2nd Grade

What are we doing in the library?

September

📚 Exploring the Library!

Students are diving into a review of library rules and expectations as we kick off the new school year. They’re learning how books are organized, exploring different genres, and discovering how to check out and care for library materials. To make it fun, we’ll be doing scavenger hunts around the library and learning to navigate our library system, Destiny Discover. It's a great way to build confidence and excitement about using the library!

Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15th to October 15th, we are honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with a special author study focused on Yuyi Morales. Students will be reading two of her beautifully written and illustrated books: Dreamers and the Caldecott Honor book Frida. In addition to our reading, students will explore Spanish-speaking countries using PebbleGo to deepen their understanding of Hispanic cultures around the world.

October

This month, our students will be using Code & Go Mice to explore the basics of programming! Through fun, hands-on activities, students will learn important skills like sequencing, problem-solving, and giving step-by-step directions. These early coding experiences help build critical thinking in a playful and engaging way! 

🔧 Engineering Design Challenge – The Great Fuzz Frenzy

To connect with the book The Great Fuzz Frenzy, students will take on an exciting Engineering Design Challenge! Working in pairs, they’ll use provided materials to design and build a tower strong enough to hold up a giant “Fuzz” (a tennis ball). This hands-on activity encourages creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving — all while tying into our story in a fun and meaningful way!

November

Balloons Over Broadway Design Challenge

Second graders will read Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, focusing on understanding key details in the text and explaining how the author supports ideas with reasons and evidence. Inspired by the story, students will design and test their own parade balloon prototypes, applying the ISTE Innovative Designer standard by using a deliberate design process to solve authentic problems. This project combines reading comprehension, creative thinking, and hands-on problem solving!

December

Students will bring their parade float designs to life by attaching them to Dash and programming the robot to participate in a mini parade. Using basic coding skills, students will explore sequencing, problem-solving, and creative design as they guide Dash through their planned route.

Students will also participate in a Book Tasting, sampling a variety of nonfiction texts and chapter books from different genres. This engaging experience encourages students to explore new types of reading, discover personal interests, and build excitement around finding books that inspire them.

January

This month, students will learn about online safety using the Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship curriculum. 

Starting in January we will be reading the Colorado Children’s Book Award picture book nominees. Students will explore all 10 titles, vote for their favorite book, and help cast our school’s official vote.              

2026 Colorado Children’s Book Award – Picture Book Nominees

Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe

Bitsy Bat, Team Star by Kaz Windness

Broken by X. Fang

Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb and Erin Kraan

Cat Nap by Brian Lies

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor

Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson and Dan Santat

Old MacDonald Had a Farm E-I-UFO by Zach von Zonk and Benjamin Chaud

Odder: An Otter’s Story by Katherine Applegate and Charles Santoso

To Catch a Ghost by Rachel Michelle Wilson

Design challenges: