Grade 2
Students’ development continues and they begin to seek new challenges. Classroom changes to meet these new capacities.
Language
Fables and stories of 'saints' or 'heroes' and people from around the world who have had a special relationship with animals, e.g. Sant Kabir or Panchtantra, Jataka tales are introduced.
Children begin to learn vowels through stories and tongue twisters. And are introduced to rhyming words.
Children learn to compose sentences. Recitation is central to building memory and they learn to recite many lines from plays, stories & verses through the year.
Mathematics
Students work on the tables, alternating factor multiplication and division sequences. Arithmetic lessons include regrouping multi-digit numbers for borrowing, and carrying and division.
The children work with the four operational processes (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), exploring the relationships between the processes.
Form Drawing
Running forms become more complicated and support the learning of cursive writing.
Circular forms explore symmetry around a circle.
Forms mirroring across the vertical midline, horizontal midline and then both together as in four quadrants.
Handwork
Modelling, knitting of animal figures which compliments stories of Panchtantra recited in grade 2, that contains various allegories through animal figures.
Physical Development
Nature walks; games, gardening
Art
Wet on wet watercolour painting, drawing
Music
Singing in Hindi, English and other regional languages; learning to play the recorder.
Students’ development continues in Grade 2 as they begin to seek new challenges. Classroom changes to meet these new capacities.
Understanding 7-8yr Olds
The second grader’s learning through imitation is still prevalent and his thinking is still very pictorial. Thus the teacher continues to present all lessons through story, images and activity. However, a new element in the second grader’s awareness comes forth; their experience of the world as a paradisal wholeness gives way to an inner awareness of duality in the world.
Contrasts, such as saintliness and mischievousness begin to be noticed as well as exhibited by the second grade student.
A Day in Grade 2
Each morning begins with exercises in recitation, singing, and rhythmic activities.
Then tecaher formally welcomes chidlren to the classroom for the 'Main Lesson'. This would be an hour & a half long time where in teachers & chidlren have a short interaction & sharing from their daily life. This is followed by a morning prayer and then class proceeds for the main lesson/subject related work.
Every month the focus is on studying one subject such as English, Hindi, Maths etc. For the one full month they study various topics under that subject using arts & movenets integrated deeply in every main lesson.
The class then takes a washroom & fruit break, after which they go for an hour long outdoor play. Children play structured social games initiated by teachers as well as freeplay which is child-led.
After returning from the play, class has their lunch together, followed by another subject related class or arts based work such as handwork or music class. The day at Aarambh for grades end at 2pm.