Grade 2

Growing Traditions and Community

Second-grade students skip into school independently, excited to see their friends and start the day. They are immersed in the traditions of LFCDS, from regular participation in weekly Community Meetings to enjoying activities with their House family members. They proudly teach students the meaning of sophisticated vocabulary in the Pledge of Allegiance at Community Meeting early in the year. Doing so complements their natural inclination to learn new words and meanings, a desire to share their knowledge with others, and the more precise manner in which they speak.

At LFCDS, second-grade teachers structure the beginning of the day carefully as they know that their students need the security of rules, routines, and physical boundaries. Students are engaged with purposeful activities from the moment they arrive, and welcoming Morning Messages inform them about what lies ahead that day. Teachers place focus on respect and on what it means to be part of a community. Each classroom develops its own group agreement about standards for behavior.

Second-grade students understand and practice what it means to “fill someone’s bucket,” from kindness shown to classmates and adults to their Spooky Tales (Reader's Theatre) presentations which raise money for UNICEF to their book collection at the holidays. Second grade is the perfect time for families to reinforce the School’s expectations: respecting the learning environment, persisting and giving one’s best effort, using good table manners, being a good friend, and reaching out to help those who are new to a community, those who may be feeling left out, or those less fortunate.

Highlights of the Second-Grade Experience

List of 7 items.

Design Thinking

Create a blueprint and prototype for a musical instrument
Drama Productions

Participate in Reader's Theatre
House System

Forge relationships in the community through House events
Buddy System

Read aloud to and mentor junior kindergarten buddies
Discover the Illinois Prairie

Discover how a tall-grass prairie habitat supports rabbits and other animals
Online Portfolios

Create an online interactive portfolio of reading, writing, and mathematics using iPad technology
Explore Chicago

Delve into the architecture of downtown Chicago through investigations and a field trip

Faculty

List of 10 members.

Kelly Brockway

Second-Grade Teacher (2KB), Second-Grade Team Leader

(847) 615-6138
Patricia Christensen
Mark DeBernardi

Visual Art Teacher, Digital Art Teacher

(847) 615-6179
Marie Dohnke

Lower School Language Arts Teacher, Lower School Mathematics Teacher

(847) 615-6147
Laura Gabriel

French Teacher

(847) 615-6211
Carly Harvey

Second-Grade Teacher (2CH)

(847) 615-6244
Maria Hempen

Early Childhood and Lower School Music Teacher, Early Childhood Spanish Teacher

(847) 615-6184
Kevin Nicholson

Early Childhood & Lower School Science Teacher

(847) 615-6154
William Scroggins

Physical Education & Wellness Teacher

(847) 615-6232
Suzanne Stanczak

Physical Education & Wellness Teacher

(847) 615-6122

A co-educational independent private school for students age 2 through Grade 8.
Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888.
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