Hi, my name is Sue McCarthy. I am the Second Grade teacher at St. James the Greater. My class is in a self-contained setting.
In Second Grade, the primary focus is Religion, Language Arts, and Math. Our Religion textbook is from Loyola Press. Its emphasis is on the preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion. We also study the religious holidays and the Ten Commandments. Language Arts includes Reading, English, Spelling, Phonics, and Handwriting. In Reading, I stress comprehension and fluency. During English, we study the parts of speech, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. We also use the writing program, Step Up to Writing. We learn regular sight words & weekly bonus words using seasonal words and commonly used words that are frequently mispelled by students. Phonics practice re-enforces the rules of English to help students develop better fluency in reading and writing. We use the Zaner-Bloser method of handwriting, with cursive being taught after Christmas. The Saxon Math series is used in Math class. This series stresses the introduction of many concepts, including algebra, geometry, facts, and word problems. Throughout the years, these concepts are revisited and practiced daily. In Social Studies, we have units on communities, citizenship, map skills, and the beginning of the United States. In Science, we work on units in life science, earth science, and physical science. Some of the projects and experiments we do are: growing plants in various cultures; nutrient transportation in plants; animal life cycles; butterfly development; study of the make-up of matter using the naked eye, hand lens, and microscope; matter changes from solid, gas, and liquid; making sound; comparing sound; & making a musical instrument.
Second Grade is a year of firsts. We have our First Reconciliation and First Communion. The students do an art project that incorporates the theme of the Reconciliation ceremony. For First Communion, we make a Last Supper mural, a chalice and host, a patchwork class quilt, and a banner to display at the Mass. Other firsts are the study of cursive and multiplication. The children feel special & 'grown-up' and they love being able to begin so many important challenges in Second Grade.
Second-graders also celebrate special holidays with day-long learning activities for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chinese New Year, and St. Patrick's Day.
I began my teaching career many years ago. I taught for fourteen years before "retiring" to raise my children. I returned to teaching as a substitute teacher at St. James and have been teaching full-time at St. James for six years. I have always taught in the Catholic school system. I love teaching at St. James. It is truly a warm family community. The faculty and staff are encouraging and helpful, the children are eager to learn and wonderful to teach, and the parents are willing to entrust their children to us. St. James is a special place to call home.
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