|  Language
Arts
The language arts curriculum in second grade continues to
develop skills in vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.
Children have opportunities for reading and responding in
a large group, small group, or independently. Vocabulary development
includes teaching phonetic and decoding skills. Children practice
comprehension strategies that include: summarizing, identifying
the main idea, sequencing, making predictions, and reading
for specific detail and drawing conclusions. Children also
learn to listen and retell stories. Children are encouraged
to express their ideas in written form, utilizing the basic
steps of the writing process.
Children write in a variety of curriculum areas. Beginning
mechanics of writing and language usage are introduced and
practiced within the context of daily writing activities.
Mathematics
Second graders focus on thinking and communicating mathematically.
The children have real-life math experiences in order to practice
problem solving and build a true understanding of the mathematical
concepts they need. Hands-on activities and math games are
used to review and learn extended addition and subtraction
facts. Students spend time sharing the strategies they used
to solve mental math problems. They learn that there are a
variety of ways to get the same answer. Students become familiar
with arrays, which serve as the foundation for multiplication
and division fact families.
Money becomes a basis for many math skills in second grade.
Students are expected to know the values of coins and the
exchange value among U.S. coins. The calculator is used for
entering and computing money amounts. Graphing, calendar skills,
geometry concepts, and telling time are taught throughout
the year. As with the other grade levels, parent involvement
with Home Links is an important part of the program.
 Media
Center
Second graders practice their alphabetical order by arranging
books and materials according the letters on the spine. They
are introduced to dictionaries and thesauri as they begin
to explore a variety of reference tools. Non-fiction books
are excellent resources for second grade research for science
and social studies, so these students begin to discover how
to find these books on the shelves. They continue reading
various genre of literature to foster their appreciation of
stories, folk tales and poetry. They read and evaluate Caldecott
medal winners to discover different methods of illustrating
books.
Science
Students learn important science concepts and develop the
ability to think critically by actively constructing ideas
through their own inquiries, investigations, and analyses.
Students are actively engaged in the process of science as
they explore the natural world.
The Air and Weather Module consists of four sequential investigations,
each designed to introduce concepts in earth science. The
investigations provide opportunities for young students to
explore the natural world by using simple tools to observe
and monitor change.
The Sound Module focuses on providing opportunities for students
to explore sounds from different sources. Students will explore
ways to make sounds higher or lower and louder or softer.
We live in a dynamic world where everything is in motion,
or so it seems. But not everything is moving the same way.
Some things move from one place to another. Other things go
around and around in a rotational motion. Still other things
are stationary, stable for a time, balanced on a thin line
between stop and go. These are the global phenomena that students
experience in this module, Balance and Motion.
The Insects Module provides experiences that heighten students'
awareness of the diversity of animal forms. They come to know
firsthand the life sequences of a number of insects. In each
investigation an insect is introduced, and students observe
structures and behaviors, discuss their findings, and ask
questions. Students observe life cycles of insects and compare
the stages of metamorphosis exhibited by each species.
Visual Arts
In second grade the elements and principles of art are reviewed,
utilized, and expanded upon as students develop their knowledge
of vocabulary, art production, appreciation, and critical
judgment. Through a variety of activities and artistic media,
students learn to compare and contrast different art styles,
differentiate between cultural art forms, and distinguish
between historical periods. Second graders further demonstrate
their understanding by creating quality works of art, utilizing
a variety of materials and techniques to express themselves.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum in second grade focuses
on the concept of community and includes an in depth study
of Troy, past and present. Through interactive experiences,
students gain knowledge about their community’s history,
government, economics, and geography, while learning problem
solving and study skills. Students compare their own community
with others around the country and world, discovering similarities
and differences. Second grade students continue to explore
the core democratic values.
Spanish
Troy School District's elementary Spanish program is intended
to help children achieve a positive, successful experience
in their exposure to learning another language. Elementary
students in grades 1 through 5 receive 25 minutes of oral
instruction per week. In second grade, the children continue
to work on their oral and listening skills with the language.
The students will also begin to read the language in a familiar
context. Some topics of instruction include greetings, colors,
numbers, family, community and animals.
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2010 Troy School District / 4400 Livernois Road, Troy, Michigan 48098 / (248) 823-4000 /