Welcome to second grade! This year your child will use exploration and hands on activities with our curriculum to help instill a true love of learning. Our goal is to provide these experiences in a positive child centered environment.

READING: Our goal, as your child's reading teacher, is to help your child develop the skills necessary to become an independent reader who can connect text to the real world. During the ninety minutes of protected reading time, we will:

• assess your child and determine his/her needs
• focus on blending and segmenting
• focus on word and sentence building
• teach your child good reader strategies through guided reading and small group instruction

MATH: In second grade, basic mathematics skills such as patterns, skip counting, measurement, telling time, counting money, fact families, problem solving, and addition and subtraction with regrouping are reinforced and extended through the use of the Harcourt Math Series and is augmented with Every Day Counts Calendar Math. These curricula are aligned with the Florida Sunshine State Standards. The year is culminated with work in multiplication and division.

WRITING: Second grade students will learn to write expository and narrative writings. The expository writing will be an explanation of a given topic. It should include supporting details and use transition words. The narrative writing will consist of a multi-paragraph story with a beginning, middle, and end. The story will include a problem, an event, and a solution. Dialogue and figurative language will be expected by the end of second grade.

Students will learn to focus on a topic, organize their thoughts, and support their writing with precise vocabulary, descriptive language, and elaboration. Through this learning, students will develop the use of correct grammar, mechanics and spelling.

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES: Scott Foresman Science, a research based curriculum, is the basis for our science instruction. It teaches students a core of scientific knowledge using an inquiry approach and understanding of the scientific method. Subject matter is divided into four units of study: Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Space and Technology. Children are also provided practice and assessment using an FCAT format.

Our Harcourt Brace Social Studies program incorporates geography, history, civics, and government, economics, and culture as it looks at groups we belong to, communities, working together, people who make history, and citizenship. Our program is enhanced by participation in Jr. Achievement and school wide career activities as well as Vehicle Day.

Due to limited desk space, many of these supplies will be collected for the class to use for the school year. This keeps desks neat and supplies on hand. Please do not bring 3-ring binders. Thanks you!

• 1 dozen #2 pencils
• 1 box of 24 crayons
• 1 package cap erasers
• 3 large pink erasers
• 1 pair blunt student scissors, Fiskars
• 4 glue sticks
• 2 yellow highlighters
• 2-3 reams white copy paper, 8.5 x 11
• 1 large hand sanitizer
• 1 foaming hand soap (goes farther, rinses easily)
• 2 boxes tissue
• 1 package wide rule notebook paper
• Boys only - 1 box 1 qt. freezer ziplock bags
• Girls only - 1 box 1 gal. freezer ziplock bags