both addition and subtraction is developed. Work with the concept of fractions, estimation, graphs, multiplication, and division expand the curriculum. 
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<p class="fontlook">RELIGION
<p class="fontlook">The primary focus of the religion program is the preparation of the children for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Student will learn the meaning of God's activity in their lives. The concept of faith is explored. They learn that life in the Church flows from the Sacraments. In particular, the students study the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and the Eucharist. The Rosary is introduced. The school provides for the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in December, and First Eucharist in February, at the neighboring Catholic Church.
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<p class="fontlook">SCIENCE
<p class="fontlook">Students continue to learn what it means to be a scientist and the scientific process by studying soils, sound, and the life cycle of the butterfly. Hands on activities will help students develop the basic scientific skills of observation, prediction, recording and drawing conclusions. 
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<p class="fontlook">SOCIAL STUDIES
<p class="fontlook">The program introduces the students to ever widening communities, moving from family and the neighborhood to the city, the state, and the country. Students learn about various goods and services which their communities provide; the need for rules and laws within a community, and future communities. The students are also introduced to the concepts of dependence within communities and interdependence between communities. Geography, history and citizenship are concepts introduced at this level.
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<p class="fontlook">ART
<p class="fontlook">Students have developed a stronger sense of self and thus can use their new found abilities to create work based on a broader range of experience. They begin to understand that art can communicate abstract thought as well as emotion.  Art work now takes on a very personal meaning.  The Art Cottage offers a wonderful means of developing a cooperative and collaborative work environment.
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<p class="fontlook">COMPUTER
<p class="fontlook">Students in the Second Grade focus on enhancing their word processing and keyboarding skills.  They learn how to navigate the school's network, signing on to the file server and selecting printers. The students use the Internet for research and work on various collaborative projects throughout the year integrating their core class work.
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<p class="fontlook">MUSIC
<p class="fontlook">Music classes emphasize learning to read music by both singing and playing instruments.  Students study two operas during second grade: The Magic Flute by Mozart and Cristoforo Colombo by Franchetti.  The lives and the works of several prominent composers including Beethoven and Strauss are explored as well.  Students participate in special music programs throughout the year and enjoy an interdisciplinary unit with physical education that incorporates square dancing and music. A highlight of the year is participation in the "the World's Largest Concert", a program sponsored by the National Association for Music Education. 
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<p class="fontlook">VIOLIN
<p class="fontlook">In Second Grade violin class, beginner students will learn, and experienced students will continue to master basic violin technique needed for good sound production.  This includes learning proper placement of the bow, correct posture and good violin tone.  The students will also learn basic note reading, various rhythms, and how to play songs together in groups.  Students will present what they have learned in concert at the advent prayer service.
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<p class="fontlook">SPANISH as a Second Language
<p class="fontlook">The students will continue to develop their oral and listening skills with added emphasis on reading and writing.
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<p class="fontlook">SPANISH for Spanish Speakers
<p class="fontlook">The students will continue to develop and enhance their vocabulary skills. The reinforcement of their oral production will allow them to apply new structures in writing.
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<p class="fontlook">CHINESE
<p class="fontlook">The Second grade students will continue developing their Chinese vocabulary and sentence structures.  Listening and speaking skills are the primary focus in the class.  The students will learn to enjoy and respect the Chinese culture.
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<p class="fontlook">LIBRARY 
<p class="fontlook">The program is designed to promote the student's increasing independence in using the library and locating different types of materials. Many hands-on activities enable the students to discover how libraries are organized and how materials can be found with the help of the computerized catalog. The librarian continues to read aloud to the students from a broad selection of children's literature. Students learn basic research skills through an integrated science, art, computer and library project about endangered animals.
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<p class="fontlook">STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
<p class="fontlook">The developmental curriculum in the Second Grade builds on the foundation in values built in Montessori and First Grade.  Now students begin to practice their peacemaking and conflict resolution skills inside and outside the classroom.  In addition to behavior the I Care Program focuses on lessons about cooperation, uniqueness and similarities, feelings, problem solving, and responsibility.
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<p class="fontlook">PHYSICAL EDUCATION
<p class="fontlook">Building on skills learned during the primary years, students in Grade Two work toward greater mastery of basic motor skills. Hand-eye and foot-eye coordination are developed through throwing, catching, and kicking skills using a variety of equipment. Tumbling and gymnastics develop the students' strength, agility and flexibility. Low organization games offer the students an opportunity to apply the skills they are learning and promote group interaction and support. Safety in physical education is emphasized throughout the year.
 


