In second-grade children, an awareness of opposites begins to unfold. If a circle of children with everyone facing the center is the metaphorical picture of togetherness in a healthy first grade, the image of the second grade is the circle with children becoming increasingly aware of what goes on around them.  

The motif of second grade is Fables from Around the World and Legends including those of saints and heroes.  The fixed, predictable qualities of characters portrayed in Fables contrast with the high level of selflessness and courage revealed in the Legends of important historical figures.

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 Main Lesson Subjects 

• Math: Continue with four operations of arithmetic; story problems; skip counting by 2, 3, 4, 5… through 12; beginning multiplication tables.

• Language Arts: Elements of grammar (naming, describing words); beginning cursive; animal fables and legends of sages and saints from around the world; decoding and sight word recognition; building fluency through regular practice (oral and silent reading); comprehension through story recall

• Natural Science: Nature study; Nature walks in all seasons to forest and beach areas. 

• Living Science:  To cultivate a sense of awe in the students regarding science and the natural world around them using experiences with scientific concepts, observations, and experiments to form meaningful impressions that can build onto future experiments and deeper learning. Focus: Trees, local fauna, and flora/seasonal.

• Social Studies: Multicultural stories

• Visual & Performing Arts: Form drawing and drama. Each class will be practicing and performing a class play or presentation tied to the curriculum which is shared with class families.

Special Subjects 

• World Language: Introduction to Spanish through songs, stories and rhymes, imitation and gesture

• Visual & Performing Arts: music: singing, recorder; watercolor painting, beeswax modeling.

• Handwork: Knitting (fine motor skills, concentration, sense of form); simple woodwork accompanied by story and song; painting; modeling.

• Nature Immersion:  All-weather hikes and immersion in the forest beach areas on Fridays.

Depending on the needs of an individual child, and the homeschooling plan the family is following, more study may be needed at home to compliment the classes chosen at Spring River.  Talk to your teacher or the Program Director for more information.  At Spring River, the parents are ultimately in charge of their children's education, and the school is here to supplement and support.