The Hebrew Academy - A Yeshiva Day School serving Toddler through Eighth Grade

Computers:

Using computers is an important tool for learning for second graders. They come to the computer lab with their classroom teachers, and work with computer lab instructors. They learn problem solving, using "Thinking Things 2 & 3." and other programs. Word processing skills such as centering, changing fonts and saving are acquired through drawing and writing exercises.Students also have use of computers in their classroom.

Language Arts:

The goals of the second grade language arts program are to have students develop strong writing, reading, spelling and listening skills, and to employ these skills with success and enjoyment. We teach phonics skills that apply to their reading and writing. We also use many modalities including visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile to support the learning process.

While immersed in a rich literature program our second graders use decoding strategies and phonics to develop reading fluency, and they use contextual clues to build vocabulary and overall understanding. They learn to re-read for comprehension, identify elements such as character, plot, conflict and resolution as parts of a story, and respond to questions through writing and discussion.

Students use singular and possessive nouns, verbs, and adjectives, as well as standard abbreviations like Dr. and Mrs. They learn to write sentences in logical order, to develop a topic, and begin writing in paragraph form. They create characters, write about personal experiences, check written work by reading it out loud, and practice revising and adding details.

They continue to learn spelling through theAddison Wesley's Everyday Spellingprogram as well as through their reading and writing activities. This program teaches children to use correct, conventional spelling, and includes phonetic and multi-sensory strategies, visual memory and saying words aloud.

Mathematics:

Second graders are very concrete thinkers. They enjoy mathematics and its logical structure. They work with whole numbers, concepts and operations, such as place value to 1,000, reading and writing three-digit numbers, adding and subtracting with regrouping. By using coins they learn the basics of decimals. Also, we introduce division and multiplication facts.

Students work at pattern recognition, utilizing shape, size and color. This is an important skill that is applied in geometry. They also work at mathematical operations and problem solving. To develop their number sense, they practice estimating and doing mental math. Students examine relationships such as more than, equal to, less than, and they count by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s and 100’s. Making and using bar graphs and working with money are also second grade skills.

Learning to use different types of measurement is important to second graders. Because they think concretely, it involves working with real objects. They use customary and non-standard units to measure and estimate length, weight and capacity. They use calendars and schedules and tell time to the quarter-hour. By writing a problem to match a number sentence, the second graders explore the beginning of what will become work in algebra.

Our goal is for second graders to become accurate, confident mathematicians who are able to use their newfound math skills in interesting ways.

Physical Education:

The PE program for Grade Two encourages students to build healthy living habits, and stresses the importance of getting regular exercise. We teach good sportsmanship and honest effort as underlying values. The curriculum highlights mastery of many skills such as jumping, hopping, skipping and running. Eye-hand coordination is built using balls and lummi sticks. Strength, balance and flexibility are developed through gymnastics. Movement awareness is taught, including awareness of personal space, identifying boundaries, and exploring ranges such as high, low, far and near. Second graders enjoy their own growing sense of competence as well as cooperating with their classmates.

Science:

Science for second graders places equal emphasis on capturing their interest and exciting them about science, as well as giving them specific information or teaching scientific techniques. The children are encouraged to speculate, question and explore without being afraid to be wrong or slow. Students meet once a week with a science specialist in a science room. Frequent use is made of posters, scale models and scientific instruments such as magnifying glasses, microscopes and magnets. They develop the ability to sketch and record information at a beginning level. Observation skills continue to be strengthened, with concentration on local plants and birds.

Our students begin recording observations in a spiral notebook, the precursor to a laboratory notebook, in which they make written observations as well as sketches and drawings. Individual interests are encouraged through discussion and science show and tell. We introduce major topics through the year that may include astronomy, weather, acoustics, chemistry, simple machines and linguistics.

Social Studies:

Second grade work in social studies focuses on understanding how people interact and depend upon each other. Study units are theme-based and integrate many skills. The units cover topics such as pets, nature, and friendship, and are coordinated with the reading program. When learning about reducing pollution, for example, second graders talk about the need in society for self- control, responsibility, respect and rules. They acquire map skills throughout the year, and they have a unit on Israel. They learn about travel, including a simulated airplane trip involving passports, tickets, packing, safety, and a two-week itinerary. We address citizenship through studying Jewish and American holidays, symbols, celebrations and participating in mitzvah projects.