Lower School

Second Grade

Bugs and birds take center stage in second grade. Students start the year by learning basic research techniques by completing a simple insect report. This builds the foundation for a second report later in the year, based on a bird of their choice. Students finish a formal research report, complete with art, diagrams, statistics, and facts. Field trips to the Pinnacles Monument, Big Sur Discovery Lab, and the Santa Lucia Preserve help showcase native animal and birdlife.
 
Second grade is also all about community building. The year-long theme incorporates problem-solving, classroom jobs, learning about other communities around the world with the Flat Stanley Project, and even working together to build a recycled community in the classroom. All year, the students work on social skills to become 'great community builders'!

The year ends with an exciting STEAM week when students spend time in our science lab enjoying all things gooey, sticky, and messy...

Core Curriculum

List of 5 items.

  • Language Arts

    Second grade language arts encompasses reading comprehension, literary response and analysis, word analysis, fluency, vocabulary development, and writing activities. Students read orally each day, and discussions of their reading emphasize critical thinking and giving meaning to the texts. Students compare and contrast plot, setting, and character, and look at different versions of the same stories from different cultures. As they read, their understanding of punctuation addresses expression and comprehension. Writing exercises include penmanship practice, working toward a transition to cursive in third grade, the use of reference materials, editing and proofreading, journal writing, and learning how to write letters and stories.
  • Math

    Second graders practice math skills interactively using manipulative materials, drawings and oral and written language. Concepts taught include patterns, addition & subtraction and place value to three digits, time, money, measurement, fractions, graphs, and estimation.
    Word problems and reasoning are practiced on a daily basis.
    Small groups for differentiation, students learn by using hands-on techniques, technology, art, music and interactive centers for individualized math topics.
  • Science

    Second graders learn about life cycles as they study insects and birds. The students witness the life cycles of painted lady butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and ants.
    Physical science is introduced with an investigation of the properties of liquids, solids, and gases. In all units, students learn scientific investigation skills including observation, comparison, note-taking, sketching, classifying, and reporting.
    Hands-on science is a big part of finding out how things work - the trip to the upper grade Science Lab to make Oobleck is legendary!

    STEM education includes a unit on recycled boat designing & building as well as a unit on bird houses.
  • World Languages

    Class instruction is held in Spanish. The focus in lower grades is placed on developing oral communication and conversation skills. Songs, stories, games, poems, and props are used to encourage children to participate actively in speaking the language. T.P.R. (Total Physical Response) Storytelling, a method that permits immediate comprehension of the input as students listen to and mimic the phrases in the target language, is used in grades 1 - 5. Students enact dialogues and readings, focus on conversational skills and expand their knowledge of Hispanic or Francophone countries through poetry, songs, and readings.
     
    Second grade Spanish reinforces concepts covered in first grade while placing a greater emphasis on conversational and writing skills. Colors, shapes, and family are among the various vocabulary groups introduced.
     
     
  • Social Studies

    Community is second grade’s year long theme, with the goal of learning to work together. Students are taught a common language and problem solving strategies to use to resolve differences.  The class also learns about different kinds of communities in the world, practices geography skills using globes, the almanac, and the atlas, and learns about different cultures and holidays. In the final unit of the year - "The Recycled Community” - students use critical thinking and problem solving skills to construct a model community in the classroom using everyday, recycled products.

Fun with Distance Learning!

List of 6 members.

  • Photo of Jennifer Vanoli

    Jennifer Vanoli 

    Division Head Preschool-2, K-8 After Care Coordinator
  • Photo of Shelly Houseman

    Shelly Houseman 

    2nd Grade Teacher
  • Photo of Mike Ferguson

    Mike Ferguson 

    2nd Grade Associate Teacher, Upper Grade P.E. Teacher
  • Photo of Laura Hewitt

    Laura Hewitt 

    Director of Athletics & Performing Arts, P.E. Teacher Preschool - 2
  • Photo of Larissa Lostrom

    Larissa Lostrom 

    3rd Grade Teacher, Character Ed Teacher K-5
  • Photo of Shervin Mader

    Shervin Mader 

    Lower Grade Spanish Teacher, Upper Grade Latin Studies Teacher

2nd Grade Trip to Pinnacles Monument

All Saints Day School

8060 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel, CA 93923
831-624-9171
Contact Us Directions
All Saints Day School, in Carmel, CA, is the only independent, private school on the Monterey Peninsula that focuses solely on educating students in Preschool through Grade 8, and has been doing so, with a reputation for excellence, since 1961.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
All Saints Day School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, or sex in the administration of its educational and employment policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.