Port Jefferson School District Edna Louise Spear Elementary School Second Grade Curriculum Guide 2012-2013
PORT JEFFERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION 550 Scraggy Hill Road, Port Jefferson, New York 11777 (631) 791-4291 Fax (631) 476-4409 Maureen Hull Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Kenneth Bossert, Ed.D. Superintendent September 2012 Dear Parent or Guardian, The 2012-2013 school year signals a historic change in education for New York State public schools. This year we will be implementing new Common Core Standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, which have been adopted by 45 states and 3 territories in the United States. The Common Core Standards are represented by six instructional shifts in both ELA and math. Please review the information below, from the New York State Education Department, designed to provide students and parents with an understanding of the new standards. We know that excellence has no finish line, and we will continue to work hard to provide the best possible educational opportunity for students. This includes both acknowledgement and pride in our successes, (all three schools in the Port Jefferson School District were identified as Highest Performing Reward Schools by NYSED in August 2012) and continuing to target areas for improvement. We are looking forward to working together to ensure the 2012-2013 school year is successful for everyone. Please contact me, Mr. Meehan, or your child s teacher, with any questions. Sincerely, Maureen Hull Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Common Core State Standards: Shifts for Students and Parents 6 Shifts in ELA/Literacy Read as much non-fiction as fiction Learn about the world by reading Read more challenging material closely (with great attention to detail) Discuss reading using evidence from the text Write non-fiction using evidence (sources) Increase academic vocabulary 6 Shifts in Mathematics Focus: learn more about fewer, key topics Build skills within and across grades Develop speed and accuracy Really know it, Really do it Use it in the real world Think fast AND solve problems 2
The Common Core Standards Ideas for Parents to Support Students with the Shifts (based on Common Core for Parents, from EngageNY) Common Core ELA Parents can... Shift One: Read as much non-fiction as fiction: supply more non-fiction texts read non-fiction texts aloud or with your child have fun with non-fiction, with your child Shift Two: Learn about the world by reading: supply [from the library] series of texts on topics of interest find books that explain things discuss non-fiction books [and articles] and explore the ideas within, ex: Curiosity Rover on Mars Shift Three: Read more challenging material closely (with great attention to detail: provide [from the library] both more challenging texts [in areas of high interest] and texts they want to read and can read comfortably know what level text is comfortable [independent level] read challenging material with your child show them that challenging material is worth unpacking [breaking into chunks, writing notes in margin, looking up unfamiliar terms] Shift Four: Discuss reading using evidence from the text: Talk about text Ask for evidence in everyday discussions Read aloud or read the same book and discuss with evidence Shift Five: Write non-fiction using evidence (sources): Encourage writing at home Write books together and use evidence and details Shift Six: Increase Academic Vocabulary: Read often and constantly with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and children Read multiple books about the same topic Let your children see you reading Sing with your children Make up rhymes and word games with your children Common Core Math Parents can... Shift One: Learn more about fewer, key topics: Know what the priority work is for your child for their grade level Spend time with your child on priority work Ask your child s teacher about their progress on priority work Shift Two: Build skills within and across grades: Be aware of what your child struggled with last year and how that will affect learning this year Ask how support is provided in the classroom for gap skills negative numbers, etc. Shift Three: Develop speed and accuracy: Work with your child to memorize basic math facts Know all of the fluencies your child should have and prioritize learning of the ones they don t Shift Four: Really know it, Really do it: Notice whether your child really knows why the answer is what it is - explore their thinking about the question Encourage your child to work hard with math at home Shift Five: Use it in the real world: Ask your child to do the math that comes up in your daily life Ask your child what kind of math they would use to solve questions Shift Six: Think fast and solve problems: Notice which side of this coin your child excels at and where he/she can become stronger Make sure your child is practicing the math facts he/she struggles with Identify ways to encourage your child to think about math in real life - emphasize when you do it 3
Reading The 2nd grade reading program consists of read aloud, shared reading, guided reading, and independent reading experiences. Daily, interactive read aloud activities model fluency, allow students to connect words and ideas in books to prior knowledge, and increase vocabulary skills. To enhance listening skills children will be encouraged to make connections while listening, and practice their visualization skills. During shared reading the teacher and class read a passage and/or poem together. During guided reading, the children will be reading books on their instructional level while working in small, flexible groups, depending on their needs. Word study and word attack strategies are incorporated into guided reading lessons. Word study includes word families, root words, prefixes, suffixes, endings, contractions, compound words, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, and homophones. Independent reading time is when children choose a "just right book, which is a book on their independent level. The students will learn to use the five finger rule to choose appropriate literature. Strategies taught during reader's workshop will assist the students in becoming independent and confident readers. The strategies include: * Using phonics to decode * Self-correcting * Inferring * Making connections * Determining importance * Synthesizing * Visualizing * Questioning Students will be reading more non-fiction material as we implement the Common Core Standards. Writing Learning to write for readers or a specific audience is a key component to becoming a lifelong writer. In 2nd grade, the children will learn the basic elements of writing, as well as learning to write using voice, and to express meaning. Through the writing process, based on the Columbia Teachers College Writing Project model, the children will learn to choose a seed, plan their story, reshape and revise using a variety of strategies, as well as edit their writing. Students will also confer and enhance their writing through partnerships as part of publishing their pieces. Checklists and rubrics will be used to assess student writing. Graphic organizers will be used to support and organize thoughts in a coherent manner. Units of study planned for the year include writing small moment stories under mentor authors, realistic fiction, informational writing, writing about reading, poetry, fairy tales and folk tales, and informational writing about science. Grammar and word work are taught in context as the children go through the writing process to publish their pieces. Students also receive supplemental instruction in grammar with practice and reinforcement of specific skills. Word work includes word families, sight words, high frequency words, and spelling words. Editing will focus on capital letters, varying sentence structure, ending marks, punctuation and moving from developmental to conventional spelling as pieces are published. In addition to Writers' Workshop, children will be writing across the curriculum utilizing journals, letters and class books to further enhance their writing skills. In second grade, students receive systematic instruction in phonics using the Fountas & Pinnell Phonics program. The spelling program incorporates words based on spelling principles, sight words, and individualized words. 4
Handwriting The Handwriting Without Tears program is used in 2nd grade to teach penmanship. Students work throughout the year on the development of letters, with a focus on neat, legible print. Social Studies The grade two social studies curriculum consists of three major units. The overriding theme for these units is, "All About Me." The themes of history, geography and map skills, economics, government, and citizenship are addressed through the three units. In the first unit, the children will explore their community. The children will learn the meaning of a community, different types of communities, and the needs and wants of the community members. The children will be learning about the businesses in their community, the concept of goods and services, as well as supply and demand. The children will take a field trip to Port Jefferson to visit the stores, as well as have the opportunity to meet the mayor of our village. The children will learn the essential elements of a map. They will explore the world map and the globe, learning about the seven continents and four major oceans. Map skills are taught and reinforced throughout the year. As part of the American Heritage Unit, the children will learn about citizenship, The Pledge of Allegiance, American symbols and timelines. The children will be completing a timeline of their life after exploring timelines of our history. Science The topics of study in 2nd grade science encompass Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth Science, with an emphasis on development of inquiry skills through a hands-on learning environment. Throughout the science units, the children will continue to develop an understanding of the process of the scientific method and the steps involved: forming a hypothesis, gathering materials, the procedure, observation, questioning, and the conclusion. The children will experiment, measure, record, classify and conclude. In our first unit, students will discover which materials are magnetic, how magnets are made and learn the properties of magnetism. Throughout the unit on weather, the children will be learning about different types of weather, weather instruments, wind direction, clouds, rainbows, the water cycle, and types of storms. The final science unit is about butterflies. The children will learn about the life cycle of a butterfly, characteristics of an insect, parts of a butterfly, types of butterflies, comparing and contrasting butterflies and moths, and their defense mechanisms. The children will visit a Butterfly Garden as a culminating activity for this unit. The third unit of our program focuses on Ancestral Heritage, and introduces family heritage with the concept of immigration. The concept of America as a "melting pot" and other essential facts of immigration are explored. Students will choose a country from their heritage and research their country's customs and traditions. 5
Mathematics In 2nd grade, students will learn: addition and subtraction strategies adding and subtracting with and without regrouping adding multiple addends fact families patterns geometry algebra fractions time - to the minute elapsed time calendar the basics of multiplication and division During the course of the year, some units will be modified as we proceed with the implementation of the Common Core Standards. Children will be able to collect and record data as well as draw conclusions and make predictions using different types of graphs. Problem solving skills will be emphasized as we implement the Common Core, and will be integrated within daily lessons by having the children solve multi-step word problems. Children will know and recognize coins and bills, determine the value of various coin combinations and learn how to make change. The children will learn strategies from one another and use daily math problems and calendar activities to reinforce concepts learned in class. Games, manipulatives, and hands-on activities will help to make the concept meaningful and concrete. Students will have math homework on a regular basis to practice and reinforce important skills. Special Area Subjects In second grade, students attend the following specials: Art, 2 times per week Music, 2 times per week Physical Education, 2 times per week Health & Pool, alternating weeks Library, 1 time per week (on alternating weeks the classroom teacher will join the Librarian) Note students will visit the Technology Lab with their classroom teacher, where they will utilize content specific programs in areas such as math. Art The visual arts provide students with the opportunity to develop visual solutions to language and literacy questions. Explore a wide variety of materials to further develop creative expression through fine and gross motor skills. Continue to build visual literacy skills and an art vocabulary. Continue to learn about artists and their work. Create two and three dimensional works of art. Visit the Houghton Mifflin website at http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mw/ for activities for students. 6
Music Sing expressively with appropriate musical expression, from memory, Study a variety of songs from different genres and styles, ostinato, and simple intervals sol, mi, la, do. Read, notate, perform and improvise simple melodic phrases vocally, instrumentally and/or kinesthetically adding rhythmic symbols such as half notes and half rests and the solfege syllable, do. Monitor compositions and/or performances and identify musical elements, as well as demonstrating analyzing and critiquing skills. Identify connections between music and the other disciplines, as well as in daily life. Sing songs and play games from a variety of cultures and historical periods. Demonstrate knowledge of safety and following rules Learn to show respect for others by cooperating, playing fairly, following directions and giving support to others Develop motor skills and movement concepts Participates in dance and rhythm activities Exhibit fundamental swimming skills and develop a positive attitude and respect for the water Library Understand how the library is organized and how to locate books Use the OPAC to find books Demonstrate understanding of story elements and genres Learn the parts of a book Physical Education Physical Education provides children with the opportunity to learn the importance of exercise and good sports behavior. Physical education provides opportunities for physical, emotional and social growth. Learn how to use non-fiction materials to obtain information Gain literature appreciation through read aloud and discussion Develop body and spatial awareness Administration Thomas Meehan, Elementary Principal Maureen Hull, Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction Kenneth Bossert, Superintendent of Schools, Ed.D. 7