2nd Grade Language Arts

This class is all about helping students develop an excitement for language arts. Each week, students learn tools to become better writers, expand their vocabularies to use advanced words in their own writing, and deepen their reading comprehension skills to become critical thinkers. Through class readings, discussions, and creative writing activities, students gain independence and confidence in their language arts abilities.

Thematically, the course is divided into four quarters. The first quarter introduces concepts of visual literacy through graphic novels and comic books. The second quarter focuses on poetry. The third quarter—which aligns with the annual AoPS Academy Short Story Contest—explores how stories work. The final quarter explores the different ways people use books and fairy tales. Each quarter, students read and write within the designated genre.

What happens in class?

Each class lesson will be different, but at every meeting students will:

• learn a new writing skill
• apply that writing skill in various writing activities
• Learn and apply new vocabulary words.
• think about and discuss in-class readings
• practice new vocabulary words

Homework

Students should expect to spend 60-90 minutes on homework every week. Students will receive a new book each quarter and will be expected to complete weekly reading assignments at home. In addition, students will receive a weekly homework packet to complete at home. The homework will be a combination of reading comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, and writing assignments. An answer key will be handed out the following week in class while the teacher briefly checks student homework for completeness. Parents and students should use the answer key at home to check whether the student completed the homework correctly.

Teacher Feedback

Students will receive direct oral and written feedback from their teacher during class, especially during writing time. This in-person feedback is key in helping students revise and improve their writing. Formal feedback will be provided in response to exams.

Exams

Students will take an exam during class at the end of each quarter, weeks: 9, 18, 27, and 36. Each exam will assess students on the reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary covered that quarter.