Second Grade Curriculum Overview
Reading
In Second Grade, we teach students to choose books at their Just Right reading level. It is important for students to be reading books at their Just Right level in order to help them develop the necessary reading skills. The reading lessons consist of differentiated, cross-curricular instruction designed to fit the needs of each individual child. Students participate in a combination of whole group, small group, and independent work in order to become thoughtful and independent readers.
In Second Grade we continue to teach word study and phonics skills using the Fountas and Pinnell Program. The word study program supports students as they learn various spelling patterns and word meanings. Students engage in a variety of activities in order to solidify their phonemic awareness and their understanding of spelling.
Writing
During Writer’s Workshop, the students learn about the mechanics, genres, craft of writing, and the writing process. Along with the help of student examples, teacher models, and read alouds, students learn to create, revise, and publish their own pieces of writing. Our units include Personal Narrative, Opinion, Poetry, Informational, and Realistic Fiction.
Math
In Second Grade, students continue to learn about number sense, time, money, patterns, geometry, and measurement. We utilize Everyday Mathematics, Developing Number Concepts, and Do the Math programs to provide targeted and specific instruction. Many of the approaches that we use to teach mathematics, focus on the process behind mathematical concepts. We encourage you to listen to your child’s explanations, and watch how they have learned to solve mathematical problems. In Second Grade, it is important to solidify the foundational skills so that students are prepared for more complex mathematical thinking in the years to come.
Second Grade Math “I Can” Statements
Science
The science theme for second grade is How Things Change. Students observe and record changes in: the Lifecycle of the Painted Lady butterfly, States of Matter, and Erosion. We will also be connecting science with Social Studies in our cross-curriculum science unit Nature’s Partners: Plants and Pollinators.
Second graders will participate in a range of hands-on scientific activities to help them better understand the elements of How Things Change. All of our experiments are both school and child friendly!
Social Studies
Our Social Studies curriculum focus on learning about geography, including map skills, in-depth studies of the culture and traditions of India and Ghana, and biographies of people of Great Importance. Students will engage with authentic materials in order to comprehend Second Grade social studies topics.
They explore how geography impacts the daily lives of people in selected countries. Included in these country specific units, are the study of customs, languages, celebrations, and landmarks. They explore their own family’s history and listen to or read a variety of teacher- or student-selected stories about: distinctive individuals, peoples, achievements, customs, events, places, or landmarks from around the world.
*Please reference the Lexington Public Schools website for more information on our alignment to state standards https://lps.lexingtonma.org/
Reading
In Second Grade, we teach students to choose books at their Just Right reading level. It is important for students to be reading books at their Just Right level in order to help them develop the necessary reading skills. The reading lessons consist of differentiated, cross-curricular instruction designed to fit the needs of each individual child. Students participate in a combination of whole group, small group, and independent work in order to become thoughtful and independent readers.
In Second Grade we continue to teach word study and phonics skills using the Fountas and Pinnell Program. The word study program supports students as they learn various spelling patterns and word meanings. Students engage in a variety of activities in order to solidify their phonemic awareness and their understanding of spelling.
Writing
During Writer’s Workshop, the students learn about the mechanics, genres, craft of writing, and the writing process. Along with the help of student examples, teacher models, and read alouds, students learn to create, revise, and publish their own pieces of writing. Our units include Personal Narrative, Opinion, Poetry, Informational, and Realistic Fiction.
Math
In Second Grade, students continue to learn about number sense, time, money, patterns, geometry, and measurement. We utilize Everyday Mathematics, Developing Number Concepts, and Do the Math programs to provide targeted and specific instruction. Many of the approaches that we use to teach mathematics, focus on the process behind mathematical concepts. We encourage you to listen to your child’s explanations, and watch how they have learned to solve mathematical problems. In Second Grade, it is important to solidify the foundational skills so that students are prepared for more complex mathematical thinking in the years to come.
Second Grade Math “I Can” Statements
- I can decompose numbers to 10.
- I can add and subtract quickly and accurately within 20.
- I can read, write, and compare numbers to 1000.
- I can skip count by 5s, 10s, and 100s to 1000.
- I can show and explain place value within 1000.
- I can solve money word problems about dollars and coins.
- I can tell and write time to the nearest five minutes.
- I can show and solve one- and two- step addition problems within 100.
- I can show and solve one and two step subtraction problems within 100.
- I can identify and explain odd and even numbers.
- I can use place value to add numbers within 100.
- I can use place value to subtract numbers within 100.
- I can identify and describe 2D and 3D shapes.
- I can add and subtract by 10 or 100 mentally.
- I can read and show data using picture graphs and bar graphs. I can partition circles and rectangles into equal parts.
- I can describe equal parts of shapes using halves, thirds, and fourths.
- I can measure and estimate lengths using standard units.
Science
The science theme for second grade is How Things Change. Students observe and record changes in: the Lifecycle of the Painted Lady butterfly, States of Matter, and Erosion. We will also be connecting science with Social Studies in our cross-curriculum science unit Nature’s Partners: Plants and Pollinators.
Second graders will participate in a range of hands-on scientific activities to help them better understand the elements of How Things Change. All of our experiments are both school and child friendly!
Social Studies
Our Social Studies curriculum focus on learning about geography, including map skills, in-depth studies of the culture and traditions of India and Ghana, and biographies of people of Great Importance. Students will engage with authentic materials in order to comprehend Second Grade social studies topics.
They explore how geography impacts the daily lives of people in selected countries. Included in these country specific units, are the study of customs, languages, celebrations, and landmarks. They explore their own family’s history and listen to or read a variety of teacher- or student-selected stories about: distinctive individuals, peoples, achievements, customs, events, places, or landmarks from around the world.
- Understands that people and communities create structures, rules and ideas to solve problems.
- Gives examples of fictional characters or real people who are good leaders and citizens.
- Locates continents, major bodies of water and landforms on a world map (e.g. Asia, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Mississippi River, Mt. Everest, etc.)
- Interprets map symbols using a legend.
- Identifies the regions of the United States by directions (N, S, E, W).
- Understands how geography influences where and how people live.
- Describes customs, languages and celebrations from other countries that can be found in America today.
- Creates an illustrated timeline that shows events in chronological order.
- Understands and compares different ways people have achieved great distinction (e.g. scientific, professional, political, religious, commercial, military, athletics, or artistic).
*Please reference the Lexington Public Schools website for more information on our alignment to state standards https://lps.lexingtonma.org/