Consolidating skills and broadening learning
Thinking Skills
SCIS emphasizes skills for students to be productive, self-directed learners who can independently pursue excellence and life-long learning. Integrated into all subject areas is the emphasis on the processes of high-level thinking.
Critical thinking: Observe, classify, compare and contrast, sequence, find cause and effect, find patterns, predict, infer, draw conclusions, decision making, problem solving, goal setting
Creative thinking: Fluency
Reading
Through the use of both phonics and whole language, with an emphasis on comprehension, students will explore diverse literature genres from around the world. Teachers will utilize a variety of grouping formats (individual, small group, whole class) and teaching strategies in order to meet the individual needs of students. Instructional materials include a wealth of literature books along with books on tapes, songs, big books, and a print rich environment. Instruction will emphasize the following:
- Reading for different purposes, building vocabulary, and understanding of language structures and features
- Fluency and expression when reading
- Independent reading
Language Arts
Writing is essential for students to discover, develop, clarify, and communicate thoughts and feelings. Students will be writing different types of text for a variety of purposes and audiences. Using the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, publishing), students will focus on applying five traits that make writing effective: Ideas and content, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, and the conventions of spelling, grammar, and mechanics. Students will apply the writing process and writing traits in their oral communication as well as incorporating interpersonal communication skills and skills of presentation. Other skills include:
- Using basic grammatical features and punctuation consistently
- Using sentence format and beginning paragraph structures
- Expanding knowledge and application of writing genres and purposes
Social Studies
Students will understand and appreciate their own cultures and backgrounds as well as respect and understand the history, geography, culture, societal organizations, and economic systems of other societies. Topics covered at Grade 2 include the following: Continents, landforms, map skills, cities, Shanghai and China history and culture
Science and Health
Knowledge of science is necessary for all students to understand the world in which they live, value the systems and processes that support life on our planet , and to make responsible decisions as citizens. Students will construct their own understanding of their world through discovery, inquiry, and interactive investigations to develop solid scientific processes. Topics covered at Grade 2 include: Insects, classifying animals, prehistoric animals; pebbles, sand, and silt; solar system, solids and liquids, body organs, communicable and non-communicable diseases, safety, friendship
Math
Mathematics is a language and science of patterns. Students will be provided a rich problem-solving environment filled with manipulative and hands-on activities. Students will explore the following areas: Number Sense, measurement, geometry, probability, algebra, problem solving strategies, and the ability to communicate their thinking and understanding of concepts and procedures. Grade 2 also highlights the following skills:
- Identifying and use of numbers up to hundreds
- Addition and subtraction with regrouping, simple equations
- Addition and subtraction facts, multiplication concepts
- Comparing and selecting measurements units and values
- Identification of basic geometric figures
- Visual, written and verbal explanation of mathematical procedures and strategies
Homework
Students in Grade 2 should expect to have approximately 20 minutes of homework each school night. This is at the discretion of the teacher and may include unfinished work, skill practice, reinforcement activities, research, and project work.
