LANGUAGE ARTS - READING
Our Reading Series, is
published by Houghton Mifflin, and is standards-based. Instruction in
Language Arts begins with core literature selections centered around a theme and
expands into systematic instruction in reading strategies, phonics and word
analysis, comprehension, spelling, language skills, writing and
grammar.
Lessons within each unit are designed to teach appropriate skills within the
content of the reading selections. This program provides the core
literature selections intended to be used by all second grade students.
In addition, many related literature
selections at various reading levels, will be used to practice reading. To
assure that each child will be able to work up to their potential, learning
groups will be established to meet specific needs. These guided reading
groups will provide each child the individual attention they need in order to
become fluent readers. They will be instructed to use strategies
that will assist them in gaining meaning and independence in their reading.
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LANGUAGE ARTS - WRITING
Daily writing is an important part of this
program. The children will learn many different forms of writing…
stories, paragraphs, friendly letters, reports, poems. They will also
write for different purposes… to ask for information, to express feelings, to
summarize what they have learned. Some of their writing will be done in
the social studies or other subject areas. The children will learn to
write for different audiences… other children, themselves, and you. We will talk
about good writing and observe writing in books we read. The children will
learn to edit their writing to improve word usage and mechanics. Important
selections (not everything they write) will go through several drafts as the
students polish their writing for publication in some way. This writing
will be evaluated for improvement and growth. Do encourage neatness…
so that your child may develop a sense of quality and pride in his/her work.
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SPELLING
Our Spelling program is an integral part
of our reading series from Houghton Mifflin. Core word lists are developed around specific sound
patterns. In Spelling your child will be taught to
apply the decoding/phonics skills he/she is learning. Bonus words reinforce the spelling conventions as well as provide
enrichment for more able spellers.
On most Mondays, the students will be
introduced to the spelling words we will study that week. They will also
receive a study list of the core words and bonus words to take home. PLEASE
LOOK FOR THIS LIST ON MONDAYS. The weekly spelling test will be given each FRIDAY. Some students
need more help in this area than others. Please help your child study
at home on a daily basis, if needed, so that he/she may be successful on
their weekly spelling test.
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HANDWRITING
This year your child will be using the Slingerland
method when printing. This method stresses the correct formation of
lower case letters and provides an easy transition to cursive handwriting, which
is taught in third grade. By using the enclosed chart you can help your
child practice printing at home, as well as monitor the printing in his/her
daily work. Please help your child with letters he/she may not be
making correctly.
In addition to learning the correct way to
make letters, the students will learn about HOW their papers should
look. They will be taught about headings on papers, margins, good spacing,
and writing words and numbers neatly using the lines on their papers as guides.
