Seven and eight-year-olds want to grow up and assume the roles of older children. Therefore, self-reliance and responsibility are encouraged in my second grade classroom. Property rights and "me first" aggressiveness are developmental stages that require redirection and the encouragement to cooperate with other class members.    Desks are arranged in rows to reinforce self-reliance and lend structure, which provides comforting parameters to this age group during group discussion and individual help. Small group cooperative activities are provided three times each week in "center areas" located at different areas of the classroom; afterward, we evaluate how well we worked as a group with specific objectives in mind. There is a computer center, a cozy reading center equipped with easy chairs and surrounded by library materials, a listening center, hands on math materials, and a rotating science/social studies center. Students may access these materials and activities during free time and continue work begun during scheduled center periods.    Proper manners and appropriate classroom behavior are expected in second grade and are acknowledged with praise, compliments and rewards. The classroom rules are those of the entire school. A card system of consequences is clearly displayed, and a marble jar is utilized as a reward system for total classroom cooperation. There is also a “treat box” to reward children collecting 10 “dog coupons” for their polite behavior, or for those who earn 5 “sparkle stickers” for winning games and class competitions, or for completing class journals accurately and neatly.    Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday only, allowing time for family fun on weekends. Assignments reinforce lessons taught during class and allow opportunities to develop self-reliance and organizational skills.    We have two major units involving across the curriculum teaching, and other mini-units that provide specific learning outcomes. In the first, you child will enter Jurassic Park as second grade begins and travel though eons of time while researching various dinosaurs. In the second, your child discovers his/her ancestral heritage and you'll find yourself on stage, dressed as an ancestor, while your child reads from the "newly discovered" diary left by that ancestor.    Mathematical activities evolve from several units. "Regrouping or "trading" into the tens and hundred's place is one new concept learned. This requires a mastery of addition and subtraction facts by 2nd semester. This will be accomplished through the use of the daily drill. We will be exploring the multiplication and division concepts though the investigative process using manipulatives during the second half of the year. We will also explore concepts in geometry, time, measurement, money, and probability.    DVDs, CD-ROM technology, and experiments enhance science and math experiences. Students also have access to our school computer lab at least twice per week.    Many whole language experiences with an emphasis on phonics skills and the use of context clues for decoding words are provided. A reading lab kit also enhances individualized reading experiences. Creative writing assignments provide a variety of genre that introduces children to many literary forms.  We even explore the “fairy tale” using puppets to tell a story. Reading-           MacMillan/McGraw Hill Reading Series Grade 2                            • SRA Lab Kit for individualized reading.                            • Trade Books: Used for Center activities.                            Martha Speaks, Stellaluna,                            Giving Thanks, Once There Was a Tree, Imogene’s Antlers,                            Watch The Stars Come Out, A Picture Book of                            George Washington, The Furry News, Rechenka’s Egg, Bringing the Rain                            to Kapiti Plain, Bubba the Cowboy Prince, and Come A’ Tide.                                         • Enrichment: Daily “Chapter Book” and teacher read alouds to                            encourage the development of comprehension and listening skills. Spelling-            Learning Spelling and Word Skills, Rebecca Sitton Program.                            A language approach to spelling and word skills. Language-         Writing assignments, relate to the stories and grammar concepts                            in the basal reader.                            • Enrichment: computer technology, Daily Oral Language assignments.             Mathematics-    Singapore Math, Marshall Cavendish Education.                            Jumpstart Math, Math-Blaster, and Math Journey, computer programs.        Science-             California Science, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill.                            • Enrichment:  AIMS Project, science materials and experiments. Social Studies-  History-Social Science – Neighborhoods,  Houghton Mifflin Co.                            This text takes the class to many places on our earth and introduces them to its people and their traditions. Computer Technology-      Beyond Technology Education Program                            A systematic program that teaches computer skills while using                            2nd grade curriculum.                            Kid Pix and Appleworks; Jumpstart Typing. Classical Music Program-          Brummitt-Taylor Music Listening Program. Physical Education-        Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids,                             Paul Rosengard. Spanish-            Viva El Espanol, The Wright Group/McGraw-Hill. Spiritual Development-   Wise Skills