Welcome to Room 307 at Clarence Center Elementary.  I am looking
forward to a fantastic year with your second grader.    
 You will have an exciting year in second grade and will learn many new things.

Highlights of Second Grade!

Reading:  The structure for our reading program is a workshop format. We use the Units of Study for Reading K-5 by Lucy Calkins.  Students are taught to read independently using strategies modeled in mini-lessons, read alouds, small groups, and in individual conferences.  Reader's Workshop emphasizes the importance of student engagement and the interaction between reader and text to foster independence among readers. 

Writing:  We use the  Units of Study for Writing by Luxy Calkins. Writing will occur in the form of a Writer’s Workshop.  Writers' Workshop has a similar format to Readers' Workshop. In second grade these genres of writing are emphasized:

• Personal Narrative
• Science Lab Reports/Informational Books
• Opinion Writing
• Poetry 

Math: Our goal is to produce students who will (1) have mathematical knowledge, (2) have an understanding of mathematical concepts, (3) be able to apply their mathematical understanding and knowledge in the solution of problems, (4) construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others and (5) use appropriate tools strategically.

Science: There are three main units of science taught this year: Save the Bees, Earth's Features and Interactions.  

Social Studies: The grade two program studies what a community is and what factors impact on the development of that community.