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Second Grade

“The aim of learning is the mental, physical, and social development of each child,”
-Mae Carden

As students grow in their independence and continue to build on the foundation stones of previous years, second graders learn to write in cursive, take part in the accelerated reading program and begin to learn study skills. In Saxon Math 3, students will cover skip counting, ordinal number positions, addition and subtraction multi-digit numbers, dividing by a single digit divisor, adding negative and positive numbers, adding and subtracting fractions, measurements, mass, graphs, angles and lines of symmetry. Using the Carden Spelling curriculum, they will be introduced to new spelling words each week and learn to alphabetize. In Literature, the children will be introduced to deeply beloved books like Henry Huggins, the Little House series, and Old Mother West Wind. In Science they will learn about the rainforest, nocturnal animals, reindeer, states of matter and desert animals. In History they will study Famous Americans and Texas heroes.

Throughout all their studies of math, science, spelling, literature and grammar, students are taught that the answer is not the goal - thinking is.

The structure of second grade allows for students to learn to work independently, but at the same time they will learn to navigate within a group, respect others ideas and appreciate classmates contributions to the class and discussions. This structure that fosters independence allows students to participate in special events like square dancing, Texas Day, rain forest foods and an immersive study of the nocturnal world.

Students will journal throughout the year, marking these exciting special events while at the same time learning to recognize the joy in ordinary days of journal entries. This journal provides a delightful book of memories, highlights the students growth and enhances their creativity.

Teachers

Drue Puckett-Edit

Mrs. Drue Johnstone Puckett

Mrs. Puckett believes in making learning as fun as possible, while holding high standards for her students. She challenges each child to tackle hard things in order to build work stamina and confidence. Having taught the Carden Method for almost three decades, Mrs. Puckett is a firm believer in its ability to teach high-level sentence analysis in a way that young children will understand and remember. After many years of teaching, Mrs. Puckett feels she will never stop learning, as each new class of students brings its own unique ideas to her lessons.

Mrs. Puckett is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. Her prior teaching experience includes 28 years at Highlander School, where her mother (now in her 90s) also taught for 19 years and still remembers her students fondly. Traveling is among her favorite activities, with France being her top destination. Mrs. Puckett has a daughter and a son — both married — and two young grandchildren.

Rebecca Griffith-Edit

Mrs. Rebecca Griffith

Mrs. Griffith delights in getting to know each of her students personally. This individualized approach helps her better understand each child’s communication needs and learning styles. Mrs. Griffith provides a nurturing, Christian-based learning environment that encourages integrity, perseverance, and high academic standards. At the same time, she emphasizes the importance of teamwork and considerate social interactions. Mrs. Griffith believes that students are able to best develop self-confidence and individuality in an atmosphere where respect, responsibility, and excellence are encouraged.

Mrs. Griffith joins HCS after a 10-year tenure at Highlander School. She is married to her husband Wade, and together they have two sons, Graham and Jack — both HCS students. Her family loves to travel and together have traversed 32 U.S. states. Their goal is to see all 50 states before their boys graduate high school.