2nd Grade: Social Studies and Science

In second grade there is a social studies curriculum and a science curriculum. The social studies curriculum is centered on the child, the family, and the school. It is a flexible curriculum that builds upon the diversity of the school and the surrounding community, keeping the mission of our school and the philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler, as a guideline. In addition, we study the history of ECF, relating it to schools of the past and schools today.

The science and social studies curriculum run parallel with an ongoing study of the Hudson River that lasts throughout the year. This enables the students to interact with the living river through sailing, seining, fishing, and visits to the river. In second grade the children integrate language arts, math, and science skills into a fish and sea creature research project. They distinguish and classify water creatures and reapply their knowledge into a culminating, child-created and interactive museum. The assumptions and conclusions bring them to a new level of awareness for the environment. The Hudson River curriculum speaks to the children giving them a sense of responsibility and awareness of the environment and the greater community; our hope is that the children become lifelong environmentalists.