WM 2nd Grade Curriculum Update
January 2019
Reading and Writing
Reading
In the unit Bigger Books Mean Amping Up Reading Power, the first bend focuses on strategies to use while reading longer books or chapter books. These strategies help students comprehend what they are reading and help them become more fluent readers. We will work on reading at a just right pace and scooping up bigger phrases. The second bend focuses on recognizing and understanding literary language. With the help of a partner, students will discuss story elements as well as tracking the story using sticky notes. Students will use writing to solve reading problems. In the final bend, students will set goals and give feedback to partners about their reading.
Writing
Poetry writing is our next unit of study. We start the unit by seeing the world through our “poets’ eyes” by looking at objects that are around the classroom and thinking about how it could be compared or seen as something differently. We will add strong feelings and precise words. In our poems, we will also include comparisons and repetition to clarify these strong feelings.
Math
Measurement is the focus of Unit 4.
In this unit, your child will:
Estimate, measure, and compare the lengths of objects in inches, feet, and yards.
Select and use the appropriate tool for measuring the length of an object.
Measure the length of an object twice, using two different units - inches, feet, yards.
Science
Second Graders will rotate between the following Foss units:
Air and Weather
Solids and Liquids
New Plants
Social Studies
Students continue to study Citizenship and Government.
Skills covered:
How government helps people
Laws in our community
3 Branches of government
What is takes to be a good citizen
Students will work in groups to make their own island government. They will come up with rules, leaders and a plan to make sure their basic needs on the island will be met.
LMC - Library
This month, we’ll talk about the Caldecott Medal. We’ll share past award winners and honor books, and we’ll talk about how a book is chosen for the award.
Music
Mrs. Spahn’s classes will be working on: The Four Instrument Families and The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten
Ms. Soltis’ classes will be working on: Color Music by Michael Torke and discussing his gift, synesthesia
Technology
Students will be starting a new unit called Websites 101. Students will identify the features of the three Internet browsers we have at school and they will type in Internet addresses (URL) to access websites.
Art
How do artists tell a story? How do art and literacy connect? How do you know if an idea is creative? (Gnome Homes)
PE
This month, students will learn, practice, and review how to play games and activities that use both short and long-handled implements. We will be starting with Floor Hockey and finish out the month with Net Games (volleying and racquet sports).