|
China Day 2009
|
A
Word From Your Teachers...
The
educational experiences for second graders at East Amwell School are
quite diverse. In math, we learn how to add and subtract one
and two digit numbers. Every week we have timed tests on the
basic math facts to help us memorize them for quick retrieval.
All the stories we read in second grade are helping us to become more
fluent readers. We keep reading logs to record all of our
independent reading. In school we read stories, poems, plays,
and chapter books. To improve sentence structure, we study
capitalization, punctuation, and grammar skills. In addition,
we have spelling words every week which we practice by writing
stories, putting the words in abc order, and by using stamps to make our words.
As
part of our curriculum we begin to learn Spanish. During the
course of a given week, we can talk to our teacher and friends.
During our study of this new language, we are learning simple words
for colors, numbers, and everyday things, as well as basic
communication skills.
Our
social studies units become themes that we use throughout the school
day. We learn to use basic map skills. We also learn about
Colonial America. We engage in a Chinese cultural study. We
begin by learning all about China's geography including the major
cities, mountains, rivers, and deserts. Photographs,
artifacts, clothing, and cultural items add greatly to our interest
and learning. Each year the highlight of the unit is the
celebration of Chinese New Year. Festivities include a dragon
parade, dressing in cultural colors, eating with chopsticks, and
receiving traditional good luck envelopes. We also learn about the
culture of Africa.
In
science we learn about insects, such as moths and butterflies, who have
a complete metamorphosis, and insects, like the grasshoppers and
praying mantids, who undergo an incomplete metamorphosis.
Activities include models, art projects, reports, and the observation of
caterpillars changing into beautiful butterflies
With our study of water, we
discover information about the water cycle, water pollution, floating
and sinking, and the three states of water: solids, liquids,
and gases. We conduct many experiments to help us learn how scientists work
To
conclude our year in second grade, we undertake the study of
the Solar System. We investigate the sun, the moon, the stars, and the
constellations. Especially exciting activities include making
constellations, observing the moon, and visiting the Planetarium at Raritan
Valley Community College.
As the
year comes to a close we reflect on the varied experiences we have
explored as second graders. The year has been filled with
events. The second graders are ready to move on to the third
grade where they will continue to develop into well-rounded students
prepared for what the future will hold.
|
.gif)
