2nd Grade Curriculum – Skills, Activities and Subjects

By the second grade, kids are prepared and geared up for proper lessons in school. With two years of schooling under their belt, they are used to working independently on tasks and working as a group to complete projects. They can often read by themselves and will be more capable of following instructions.

No longer in kindergarten, second graders are familiar with the school environment and routine. They have a longer attention span and can tune themselves to increased learning periods and engaging in tasks. Read on to find out more about the subjects in the 2nd grade curriculum outline, skills and activities that a second grader normally learns and engages in.

What Subjects Do Kids Learn as 2nd Graders?

1. Maths

Skills Developed

• A second grader will explore the logic of numbers in the 2nd grade math curriculum and learn number facts systematically.
• Whilst they learn to recognize numbers in kindergarten and first grade, second graders will work with numbers on real-time applications.
• They will learn about place value, addition, subtraction and regrouping of numbers.
• They will also learn about basic fractions and how they form a part of a whole.
• Skip counting is a technique they will learn as a skill required to learn multiplication.
• They will learn units of measure, basic money, the concept of time.
• They will learn about shapes and recognise two-dimensional figures.
• They will also learn how to solve word problems.

2. Reading

Skills Developed 

• They will move beyond basic decoding skills in the 2nd grade reading curriculum to discover unfamiliar words and use context clues to become fluent readers.
• They can retell stories as they practice summarizing.
• They will develop a strong grasp of prefixes, suffixes and try to decipher the meanings of unknown words by assuming the text’s context.
• They can read silently, self-correct, use a dictionary and also predict outcomes.

3. Writing

Skills Developed

• First graders would have mastered writing a sentence with a coherent meaning to convey a message. In the 2nd grade writing curriculum, children will be able to put various parts of a sentence like commands, questions, and statements to create a descriptive writing piece.
• Second graders develop their vocabulary by reading, and they use more extensive words like verbs and adjectives to bring depth to their writing.
• They can write stories with a beginning, middle and end.

4. Science

Skills Developed 

• Some schools focus on life cycles and learning about observable creatures like butterflies and tadpoles in the 2nd grade science curriculum.
• They will also learn about the human body. Lessons will focus on personal care and basic introduction to the vital organs of the body. They will also learn about bones and muscles and how they function.
• Second graders will also learn about seasons, the planets, more about the Earth and the Sun and how different scenarios bring about the weather conditions.

5. Social Studies

Skills Developed

• In 2nd grade social studies curriculum, children learn more about neighbourhoods, families and their communities.
• Teachers will focus on rules in society and also compare the living habitats of different kinds of communities.
• They may also learn about natural resources.
• Social studies may also combine learning about history. In the 2nd grade history curriculum, children will learn about independence, war, and various country rulers.

6. Language Arts

Skills Developed

• In the 2nd grade language arts curriculum, children will learn about parts of speech, oral recitations.
• They may be able to perform dramas and say dialogues.

Second-Grader Activities

Second graders need more challenges to accelerate their learning. They are adjusted to more rigorous learning that will help to expand skills and knowledge.

1. Reading Activities

To develop their reading skills, introduce more texts in various genres like fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Every subject they read incorporates reading, and you could practice these activities to enhance their learning.

• Make a “W’ chart

As you read with your child, make a “W” chart. Draw large bubbles with the word “Who”; “What’; “When”, “Where” and “Why” on them. Get your child to answer the questions with you to decode and also develop a better understanding of the subject.

• Identify prefixes and suffixes

As your child reads a word with a prefix or suffix, stop and talk about it. Give them examples of similar prefixes and suffixes. Break down the word and make sure you tell them what they mean when put together.

• Create your own stories

After you have read a story, get your child to create their own versions. Ask them if they think they would have written it differently or had a different ending. The stories could be tweaked with different places and characters. This gives them a deeper understanding of the structure and makes comparisons.

2. Writing Activities

Second graders can write lengthy texts with complex words and use punctuations and grammar. A few activities that you can try to improve your second grader’s writing skills are:

Get them to write a variety of texts that include:

• Opinion- Get them to write their opinion about a particular text and provide sufficient reasons to support their answers. Ask them to write a conclusion to conclude their opinion.
• Narratives- Get students to write about an event, detail it, describe actions, feelings, and thoughts and provide a conclusion.
• Information/ Explanation- Get students to read about a topic. Get them to collect facts, definitions and them reproduce it in their own words. Get them to write what they feel about the text.
• Review and edit a piece of work.

Get them to write an essay, review it and edit the parts they think need change.

• Use technology

Help kids to use technology that will help them correct their mistakes. Digital platforms can also be used to publish their writing to boost their confidence

• Research

Get kids to read a wide range of material that will help them expand their knowledge and practically apply it to their writing.

Tips for Teaching 2nd Graders

Second graders will display newfound independence. They would have developed fine motor skills, gross motor skills and will also exhibit characteristics of fitness and good social skills. They are more independent and are more willing to meet expectations. The curriculum of the second grade focuses on deepening understanding and capacities. Homeschooling complements what a second grader learns from the teacher. Part of teaching children at home is being able to teach them what they are not exposed to and determine what they have learnt. A few tips that will help teach your second grader to deepen their knowledge of the 2nd grade curriculum guide are:

• Second graders would have become fluent readers. So challenge them by giving them books with a wider vocabulary and get them to use their phonics to the maximum
• Always challenge the readers to comprehend what they are reading. Ask them to identify with the characters and offer their opinion about the story.
• Non-fiction texts should be introduced to second graders to expand their horizons and get them to think creatively. They may find it challenging in the beginning but with help, they will master it successfully.
• Get readers to learn concepts of the first, second and third point of views in stories. They can also write their own stories from different points of views.
• Keep offering rewards for writing as they are just developing their thought process and learning to express themselves.
• Multiplication and division will be introduced to second graders but they may find it tough. Keep supplementing the concept with practical examples. For example: give them a bunch of apples and ask them to divide it equally between two people. Get them to group fruits, vegetables, objects into a certain set. This will help to strengthen the concepts.
• Allow them to complete their assignments by themselves and edit them. Offer them suggestions to build on and work on their edited version.
• Second graders are good at processing information. They can connect with the information they are aware of. Get them to compare their favourite animal, plant, toy and its features to other kinds. Keep introducing comparisons in lessons and ask the children to make their own inferences.

The second-grade curriculum is built on the foundation of the first grade. Students make the transition from the experiences of one to the other by comparing and exploring. Children enter the second grade with newfound confidence as they find themselves equipped to deal with things independently. The second grade is rich, full of excitement as the child learns to be part of their peers and also explores their independent nature.

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