The highlight of second grade is Heritage Night. As part of this extended international study program, the children choose a relative to interview and write and illustrate a "book" about their heritage and how they came to America. Dressing a teddy bear in the national costume of their country and helping mom or dad cook a regional recipe all adds to the fun! After learning songs and dances from around the world, the children perform for their families at Heritage Night, where the bears and books are displayed and celebrated with an international feast!

Aside from the excitement about the Heritage Night social studies program, second graders continue to focus on developing academic and social skills. Science experiments in the classroom become a regular part of the curriculum, as do art projects, Spanish, and small-group math and reading projects. Second grade students read multicultural literature in a program called "Read Around the World." Students study artists from eight different countries and visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

What began as "News" and "Sharing" becomes "Poetry" in second grade, where students either compose or select a poem to learn and present to the class. Without even thinking about it, the children become increasingly comfortable expressing themselves in a variety of groups and settings.