Second Grade

Second grade is an important transitional year. The emphasis shifts from learning to read to reading to learn.  As the year starts, the students focus on phonics and decoding, sight words, and reading for fluency using Saxon Phonics and Bob Jones readers.  As decoding becomes automatic, more emphasis is placed on comprehension, main idea, and the sequencing of ideas.  Students will become strong readers who can read text to gain information.

The Bob Jones language arts curriculum connects closely with reading. Students write book reports and identify parts of speech. Weekly spelling tests are required. Students do journal writing and learn writing skills using the Six-Trait writing system. Cursive is introduced and students who are ready make good progress.

In second grade many new math concepts are taught.  After learning the math facts to twenty, students learn the process of three-digit addition with regrouping.  They also learn two- and three-digit subtraction with regrouping.  Time and money, using a calendar, and graphing are taught in second grade.  Students start learning multiplication and are proud to master some of the facts.

Our social studies curriculum (ABeka) emphasizes the history of our country from a Christian perspective.  They learn about our country's holidays, Presidents, and African-Americans who made our country great.

In science (ABeka), students learn about the world God created. Second graders learn about the plants and animals and go on field trips that reinforce this learning. Through the study of social studies and science, students are shown difference between fiction and non-fiction text.

Of course, Bible (Standard Publishing) is an important curriculum. In the first part of second grade, the focus is on Moses and how God led his people out of Egypt.  Students participate in a Passover celebration. The second semester, students learn about the life of Jesus and how He wants us to live.  Students memorize and recite a Bible verse each week in connection with their area of study.

Study skills become essential as grades become important. Students are taught how to study, take notes, and find information. Students learn songs and rhymes with every subject. Songs and rhymes are fun, and they help cement the learning that goes on in the classroom.