Reading and Language Arts

• The program continues to emphasize decoding, phonics and recognition of word patterns. Attention is given to literal and inferential comprehension; fluent and expressive oral reading; and silent reading with some speed and good comprehension. Materials used include the grade level Scribners basal readers as well as quality children’s literature.
• Students practice all aspects of the writing process and focus on sentence and paragraph structure. Correct spelling, punctuation and capitalization are emphasized in all writing.

Mathematics

• Counting: Correct sequence forward and backwards; skip counting by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s to 1000.
• Numeration: Numbers to 10,000; whole numbers; fractions; decimals (money); place value.
• Measurement: Length, area, capacity, weight, temperature (including metric units).
• Operations: Memorize +, - number facts; introduce x, division; +, - with 1-3 digit numbers.
• Data/Chance: Record, analyze real-life data; money amounts in ledgers; frequency distribution.
• Geometry: 2 and 3 dimensional shapes; line segments, symmetry, perimeter.
• Patterns & Functions: Numbers, place value, multiples, odd & even, doubles, halves.
• Materials used include Everyday Mathematics and activities by Marcy Cook, Marilyn Burns.

Science

Special focus is given to insect colonies, the solar system, metamorphosis, dissecting owl pellets, the study of chaparral habitats and endangered species. Science lessons take place both in the classroom and in the K-4 science lab.

Social Studies

The theme of community is integrated with science. Students compare animal and human habitats and organizational schemes.
Globes and maps are used to identify continents and oceans as well as specific countries and locations (USA, Mexico, Canada, California, the equator).

Art

Students focus on developing basic drawing skills and an art vocabulary as they study, observe and record. Some art projects are integrated with science of social studies units.

Music

Students learn about beat and rhythm, high and low pitch, loud and soft sound, basic forms. They also play tunes and develop skills using Orff percussion instruments. They expand their pitch range in singing, and learn to notate their music.

Physical Education

Students continue to develop basic locomotor and coordination skills. Cooperative and competitive games foster social skills, problem-solving as well as increasing activity levels, improvement of movement skills and having fun while learning.

Library

Students are exposed to all types of literature available in the library and related audio-visual materials. Students also learn to use the alphabetical card catalog and have a basic introduction to the Dewey Decimal System.

Special Projects

Second graders help maintain the campus and promote proper recycling habits. Second graders also collect lunch drinks for a homeless shelter and design valentines for senior citizens.