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Second Grade
Second Grade has year-long theme of "Community" and focuses on the concepts of Structure and Custom. Second graders come well prepared for the serious independent and cooperative learning fostered during the year. We begin with building a community “wall” filled with the collective strengths of the children. Students see that they are “each unique and together complete”. They investigate how physical and organizational structures helps the members of a community grow and prosper. They examine the customs of their families, their school community, and the neighborhood meet the needs of each member and help to make the groups successful.
Literacy
Johnny Chu, Joanna Herzfeld, Akio Iida, Danielle Morris, Dena Rothstein, and Jennifer Scher with Bonnie Greenwald
In second grade, students are able to use their skills and work on craft and understanding, while teachers ensure that literacy learning is both engaging and developmentally appropriate. In Second Grade, students familiarize themselves with a range of literary forms while building on their abilities in reading, writing, and speaking. In the first semester, they explore the concept of structure through an in-depth study of the form and function of poetry. Students analyze the importance of word choice in poetry and how line breaks and word placement affect the reading and meaning of the poems. Through this study they focus on such skills as vocabulary, synonyms, word structure, reading fluency and expression, decoding, spelling, comprehension and handwriting. Individual reading and writing conferences take place throughout the year. Teachers document student reading, strategies used, and future goals so that instruction is tailored to respond to the child.
Children are encouraged to read books at an appropriate level, finding the right amount of challenge to hold their interest. Students understand that writing is a gradual process, too, and they are able to move through the process at a rate that allows them to work on skill and content. Second grade expectation is not for a specific amount of work, but rather for the quality and craft of the work. Each student has reading and writing goals, and the teacher’s facilitate student progress toward meeting these goals.
In the second semester, the students investigate the concept of custom and tradition by examining the genres of nonfiction, memoir and folk literature. They deepen their understanding of such key literary elements as character, theme, interpretation and author's purpose. Students enhance their communication skills by telling stories, asking and answering questions and conducting thoughtful discussions in which they compare and contrast various customs as they reflected on their discoveries.
Mathematics
Johnny Chu, Joanna Herzfeld, Akio Iida, Danielle Morris, Dena Rothstein, and Jennifer Scher with Nancy Wong
The understanding and use of symbolic systems based on number embodies the idea that students learn best by doing, and that "doing" is most meaningful when in the context of solving real problems as encountered in diverse fields. Mathematical skills in second grade are embedded in daily routines and transitions in addition to direct math instruction. Flexible and responsive groupings allow for differentiated instruction in mathematics. Mathematical skills are woven throughout activities and projects, leading to an understanding of the themes and concepts.
Second graders initially focus their mathematical investigations through the study of structure. They explore physical and organizational structures through activities that range from sketching and observing to sorting and graphing. They refine their understanding of categorization and organization and deepen their knowledge of number relationships through ongoing data collection and analysis. As they observe patterns and sequences and calculate totals and differences, they increase their flexibility and fluency with early number operations.
The students then broaden their mathematical investigations into areas of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and measurement. With a focus on custom under the theme of community, the students investigate place value as seen through different number systems in different cultures. While they explore number patterns and relationships, they continue to build their repertoire of strategies for the operations of addition and subtraction, emphasizing relationships, accuracy, fluency and efficiency.
Second-graders are provided with ample opportunities for problem-solving, which lies at the core of all mathematical experiences. An introduction to robotics, for example, entails investigations of geometry, measurement, and computer programming.
Dance
Debbie Campbell
Dance class is tightly interwoven into the over-all Second Grade curriculum. With the over-all focus on structure in the first semester, students closely examine the structure of a piece of choreography. They study the space of dance, creating shapes and locomotor movements on high, middle, and low levels. Along with the challenging improvisational and choreographic work, students build on their dance technique skills through the warm-up, stretch, and traveling sequences. Connections to their literacy studies are made through the creation of dances inspired by poetry, both well-known and student-written. In addition, literacy is reinforced through the use of a word wall, class discussions, journal entries, and dance notation and motif symbols.
In the second semester, dance students connect the concept of custom to choreography and movement. They begin by creating solos based on everyday activities of their choice, such as brushing their teeth and taking care of a pet; next they look at custom through the lens of well-known party dances; and finally they study and perform dances from diverse cultures. As their literacy lessons start centering around fables, so does the students’ choreography. Working in small groups, they choreograph dances based on the fables they read in their homerooms. With each choreographic project, the students spent time improvising and rehearsing, performing informally, practicing good audience member skills, reflecting on their successes, and discussing what could be improved.
Music
Maria Sassani
Second grade music class starts by focusing the students on the physical and organizational structures of music through singing, musical games, instrumental pieces, reading and writing rhythms, and interpreting the structure of classical music through dramatic play. Music merges with literacy and art disciplines in an integrated project that combines observational drawing, classification of unpitched instruments, writing original poetry, and performing a musical piece in AB Form.
In the second semester, students study musical customs, ranging from those of The School itself (assembly music, sing-along repertoire, and annual performance music) to the neighborhood (folk songs and musical stories from Latin America and Africa) and the world (a study of ethnic instruments and vocal styles). Students develop their musical skills through singing, musical games, instrumental pieces, reading and writing rhythms, and creating musical pieces to accompany folk tales and fables.
Science
Greg Benedis-Grab
In second grade children are learning scientific skills and developing scientific attitudes through the concept of structure. In the discovery room they are experimenting with materials and using them to create buildings and other structures to explore form and function, load, balance, and flexibility. They visit a local construction site as a resource to generate questions and engage in scientific inquiry about construction. Neighborhood and distant trips allow students to make connections between human-made and natural structures. Children are also learning to work together, as it takes a large team of workers with distinct responsibilities to construct a building.
Later in the semester they explore electricity. The children work with batteries, wires, bulbs and more as they conduct experiments to make discoveries. At the conclusion of the unit they apply their knowledge by creating an electrical game in small groups.
Second graders engage in a comprehensive study of robotics and computer programming. The robotics unit is a multi-disciplinary study that involves art, dance, technology, math, literacy and science. After constructing the Lego robots and learning the Robolab computer language, they write computer programs and refine their programs to respond to specific challenges. Students choreographed a robotic dance, with robots outfitted with paper-mache puppets made in art class. The children continue their exploration of computer programming using Scratch, a language developed at MIT. Programming in Scratch expands the students’ mathematical, scientific and technological skills as they begin work in the structure of computer languages.
Social Emotional
Johnny Chu, Joanna Herzfeld, Akio Iida, Danielle Morris, Dena Rothstein, and Jennifer Scher with Dr. Elizabeth Marek
In Second Grade, social emotional learning skills and objectives are built into the children’s study of structure and community. Through lessons that address essential questions involving the ways in which physical and organizational structures are employed to meet the needs of people in a community, the children acquire a deeper understanding of the interdependence and mutual responsibilities of community members. Working in large and small groups, the children learn to develop relationships with diverse peers, become adept at using words to express a range of feelings, and understand the importance of taking responsibility for their own actions and attitudes.
In the second semester, as students focus on customs in other cultures, they become aware that other people may have perspectives on life that differ from their own. This understanding is mirrored in their growing ability to appreciate multiple points of view in issues closer to home. Working in the whole class and in small groups, children develop empathy and learn to resolve conflict through negotiation and compromise. When they are angry or sad, they learn how to express those feelings so that others can hear them, and to listen to others as well. They become increasingly independent in completing their work, and they take responsibility for their actions so that the community can function effectively. Finally, as part of their understanding of community, children develop an understanding of bullying and bystander behavior, and learn how to stand up for themselves and for others.
Social Studies
Johnny Chu, Joanna Herzfeld, Akio Iida, Danielle Morris, Dena Rothstein, and Jennifer Scher
Second graders examine community through organizational structures starting with The School and its physical spaces, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the members of The School and neighborhood community. Students use primary sources to collect data to learn about the interdependence within the school and the neighboring community. Second graders develop an understanding of the diverse cultures that make up their neighborhood. They research customs in order to understand that certain traditions stem from a community's shared beliefs.
Spanish
Marta Montgomery
In Spanish students start the year by investigating the core concept of custom in the community. After interviewing Spanish-speaking staff using simple questions, they explore the larger neighborhood community and its different professions. They examine the cultural festivity “Dias de los Muertos” by working on a skeleton craft project while labeling body parts in Spanish. They also study the Spanish-speaking Caribbean by exploring important cultural elements such as flags, food and music of the area, and eventually conduct simple interviews in Spanish of neighborhood residents from the Caribbean.
Spanish study is also integrated into other disciplines such as dance, music, and literacy. For example, students learn to dance in the salsa style, to sing folk songs in Spanish, and to act out and analyze folk tales from Spanish countries.
Technology
Gina Marcel
In second grade, students learn organizational strategies to develop greater efficiency with the computer. Students utilize more applications to show understandings of the grade level concept and theme. Careful attention is paid to the curriculum to ensure that every learning opportunity is explored and integration will occur in many subjects. Digital cameras are used in conjunction with tools like GarageBand and Itunes to creatively communicate ideas to their peers and the school community. In partnership with the Science Department, Lego Robotics is introduced to promote creative and critical thinking. Collaboration, cooperation, and self-expression are applied to complete the challenging robotic assignments.
Visual Art
Lindsay Calhoun
In the art studio, second graders develop their artistic and innovative thinking skills while learning to work respectfully, diligently, and responsively in a collaborative space. In the first semester they foster their understanding of structure in two ways: (1) making constructions with wood and paper to learn sculptural methods and techniques; and (2) exploring structure through planning; drawing from observation, imagination, and memory; and painting.
In the second semester, students begin by exploring the properties of paint, which leads to an understanding of primary and secondary colors. They create abstract designs by mixing three primary colors, which forms the basis of their whimsical art portfolios. As they move on to examine the properties of clay, they tie their investigation to the study of memoir in their literacy class. They consider how the interactions between clay forms can express relationships and emotions, which they then embody in freestanding sculptures enhanced with tempura paint. When they go on to create paper-maché puppets, they draw on their study of custom to guide their choices of clothing and features. Integrating this project with their study of science and mathematics, the students may bring their puppets to life by programming their movement with Lego robotics.
Wellness
Frank Colantuono and Sophie Hy
In Wellness second graders begin by reviewing the eight basic locomotor skills, then continue developing fundamental skills such as dribbling, passing, throwing, catching and shooting. They also practice jumping rope and using a paddle and bat.
The students compare and contrast the use of athletic skills in different sports. This leads to work on cooperative games, which enables the children to build trust and cooperation while improving their general fitness. Tying their sports to the study of custom, the students play games from a range of familiar and distant cultures.
Each student also maintains a wellness journal, where they document their learning about the key components of health.
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