Goals

• To provide a quality integrated education in all academic areas
• To provide spiritual learning and guidance
• To promote self-esteem through positive attitudes and daily successes
• To make Jesus a part of our daily lives
  

Curriculum

Language - Reading, Phonics, English, Spelling

• Strengthen phonics skills through daily reading and writing assignments
• Encourage creative writing
• Journal writing on a daily basis to enhance writing skills
• Small reading groups to help identify reading difficulties and improve reading skills
• Daily independent and oral reading
• Daily strengthening of phonics, skills, spelling and using correct English in writing
• Grammar skills and sentence structure

Math

• Regrouping for double digit addition
• Regrouping for double digit subtraction
• Regrouping for hundreds, tens, ones
• Counting money
• Telling time
• Working with fractions
• Multiplication
• Division
• Reading and solving word problems
• Probability
• Basic Algebra skills
• Geometry
• Addition/subtraction to 18

Science

• The body
• Plants and animals
• Solar System
• Weather
• Physical science; matter, energy, sound and light
• Introduction to Earth Science

Social Studies/Geography

• Black History Month
• Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement
• Presidents – written reports together in small groups
• Native American Studies – group reports and projects
• Study of the states
• Study of the continents and oceans
• Internet Recycling unit
• Weekly lesson conducted in school technology center

Religion

The primary focus in Grade 2 is the preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Reconciliation is received in the fall. Holy Eucharist is received in the spring.

Other topics covered throughout the year are:

• The Rosary
• The Stations of the Cross
• The Ten Commandments
• Bible Stories
• Bible Searches
• Weekly Gospel
• A visit to the local shelter where we raise and donate supplies and help serve dinner to the occupants

Significant Projects

• Tribal study of Native Americans through small group research and projects
• Know your state – independent research on state of own choosing
• President projects – small group research and reports
• Various genre monthly book reports and projects
• Life cycle of the butterfly
• Understanding the plant life cycle
• Multicultural projects which include study of different nationalities and their customs
• Celebration of Black History Month and Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Habitats
• Dinosaurs
• Fire Safety
• All significant projects and studies are integrated through our partnership with the University of Richmond and Boston University school technology program. The children are subjected to many valuable and constructive internet tools. Various websites and resources are utilized from the program.

Field Trips

• Bridgeport Cabaret
• Garbage Museum
• Peabody Museum
• Silverman's Farm
• Discovery Museum
• Milford Library and City Hall
• Milford Audubon Society
• Theaterworks at the Lyman Center

Andrea Fernandez

Southern Connecticut State University
B.S. Liberal Arts
Currently completing:  M.S. Education
Currently completing:  Connecticut Teaching Certificate, K-6 

Andrea is excited to embark on her third year of teaching Saint Ann second graders.  She always dreamed of teaching and now, as a part of the Saint Ann community, she feels blessed in the realization of her hopes and ambitions.  As a teacher she can “touch countless lives and truly make a difference in the world.” 

Andrea is very proud of her own two children.  Michael, a graduate of Waterbury’s Holy Cross High School, will begin his sophomore year at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI.  Kara, Saint Ann School Class of 2006, is a sophomore at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury.  Andrea enjoys spending time with Michael and Kara and takes pleasure in watching them grow into responsible and capable young adults.   Grounded in their faith and strengthened by their Catholic school education they strive to be “conscientious and trustworthy citizens.” 

Andrea considers each of her students “a unique being who was created by God and is on a lifelong journey back to God.”  The journey can be difficult and challenging and so, as a teacher, Andrea must “try to instill high moral and spiritual values in my students by striving to exemplify the message and vision of Jesus Christ and promote Gospel values and Catholic teachings.”  She tries to have “a loving and listening heart, an inquiring mind, and a sense of service.”  

As part of her philosophy of education Andrea encourages children “to use their full intellectual potential, to understand their gifts, strive for excellence, and use their abilities and talents in the service of others.”  Working to “develop a child’s capacity for faith and understanding” is like planting a seed “that will blossom fully later in their lives.”  Andrea hopes to inspire in her students “a love of learning and knowledge that will grow with them well beyond their years at Saint Ann School.”