Individualized Home Instruction Plan - Grade 2

GENERAL RESOURCES:
• The Well-Trained Mind – A Guide to Classical Education at Home (Wise Bauer, Susan and Jessie Wise. W.W. Norton & Co., NY, 2004)
ELA GOALS:
• Promote essential writing skills through a wide range of activities and projects.
• Maintain personal journal as well as a writer’s notebook.
• Daily Writer’s Workshop.
• Introduce cursive letters.

ELA RESOURCES:
Writing-
• A Writer’s Notebook – Unlocking the Writer within You (Fletcher, Ralph. HarperCollins Publishers, NY, 1996)
• Awakening the Heart – Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School (Heard, Georgia. Heineman, NH,1999)
• The Art of Teaching Writing (Calkins, Lucy M. Heinemann, NH, 1994)
• Using Literature to Enhance Writing Instruction – A Guide for K-5 Teachers (Olness, Rebecca. International Reading Association, Inc., WA, 2005.
• 6+1 Traits of Writing – The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades (Culham, Ruth. Scholastic, Inc., 2005)
• Story Writing – Engaging Mini-Lessons & Activities, Reproducibles & Graphic Organizers, and Rubrics & Checklists to Help You Teach the Elements of Great Writing Grades 2-3 (Kellaher, Karen. Scholastic Professional Books, 2002)
• The Most Wonderful Writing Lessons Ever Grades 2-4 (Mariconda, Barbara. Scholastic Professional Books, 1999)

Reading-
• Participation in Book Kids Book Club
• Literature selections that correspond to our study of ancient history.
• Nonfiction reading that corresponds to science research.
• The Read-Aloud Handbook (Trelease, Jim. Penguin Books, NY, 2006.)
• Some of My Best Friends Are Books – Guiding Gifted Readers from Preschool to High School (Halstead, Judith W. Great Potential Press, Inc., AZ, 2002.)
• Deconstructing Penguins – Parents, Kids, and the Bond of Reading (Goldstone, Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. The Random House Publishing Group, NY, 2005)
Spelling-
• Weekly Word Sorts That Build Spelling Skills Grades 2-3 (Maher, Kristina A. Scholastic Inc., 2003)
• The Spelling List and Word Study Resource Book Grades 1-6 (Fresch, Mary Jo and A. F. Wheaton. Scholastic Inc., 2004)
Grammar-
• Writing Well – A Guide for Proper Writing Technique, Grade 2 (Fisk, Sally. Milliken Publishing Company, St. Louis, Missouri)
Vocabulary-
• Ongoing vocabulary notebook.

MATH GOALS:
• Mastery of basic addition and subtraction facts for sums through 18.
• Introduction to multiplication.
• Implementation of tallies, bar graphs, and pictographs in reports.
• Correlate math subjects (e.g. symmetry, congruence, geometric figures, measurement, money) to study of science and social studies.

MATH RESOURCES:
• Primary Mathematics 2A & 2B (Singapore Math)
• Math Coach: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Succeed in Math (Wickelgren, Wayne A. and Ingrid Wickelgren, Berkley Publishing Group, 2001)
• Math Blaster Software
• Various online resources including: Fun Brain, Cool Math 4 Kids, etc.

HISTORY GOALS:
• Introduction to ancient history that will serve as the framework for study of other subjects.
• Use globe & maps to locate ancient civilizations.
• Introduction to forms of government and rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

HISTORY RESOURCES:
• The Story of the World: History For The Classical Child, Volume 1: Ancient Times (Bauer, Susan Wise, Peace Hill Press, 2001) to be used with the associated Activity Book.

SCIENCE:
• We will pursue science topics related to study of ancient times such as:
o Medicine of Ancient Egypt
o Astronomy – Greek Myths & The Constellations
• Self-selected topics & projects to be chosen from wide-ranging collection of science books & kits.
• Programs at various science and natural history museums.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
• Daily Outdoor Play and Seasonal Activities (Tennis, Swimming, Hiking, Biking, Skiing, Ice Skating)
• Fencing Lessons

HEALTH:
• Cub Scout Wolf Trail (Feats of Skill, Keep Your Body Healthy, Know Your Home & Community, Your Living World, Cooking & Eating, Be Safe at Home & on the Street.)
• Plan & make healthy snacks & meals.
• Computer Safety (Ergonomics & Internet Safety Pledge)

TECHNOLOGY:
• Keyboarding (Type to Learn Program)
• Internet Safety Pledge
• Introduce the use of blogs, websites, powerpoint presentations, and podcasts for final products.
• Cub Scouts (Tools for Fixing & Building)

CRITICAL THINKING:
• Mind Benders (The Critical Thinking Co.)
• Building Thinking Skills, Level 1 (The Critical Thinking Co.)
• Odyssey of the Mind Problems

MUSIC:
• Weekly piano lessons with private teacher.
• Winter and Spring Recital Performance.
• Introduction to music from around the world to tie in with study of history.

VISUAL ARTS:
• Art projects related to study of ancient civilizations.
• Classes for homeschoolers at The Albany Institute for History & Art.
• Classes & tours at The Metropolitan Museum in New York City.
• Visits to various art museums and galleries.
• Learn to use digital camera & Photoshop Elements 5.0.

OTHER ARTS:
• Attend a variety of performances.

SPANISH:
• Teach Them Spanish! Grade 2 (McGraw Hill, 1999)

If you would like to receive free articles from On Living By Learning by email, click this link.