Welcome to second grade.  I am Dana Thompson.  I am excited to start teaching this new group of students this year.  We will work on Reading, Writing, and Math skills.  Second graders will learn about Science and Social Studies topics.  We will go on a few field trips as well.  We will be learning a lot and having some fun too.  Please contact me with questions or concerns you have throughout the year.  I look forward to working together to make this year a successful one for our students.

Students learn reading skills and how to apply them to be fluent readers. As students grow in their reading skills, they use them to become better writers. To assist students in this journey, the second grade teachers use the Four Blocks Literacy Model created by Patricia Cunningham and Dorothy Hall. This model teaches language arts in four different areas, or blocks, each day. The first block is guided reading. Guided reading offers lessons in how to read, and set aside time to read in small groups for instruction. Self-selected reading is the second block. During this time students choose their own reading material to read silently. Students will often share what they have read at the end of this block. The third block, working with words, is where the phonetic instruction to strengthen letters and sound relationships occurs. Students learn about word chunks and how to use the word wall by doing activities and games. Writing is the final block in the model. Students are taught about writing through mini-lesson and writing independently. Students have a writer's conference with the teacher to discuss the writing they have done on a regular basis. Students also will share their writing at the end of the writing time. As a district, all second grade classes use the reading series "Treasures" in conjunction with Four Blocks.

Our district's math series is Saxon. Saxon is a hands-on, success-oriented series that emphasizes manipulatives and mental math. The series uses a multi-sensory approach to teaching. It enables all children to develop a solid foundation in the language and basic concepts of mathematics. The program introduces new concepts in small pieces that are practiced and reviewed throughout the year.

In science the main themes are: “Space”, “Objects in the Sky”, “Forces in Nature”, “Objects in Motion”, and “Earth’s Resources”.

In social studies children learn about basic geography, compare and contrast cultures, and basic American history. We visit the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island to gain a deeper understanding of early family life.

Second graders also study art, music, and physical education. Our students have music and physical education twice a week. They have art, computer, and library once a week.

Alcott has a strong character education program that our classes participate in. We learn about four character traits: respect, responsibility, compassion, and integrity by using literature and character lessons throughout the year.