Second Grade

Second grade is an exciting year in elementary education! It is the year that students begin to master all of the skills they learned in previous grades.

English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies are part of our daily schedule. In English Language Arts, second-grade students are beginning to read more complicated texts, become fluent readers at their levels, and write more complex sentences and paragraphs. Second-grade students explore numbers in math through place value, addition, and subtraction. By the end of the year, our students will be working on measurements, geometry, and fractions! Throughout the year, second graders will study topics like Ancient Asian and Greek civilizations and mythology, The US Civil War, Westward Expansion, and The War of 1812 in social studies. They continue to explore the world around them for science to include plant and animal relationships and properties of matter. A cross-curriculum approach is emphasized to support student learning as we move through each subject area.

In addition to our core curriculum, second graders have one or two special classes each day. These include Art, Physical Education, and Coding. We also set aside time for recess each day so that our students can continue building social relationships with their classmates, engage in new materials and simply let their bodies move!

Our school expectations are:

Second-grade students are held to a high standard but are rewarded with various forms of positive reinforcement in each classroom. Students will be engaged in learning in a fun, safe, and respectful environment!

We look forward to seeing our second graders learn and grow!


Specials:

Physical Education: Physical education is an essential part of any K-4 curriculum. Our students are exposed to various activities and games that will help promote lifelong physical activity. They are also taught how to display good sportsmanship. In our K-4 physical education program, there is an emphasis placed on effort and attitude rather than winning and losing. K-2 students are exposed to basic motor skills and skills needed to play different activities. 3rd and 4th graders are taught more complex skills emphasizing teamwork, cooperation, and communication. 

Art: The Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary visual arts curriculum helps students understand how media, technique, and process are used to create works of art and how artworks are structured. Each project aims to introduce students to the essential elements of art. Each project discovers: how to identify, analyze, and select subject matter, how symbols are used for personal and cultural expression, and how historical and cultural contexts provide meaning for works of art.

Coding: The Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary School focuses on an ever-evolving complexity of multi-step processes, writing fluency, and pattern recognition, culminating with the transition to line coding. As fluency progresses, so do the problems they have to overcome. Eventually, the students will be independent enough to create and program their simple games and programs.


Support Services:

Special Education: Special Education is not a place. It is a service. The goal is to provide all students with a disability the services necessary for success in the least restrictive classroom environment. Special Education teachers provide accommodations and modifications to the grade-level curriculum to help all students be successful. Special Education Teachers push into classrooms to provide services. They also pull students out for resource groups that target specific skills and behaviors. 

ENL - English as a New Language Program: The goal of the English as a New Language Program is to ensure English Language Learners acquire and develop English proficiency through a rigorous curriculum, research-based teaching strategies, and social/emotional support. The languages and cultures of ELLs are respected and valued while learning about and becoming part of American culture.

Title 1 Reading and Math Intervention: The reading and math intervention team consists of specialized teachers in literacy and mathematics. They provide academic support for all classrooms in the school. This may include both small-group instruction and additional integrated instruction. Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary uses Accelerated Math, Leveled Literacy Intervention Program, and STAR assessments to help fill in student gaps.  Our goal is to challenge students to overcome their learning obstacles and help them feel empowered and capable in their education.


Second Grade Supply List

➡ Please click here for the supply list