Grade 2
In Second Grade emphasis is on further development and review of concepts taught in First Grade. Reading instruction is based on expanding comprehension as well as fluency. Reading “the way we speak” is stressed. Phonics is included in grade-appropriate grammar lessons and in the weekly spelling lists. Writing instruction is integrated in all subjects of the curriculum in second grade: language, science and history. Emphasis is on complete sentences and writing a paragraph or story with a defined beginning, middle and end.
Math instruction includes a focus on mastering addition and subtraction facts as well as an introduction to all multiplication and division facts. Second graders become proficient in addition and subtraction with regrouping and review basic geometry and fraction skills.
Science instruction includes topics such as weather and the water cycle, simple machines, building and architecture, cells, life cycles and insects.
History instruction follows up an American History timeline with the period after the Revolutionary War (which is studied in First Grade) up to the Civil War, and includes the Constitution, Westward Expansion and Native Americans, centering on the Cherokee. World History includes ancient India, China and Greece as well as contemporary Japan. The children experience a number of teacher “read-alouds” for each unit following The Fourth School’s literature-based and history-driven philosophy.
The second grade studies Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and prepares a dramatization of the story in the form of a radio play to the school and invited parents the week before Christmas. They also participate in choral readings throughout the year via core curriculum history themes such as The Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution.
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