SECOND GRADE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Second graders build off of their previous literacy experiences to deepen their understanding of the complex reading system. They read more challenging texts which demand more decision-making and more sophisticated strategy use with speeded action. Second graders learn to recognize when their reading breaks down and choose an appropriate fix-up strategy to make meaning as they are introduced to more complex texts throughout their day. They become effective problem solvers to be sure they understand what they are reading – the ultimate goal of the reading process. Students continue to read, write, and discuss fiction and nonfiction texts daily to learn how different sources help readers construct meaning about the world. Academic conversations help students apply foundational listening and speaking skills to learn how to understand, speak, and use words to communicate and actively engage within and beyond the classroom. Additionally, students’ writing stamina grows and their voices emerge when writing about what they are learning and their personal experiences. The ultimate goal of a balanced language arts curriculum is to build skills, independence, and passion to become lifelong readers, writers, and speakers.
Throughout the year teachers use a variety of formal and informal assessments to examine students’ strengths and areas of focus to inform instruction to ensure all students progress toward grade-level expectations.
Second graders continue to learn and apply social and emotional skills in a variety of ways to become self-aware and to nurture positive and respectful relationships with their teachers and peers. Creating a safe and inclusive community is foundational to a great year of learning for all.
SOCIAL STUDIES
My Community
The second-grade curriculum focuses on the history, geography, government, and economy of neighborhoods and nearby communities. Students learn about people and events from the past that have shaped the communities in which they live. Through an exploration of nearby cities and townships—Ada, Cascade, Plainfield, and Grand Rapids—they begin to learn about the interdependencies of communities; they learn how goods and services move in and out of the local area, and what communities need to grow and prosper. They are introduced to local government and laws, examining local issues that affect themselves and their families. They practice making decisions aimed at improving the quality of school and community life.
Visit the Michigan Social Studies Academic Standards for a complete view of the grade standards your child will be working toward in social studies. This curriculum is also aligned with the College, Career & Civic Life Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
SCIENCE
Second graders are curious about the world and how it works. Throughout the year, students engage in science learning experiences to connect their thinking, make observations, formulate new ideas, and make sense of the natural world and how it works. Kindergartners learn to apply Science and Engineering Practices to think like scientists.
MATHEMATICS
Second graders build off of their previous math experiences to develop their mathematical skills while applying the practices mathematicians use. They…
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
- Model with mathematics.
- Use appropriate tools strategically.
- Attend to precision.
- Look for and make use of structure.
- Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Second-grade mathematicians are encouraged to be creative problem solvers and flexible thinkers. They work through challenging problems in small groups and on their own, developing independence and persistence. They develop their fluency skills by playing with numbers which allows them to think flexibly with methods and strategies to solve problems efficiently and accurately.
