Each year the second grade participates in a service project. Recent projects have been recycling card fronts for the St. Jude’s Home for Abused Children, participating in Pencils for Peace by collecting pencils, erasers and sharpeners for rural African children, and gathering dental health items for the Indianapolis Catholic Crisis Center. At times during the year, children create cards for parish members attending CRHP, for Veterans at the VA Hospital and to thank people who have shared their time and talents with us.

Language Arts
Our Language Arts program includes phonics, reading, spelling, English grammar and compositional writing, and handwriting. Children spend 90 minutes each day in a period called the Reading Block. During this time, they work on the five skill areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. They move between large and small groups on a variety of skill building tasks. The spelling program is phonemic based and blends in well with our phonics lessons. Children also
work to build reading “stamina” with the highly motivating Accelerated Reading Program. Every year the
second graders publish an anthology that contains an original composition from each student.

Math
The second graders follow the Indiana State Standards.  They use manipulatives daily. Some of the manipulatives we use are: color blocks, attribute blocks, handheld clocks, rulers, balance scales and many other engaging materials! The children work daily on number sense using calendar math. Daily we work on math fluency of addition, subtraction and multiplication facts. Weekly we use a new problem solving strategy, which we incorporate into our Sunshine Math curriculum. The children work daily on IXL.com. They also work on reading charts, comparing fractions and the principles of geometry.

Religion
The children learn in detail the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. They follow the Archdiocese of Indianapolis standards. They study in the classroom and join with other First Communicants and
those receiving First Reconciliation during two action based family retreats. They spend time in prayer and in learning the parables of Jesus. By the end of each semester, they are prepared to receive one of the sacraments.

Social Studies
The second graders enjoy interviewing their grandparents to work on “Then and Now”. We do a great deal
studying maps about our city, state and country. We also learn how to read symbols and directions. The children learn how different people celebrate winter holidays.  We study the lives of important people who changed history by reading biographies and doing reports about them. Each primary grade finishes the year by doing a cultural study of another country such as Australia, Africa and Canada.

Science
In second grade we follow the Indiana Science and Health Standards which cover many of the children’s favorite topics. This includes working on the principles of motion and gravity by experimenting with cars going down a ramp and exploring animal groups in life science which cumulates in an animal study. An exciting new area is investigating the moon and its phases. In health we study how to take of care our bodies and our teeth and the importance of eating right.

Technology
Our use of technology in second grade will include:
• Familiarity with the keyboard
• IXL Math Program
• Accelerated Reader Program
• Teacher guided internet activities
• Microsoft Word
• Kid friendly paint programs
• Microsoft PowerPoint introduction

Physical Education
Second grade physical education standards are incorporated into games and activities. Special emphasis
is placed on basic motor skills-running, jumping, skipping, throwing and catching. Activities are designed to be non-competitive and fun!!

Music
Music provides our second grade students with an opportunity to explore rhythm, melody and harmony
with song, instruments, movement, and games. By this age, we are beginning to teach music notation as well as increasing in complexity what has been learned before.  We endeavor to implant a life-long love of music through all types of hands-on experiences. Our second grade students participate in one of two major concerts each year.

Visual Arts
Second grade students at Nativity continue to explore the elements and principles of art such as color, line, shape, pattern, and texture as part of their visual arts education. Artistic exploration of these elements and principles is chosen to be appropriate for their age and expands on the skills that they have already learned.  Second graders discuss important artists and learn to appreciate art for its contribution to the world. Best of all, art is a time for second graders to make a mess…and express!

Spanish
Spanish class provides the students the opportunity to learn a new language and culture. The students learn basic vocabulary words and expand their knowledge by singing songs and playing various games in Spanish.  Students are introduced to the traditional celebrations of El Dia de Muertos, 5 de Mayo, and Los Posadas.

Field Trips
Field trips vary from year to year. They are aligned with a basic unit of study in science or social studies. Recent trips have been to the Benjamin Harrison Home, the Ruth Lilly Health Center, the Indiana State Museum, the Eitlejorg Museum, and to the pond and forest habitats of Southeasway Park.

Click Here to Learn More About Our 2nd Grade Teachers.