Second Grade at Eldorado

Reading:  

In second grade, we use the McGraw-Hill Wonders reading program to help students grow into strong, confident readers and writers. Throughout the year, students explore a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction texts, including stories, poems, informational articles, and biographies. Each week focuses on a central theme and essential question that guide our learning and discussions.

Students build important skills such as comprehension, vocabulary development, fluency, phonics, and spelling. They learn how to identify the main idea and key details, ask and answer questions, retell stories, and make connections between texts. Grammar and writing are also key parts of the program, with lessons that support students in writing complete sentences, paragraphs, and short essays across different genres.

Wonders is designed to be engaging, supportive, and developmentally appropriate, offering both whole-group and small-group instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Most importantly, it helps foster a love of reading and gives students the tools they need to understand and express themselves through language.

This link will show you more about what your student is learning each week: The Teachers Guide 

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Writing: 

Second grade writing instruction is embedded in the literary Wonders curriculum.  

In second grade, we use the SRSD (Self-Regulated Strategy Development) approach to teach writing. SRSD helps students become more confident, organized, and independent writers by giving them clear tools and strategies they can use every time they write. Two of the main tools we use are TIDE and CSPACE, which guide students through planning and writing different types of texts.

TIDE helps students write opinion and informational pieces. It stands for:

• T – Topic sentence
  
  

• I – Important evidence or reasons
  
  

• D – Detailed explanation
  
  

• E – Ending or conclusion
  
  

CSPACE helps with narrative writing by reminding students to include:

• C – Characters
  
  

• S – Setting
  
  

• P – Problem
  
  

• A – Action
  
  

• C – Conclusion
  
  

• E – Emotions and feelings
  
  

With SRSD, students also learn how to set goals, check their work, and reflect on how they can improve. We model and practice writing together often before students try it on their own. Over time, they build the confidence and skills to express their ideas clearly and thoughtfully in writing.

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Math:

At Eldorado, we guide our instruction through the curriculum, enVision's Mathematics. 

In second grade, we use the enVision Math program to help students build a strong foundation in math. This program supports students in developing number sense, problem-solving skills, and mathematical thinking through hands-on activities, visual models, and interactive lessons.

Students learn key 2nd grade math concepts such as:

• Addition and subtraction with larger numbers
  
  

• Place value and understanding hundreds, tens, and ones
  
  

• Measurement, time, and money
  
  

• Introduction to geometry and shapes
  
  

• Basic foundations of multiplication
  
  

• Data and graphing
  
  

enVision encourages students to explain their thinking, try multiple strategies, and apply math to real-life situations. Lessons often include visual supports, math games, and partner work to make learning engaging and accessible for all learners.

While enVision provides the core structure for our math instruction, it is one tool we use—not the only one. We also incorporate hands-on games, math talks, center activities, and supplemental mini-lessons to meet the needs of all learners and keep math fun and meaningful.

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Science and Social Studies:

In science, 2nd graders act like young scientists—asking questions, observing, and experimenting. They explore:

• How materials change with heat and cold
  
  

• What plants and animals need to survive
  
  

• How wind and water shape the Earth
  
  

In social studies, students learn about their place in the world by studying:

• Local history and how communities change over time
  
  

• Basic geography using maps and landforms
  
  

• Smart choices with money and how communities make decisions
  
  

• What it means to be a good citizen and work together
  
  

Both subjects are hands-on, interactive, and tied to real-life situations that help students make meaningful connections.

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Specials:  

Students participate in a weekly special: PE, Art, Music.