Language Arts
We use the Teachers College Reading and Writing units of study developed through the Columbia University Teachers College. The mission of the Reading and Writing Project is to help young people become avid and skilled readers, writers, and inquirers.
In Reading we've launched our independent and group reading activities and the children are beginning to "take charge" of themselves as readers. We're focusing on building stamina, developing good reading habits, and thinking about what we've read.
In Writing we've been very busy writing narrative pieces and stretching out small, meaningful moments. We have also been studying various published authors' crafts so we can learn from them and write in more powerful ways. Students will continue learning about/going through the writing process and celebrate their published pieces!
In Reading we've launched our independent and group reading activities and the children are beginning to "take charge" of themselves as readers. We're focusing on building stamina, developing good reading habits, and thinking about what we've read.
In Writing we've been very busy writing narrative pieces and stretching out small, meaningful moments. We have also been studying various published authors' crafts so we can learn from them and write in more powerful ways. Students will continue learning about/going through the writing process and celebrate their published pieces!
Math
Bridges in Mathematics , second edition, is a comprehensive K–5 curriculum that equips teachers to fully implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in a manner that is rigorous, coherent, engaging, and accessible to all learners.
The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.
The curriculum focuses on developing students’ deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful.
Science
Our science lessons at this time are focusing on our Trash Gardens and the importance of recycling. Each classroom conducted a class and individual trash audit for one week. We then looked at all of our trash to get an understanding of what kinds of trash and how much we had produced - it was a lot! We sorted the trash into groups and buried samples in our garden plots. We will spend the next couple of months tracking how/when/if the trash changes.
Social Studies
In Social Studies this year we will be looking at how the individual's choices and actions effect/affect the world around us and the earth in general. We are making it our mission to collect and recycle bottles and cans to help off-set the price of our Hawaii Nature Center field trip in the Spring. Every Second grade family is asked to kindly bring in their bottles (plastic only please) and cans. We will collect every day, sort, count, and record the data weekly. This is a tie-in to our science lessons and reinforces important social and environmental concepts.
Music
Second graders learn the basics of reading and notating music. They use their knowledge to play rhythm instruments while reading notes. There is a unit on learning the instrument families through the musical score of "Peter and the Wolf" by Serge Prokofiev. The students will complete and illustrate a book to build their musical vocabulary. Students are introduced to the letters in the musical alphabet and their placement on the treble staff.
Art
In Second grade the emphasis is on cutting, including cutting geometrical and symmetrical shapes. Students will cut a series as well as more intricate patterns. They will explore positive and negative space through cuttings. They will also learn to draw specific items/people using basic shapes. They will have experiences with painting, drawing, clay, sculpture, collage and many more.
Hawaiiana
Grade 2 students focus on the importance of 'ohana (family). They study the significance of the pre-contact Hawaiian family and the various kuleana (responsibility) of the maka'ainana (common people). They learn the kuleana of farming, fishing, canoeing, and more. The Hawaiiana curriculum will also support the Hawaiian concepts, vocabulary, and values. Children will continuously practice a basic repertoire of Hawaiian language chants, hula, and songs, the Hawaiian alphabet, numbers, colors, body parts, and days of the week.
Physical Education
The physical education goals for the second graders are as follows:
- Student will learn skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities.
- Student is physically fit.
- Student participates regularly in physical activity.
- Student understands the implications of, and benefits from participating in physical activities.
- Student values physical activity and its contribution to a healthy, active lifestyle.
Health & Nutrition
AINA in Schools is a program of the Kokua Hawaii Foundation which focuses on health and nutrition in schools. Waialae piloted this program in 2006 and we're fortunate to keep it going with the support of Kokua Hawaii Foundation and our wonderful parent/family volunteers.
AINA IS focuses on addressing childhood health issues by fostering healthy eating habits, encouraging environmental stewardship by connecting chilren to the land and water that sustains them, and contributing to local healthy food system by supporting Hawaii's farmers and their produce.
In Second Grade the AINA IS lessons revolve primarily around the importance of healthy eating habits and the concept of "close to the source".
AINA IS focuses on addressing childhood health issues by fostering healthy eating habits, encouraging environmental stewardship by connecting chilren to the land and water that sustains them, and contributing to local healthy food system by supporting Hawaii's farmers and their produce.
In Second Grade the AINA IS lessons revolve primarily around the importance of healthy eating habits and the concept of "close to the source".