Overview of Second Grade Curriculum
Language Arts, including Phonics, English, Spelling and Reading; Bob Jones University Press, McCall-Crabbs Comprehension Tests in Reading; Handwriting; A Beka Publications: Students continue to build on the reading and spelling vocabulary and use the rules of English usage properly in their creative writing. Reading comprehension is evaluated on a regular basis using the McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension Tests. Reading texts from Bob Jones University Press publications support the language arts curriculum. Independent reading in the classroom, and reading to students from classic children's literature are an essential part of the program.
History and Geography: A-Beka Publications: The focus in this subject area in second grade is our American heritage. Topics for discussion include the following: our flag, our patriotic holidays, and our songs. Students will also learn about the people who built America. Some of the people groups covered in this year's study are the Separatists, Native Americans, the Colonists, America's Pioneers, America's Cowboys, and the new Americans. The year concludes with a study of the America of the future.
Science: Bob Jones Publications: Topics that the second grade students cover in science include:
Earth Science: History of the earth: theories; fossils; A round earth: shape; people; in space; gravity: Layers of the earth: volcanoes; earthquakes; crust, center: Ocean shorelines; shorelines; beaches; sand: Space: How the earth moves: day and night; time zones; season; revolving
Life Science: Plants: annuals; biennials; perennials; gardening: Living and non-living organisms: moving; non-moving; need food, water and air; environment; behaviors; reproduction; growth: Habitats: environment; biomes; effects of wind and water communities; population
Human Body: Bones: bones and cartilage; shapes; joints; skeleton: Muscles: names; structures; in relation to bones, food and blood
Physical Science: Motion; forces: gravity; magnetic force; mechanical force; friction; laws of motion: Energy: Light and shadows: light source; light travels; transparent; translucent; opaque; shadows: Matter: Measuring length: units: standard units (inch, foot, yard, centimeter, meter); classifying; identifying
Mathematics: A-Beka Publishers: Continuing with the incremental development and review methods used in the earlier grades, A-Beka Math introduces and builds on the concepts listed below during the second grade year.
Skip count by 1's, 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's, 10's, 25's, and 100's
Compare and order numbers
Identify ordinal position to tenth
Identify sorting and patterning rules
Solve routine and non-routine problems
Master basic addition and subtraction facts
Master multiplication facts to 5
Add and subtract two-digit numbers
Picture and name fractions
Measure to the nearest half-inch, centimeter and foot
Compare volume
Compare and measure mass
Measure perimeter and area
Tell time to five-minute intervals
Count pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters
Identify geometric solids
Identify lines of symmetry
Identify angles
Tally and create, read and write observations from real graphs, pictographs, bar graphs, Venn Diagrams and line graphs.
Bible: God and My Actions: The Association of Christian Schools International: Although all of our curricula is taught from a Christian perspective, the systematic study of God's word is an essential element of the Christian school. This non-denominational material teaches how to study God's word and apply it in practical ways to our daily lives.
Enrichment Classes:
*Computer Instruction: Curriculum skillfully integrates classroom studies with computer skills. Students at all grade levels learn about keyboarding, desktop publishing, data base management, spreadsheets, multimedia presentations and all other components of the Virginia Standards of Learning in the area of technology.
*Music: In weekly music classes, students are taught the fundamentals of rhythm and music theory. Students participate in the primary choral group of Christ Chapel Academy, the Soaring Singers and will be involved in two school musical programs.
*Physical Education: Our physical education teacher helps the children develop large motor skills and knowledge of games with rules.
*Library: All elementary students have the opportunity to visit the school library each week for a literacy lesson. They are also able to borrow books on a weekly basis.
*Spanish: Students learn conversational Spanish in a fun and interactive way through the internet language program Rosetta Stone.
*Art: Students will learn about different techniques and about working with different media, as well as receiving an introduction to Art History. They are introduced to famous artist and see how Biblical stories and concepts have been illustrated through the ages with art.
*Chapel: The entire elementary school joins together in the church chapel for a short service each Wednesday morning. This is time of worship, prayer, and testimonies. Classes take turns presenting the weekly lessons. Christ Chapel pastors are frequent visitors.
We also offer music lessons at an additional fee.
