Daily Schedule

I teach second grade so I have to teach my kids something from all the content areas. In the Saint Louis Public Schools, we have four ten-week diagnostic assessments that are given at the end of each quarter. These assessments focus on Mathematics and Science. As a result, I must concentrate my instruction in those content areas. I am also expected to cover Language Arts and Social Studies.

In my classroom, I use this method to teach Language Arts. The four blocks are: Guided Reading, Working with Words, Writing, and Self-Selected Reading. Each block can be utilized in many different ways to achieve the goals of reading and writing. The Guided Reading block is typically used with a current reading selection, or basal and will vary among whole group reading, partner reading, reading to find out information, and 3-Ring Circus (readers by themselves, with a partner, or in a small group). The writing block consists of a different mini-lesson each day to guide students in their writing development. Working with Words is a block designed to teach students high frequency words, spelling, and phonics. Finally, Self-Selected Reading is the block where students read on their own from a book of their choosing.

Small group activities are usually the order of the day for the rest of the content areas. Students use manipulatives to explore the objectives of mathematics, and engage in experiments for science. Social Studies is the one area I am not able to spend as much time on as I would like, so I try to integrate these concepts across the curriculum where appropriate.

Content Areas and Objectives for 2nd Grade Learners:

Language Arts

• Recognize and use high frequency words through 2nd grade level
• Recognize and use appropriate reading vocabulary
• Read, write, and respond orally with fluency and expression to a variety of reading selections
• Use correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation
• Communicate ideas and opinions orally
• Use word attack skills to decode unfamiliar words
• Able to comprehend written text
• Spell words at the second grade level

Mathematics

1. First Quarter
   • Place Value to 100s
   • Recall Addition/Subtraction facts through 18
   • Solve addition/subtraction story problems
2. Second Quarter
   • Solve two-digit addition/subtraction problems with sums/differences up to 18
   • Develop strategies to approach different sorts of addition/subtraction situations
   • Apply estimation skills to a variety of mathmatical situations
   • Identify and solve the missing number in addtition/subtraction problems
3. Third Quarter
   • Interpret different parts of various graphs
   • Collect data and construct various types of graphs
4. Fourth Quarter
   • Identify and demonstrate the appropriate use of standard/metric units of measurement
   • Demonstrate the appropriate use of measurement tools
   • Recognize, describe and draw numerical/geometric shapes and patterns
   • Identify and demonstrate the relationships between fractional parts to the whole
   • Identify and demonstrate time to the nearest five-minute intervals using standard and digital clocks

Science

1. First Quarter
   • Matter and Energy
     1. Describe the properties of matter
     2. Describe the physical and chemical changes of matter
     3. Define mass and volume
     4. Describe how energy effects matter
2. Second Quarter
   • Force and Motion
     1. Identify simple machines
     2. Describe the effect of force on an object
     3. Compare one object's position and motion relative to another object
3. Third Quarter
   • Earth Systems and Universe
     1. Identify the water cycle
     2. Identify fossils & describe how they are formed
     3. Identify forces that shape the Earth's surface
     4. Describe the characteristics and distances of each planet and our moon
     5. Identify the moon phases
     6. Understand the day/night cycle is caused by Earth's rotation
     7. Understand some of the clothing and equipment of space exploration
4. Fourth Quarter
   • Life Science
     1. Identify the cycles of various living things
     2. Identify the function of various plants and animal parts
     3. Compare parents and their offspring
     4. Describe various habitats and discuss the inhabitants
     5. Construct a food web

Social Studies

• Map Skills
• Neighborhoods and Communities
• Getting Along: Government, Laws, and Rules
• Landforms
• Holidays and Celebrations
• Needs and Wants
• Types of Workers