WM 2nd Grade Curriculum Update
February 2020
Reading and Writing
Reading
In Reader’s Workshop students are reading nonfiction books in book clubs. Partners read and talk about texts in their reading clubs, and then they ponder questions, develop ideas, develop theories and celebrate discoveries. We combine what we already know with new information we are reading to help us understand the text.
Writing
In Writer’s Workshop students continue to work on poetry. We study many ways poets work and learn the tools and strategies poets use. Second graders work with the structure of poetry, learning how poets use line breaks and white space. We discuss and try to find the precise words that convey our intended meaning. Last, we’ll build analogies, metaphors and similes, and extend those bits of figurative language throughout the bodies of our verses.
Math
Math: Unit 5: Place Value to One Thousand
In this unit your child will be working on the following skills:
Representing numbers using groups of 1s, 10s, and 100s to demonstrate an understanding of place value to 1,000
Using models, sketches, and numbers to add and subtract within 1,000
Mentally add and subtract multiples of 10 and 100 to and from any number within 1,000
Solving money story problems involving pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters using correct notation
Science
Second Graders will rotate between the following Foss units:
Insects and Plants
Solids and Liquids
Pebbles, Sand and Silt
Social Studies
We are in a science cycle in February.
LMC - Library
We’ll explore books about friendship, love, and kindness this month, and we’ll express our love for favorite books and characters through special projects!
Music
Mrs. Spahn’s classes will continue learning about The Four Instrument Families and The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten
2nd: Miss Soltis’ classes will be starting their instrument families studies. We will begin with the Brass Family - taking a closer look at how they are made, what they sound like, and even testing out a Trumpet and Trombone at the end of the unit. We will move on to the String Family shortly after that, which will include some Ukulele!
Technology
Students will be starting a new unit on coding to introduce them to computer science. They will independently work their way through a course of 12 lessons where they will develop problem solving skills and persist through difficult tasks.
Art
How do artists invent new techniques? Where do artists find inspiration? (Trees of Life)
PE
K-3: February is Heart Healthy Month! This month, students will begin with bowling and finish out the month with basketball. We will be discussing activities and ways students can keep their hearts strong and healthy. There will be lessons including rope jumping and other cardio exercises families can do together. The Jump Rope for Heart Event will be handled differently this year. Although we will continue to teach the valuable lessons introduced with the heart healthy curriculum, families that choose to do fundraising to support the American Heart Association are asked to do so online only this year.