In Second Grade, instruction is designed to meet each student at their own individual stage of development. Students begin to read more fluently and write various text forms using simple and then more complex sentences. Our curriculum allows students to read, write, and talk about each subject at multiple levels and fosters analytic, evaluative, and reflective thinking. Second Grade has a strong focus on developing a student’s written abilities and positive patterns of organization laying the foundation for effective study skills in the years to come.
Language Arts
Language Arts includes systematic phonics and spelling instruction to strengthen phonemic awareness, and understanding of common spelling patterns. Reading instruction promotes fluency and comprehension, with an introduction of vocabulary and high frequency words. All genres are explored, with much of the expository reading linked to curriculum goals in science and math. Second Grade students also strengthen their writing ability. Students look at the components of the four basic types of sentences, as well as paragraph structure. An absolute favorite of all Second Grade students is learning to write in cursive!
Math
Second Grade uses the enVisionmath 2.0 program and focuses on strategies to build fluency with numbers. The program incorporates a daily drill of basic addition and subtraction facts with and without regrouping. Students also work with fractions, telling time, measurement, geometry and algebra. By year’s end, students begin to develop an understanding of the concepts for multiplying and dividing numbers.
Science
Concepts introduced help students understand the world around them. Students explore the characteristics of living and non-living things, plants and animals in their habitats, land forms, space, matter, and energy.
Social Studies
Curriculum introduces students to a basic understanding of local, state, and federal government structures. Second Grade compares the past to present to gain and understanding of history, and compare cultures from around the world through literature. Map skills are also developed.
Religion
The main focus is student preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. The class works towards a greater understanding of how to live our lives in accordance with the Ten Commandments, using the gifts that God has bestowed on each of us. Additionally, students engage in learning more about their classroom saint, St. Therese of Lisieux, and are encouraged to follow her motto of “doing the little things in life well and with great love.”
Enrichment classes: P.E., Art, Music, Technology, Library, and Spanish
Teacher: Nicci Falcone
Nicci Falcone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The American University and a teaching certificate from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She joined the Holy Cross faculty in 2016 and has been a certified catechist since 2012. Prior to Holy Cross she taught PreK-4, Kindermusik classes, middle school religious education classes, and was the publications director for the National Association for Music Education. Mrs. Falcone was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Knights of Columbus in 2018-19.
Mrs. Falcone feels fortunate to be able to foster a love of life-long learning in this age of emerging independence by cultivating intellect. She enjoys taking her students from the “learning to read” stage into the exciting world of “reading to learn.” She places a high value on developing creativity and self-expression in a student-centered environment.
Teaching Assistant: Lori Koomsa Kellam
Lori Koomsa Kellam earned a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America. After working several years in the healthcare field, Mrs. Kellam is now pursuing a career in education. She is currently working on becoming a certified teacher in the State of Maryland through the Cohort Education Program at Notre Dame University of Maryland.
Mrs. Kellam is Native American and a member of the Kiowa and Comanche Tribes of Oklahoma. She recently became a volunteer for the American Indian Education Program of Rockville which allows her to work with American Indian and Alaska Native students of Montgomery County Public Schools.