Current Students - Second Grade

What We're Working On:
(As reported in the latest Baraga Buzz.)

2nd Grade
By: Quinn Rogala

After making turkeys for Thanksgiving and realizing how much the 2nd grade has to be
thankful for, they are now preparing for Christmas. Students made beautiful stars to help
guide them on the “star road” to Bethlehem. They colored ornaments for a Jesse Tree and
are learning about the different prophets and saints who belong to the house of David.

Students are watching roots grow on their very own plants in the classroom. They’re going to
do something special with them, but they can’t tell, because it’s a Christmas surprise for their parents!

Second Grade has been practicing very hard on Christmas songs because they’re going Christmas caroling at ECU/Larson Hall. The residents will be singing along, too�”We Wish You a Merry Christmas”�..

Class Curriculum:
Second Grade students are able to become more independent and responsible. One of the main parts of our curriculum is to help the students develop the study skills they will need in the future. These skills include using anassignment planner, using time wisely and studying from notes.

Religion - The main focus of second grade religion is an understanding of the Sacraments of Initiation and the Mass.

Science - Topics covered include plants, animals, fossils, dinosaurs, matter, sound, heat, light, force, magnets, electricity, rocks, erosion, weather and nutrition. Many hands-on activities are used to reinforce the concepts taught.

Math - Math concepts are taught using a variety of instructional styles and many hands-on manipulatives. These concepts include money, time, fractions, shapes, measurement, tables and graphs, and adding and subtracting with regrouping.

Reading / Language Arts - Second graders learn traditional phonics, spelling and grammar. There are also several writing units for composition. While using textbooks, as well as good literature, our reading program goal is to motivate students to actively read. Comprehension and decoding skills are also an important part of the program.

Social Studies - In that second graders are becoming more aware of the world around them, our curriculum includes enrichment opportunities to learn about different cultures and experiences. We learn about communities, geography of the U.S., local, state and federal government, history and economics. Map skills are also included in the Social Studies curriculum.

Handwriting - Students use the manuscript alphabet in second grade. We review what was learned in previous grades and practice for continued neatness in penmanship.

Spanish - Second graders quickly adapt to speaking many phrases in Spanish. We learn vocabulary associated with places we live, our body parts, the calendar and various foods.