PALOS COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 118

GRADE TWO CURRICULUM

The Palos District 118 Teaching for Understanding Framework has established learning benchmarks, which are those essential concepts, processes, and content that students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. 

District 118 teachers and administrators have developed these benchmarks based on the Illinois State Standards, national standards, and updated research.

Our community's standards and grade level expectations are often higher than those suggested by our Illinois State Board of Education.  Such expectations are incorporated within and continue to produce excellence in our students and staff as indicated on state testing. We are, of course, always looking to continually improve.

While District 118 emphasizes "the basics," our Board-adopted curriculum uses the basics to establish a foundation for students' understanding of the major concepts in each of the content areas.

 

Language Arts

The reading/language arts program is designed to balance instruction in reading skills and strategies.  This program provides instruction in interpretation and oral and written response to literature.  The use of a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature, as well as electronic media, helps develop in-depth understanding of topics and also helps teachers meet the diverse needs of students.  Students will use the 2006 Harcourt Trophies language arts core program. 

Reading

Second grade literature is composed of:

  • poetry

  • nonfiction

  • fiction

  • fairy tales

Strategies and skills include:

  • using word structure to decode
  • improving fluency
  • increasing number of words understood
  • identifying main idea and supporting details
  • sequencing story order
  • summarizing through the use of story elements
  • making predictions
  • interpreting authors' and illustrators' ideas
  • reading for different purposes
  • identifying genres
  • making comparisons across genre and reading selections
  • alphabetizing groups of words
  • research skills

Writing

Second grade students use writing to express themselves.  Students will:

  • use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and sentence structure.
  • use prewriting strategies to generate and plan ideas.
  • communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.
  • produce final documents that have been revised and edited.
  • paragraph development.

Handwriting

Second grade students continue to practice correct formation of letters and numbers throughout the school year.  Cursive handwriting will be introduced this year.

Listening

Second grade students listen for understanding.  They will:

  • follow directions
  • focus on and interact with the speaker.

Speaking

Students communicate ideas in whole and small group settings.  Students will:

  • extend their vocabulary.
  • present material orally.
  • ask questions relevant to a topic.
  • participate in discussions.
  • speak clearly with expression.

Spelling

Spelling skills are integrated into the reading program.  Second grade students are taught a variety of spelling, phonetic patterns, and high frequency words in weekly lessons.

Information Fluency Skills/Technology

Technology skills taught to students in the classroom and media center are integrated throughout the curriculum to support and enhance learning.

   

Mathematics

Mathematics skills, strategies and concepts are taught through a variety of resources including textbooks and manipulatives for "hands on" experiences.  Thinking skills are developed as students learn different problem solving strategies.

Second grade students will be taught the following:

  • addition and subtraction facts up to 18.
  • addition and subtraction with regrouping.
  • estimation.
  • counting mixed coins and dollars.
  • geometry.
  • place value of numbers to 1000.
  • time to the 5 minute intervals.
  • measurement including length, capacity, and temperature.
  • problem solving.
  • calculator activities.

Science

Science is a content area consisting of a variety of topics.  Inquiry into topics is pursued using textbooks, nonfiction literature, "hands on" experimentation and the scientific inquiry method.  The teaching and learning emphasis goes beyond coverage of facts to understanding concepts related to topics being studied.

Second grade students will develop an understanding of concepts through the following topics:

Plants and the Soil

  • Interdependence impacts survival.

  • Change occurs over time.

Nutrition/Health

  • Choices affect health.

Social Studies

Social Studies is a content area.  District 118 uses concepts to focus the study of topics and promote in-depth understanding.  The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for themselves and the public good.

Second grade students develop an understanding of concepts through the following topics:

  • Historical Individuals and Events

  • U.S. Government

  • North America and Our World

  • Economics

Fine Arts

The Fine Arts teachers in District 118 have constructed a comprehensive, integrated, sequential curriculum to develop the whole child.  Through "hands on" interaction, students will develop criticism skills, an aesthetic appreciation of the Arts, and study the historical perspectives that help shape our society.

Art

In second grade the students will continue to explore various art forms.  Students will:

  • communicate through art.

  • take pride in their work.

  • interpret artistic products.

Music

In second grade the students will have an opportunity to further explore various cultures and styles.  Students will:

  • learn by singing, playing, moving, listening, reading, and creating.

  • match pitch independently.

  • distinguish elements of music.

  • identify musical notes and rhythmic patterns.

Physical Education

    The physical education program is planned around the growth and development of the child.  It provides a wide range of activities consistent with the requirements of our state goals.  In second grade students will:

  • identify and demonstrate the basic elements of movements.

  • participate in low organized games.

  • identify lifestyle choices that affect fitness.

  • learn to cooperate in a small group.

  • participate in creative activities.

Suggestions for Supporting Your Child's Learning at Home

  • Set aside a special time each day for reading with your child.  Ask "why" and "how" as well as "what" questions about what you have read together.

  • Provide your child with frequent trips to the library.

  • Limit the amount of time your child watches television.

  • Write notes and messages to your child.

  • Give your child special jobs to complete on a regular basis.

  • Ask your child what he/she THINKS about a variety of topics.

  • Look for ways to use mathematics skills in everyday situations (Helping in the kitchen facilitates your child's understanding of measurement.)

  • Practice math facts daily.

  • Practice counting money and telling time.

  • Engage in conversations about current events, the day's events, vacations, etc.

  • Ask your child what he/she THINKS about a variety of topics.

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Graphics on this page are from DiscoverySchool.com Teacher Clip Art 

Last updated September 2007

Copyright © 2006 Palos Community Consolidated School District 118. All rights reserved.