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Welcome to second grade at Red Mountain Ranch! We work happily and energetically to create a learning environment that matches the wonderful energy of seven and eight year olds!
Suggested Supplies for 2009-2010
- Crayons and/or markers
- Yellow #2 pencils
- Glue sticks
- Pencil bag
- Water bottle
- Backpack
- Thin dry erase markers (bold colors)
- Erasers
- Kleenex
Meet our Second Grade Teachers
For a quick look at the year, these are some of our goals across the curriculum. You can click links for a closer view. Click HERE for a full listing of the Arizona State Academic Standards for second grade.
Math Students in second grade cover the following areas during the school year:
Addition and subtraction strategies, computation, problem solving, patterns and place value, double-digit addition and subtraction without regrouping, timed addition and subtraction facts to 18, measurement, probability, triple digit addition and subtraction, introduction to multiplication.
Writing We write using the six traits (Organization, Ideas, Voice, Fluency, Word Choice, and Conventions) every day. Each quarter students add to their writing portfolio which travels from grade to grade with them. We use Thinking Maps and graphic organizing tools, such as Step Up to Writing to help facilitate the writing process.
Reading We use the Harcourt Brace series for whole group instruction. Exit outcomes in reading for second graders include: fluency, comprehension, phonemic awareness, vocabulary mastery, and phonics skills. Second grade readers express a wide variety of abilities and interests. It is our goal to foster the love of reading and open up a wonderful avenue to better discover, understand, and enjoy our world. Accelerated Reader is an optional supplement to our reading program. We encourage children to achieve their individualized reading goals by reading in their spare time at school and at home every night. We extend our literature studies through our participation in the arts and inviting guest speakers, writers and characters connected to our reading series. Anthony Reynoso, one of our characters in Born to Rope, for example, will come to our school this spring.
Science In science we follow closely the state standards. For earth science, we study Weather. Our life science includes the study of the three body systems, respiration, circulation, and digestion. We look at real mealworms and butterflies to better understand the Life Cycle process. In physical science we study the States of Matter. We take field trips to events in the area to extend our studies in science. These trips include Sam Goodbody and the Desert Botanical gardens. Also, we strongly acknowledge the partnership with parents. Therefore, our classroom builds on active partnership between adults and children. We have weekly SEEK science lessons taught by parents of our students.
Social Studies Second Grade History Strands introduce how the United States became a nation. The impact of exploration is revisited through the introduction of western expansion of the New Nation. The development of cultures and civilizations and their contributions are expanded into the continent of Asia.
Click HERE to review the Social Studies Standard Articulated for the Second Grade
TechnologyStudents learn to extend and apply their learning in weekly computer lab lessons and through classroom use. We have the state of the art in PCs and eMacs, with two labs and several classroom computers. Our technology support team is the best and students learn many skills, as well as, apply knowledge and produce multi-media presentations.
Our second grade staff is strong and closely connected. Each of us contribute uniquely to each second grade child through our collective planning and sharing. Look forward to such things as student led conferencing and an evening holiday program in December when the children will present their published story to their family.
We strongly invite and encourage parent participation at all levels. Thank you for all the support you lend us in partnership with growing minds and bodies.
*Clip art designed and copyrighted by Dianne J. Hook. Used with permission from www.djinkers.com