Our 2nd grade teachers are:

• Mr. Cohoon            
• Mrs. Ellmann   
• Mrs. Matthews 
• Mrs. Shea
• Mrs. Smolinski
• Mrs. A.  Zelasko           

Second Grade Frequently Asked Questions

What supplies does my child need?  
The complete second grade supply list is accessible by clicking on the appropriate selection in the navigation menus at the top of this page.  However, from time to time it will be necessary to replenish the following supplies.

• Pencils
• Glue sticks
• Colored pencils/crayons

We find these supplies disappear quickly.  Please put your child’s name on everything.

What will my child learn in second grade?

ELA

An important goal in second grade for all students is the development of automaticity and fluency in reading. Fluency is critical for deep reading and understanding of text. By the end of the year, students will be independently reading challenging fiction and nonfiction text, with the expectation that they will find and answer text dependent and inferential comprehension questions about the text both orally and in writing.

In Grade 2, students also continue to learn about the structure of the English language, grammar, the parts of speech, and other language conventions. Considerable emphasis is also placed on writing instruction using a systematic writing process- Plan, Draft, Edit, and Publish. Students practice writing narratives, informative/explanatory texts and opinion pieces.

Spelling tests are given regularly throughout the year. While studying for each spelling test is important, your child will be assessed more heavily on using correct spelling in daily and assigned work.

Math

We will be working on many skills throughout the year. They include:

• Sums and Differences
• Addition and Subtraction with Length, Weight, Capacity and Time Measurements
• Place Value, Counting and Comparison of Numbers to 1000
• Addition and Subtraction of Numbers to 1000
• Preparation of Multiplication and Division Facts
• Comparison, Addition and Subtraction with Length and Money
• Recognizing Angles, Faces, Vertices of Shapes and Fractions of Shapes

Science

Our Science program consists of four hands-on kits:

• Plant and Animal Life Cycles
• Changes (in states of matter)
• Balancing and Weighing
• Simple Machines (lever, pulley, etc.)

Social Studies

Our Social Studies curriculum focuses on “My Community and Other United States Communities”. The three units that are taught are:

• Unit One- Active Citizenship
• Unit Two- Rural, Urban and Suburban Communities
• Unit Three- Geography of Communities

Health

Our units will focus on the structure and functions of the eye and the ear. We also use the Michigan Model of Health to incorporate health education into our class discussions.

How much help should I give my child when completing homework?

All of our homework is designed to review concepts or to provide practice on skills we have already covered in class.  The children need to complete their homework independently.  Allowing your child to complete the assignment on their own builds confidence and strengthens their ability to deal with academic challenges.  Students need to be strongly encouraged to read all directions and retell, if necessary, just what it is they are expected to do. You can help foster independent reading and work skills by allowing your son or daughter to work independently on homework.

Mistakes on homework, when not careless, are to be expected and the way in which real learning occurs.  Once the assignment is complete, look over their work.  Emphasize that you are looking for their best effort and direct them to correct mistakes.  Feel free to write us a note if you feel your child truly does not understand a concept.

Finally, all written work should be done in pencil and should always be written in complete sentences.  This is important, because we are preparing the students for the N.Y.S. Assessments, which require more than one to two word answers.

How can I help my child with reading assignments?

A common assignment for beginning readers is to read a passage to their parents.  Practice is still the best way to achieve at almost everything.  We do however, understand that not all children learn at the same speed and some second graders will struggle more than others.  We also understand that children have good days and bad days, perhaps they are not feeling well or are experiencing some other problem.  We do not wish to frustrate any child and no one truly knows a child like their parents.

For these reasons may we suggest that our assignments to read a story or a book be completed in one of these manners:

Finger Read (the most reader support) - this method is suggested if your child is experiencing frustration for any reason.  The child follows along with a marker or their finger while the parent reads the majority of the text.

Buddy Read (some reader support) - the child reads a page and the parent reads a page, alternating turns.  While the parent is reading, the child simply follows along with their finger or a marker, making eye contact with the words.  This eye contact provides the visual reinforcement to help build word recognition.

Solo Read (the least support) - the child will read aloud to the adult.  This method is suggested if your child is able to read almost all the words without help.

As the year goes on, the natural progression is to go from finger reading to buddy reading to solo reading so the child can develop as a more independent reader.

How can I help my child memorize the Math facts?

1. In second grade, we will focus on memorizing all the subtraction facts.  We call the program Two Minute Math.  The program is designed to help your child quickly memorize his/her math facts in order to make solving math problems easier.  Consistent nightly practice is the best way for your child to feel successful with these facts.  Please help your child practice their facts by suing the following procedure.
   
   
2. Practice every day for 2 minutes (NO LONGER).
   
   
3. Set a timer and have your child read the WHOLE math fact and the answer.  If they get it incorrect, stop to correct them.  Then have the child move back three problems and continue on.
   
   
4. The entire process is completed ORALLY.  Your child will not write down any answers in their book.  It is an oral review.

We will provide practice in school.  After a reasonable amount of time, we will test the set.  Your child is allowed to miss three problems and still pass.  There will be opportunities for your child to make up any tests they do not pass.  With continued practice at home and school, your child will soon master all of the facts from A to Z!

What words should my child be able to spell correctly in their everyday writing?

It is important for the children to use the resources around them and be accountable for accessing those resources (i.e. dictionary, spell check, etc).  Students will almost always have access to a personal dictionary and their textbooks in school to help them with spelling.  In addition, the children are expected to know the following list of Priority Words and to use them correctly in all of their written work.

2nd Grade Priority Words

Should my child read every night?

In second grade, we expect children to read 20 minutes each school night, in addition to their nightly homework. Please see the website below which confirms the need for nightly reading:

http://www.tooter4kids.com/classroom/why_read_for_20_minutes_every_da.htm

We look forward to having a successful year with your child.  Should you have any questions regarding the 2nd grade curriculum or expectations, please contact your child's teacher or the building principal at (716) 209-6215.  Thank you.