For the Parents of Second Graders

You will find below, the things that a second grader is expected to learn. In addition you will find ways to help your child learn. The links below will jump you to the appropriate section, or just scroll down the page.

• Second Grade Mathematics
• Second Grade Reading and Language Arts Skill Expectations
• Second Grade Science
• Second Grade Social Studies
• Things I can do to Help my Second Grader
  

Second Grade Mathematics

Working toward the goals of the Essential Learnings in mathematics, each second grader will understand concepts and apply procedures in the following areas:

Number Sense:

• Explores and represents whole numbers up to 1000.
• Adds and subtracts with and without regrouping (2-digit numbers).
• Selects and uses tools appropriately.
• Begins to estimate.
• Investigates relationships between numbers, number systems and symbols.
• Compares, sequences, and orders numbers to 1000.
• Decides whether to add or subtract and explains reasoning.
• Explores the concept of multiplication.

Measurement:

• Estimates and measures.
• Computes the total value of a mixed set of coins.
• Tells time to 5-minute intervals.
• Uses estimates to predict reasonableness of measurement.
• measures and compares characteristics of objects.

Spatial Sense:

• Explores geometric shapes by attributes (2 and 3-dimensional).
• Demonstrates location of objects by using directional words.
• Explores symmetry and similarity of geometric objects.
• Creates geometric shapes using manipulatives.

Probability and Statistics:

• Explores difference between certain and uncertain events.
• Participates in experiments.
• Fnds ways to collect, organize, record, and graph data using real or pictorial symbols.
• Explore the use of median and mode to describe data.
• Makes simple inferences from charts and graphs.
• Explores the process of predicting and comparing results of simple activities (experiments).

Functions & Relationships:

• Explores patterns using objects and numbers.
• Uses manipulatives and symbols to represent number patterns.
• Uses standard notation to read and write number sentences.
• Solves simple equations at the concrete

   

Second Grade Reading and Language Arts Skill Expectations

Working toward the goal of reading with comprehension, writing with skill, and communicating effectively and responsibly, each second grader will learn to:

Reading:

• Read for information and pleasure.
• Understand what has been read.
• Share reading with others (partner reading, plays, skits).
• Apply phonics by using word structure, consonant and vowel pattern in reading and spelling.
• Build vocabulary through listening to a variety of readings.

Reading Quick Check: Does your child:

• Use a range of skills to figure out unknown words?
• Work consistently to maintain and improve reading?
• Show awareness of multiple meanings of some words?
• Make inferences from text and illustrations?
• Use a table of contents and index to locate information?

Writing:

• Identify setting, character and main idea, as well as beginning, middle and end of a story.
• Use ideas, voice and conventions in writing.
• Compare and contrast ideas in a story.
• Write a simple paragraph.
• Construct a complete story with a clear beginning, middle and end.
• Use part of the writing process through editing, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and capitalization.
• Use editing marks to revise written work.
• Spell assigned words correctly.
• Form capital and lower-case letters and numbers correctly as taught in school.
• Use dictionaries and glossaries.
• Identify and use nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
• Identify and use homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms.
• Use syllabication, root words, prefixes and suffixes.
• Use technology as appropriate.

Communication:

• Participate appropriately in group discussions.
• Continue developing listening and communication skills.
• Develop and use written and spoken vocabulary.
• Integrate reading, writing, and communication skills to produce projects and/or oral presentations on topics covered in math, science and social studies.

Second Grade Science

Your child will learn:

Life Cycles - How Living Things Grow and Change: Patterns of Change

(Environmental Science)

• Living things (plants and animals) change over their lifetime.
• Species of living things change over a long period of time.
• Using Water - How You Use and Change Water: Patterns of Change

(Earth Science)

• Water is a natural resource that people use and change in various ways.
• Water is found in various forms in the environment.
• Water is a basic necessity of life and a resource for many human activities.
• Most human activities effect water quality.
• Energy - How You Use Different Forms of Energy: Patterns of Change

(Physical Science)

• Energy exists in many forms.
• Light, heat, sound, and electricity are different forms of energy.
• Energy moves and changes matter.
• There are renewable and non-renewable sources of energy.
• Staying Well - How You Can Take Care of Your Body: Systems

(Health and Wellness)

• In order to function and grow properly, the human body has certain basic needs that must be met.
• The human body requires nutrition, exercise, and rest in order to function properly.
• The human body has systems that help it obtain and use food, water and air.

Second Grade Social Studies

Your child will learn:

Knowledge and Skill:

• Recognize and use map skills and terms.

Heritage:

• Discuss early pioneers of Aberdeen.
• Understand the economic development of Aberdeen.

Citizenship:

• Students will learn to be responsible for their own actions.
• Students will understand how community members rely on each other.

Diversity:

• Students will recognize that neighborhoods have similarities and differences.
• Understand that people live in communities in the United States and in other countries.

Interdependence:

• Analyze issues and ideas from current events.
• Tell how current events affect our daily lives.

Change:

• How change affects our community.
• How people and communities deal with change.

Things I Can Do to Help My Second Grade Child

• Help your child become a reader and a writer. Provide books, and other "print rich" items so your child will see letters and words and want to explore them. Provide a variety of writing materials for their use. Children are naturally creative and curious!
• Read to your child and have him/her read to you. Ask questions about what was read. "Tell me what you read." Discuss the material. "Why did the elephant run away from the monkey?" "What could he have done differently?" "What part of the story did you like best?" "Why?" Second graders regularly use critical thinking skills in their daily lives. You can encourage and strengthen them by asking questions, listening to their responses and discussing their viewpoints.
• Read and discuss non-fiction materials as well as fiction. Children are naturally curious about the world around them. They love to have their questions answered. This will also help them become skilled technical readers and to know that books, magazines and newspapers are sources of information.
• Let your child catch YOU reading regularly! Research tells us that children read more and read a greater variety of materials when they see their parents and older siblings reading. Make sure you read for information and pleasure!
• Use family outings as learning opportunities. Trips to grocery stores, mall, parks, vacations and excursions on buses, planes, and trains, all provide material for discussion. Continue to ask your child questions about what they see, feel, hear, etc. What did they enjoy most about their experiences, and what did they find less enjoyable? Listen to their responses and let them know their opinions are important. Knowing you value their thoughts keeps them thinking and wondering about the world around them.
• Make collections! Children love to collect things; rocks, shiny things, shells, buttons, keys, coins, anything small that can be stored as "treasures". Collections are great things to talk about, write about, make up stories about, and, they are useful for counting, sorting, classifying, grouping, and for practicing addition and subtraction with real objects so children better understand these math concepts.
• Help with math skills by: playing games which involve counting, adding, subtracting and basic multiplying with your child (Uno, Yahtzee, etc.). Cooking is a great way to teach measurement, proportions, fractions, more/less, and many other math concepts we all use daily.
• Continue to give your child choices of activities, chores, ways to spend time, or foods. "Would you rather have spaghetti or tacos for dinner?" "Would you like to read to me or do flash cards right now?" "Would you rather set the table or fold the clothes?" These are decisions 7-8 year olds can and should make. In these situations, the adult is clearly in charge, yet the child is able to have some control. The chores described give children feelings of independence and teach them responsibility.
• Help your child select items or topics to share at school. Sharing or Show & Tell, teaches children to have pride in themselves and respect diversity among others. Sharing also helps develop oral communication skills and helps children work toward the goal of effective and responsible communication.
• Provide time for your child to play, share and cooperate with others.
• This will help him/her make friends, as well as learn to work together cooperatively with classmates. Remind him/her to treat others with respect, understanding and acceptance.
• Volunteer at school!
• Limit and monitor TV watching!
• Remember that YOU are your child’s first teacher. The impact of your words and actions are the most important!