Toffolon Grade 2
Click on each teacher's name for weekly homework.
**Year at a Glance**
Reading
At the beginning of second grade the emphasis in reading is learning to read and at the end of the year it is reading to learn. Early in the year we cover the basic reading strategies of visual, meaning and structure of words. By mid-year the emphasis moves towards making predictions, main ideas, details, story elements, etc. By the end of second grade children should be able to read for 30 minutes. Books are longer in length and contain more descriptions for the reader to work through just to find out what happened. The books are also becoming increasingly abstract leaving more up to the reader to infer.
Writing
At the beginning of the year children write more fiction. As the year progresses the writing includes many genre including non-fiction, poetry and letter writing. Children will use a range of strategies, for planning, drafting and revising their written word. Second graders are expected to use capital letters and ending punctuation appropriately. Children use more complex sentence structure and there is evidence of elaboration.
Spelling
The focus of spelling moves from transitional to conventional spelling. The children are also expected to spell the 100 high-frequency words by June.
Math
*Memorization of the addition and subtraction facts through 18
*Telling time to 5 minute intervals to elapsed time
*Counting combos of coins to $1.00 and compare quantities of money
*Create and explain patterns and shapes
*Count by multiples of 2's, 3's, 5's
*Place value of ones, tens, hundreds
*Understand concepts of addition and subtraction with regrouping to 10's
*Compare fractional parts
*Know when and how to use appropriate measurement tools
*Can do multi-step problem solving
Work Skills
Second graders' attention to work independently increases. They are expected to work neatly, accurately and have a sense of organization. They should be able to work cooperatively. They should also be able to work independently without disturbing others. They should take responsibility for completing classwork and homework.
Second Grade Spelling Words
Reading-How Parents Can Help at Home
- Read aloud every day to your child.
- Read and write often to model authentic uses to your child - for example:
reading newspapers and magazines, writing grocery lists, reading recipes, etc.
- Read a novel on long car trips or rent books-on-tape from the library for them to listen to on the ride.
- Discuss with your child the books that he/she reads.
- Make hand puppets and act out a book your child has read.
- Have your child create a diary or journal pretending to be a character from a story.
Reading At Home
It is so important that your child read daily at home. It is best to have a quiet area and a selection of books at hand. It is helpful to set at least 15 minutes a side each day for your child to read. Your child would benefit from having an attentive "audience" to read to. We realize that everyone is busy, but spending this time with your child shows him/her that you value reading too. Here are some ideas to help you and your child have a positive experience reading everyday.
Picture Books
Have your child look at the cover and read the title. Ask you child what he/she notices.
Do a picture walk. All this means is look at the pictures in the book and talk about what is happening.
Read the first page or two together and ask you child to predict what might happen in the story.
While Reading
If your child gets stuck on a word, encourage your child to look at the pictures for clues.
Tell your child to "get his/her mouth ready" when trying to sound out words.
Have your child change his/her predictions throughout the story as new information is discovered.
Always remember to give praise while your child is reading.
After Reading
It is important to talk about the story to increase comprehension. Second graders need practice transitioning from reading the words to understanding the story.
Ask your child to tell you his/her favorite part of the story.
Talk about the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
Act out a favorite character or scene.
Rewrite the ending of the story.
The most important thing is to make reading a special time for you and your child.
