International Baccalaureate (IB)
James R. Watson Elementary is a certified International Baccalaureate, or IB, school. IB focuses on the development of the whole child through the learner profile’s 10 attributes. Students achieve this through individual units that are based around central ideas that connect all areas of the curriculum together. You will receive information on each unit at the beginning of the year and as we launch each unit. IB uses an inquiry approach to tie these concepts directly to the world around us. Inquiry is student directed, interest driven instruction. Our goal is to peak student interest, have lots of hands-on and group learning experiences where students are discovering new learning, and encourage students to apply what they have learned to make a difference in the world.
2nd Grade Academic Standards
This year, our second grade students are learning the Indiana Academic Standards. Academic Standards are simply a core body of knowledge that our students will learn throughout the year. Click on one of the links below to read the standards.
ReadingDuring reading time at school, I will be meeting with small groups of students to focus on specific skills based on student need. While I work with small groups, the remainder of the class is actively involved in some reading or writing activity of their choice, referred to as the Daily Five. The Daily Five is a literacy structure that teaches independence and gives children the skills needed to create a lifetime love of reading and writing, with plenty of practice. It consists of five tasks that are introduced individually. When introduced to each task, the children discuss what it looks like, sounds like and feels like to engage in the task independently. Then, the children work on building their stamina until they are successful at being independent while doing that task. The five components are:
Read to Self Read to Someone Work on Writing Listen to Reading Word Work |
Math |
Our math block this year will consist of a short whole-group lesson, followed by small group instruction, then reflection. Similar to our reading time, students will practice building stamina for their independent work including independent practice, hands-on math tasks, games, technology, and problem solving in math journals. For each new topic or chapter, students will take a pre-test to see what they need instruction on and on what topics they may need more of a challenge. Instruction will be differentiated based on student needs. We will also focus particular attention on number sense and problem solving.
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