Primary School 2nd - 3rd Curriculum

Reading and Language Arts
Older primary students read a variety of genres based on their individual interests and abilities. Comprehension strategies and techniques develop as students read for research and information. Children begin in K-1st “learning to read” and then progress in 2nd-3rd to “reading to learn.” The Language Arts curriculum is designed to provide students with skills needed to become effective communicators.

2nd Grade
• Read independently for sustained periods of time (15-20 minutes daily)
• Begin to read to acquire knowledge, conduct research and organize information
• Apply a wide range of comprehension strategies and techniques
• Apply spelling patterns in daily writing
• Introduce table of contents and dictionary
• Recognize and use nouns, verbs and adjectives in writing
• Use commas, apostrophes and ending punctuation marks
• Form manuscript letters neatly
• Begin cursive handwriting
• Write complete sentences moving into paragraphs in journals

3rd Grade
• Read independently for sustained periods of time (20-30 minutes daily)
• Read to acquire knowledge, conduct research and organize information
• Apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate and appreciate text
• Demonstrate recall of spelling patterns
• Learn to use table of contents, index, dictionary and thesaurus
• Recognize and use nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and prepositional phrases in writing
• Use commas, periods in abbreviations, apostrophes and ending punctuation marks
• Form cursive letters neatly
• Write complete stories including paragraphs in journals

Mathematics
Strong emphasis on problem solving in combination with Everyday Mathematics curriculum promotes the use of critical thinking strategies in all aspects of life. Everyday Mathematics Home Links (math homework) reinforces skills learned, responsibility and independent work, supporting communication about math program and concepts taught between home and school. Students are divided by grade level for math instruction.

2nd Grade
• Know addition and subtraction facts to 18
• Add and subtract multiple digits without regrouping
• Construct fact families for addition and subtraction
• Identify place value for 100s, 10s and 1s
• Solve word problems
• Compare numerals using <, > and =
• Solve measurement problems using non-standard and standard units
• Identify two-dimensional shapes
• Exchange quantities of money
• Tell time in 5 minute intervals
• Understand simple fraction concepts of 1/2, 1/3, 1/4
• Understand concept of basic multiplication
• Collect and analyze data on graphs
• Responsible for homework assignments

3rd Grade
• Add and subtract multiple digits with and without regrouping
• Construct fact families for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• Identify place value for 1,000s, 100s, 10s and 1s
• Create and solve word problems
• Know multiplication facts through 9
• Compare numerals using <, > and =
• Solve measurement problems using standard and metric units
• Identify two and three-dimensional shapes
• Add and subtract money using correct dollars and cents notation
• Tell time to the minute
• Compare and order fractions
• Collect and analyze data on graphs
• Understand concept of basic division
• Responsible for homework assignments

Science
Riverfield’s science philosophy strives to help children become independent thinkers. Life skills are expanded when a student learns to question, explore, observe, make predictions and problem solve. Each year’s curriculum includes seasons, water, animals, human body and aerospace plus the following topics on a two-year rotation:
2007-08 Weather, water, nutrition and health, simple machines and Invention Convention
2008-09 Life cycles, plants, light and color, electricity, environmental awareness, geology and Science Fair

World Awareness
Teachers integrate social studies into the daily program by providing exposure to different cultures, customs and current events and by modeling the importance of responsibility and respect. Each year’s curriculum includes community, state, nation, current events, customs, celebrations and geography plus the following topics on a two-year rotation:
2007-08 Tulsa, Oklahoma history and Land Run, geography (local to global) and Black history
2008-09 Native Americans, cultures (local to global) and presidents