2nd Grade

In 2nd grade at University School of Milwaukee, children begin to see themselves as independent learners. Our 2nd graders start to work on their own more often, and for longer periods of time, in classes, and will have individual desks for the first time at USM. They also transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” as more chapter and non-fiction books are introduced. Students also focus on one world language (Spanish or French) for an entire school year starting in 2nd grade.

The concepts and importance of community are explored more deeply in 2nd grade, in both traditional ways—such as the study of indigenous peoples—and in unique ways—such as the study of ant colonies—to learn about how communities work together and the importance of being an active member of a community. This is showcased throughout the year as 2nd graders interact with their junior kindergarten “buddies” for academic and social meetings. These themes all come together in the annual 2nd grade overnight retreat (which children attend with a parent or guardian) at Camp Minikani in Hubertus, a highlight that is talked about by USM students and alumni for many years after the trip.

Academics and Curriculum

The 2nd grade curriculum in USM’s Lower School combines core subjects taught by grade-level teachers with many additional classes taught by specialist instructors.

Subject-area outcomes are an important part of how our curriculum is developed and how our students are evaluated. The following lists, broken out by subject area, provide some examples of student outcomes for the end of the 2nd grade year.

Language Arts

Read grade-level texts orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression
Compare and contrast important points presented by two different texts on the same topic
Utilize correct vowel team combinations and add correct suffixes to the end of words
Appropriately use capital letters and correct punctuation within sentences
Listen to teachers and classmates and follow verbal instructions without interrupting
Communicate ideas in small and large group settings

Mathematics

Accurately solve 15 addition facts and 15 subtraction facts, each within a one-minute span
Tell time to the nearest quarter-hour and also accurately identify a.m. or p.m.
Create bar graphs and pictographs to represent data and answer questions about information
Represent multiplication problems by creating rectangular arrays and addition number sentences
Estimate lengths and select appropriate measuring tools in US customary and metric systems
Identify or represent fractions of regions and write dictated, simple fractions

Science

Develop simple models that mimic the function of an animal in dispersing or pollinating seeds
Describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties
Understand how an object made of a small set of pieces can be disassembled and made into a new object
Prove why some changes caused by heating and cooling can be reversed while some cannot
Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land
Understand the many different places liquid and solid water can be found on Earth

Social Studies

Students explore nature while on a field trip.

Demonstrate understanding of being an active member of a community and how communities work together
Compare and contrast indigenous communities of the past and present
Understand different types of maps, map scales, and symbols, and recognize boundaries on maps
Apply basic map skills using the compass rose to determine cardinal and intermediate directions
Understand how the environment affects the resources of a community
Identify community jobs, production methods, taxation, and how money flows through an economy

World Languages

Count to 50, identify all vowels and the sounds they make, and name all the primary colors
Greet someone properly and ask them their name, their age, and how they are doing
Ask and answer “where are you from?” and describe where they live, including the weather
Identify important calendar elements including days, months, years, seasons and say the date
Talk about different foods they like and dislike to eat and why
Describe themselves in terms of physical appearance and personality traits

Art

Students smile and laugh while holding a ball of clay in art class.

Recognize artistic styles and themes, and that creating art can be an individual or collaborative effort
Identify warm and cool colors and monochromatic color schemes and describe how color can affect emotion
Integrate reoccurring elements with variations and arrange elements to create balanced compositions
Use sketching as a planning tool and use controlled brushstrokes in painting to add variety
Understand that art can reflect a multitude of ideas, beliefs, and concepts in a variety of forms
Develop an understanding of artistic judgment through opinions and supporting statements

Music

Define and create harmony in rounds
Identify and play whole, dotted half, half, quarter, quarter rest, and beamed eighth note patterns
Compose short melodies and rhythm patterns
Identify and label different sections of a song
Compare music from different genres and cultures
Play echoed rhythm and melodic patterns with accurate pitch, rhythm, and tempo

Drama

Solidifying their teamwork skills and using them to become leaders within class activities
Exploring the parts of a story and how to build character in longer improvised group stories
Understand the role movement can play in storytelling
Utilizing their knowledge of improvisation-based stories and creating longer and more complex stories with their imagination and creativity
Being learning dance sequences that are common in musical theatre choreography
Applying their past knowledge of puppetry and applying it into the making, and use of puppets in scene work
Master their understanding of theatre etiquette, and starting analysis of a piece of theatre from start to finish

Library

Use online catalog search skills and locate materials using call numbers
Understand the importance of being a good digital citizen and not sharing personal information online
Understand and describe different elements of a story
Make informed decisions about books and materials that will allow them to pursue personal growth
Inquire about new topics and learn how to locate information about those topics
Use LibGuides to discover new sources of information for the indigenous peoples project as well as the community unit of study

Physical Education

Demonstrate age-appropriate motor skills and movement patterns (locomotor movements, throwing and catching, striking with and without implements, dribbling with hands and feet, jumping rope and gymnastics, ice skating (unique to USM PE curriculum)
Meet age-appropriate benchmarks to maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness
Apply basic concepts and knowledge as it relates to movement and performance
Exhibit responsible personal and social behaviors that respects self and others
Value physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, and social interaction.

Guidance

Lower School students are joined by their Upper School buddies for a special game day.

Our Lower School features a dedicated counselor who works with all students during class time and is available to meet with individual children on an as-needed basis. The focus of the guidance curriculum helps children achieve social-emotional competence and self-regulation. Guidance classes teach skills that strengthen their ability to learn, manage their emotions, show empathy and compassion, get along with others, and solve problems. More information can be found on the Lower School Counseling page.

Recess

Lower School students work hard in class during the school day and have two recess periods each day when they are able to unwind, play with friends, and get some exercise, while giving young brains a break and allowing children to better focus their attention while in class. Research also shows that this unstructured, free-play time is important for social-emotional health and development in children. Recess is held outdoors throughout the entire school year, as weather allows, with each grade level having time to themselves on the playground, the blacktop—for activities like basketball, kickball, foursquare, and other games—or the grass fields— for touch football, and fun in the snow in winter.

Special Events and Activities

Each year, 2nd graders take part in many engaging field trips, including an exciting, hands-on trip to a rock quarry in nearby Sussex, Wisconsin, during their study of life cycles and rocks and minerals, and both the Kenosha and Milwaukee Public Museums during their study of Wisconsin’s indigenous communities. Another highlight in 2nd grade is when children tap maple trees and participate in the process of making their own maple syrup. Ahead of spring break each year, all 1st and 2nd graders showcase their vocal talents along with all Lower School orchestra children in a formal concert at school.In May, toward the end of the 2nd grade year, the children, along with a parent or guardian, stay overnight and have two days of fun activities and learning at Camp Minikani in one of the first bonding experiences outside of the USM campus for the class.

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