The big ideas in grade 2 include: extending understanding of the base-ten number system, building fluency with addition and subtraction, using standard units of measure, and describing and analyzing shapes. 

In 2nd grade, students make significant strides in their reading, writing, speaking, and language skills, building on the foundations laid in earlier grades. The focus is on reading with greater fluency and comprehension. Students begin to read longer texts, both fiction and non-fiction, and are encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, and retell stories. They work on identifying the main idea, describing characters, settings, and events, and understanding how stories are structured. Additionally, they practice using context clues to figure out the meaning of new words.

Writing in 2nd grade emphasizes organizing thoughts into clear sentences and short paragraphs. Students learn to write opinion pieces, informative texts, and simple narratives. They practice developing a beginning, middle, and end to their stories and using descriptive details to enhance their writing. By focusing on planning, drafting, and editing, they begin to understand the writing process.