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2nd Grade
General Studies
Language Arts
The second grade utilizes the Houghton Mifflin Reading Series, A Legacy of Literacy. This research-based approach employs multiple strategies to facilitate skills in comprehension, reading, writing, and spelling. The primary goal of language arts in the second grade is the increased development of reading fluency, as well as more precise writing skills. Students are exposed to a variety of fine literature through individual reading, group sharing, self-selected reading opportunities, and integrated curricular activities. Students develop skills in analysis of story structure, characterization, writing techniques, and descriptive elements in literature. They apply these new skills in their writing activities. Students explore writing through poetry, narratives, creative fiction, and non-fiction reports. As students’ comfort levels increase, reading with expression is emphasized.
Mathematics
Mathematics in the second grade is based in the Everyday Math program, developed by the University of Chicago Mathematics Project. This approach teaches children that math exists in a very real way in our everyday lives. Students learn through a variety of hands-on activities such as math facts games and board games. Creating graphs and tables from data is incorporated into many areas of the curriculum. Multi-digit addition and subtraction skills are developed, along with regrouping skills. Telling time to the minute, writing fractions and basic percent, and practice in graphing are other areas of focus. Included in the second grade math program is the study of fact families, place value, patterns, and measurement. Algebra is introduced in the form of missing numbers in number models, puzzles, and “What’s My Rule?” problems.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum in second grade focuses on the history of individual families and the history of America. A unit on the indigenous people of North America adds to the excitement. As these topics are explored, the development of map reading skills, reading time lines, and research skills are emphasized. Exploring ideas through a variety of genre affords the students the opportunity to view history from many perspectives.
Science
The second grade science curriculum focuses on the study of soil. Rocks and minerals, earth and the seasons, polar-regions, and the solar system are topics that students will have the opportunity to explore in depth. The inquiry method of learning is developed to help students construct scientific concepts. Throughout the year, students have many opportunities to sharpen their powers of observation. They learn to study results, sort and classify items according to specific criteria, and to record their findings.
Judaic Studies
The new TalAm curriculum is used in Kitah Bet. The goal of TalAm is to develop Jewish children who are literate, skilled and committed to live Jewishly. TalAm 2 continues the work begun in Kitah Alef, and is organized along three inter-related tracks: The Jewish Year, Torah, and Prayer.
Hebrew – עברית
Second graders increase their active and passive vocabularies, and become more comfortable expressing themselves in Hebrew. They learn to construct sentences and write simple compositions. Basic grammatical forms, present and past tense verb forms, and correct syntax are introduced. Early in the year, the children begin to read and write in script. The goals of the Hebrew reading program include developing fluency in reading, learning to answer oral and written comprehension questions in Hebrew, and increasing vocabulary. TalAm readers and workbooks, as well as grammar text Yesodot HaLashon, are used to support the development of language and reading skills. Music, dance, art and games reinforce what has been taught.
Holidays – חגים
Students learn the language, historical background, blessings and prayers of each holiday. Customs and traditions are both learned and experienced. Crafts, projects, songs, and stories add to our anticipation and joy as a holiday approaches.
Torah – תורה
The structure of the Chumash is introduced. Students become acquainted with the divisions of the Chumash into books, weekly portions, chapters and verses. We study Parashot Bereshit and Noach utilizing the TalAm materials. Students begin to develop a Biblical Hebrew vocabulary, and are introduced to basic Biblical Hebrew grammar. Emphasis is placed on deriving meaning from the text and understanding the ethical lessons. Art, music, and drama enhance our lessons.
Prayer – תפילה
In Kitah Bet, students build on the foundation established in Kitah Alef by adding more complex prayers from the Shacharit service. The children are introduced to the background and main ideas of the prayers in an effort to make t’filllah a personally meaningful experience. Students and teachers express their ideas through discussions, music, and art. Blessings before eating, selections from grace after meals, and blessings connected to holiday celebrations and special events are learned through daily usage. Each week we discuss the weekly parasha (Torah portion that is read in synagogue). The narrative of each parasha is presented in simple modern Hebrew.
Additional Curricular Experiences
Library Information Center
Grade two students learn that a library is a reading and research place. Students learn to find appropriate sections of the library, differences between fiction and non-fiction, and examples of Caldecott Award winning literature. They explore the various genres including fables, folklore from various cultures, tall tales, and author studies.
In computer class, they learn computer safety, working with computer menus, navigating within selected sites, and accessing computer sites that are integrated with Judaic and general studies classroom curricula.
Physical Education
Bet Shraga is fortunate to have a large, well equipped gymnasium, as well as an extensive outdoor play yard with three playing fields and climbing equipment for the primary aged children. During their twice weekly classes of PE, second grade children have opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate exercises, team sports, gymnastics, and physically challenging games that develop a sense of teamwork.
Art
Art classes emphasize good drawing technique, learning about the elements of art and using the principles of art, practicing shading and using values to emphasize realism, gaining a sense of art history and aesthetics. Second graders work their imagination muscles during art class. At this level, the students learn about creating landscapes. They use crayon resist techniques to create landscapes in the style of folk artists Henri Rousseau and Grandma Moses. The students continue to learn how to create three dimensions on a two dimensional piece of paper. With themes like the Plains Indians, machines, castles, tree houses, under water, and dinosaurs the second graders work hard drawing from their imaginations.
Music
The second graders sing with a spirit that is all their own. They are confident in the lyrics of the music, both English and Hebrew, and love showing their skills with enthusiastic voices. In second grade, the children continue to expand their repertoire of American and Israeli songs and are excited to participate in the Song and Dance festival. In addition to singing songs, children learn elements of music theory in greater depth. They can identify volume (soft and loud), pitch (high and low), and tempo (fast and slow). They can recognize moods in music and begin to learn to identify motifs.
