Literacy Resources

Classwork and Homework

Building a strong foundation in spelling and reading with serve your student for a lifetime! At Ascent, we use Literacy Essentials as our curriculum, which is an Orton-based program. That means that students will learn phonograms as building blocks for words, and then use them to spell words. Once the spelling has been achieved, that leads to fluent reading.

We will be addressing all their explicit literacy learning in class. While you may see literacy worksheets and spelling words coming home, the goal is to have ample time in class to truly master the phonograms and words. This program extends through 6th grade, so while you may not see perfect mastery in second, please know they are getting great foundation that will carry them through 6th and beyond!

However, we are asking that students read 20 minutes every evening, which will include a reading practice list of words, and also books of their choice (appropriate for their reading level).

One of my primary goals is to help students develop a love and appreciation of the beauty of stories and books. Reading at home should be pleasant, and not stressful. It is acceptable to choose high-interest books that will captivate the imagination and help them engage in the story. Do NOT worry about your student "sounding out" each word. You may help them use their phonograms, but don't let them get too stuck on a word and lose the flow of the story. Use this as quality time with your student, where you can be together enjoying a story and the student is getting extra practice.

Below is a list of recommended books, at varying levels, for 2nd grade. Of course, you do not have to stick to this list, but it's a great place to start:

Amelia Bedelia Series, Herman Parish

Arthur and Violet, Lilian Hoban

Cam Jansen Series, David Adler

Encyclopedia Brown Series, Donald J. Sobol

Frances Series, Russell Hoban

Frog and Toad Series, Arnold Lobel

Henry and Mudge Series, Cynthia Rylant

Little Bear Series, Else Holmelund Minarik

Mr. Popper's Penguins, Richard Atwater

My Father's Dragon Series, Ruth Styles Gannett

Owl at Home, Arnold Lobel

The Paddington Treasury, Michael Bond

The Sword in the Tree, Clyde Robert Bulla

The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo

The Thirteen Clocks, James Thurber