Second grade is the year that we nurture and expand on all the skills
learned in first grade. Students gradually take on more responsibility for their own learning.
They learn to chose books that are just right for them, books that they will love, books that they will learn from. We have books in our library that are "leveled" - which means they have a label that says how difficult they are. We also have a section of the library that the class built at the beginning of the year, when they created the categories under which to shelve the books.
We discuss and practice the things that will make them better at reading. Our reading time includes: me reading aloud to the whole group, students reading alone or with partners and creating written or illustrated responses; word study time when we look at how English will drive you crazy if you let it, but we find the patterns so we don't let it.
In addition to the books, we have writing all around the room for students to read.
We study what authors do, and live the "writerly life" in Writers Workshop. Students keep a notebook and fill it with thoughts, wonderings, jottings, stories and poems. They practice getting their thoughts, feelings and ideas on paper, and learn strategies for revising and editing. When we study a particular genre, and have published pieces, we celebrate with invited guests.
We use Everyday Math as our math curriculum. If you visit at math time you might see students working independently in their journals, or playing one of the math games, or working cooperatively on a math exploration.
Throughout the year we have wonderful field trips and special projects to keep us connected to each other and to the outside world. Last year, after a field trip to the Children's Museum, we built our own town out of milk cartons and a variety of recycled materials. We had houses and businesses, and streets and parks , and even a river with a waterfall.
All day long we are thinking about the hopes and dreams we discuss at the beginning of the year. Students are asked to check on their own behavior and learning, to see if they are making progress toward their own goals. We are also always aware that we are part of a community. Students create the basic rules for our class . This years rules are : Be kind to people; Be kind to stuff; and Do your best. We think that about covers it.
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