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By the time children reach second grade they are accustomed to a normal school day. It is a year for expanding and enriching basic reading and math skills. Reading practice occurs individually, in small groups, and at home, in order to develop a lifelong pattern and love of reading. Concrete learning activities are still necessary as students move on to higher levels of thinking. The students develop independent as well as cooperative work skills. Responsibility for tasks begins to be transferred to the students.

The second grade Bible curriculum focuses on the Promises of God and how He always keeps His word. The stories are presented in such a way that the children learn to know God, accept His salvation, and live lives of service and obedience. The children also recite Bible passages from memory.

Our main goal is for the children to develop a love for reading. Another goal is that the children will comprehend what they read. (Without comprehension, "reading" does not occur.) We will work on accomplishing these goals by providing the children with positive reading experiences and quality literature. We use independent stories, stories from our textbook series by Open Court, and many "Reader's Theater" stories. Reading, listening, speaking, phonics, writing, spelling, and penmanship are all integrated in our second grade language arts curriculum.

The first part of second grade is spent reviewing the Zaner-Bloser style of printing. Then we begin teaching the Zaner-Bloser cursive alphabet.

Our second grade math program is Everyday Mathematics. The main concepts covered are addition, subtraction, basic multiplication, mental arithmetic, place value, counting money, telling time, patterning, 3-D and 2-D shapes, simple fractions, and measurement. These concepts are taught using a problem solving, hands-on approach to doing math. Our goal is not only that children learn these math concepts and operations, but that they will learn them in such a way that they can use them in daily living. An important part of our math program is "Home Links." We find that the excellent support of our parents in these homework activities help our students to be successful in math!

In our science program we study 4 main units. They are Measurement of Properties, Plants, Water, and The Earth's Surface. We explore these units through the use of picture books, videos, experiments, hands-on activities, demonstrations, observation, and various learning experiences.

In second grade P.E., we review the fundamental skills of throwing, catching, kicking, and introduce striking (hitting). We begin fitness evaluation, with fitness challenges. We work on attitudes toward winning and losing, as well as learning to play honestly and fairly. We develop a better understanding of why and how Christians play and exercise.

Along with the creativity that is intrinsic in young children, a greater amount of skill and development is seen during second grade art. Terms such as "abstract" or "profile" are introduced and art history is woven into the art lesson. Several types of materials are used and the students are challenged to build upon skills learned in first grade.

Art class often uses ideas from lessons studied in the classroom. This enables the students to understand how art ties in with everyday life and how art can be used to communicate ideas, emotions, or thoughts. For example, the second grade Bible curriculum covers the story of Daniel in the lion's den; "telling" this story in his/her art work is a good way for a child to express his/her trust in an awesome and all protecting God.

Appreciation of literature is taught through storytelling and through stories read aloud by the librarian. Children hear stories from the various genres: realistic fiction, traditional literature, fantasy, poetry and non-fiction. They are taught how to locate books by using the computer and to select books in both the fiction and non-fiction sections using their knowledge of the alphabet and call numbers. They also work with periodicals, picture dictionaries, children's encyclopedias, globes and atlases. Our library day is Monday.

1. rhythm (beat, meter and its patterns);
2. melody (pitch, melodic direction and shape, intervals, scales);
3. harmony (chords, rounds, descants, partner songs);
4. tone color (vocal, timbre, string, brass, woodwind, percussion, and orchestral sounds);
5. expressive qualities (dynamics, tempo and style); and
6. form (strophic, AB, ABA, theme and variations, rondo, sonata). In this way your child will experience music on his/her developmental level, and in a way which is delightful to the ear and challenging to the mind.

"Study Skills" are techniques which children use to assist them in their learning. Study skills are not taught as a separate subject; rather, they are taught in conjunction with other subjects. The study skills that second graders begin developing and mastering are listening, handwriting, critical thinking, organizing information, and basic research skills.