2nd Grade Curriculum

In second grade, students are transitioning from early childhood into a more structured learning environment, significantly increasing their independence and academic skills. At this stage, they take on more responsibility.  This new level of responsibility helps them build organizational skills and a sense of accountability.   Overall, second grade is a time of exciting development where students gain confidence in their academic abilities, build essential skills for future learning, and continue to grow socially and emotionally.

STREAM in 2nd Grade

Second graders develop foundational STREAM skills through hands-on exploration and simple experiments that encourage curiosity and critical thinking. They learn to observe and describe patterns, classify objects, and use basic measuring tools like rulers and thermometers.  Technology skills involve basic computer usage and understanding simple coding concepts through puzzles and robots. Engineering lessons include building structures with blocks, Lego, or other materials to help them understand stability, design, and problem-solving in a playful way. These activities promote collaboration, curiosity, and a growing interest in STREAM subjects.

Creativity Curiosity

Identifies others' creativity Researches facts and ideas

Finds opportunities to be original Chooses investigation topics

Scientific Method Engineering Design Process

Participates in experiments Completes a written plan

Understands basic measurements       Attempts to follow plan

Reads a simple table or graph Adjusts plan as necessary

Completes project objectives

Examples of STREAM Activities and Projects

Paper Buildings:  Students design and recreate a part of the community in 3-D out of paper.

Focus:  Engineering Design Process, creativity, and curiosity

NASA Mineral Study:  Students form a hypothesis and conduct an experiment to see what happens to salts and baking soda when dissolved in water and then evaporated.

Focus:  Scientific Method

Carditechs:  After reading the book "Boxitechs" by Kim Smith, students become "carditechs" and discover what they can create using just index cards and play-doh.

Focus:  Creativity and engineering

Coding the Cross:  Using pictures and words, students "code" how to make the sign of the cross and then test their code using a Cosmo robot.

Focus:  Technology and religion

Measuring Pumpkins:  What are the different ways we can measure a pumpkin?  Students measure weight, height, and circumference.

Focus:  Scientific method and math

NASA Paper Airplanes:  How can we make an paper airplane go the distance?  Students investigate various paper airplane designs and the basics of aerodynamics.

Focus:  Curiosity and engineering

Groundhog Burrows:  Students build a 3-D groundhog burrow out of a box, to include the burrow underground and the opening above. 

Focus:  Engineering Design Process and science