Our 2nd Grade English Language Arts curriculum is made up of three main components: Literature units, Science and Social Studies units, and independent reading. Together, these three components build students' knowledge and understanding of the world, and support student mastery of all literature, informational, writing, speaking and listening, and language standards. Our 2nd Grade curriculum does provide instruction in fluency, but does not include a comprehensive foundational skills block. We recommend using a structured phonics program alongside these units. To learn more, see the Pacing Guide for this course.

Literature

In 2nd grade Literature, students explore what it means to be a strong member of a community. In the first half of the year, students explore the lessons of classic fairy tales and how those lessons connect to their own lives and communities. Students will also develop a deeper understanding that it is okay to be different, that it’s important to always be proud of who you are, and that friendships can come in many different shapes and sizes. In the second half of the year, students grapple with what it means to be honest, why honesty is important, and the idea that working together and showing teamwork helps solve problems. 

Science and Social Studies

In 2nd grade Social Studies, students are challenged to appreciate and value the experiences of others. Students first study immigration, exploring why people choose to immigrate to a new country and the challenges they encounter along the way. Then, students learn about a collection of individuals who changed the world by thinking of new ideas, overcoming obstacles and standing up for what they believed, or fighting to make the world a better place. Finally, students explore ancient Greek civilization and how daily routines, rituals, and structures show what a civilization values. In Science, students explore different habitats and how plants and animals depend on their habitat for survival. Then students learn about what makes insects fascinating creatures, and then build a deeper understanding of how their bodies work with a deep dive into the digestive and urinary system.