Language Arts
Reading
At Wolford, we use a literacy curriculum called Superkids. This is one of the most successful reading series for providing a strong foundation in phonics and vocabulary skills. Superkids units alternate between fiction and nonfiction texts.
Key concepts include:
- Phonemic awareness: The ability to hear, identify and manipulate the individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
- Phonics: The relationship between phonemes (sounds) and graphemes (letters and spellings) that represent those sounds in written language.
- Vocabulary: Developing knowledge about the meaning and pronunciation of words.
- Fluency: The ability to read text accurately and quickly.
- Comprehension: Understanding, remembering, and communicating about what has been read.
Sight Word Practice
Sight words are key to developing your child's reading fluency and speed. Please practice these words nightly to increase your child’s fluency and self-confidence. We will assess the children periodically throughout the year and send home new lists as they master their current words.
Spelling
Our spelling program is part of the reading curriculum. Spelling words are directly related to the phonics skills we are working on. Spelling practice is integrated throughout the school day.
Writing
Wolford uses the Write Now, Right Now curriculum.
Key concepts include:
- Writing complete sentences
- Persuasive writing
- Narrative writing
- Friendly letters
- How-to paragraphs
- Nonfiction writing
Mathematics
Wolford Elementary uses the HMH Into Math curriculum.
Key concepts include:
- Telling time to 5 minutes
- Counting coins to $1.00
- Math facts to 20
- Recognizing, counting, and writing numbers to 1,000
- Place value to 1,000
- Adding and subtracting two-digit numbers with regrouping
- Shape identification and division
- Measurement
- Graphing
We practice math facts in the classroom. Math facts and skills should be reviewed a few minutes each night as part of your child's homework. Flashcards help children develop a strong number sense by reinforcing how numbers combine in different ways.
Science
We use the following Building Blocks units of study to learn scientific methods:
- Ecosystem Diversity
- States of Matter
- Earth Materials
The science program emphasizes hands-on, experimental learning. We use the Outdoor Classroom for many Ecosystem Diversity lessons. In the fourth quarter, we hatch chicken eggs to explore animal life cycles.
Social Studies
At Wolford, we use the Social Studies Alive program. In second grade, the unit of study is My Community. We also teach mapping and geography.
Homework
Students are encouraged to complete 20 minutes of reading or sight word practice each night. Additionally, they receive a short math homework paper on Tuesdays and Thursdays that covers concepts learned in class that week. Students are encouraged to practice addition and subtraction facts at home.