Grade 2 Curriculum

Unit Pacing - 5 weeks (September - October)

In this unit, students will: 

• Explore efficient strategies to add and subtract within 20 
• Work with even and odd numbers 
• Solve addition and subtraction problem situations within 20 
• Skip-count by 2s, 5s, and 10s 
• Make and analyze bar graphs

Unit Pacing - 5 weeks (October - November)

In this unit, students will: 

• Explore place value with 3-digit numbers 
• Add and subtract within 100 
• Explore strategies using number lines 
• Work with arrays 
• Continue to add and subtract within 20 and skip-count by 5s and 10s

Unit Pacing - 6 weeks (November - December)

In this unit, students will: 

• Make sense of addition and subtraction problem situations within 100 
• Use efficient strategies to add and subtract within 100 
• Represent addition and subtraction on number lines 
• Make bar graphs and answer questions about them
• Skip-count by 10s

Unit Pacing - 5 weeks (January - February)

In this unit, students will: 

• Estimate, measure, and compare the lengths of objects in inches, feet, and yards 
• Measure the length of an object twice using two different units, such as inches the first time, then feet 
• Continue to add and subtract within 100 and begin to explore strategies for 3-digit addition and subtraction
• Work with arrays

Unit Pacing - 5 weeks (February - March)

In this unit, students will:

• Work with 3-digit place value and place objects into groups of ones, tens, and hundreds 
• Add and subtract 10 or 100 to or from 3-digit numbers and skip-count by 10s and 100s 
• Add and subtract within 1,000 
• Solve problems involving coins and dollar bills

Unit Pacing - 5 weeks (March - April)

In this unit, students will: 

• Identify, describe, draw, and create two-dimensional shapes
• Work with arrays 
• Divide circles and rectangles into halves and fourths 
• Recognize that equal parts of identical wholes do not need to be the same shape 
• Continue to add and subtract to 20

Unit Pacing - 5 weeks (May - June)

In this unit, students will:

• Measure with centimeters and meters 
• Pose and solve problem situations involving money amounts and 3-digit numbers 
• Continue to work with fractions of shapes, especially halves, thirds, and fourths

Unit Pacing - 1 week (June)

In this unit, students will: 

• Measure lengths to the nearest inch 
• Collect and display data on line plots and bar graphs 
• Analyze data to solve problems and draw conclusions
• Add and subtract 3-digit numbers

September - The workouts in September focus on basic skills, including addition and subtraction fact strategies and problem situations to 20, odd and even numbers, telling time to the hour, and counting by 10s to 200.

October - This month introduces repeated addition in the context of patterns, time, and arrays. Students focus on combinations of 10 and comparing 3-digit numbers.

November - The focus shifts to advanced time telling, length measurement, and utilizing doubles facts.

December - Students explore two- and three-dimensional geometry, refine data collection skills, and learn new computational strategies.

January - The focus is on applying graphing skills, understanding fractions as parts of a set, and mastering derived fact strategies.

February - Students work on multidigit addition using place value models and continue to refine time-telling skills and fact fluency.

March - The focus shifts to 3-D geometry, money calculations, and multidigit subtraction.

April - Key concepts revolve around geometry (area), measurement, and advanced number line strategies.

May - The final month focuses heavily on mentally adding and subtracting 10s and 100s, concluding the study of arrays, and summarizing fact fluency achievements.

Unit 1 Knowledge - 12 Days (September)

Students are introduced to three classic fairy tales: “The Fisherman and His Wife,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” They consider characteristic elements of fairy tales and consider problems faced by the characters as well as lessons each story conveys. Students then turn to the American frontier and tall tales about Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Casey Jones. They learn about the characteristics of tall tales, such as exaggeration and larger-than-life characters.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate understanding of Fairy Tales and Tall Tales genres
• Set a purpose for listening and understand the concept of exaggeration
• Distinguish details of idioms and multiple meaning words
• Identify regular and irregular plurals
• Compare and contrast two tall tales using a graphic organizer
• Experiment with narrative writing by rewriting a classic tale

Unit 1 Skills - 22-27 Days (September - October)

This unit focuses on reviewing various spellings with an emphasis on consonant sounds, one- and two-syllable words, and high-frequency Tricky Words.

Overall Learning Outcomes: 

• Review letter-sound correspondences
• Read and write words with short vowel sounds
• Read and spell Tricky Words from Grade 1
• Read and write two-syllable words
• Read and spell words with suffixes -ing, -ed
• Read, write, and pronounce words with past tense suffix -ed pronounced three different ways
• Spell grade-level words correctly
• Write sentences with correct capitalization and punctuation

Unit 2 Knowledge - 18 Days (September - October)

Students are introduced to the continent of Asia and its two most populous countries, India and China. Students learn about early India, the importance of the Indus and Ganges Rivers, and the basics of their culture. Students then explore early Chinese civilization and its lasting contributions, including paper, silk, and the Great Wall of China. In addition, students are introduced to related folktales and poetry, including “The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal,” “The Blind Men and the Elephant,” and “The Magic Paintbrush.”

Overall Learning Outcomes: 

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Identify key components of a civilization
• Identify trickster tales and folktales as a type of fiction
• Effectively write and use regular and irregular past tense verbs
• Successfully plan, draft, and publish an informational book about China
• Summarize a text in “Somebody Wanted But So Then” format

Unit 2 Skills - 16-21 Days (October)

In this unit, the focus is on various spellings with an emphasis on vowel sounds. Students read one- and two-syllable words, as well as contractions. They practice with a number of high-frequency Tricky Words. They learn about the use of quotation marks and begin instruction in the writing process, writing narratives and opinions.

Overall Learning Outcomes: 

• Review letter-sound correspondences
• Read one- and two-syllable words with short and long vowels, including vowels with spelling alternatives
• Read contractions and identify their noncontracted equivalents
• Read and spell high-frequency Tricky Words
• Spell grade-level words correctly
• Use quotation marks in writing
• Use the writing process to compose a narrative

Unit 3 Knowledge - 17 Days (October - November)

Students explore the civilization of ancient Greece, which lives on in many ways—in our language, government, art and architecture, the Olympics, and more. Students learn about the city-states of Sparta and Athens, Greek democracy, the gods and goddesses of the ancient Greeks, and the philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Overall Learning Outcomes: 

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Make predictions about what will happen in a text
• Draft a short opinion piece and a short fictional narrative
• Compare and contrast the way of life of two Greek city-states
• Determine the importance of various leaders and events of Ancient Greece

Unit 3 Skills - 25-30 Days (November - December) 

This unit introduces spelling alternatives for vowel sounds, as well as various tricky spellings (spellings that can stand for more than one sound). Students practice writing a personal narrative. Grammar instruction focuses on capitalization, quotation marks, ending punctuation, and common and proper nouns. Students are also introduced to antonyms and synonyms.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Review letter-sound correspondences
• Read words with short and long vowels, including vowels with spelling alternatives
• Read and write words with Tricky Spellings
• Read and spell high-frequency Tricky Words
• Use capitalization, quotation marks, and ending punctuation correctly
• Identify and use common and proper nouns, antonyms, synonyms, and verbs
• Use the writing process to compose a personal narrative

Unit 4 Knowledge - 15 Days (December)

Building on the Ancient Greek Civilization domain, students explore several well-known Greek myths and mythical characters, including Prometheus and Pandora, Demeter and Persephone, Arachne the Weaver, Oedipus and the Sphinx, Theseus and the Minotaur, and others. Students learn about common characteristics of myths and examine story elements in the myths.

Overall Learning Outcomes: 

• Identify Greek myths as a type of fiction
• Identify common characteristics of Greek myths
• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Sequence story events and make predictions
• Plan, draft, and edit a fictional narrative in the style of a Greek myth
• Collect and synthesize information with graphic organizers

Unit 4 Skills - 25-30 Days (January - February)

Students are introduced to more spelling alternatives for vowel sounds, as well as three tricky spellings. Students practice persuasive writing as part of a friendly letter. In grammar, students review singular and regular plural nouns, as well as common and proper nouns. They are introduced to the formation of irregular plural nouns, as well as action verbs and to be verbs.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Read words and write words with alternative vowel spellings
• Use capitalization, quotation marks, and ending punctuation correctly
• Identify and use irregular plural nouns
• Use apostrophes to show possession
• Use titles such as Mr., Mrs., and other proper nouns
• Use past and present tense of the verb to be
• Use the writing process to compose a persuasive letter

Unit 5 Knowledge - 13 Days (January)

Students are introduced to major figures and events in the War of 1812, sometimes called America’s second war for independence. Students learn about James and Dolley Madison, “Old Ironsides,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the Battle of New Orleans, and more, all of which build a foundation for more in-depth study in later grades.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Plan, write, and present a persuasive speech
• Create a Picture Gallery of important people and events connected with the War of 1812
• Deepen comprehension and cite evidence from the text

Unit 5 Skills - 30-36 Days (March)

This unit introduces spelling alternatives for vowel sounds and the schwa sound. Students practice chunking phonemes as a means of reading multi-syllable words. They review grammar skills and learn about adjectives, as well as how to identify the subject and predicate in a complete sentence. Additionally, students continue to practice narrative writing by rewriting an ending to a story from their Student Reader.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Read words and write words with alternative vowel spellings
• Alphabetize words
• Read and write words with /ə/ (schwa) sounds
• Identify the subject and predicate in sentences
• Understand and use adjectives in sentences
• Use correct capitalization, punctuation, and grammar in writing
• Read and write words with the suffix -tion
• Use the writing process to write a different ending to a story from the Reader

Unit 6 Knowledge - 14 Days (January - February)

Students are introduced to natural cycles that make life on Earth possible. Students will learn about seasonal cycles, plant and animal life cycles, and the water cycle. Students will also enjoy poems by Emily Dickinson and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Collect and synthesize information using notetaking tools
• Participate in a shared research project by recording observations on scientific phenomena
• Write an informational paragraph summarizing the life cycle of a frog

Unit 6 Skills - 36-42 Days (April - May)

This unit introduces several new spelling alternatives for vowel and consonant sounds. Students review grammar skills and learn about adverbs. They also learn to distinguish complete from incomplete sentences, as well as how to identify and correct run-on sentences. Students are introduced to expository or report writing. 

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Read words and write words with Tricky and alternative vowel and consonant spellings
• Alphabetize to the second letter
• Identify and use adverbs
• Identify complete and incomplete sentences
• Correct run-on sentences
• Use correct capitalization, punctuation, and grammar in writing
• Take notes from the text
• Use the writing process to write a multi-paragraph report

Unit 7 - 13 Days (February - March)

Students are introduced to an important period in the history of the United States—the time of westward expansion during the 1800s. Students explore why pioneers were willing to endure the hardships to move westward, and learn about innovations in transportation and communication, including the steamboat, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Pony Express. Students also come to understand the hardships and tragedies that Native Americans endured because of westward expansion.

Overall Learning Outcomes: 

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Write an informational text in the format of a Westward Expansion Quilt
• Deepen comprehension and cite evidence from a text
• Identify the main topic of a text and compare and contrast two texts about the Erie Canal

Unit 8 - 12 Days (March - April)

Students learn about the characteristics of insects, the largest group of animals on Earth. Students explore insect life cycles and social insects such as bees and ants. They consider helpful and harmful aspects of insects. This domain lays the foundation for more indepth study in later grades of life cycles and animal classification.

Overall Learning Outcomes: 

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Plan, draft, and revise an informational narrative
• Research, collect, synthesize, and record information in a journal
• Deepen comprehension and cite evidence from a text

Unit 9 - 15 Days (April - May)

This domain lays the foundation for more in-depth study in later grades of a critical period in American history. Students learn about the controversy between the North and the South over slavery. Students also become familiar with the achievements of key historical figures during this time, including Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Robert E. Lee.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Compare and contrast oppositional concepts using a T-chart
• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Identify and record relevant information to a Civil War Timeline and Civil War Journal
• Deepen comprehension and cite evidence from a text

Unit 10 - 15 Days (May)

Students learn about Anton van Leeuwenhoek and his pioneering work with the microscope. They then proceed to explore a number of topics regarding the human body, including cells, tissues, organs, and body systems, with a focus on the digestive and excretory systems. In addition, students learn about good nutrition and other keys to good health.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Cite evidence from the text when answering questions
• Make connections and sequence information to deepen comprehension
• Identify and record relevant information in My Human Body Journal

Unit 11 - 17 Days (May - June)

Students explore the idea of e pluribus unum and the importance of immigration in the history of the United States, with a focus on the great wave of immigration between 1880 and 1920. They learn reasons why people immigrated and why they settled in particular cities or regions. In learning about citizenship, students are introduced to basic knowledge about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Cite evidence from the text when answering questions
• Make connections and sequence information to deepen comprehension
• Collect and summarize information into short summaries of the read alouds
• Plan, draft, and revise a letter

Unit 12 - 17 Days (June)

Students learn about seven key figures who fought for a cause and, against great opposition, stood up for what they believed in: Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary McLeod Bethune, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Students explore the connection between ideas and actions and see how people can do extraordinary things to change a nation’s understanding and actions.

Overall Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate understanding of key vocabulary
• Cite evidence from the text when answering questions
• Make connections and sequence information to deepen comprehension
• Draft, edit, and publish free verse poetry