We use a balanced literacy approach, which includes:

• Direct reading instruction
• Independent reading
• Guided Reading Groups
• Shared Reading and Read Alouds
• Phonics
• Writing 

Independent Reading
Second graders have a set amount of time each week dedicated to independent reading. Students read on their own or with partners from a wide-range of self-selected materials at their independent reading levels.

Guided Reading
During guided reading, students are placed into small groups to read and discuss a particular book. Through guided reading, second graders delve into and gain a deeper understanding of texts. Children are supplied with reading strategies to help meet their individual needs. Second graders navigate through their literacy needs: accuracy, fluency, and comprehension, to appropriately engage and apply their higher order thinking to more challenging texts.

Writing
In second grade, we use the writing workshop model. Students are encouraged to write creatively while working through the Writing Process (planning, drafting, editing, revising, publishing) to help them publish carefully reviewed pieces of work. Children explore various genres of writing including persuasive, opinion, fairy tales, fables, and informational texts.

Through an examination of the question “How and why do cities change over time?” second graders are asked to consider the ways in which cities change and how that is connected to the community at large. Throughout the process of urban planning, students discuss and expand upon the wants and needs of all types of urban inhabitants in order to better serve the community. Second graders explore the parts, purposes, and complexities of a city and develop an understanding of the interrelation of business and people in a community and the relationships of utilities, government, transportation, sustainability, and commerce. 
 

Students follow the scientific method of scientific inquiry, hypotheses, experimentation, and evaluation of data.

Following the Singapore Math scope and sequence, students explore math manipulatives and unit blocks to learn mathematical thinking, concepts, and skills including number sense, place value, multi-digit addition/subtraction with larger numbers, measurement, geometry, money, graphing, and word problems. Students also develop skills to explain their mathematical thinking and reasoning.

Cooperation, mutual respect, and kindness are key components of the second grade social emotional curriculum. Every student is known and valued. In addition to striving to create a conscious community in our classrooms each day, Community Building takes place twice a week. Through reading, discussion, sharing, partner-work, and small group activities, students will cover topics such as mindfulness, identifying feelings, listening, empathy, respect, and identity.
 

Homework begins at Stevens in second grade. Students record their daily reading on a reading log, and they are expected to spend approximately 15-30 minutes a day on homework. Homework is intended to help students assume greater responsibility and to lay the groundwork for the homework they will complete throughout their time at Stevens. Homework will always be an extension of classroom activities, rather than exercises in unfamiliar topics. 

In the youngest grades, assessment of young children's progress and achievements is ongoing, purposeful, strategic and reflective. Observation, documentation of learning moments, and conferencing with children individually offers them opportunities to engage in meaningful experiences where they are able to apply their knowledge and skills and share their thinking.

In addition to neighborhood walks exploring the community, students take a day trip to the Brooklyn Bridge as part of their bridge study, the Transit Museum or the Museum of the City of New York as part of their Urban Planning study, and the South Street Seaport Museum as part of their Age of Exploration study.