In 2nd Grade English Language Arts, students explore how differences can be celebrated, and learn how both animals and humans interact with the world around them to survive. Students build social-emotional skills in Belonging and Friendship, Finding Your Power, and Stories of Immigration, explore how lessons from traditional stories can be applied to their own lives in Cinderella Around the World, learn how animals adapt in Exploring Habitats, and explore how body systems keep us healthy Inside the Human Body. In each unit, students engage in process-based writing projects connected to the core texts that develop their narrative, informational, and opinion writing skills.
Using authentic, engaging texts, teachers help students develop their language comprehension and address grade-level reading, writing, language, and speaking and listening standards. Over the course of 2nd Grade ELA, students deepen their understanding of the world around them through thematically-aligned, knowledge-building units, embedded daily writing instruction, and frequent opportunities for in-class discussion.
Lessons Total Instructional Days
Unit 1: Cinderella Around the World 23 29
Unit 2: Exploring Habitats 25 26
Unit 3: Belonging and Friendship: Pinky and Rex 22 31
Unit 4: Stories of Immigration 29 39
Unit 5: Finding Your Power: Freddie Ramos 21 27
Unit 6: Inside the Human Body 19 26
Total 139 178
Unit 1: Cinderella Around the World
CORE TEXTS
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert D. San Souci (Aladdin, 2002) — AD670L
Cinderella by Marcia Brown (Aladdin, 1997) — 1000L
Cinderella: An Islamic Tale by Fawzia Gilani (The Islamic Foundation, 2011)
The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo (HarperCollins, 1992) — AD810L
Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie (Puffin Books, 1998) — AD950L
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe (Puffin Books, 2008) — AD790L
The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin (Puffin Books, 1998) — AD540L
The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci (Dial Books for Young Readers, 1989) — AD870L
What is Culture? by Bobbie Kalman (Crabtree Publishing Company, 2009) — IG700L
Assessment Text: “The Salmon Princess: An Alaska Cinderella Story” by Mindy Dwyer (Little Bigfoot) — AD890LL
INDEPENDENT READING RESOURCES
Abadeha: A Phillipine Cinderella by Myrna J. de la Paz
Adelaida: A Cuban Cinderella by Ana Monnar
Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola (660L)
Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn (860L)
Anklet for a Princess: A Cinderella Story from India by Lila Mehta (860L)
Cinderella Liberator by Rebecca Solnit
Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by Jewell Reinhard Coburn, Tzexa Cherta Lee (850L)
Sootface: An Ojibwas Cinderella Story by Robert D. San Souci (640L)
Tam and Cam: The Ancient Vietnamese Cinderella Story by Minh Quoc
The Gift of the Crocodile: A Cinderella Story by Judy Sierra (720L)
The Golden Sandal by Rebecca Hickox (870L)
The Gospel Cinderella by Joyce Carol Thomas
The Irish Cinderlad by Shirley Climo (730L)
The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo (700L)
The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece by Anthony Manna
The Persian Cinderella by Shirley Climo (760L)
A Life Like Mine: How Children Live Around the World by DK
Children Just Like Me: A New Celebration of Children Around the World by DK
Countries of the World: Our World in Pictures by DK
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Glossary (Teacher Edition)
ASSESSMENTS
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
LESSON 4
LESSON 5
LESSON 6
LESSON 7
LESSON 8
LESSON 9
LESSON 10
LESSON 11
LESSON 12
LESSON 13
LESSON 14
LESSON 15
LESSON 16
LESSON 17
LESSON 18
LESSON 19
LESSON 20
LESSON 21
LESSON 22
LESSON 23
Unit 2: Exploring Habitats
CORE TEXTS
A Desert Habitat by Bobbie Kalman and Kelley Macaulay (Crabtree Pub Co. 2006) — IG470L
A Forest Habitat (Introducing Habitats) by Bobbie Kalman and Kelley Macaulay (Crabtree Pub Co. 2006) — IG520L
A Rainforest Habitat by Bobbie Kalman and Molly Aloian (Crabtree Pub Co. 2006) — IG470L
Water Habitats by Bobbie Kalman and Molly Aloian (Crabtree Pub Co. 2006) — IG510L
Assessment Text: “A Wetland Habitat”
by Molly Aloian; Bobbie Kalman (Crabtree Publishing Company;) — IG480LL
INDEPENDENT READING RESOURCES
Fiction Texts with Aligned Themes and Topics
Along the Tapajós by Fernando Vilela (730L)
Beyond the Pond by Joseph Kuefler (660L)
In the Woods by David Elliott
On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen (680L)
Orangutan: A Day in the Rainforest Canopy by Rita Goldner
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner (660L)
Over and Under the Rainforest by Kate Messner (810L) **
The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner (830L) **
The Home Builders by Varsha Bajaj (660L)
The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer (440L)
Woodland Dreams by Karen Jameson
A Grassland Habitat by Bobbie Kalman (450L)
Desert Giant by Barbara Bash (980L) **
Deserts by Gail Gibbons (710L) **
Habitats: Arctic Tundra by Michael H. Forman (830L) **
Habitats: City Park by Wendy Davis (840L) **
In the Forest (National Geographic Kids) by Shira Evans (450L)
Land Habitats by Bobbie Kalman (500L)
Ocean Animals (Look & Find Out) by Alice B. McGinty (480L)
Rain Forests (Explore My World) by Marfe Ferguson Delano (660L)
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Glossary (Teacher Edition)
ASSESSMENTS
PROJECTS
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
LESSON 4
LESSON 5
LESSON 6
LESSON 7
LESSON 8
LESSON 9
LESSON 10
LESSON 11
LESSON 12
LESSON 13
LESSON 14
LESSON 15
LESSON 16
LESSON 17
LESSON 18
LESSON 19
LESSON 20
LESSON 21
LESSON 22
LESSON 23
LESSON 24
LESSON 25
Unit 3: Belonging and Friendship: Pinky and Rex
CORE TEXTS
Book: Pinky and Rex
by James Howe (Simon Spotlight, 1996) — 490L
Book: Pinky and Rex and the Bully
by James Howe (Simon Spotlight, 1996) — 570L
Book: Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee
by James Howe (Simon Spotlight, 1999) — 580L
Book: Pinky and Rex and the School Play
by James Howe (Simon Spotlight, 2016) — 530L
Assessment Text: “Pinky and Rex and the New Baby”
by James Howe and illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Simon Spotlight) — 620LL
INDEPENDENT READING RESOURCES
Bunnicula (Series) by James Howe (700L) **
Houndsley & Catina (Series) by James Howe (580L)
The Misfits (Series) by James Howe (960L) **
Bink & Gollie (Series) by Kate DiCamillo (510L)
Frog & Toad (Series) by Arnold Lobel (450L)
In Aunt Lucy’s Kitchen by Cynthia Rylant (670L) **
Ivy and Bean (Series) by Annie Barrows
Nikki & Deja (series) by Karen English
Ruby and the Booker Boys (Series) by Derrick Barnes (700L) **
Sam and Charlie (And Sam Too!) by Leslie Kimmelman (490L)
The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng (590L)
Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship by Irene Latham
How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie Krasny Brown
Speak Up by Miranda Paul
What Does it Mean to be Kind? by Rana DiOrio
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Glossary (Teacher Edition)
ASSESSMENTS
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
LESSON 4
LESSON 5
LESSON 6
LESSON 7
LESSON 8
LESSON 9
LESSON 10
LESSON 11
LESSON 12
LESSON 13
LESSON 14
LESSON 15
LESSON 16
LESSON 17
LESSON 18
LESSON 19
LESSON 20
LESSON 21
LESSON 22
Unit 4: Stories of Immigration
CORE TEXTS
Coming to America: The Story of Immigration by Betsy Maestro (Scholastic Press, 1996) — 780L
Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams (Lee & Low Books, 2005) — 610L
Islandborn by Junot Díaz (Dial Books, 2018)
My Diary from Here to There by Amada Irma Pérez (Children's Book Press, 2009) — 780L
The Storyteller's Candle by Lucia Gonzalez (Lee & Low Books Inc., 2012) — 730L
Xochitl and the Flowers by Jorge Argueta (Children's Book Press, 2008)
Ellis Island (National Geographic Readers) by Elizabeth Carney (National Geographic Kids, 2016) — 800L
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story by Lesléa Newman and Amy June Bates (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2019) — 700L
Landed by Milly Lee (Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2006) — 790L
La Frontera: El Viaje Con Papa/My Journey with Papa by Deborah Mills, Alfredo Alva, and Claudia Navarro (Barefoot Books, 2018) — 730L
The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil (Tillbury House, 2020) — 710L
Assessment Text: “Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist” by Julie Leung and illustrated by Chris Sasaki ( Schwartz & Wade) — AD890LL
INDEPENDENT READING RESOURCES
A Different Pond by Bao Phi (620L)
All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino (830L)
Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong (540L)
Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña (630L)
From North to South/Del Norte al Sur by René Laínez (640L)
Going Home by Eve Bunting (560L)
“Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story” by Reem Faruqi (590L)
Li on Angel Island by Veeda Bybee (600L)
Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey by Doug Kuntz (810L)
Mama's Nightingale by Edwidge Danticat (890L)
Mango Moon by Diane de Anda
Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina (560L)
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote by Duncan Tonatiuh (590L)
Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey by Margriet Ruurs
Tea with Milk by Allen Say (630L)
The Dress and the Girl by Camille Andros
When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest (470L)
Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain by Russell Freedman
Coming to America: A Muslim Family’s Story by Bernard Wolf
Refugees and Migrants by Ceri Roberts
Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice, and Hope in a New Land by John Coy (610L)
Undocumented: A Worker’s Fight by Duncan Tonatiuh
What is a Refugee? by Elisa Gravel (680L)
Video: “Angel Island Immigration Station Tour - AIISF” by JJMediaLabs (YouTube)
Video: “Discovering Angel Island: The Story Behind the Poems” by KQED (YouTube)
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Glossary (Teacher Edition)
ASSESSMENTS
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
LESSON 4
LESSON 5
LESSON 6
LESSON 7
LESSON 8
LESSON 9
LESSON 10
LESSON 11
LESSON 12
LESSON 13
LESSON 14
LESSON 15
LESSON 16
LESSON 17
LESSON 18
LESSON 19
LESSON 20
LESSON 21
LESSON 22
LESSON 23
LESSON 24
LESSON 25
LESSON 26
LESSON 27
LESSON 28
LESSON 29
Unit 5: Finding Your Power: Freddie Ramos
CORE TEXTS
Book: Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off
by Jacqueline Jules (Albert Whitman & Company, 2011) — 640L
Book: Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Springs Into Action
by Jacqueline Jules (Albert Whitman & Company, 2011) — 650L
Assessment Text: “Freddie Ramos Zooms to the Rescue”
by Jacqueline Jones and illustrated by Miguel Benitez (Albert Whitman & Company (March 1, 2012)) — 640L
INDEPENDENT READING RESOURCES
Sofia Martinez by Jacqueline Jules (390L)
Alvin Ho (series) by Lenore Look (600L)
Captain Awesome (series) by Stan Kirby (650L)
Dragons in a Bag (series) by Zetta Elliott (740L) **
Eerie Elementary (series) by Jack Chabert, Sam Ricks (600L)
EllRay Jakes (series) by Sally Warner (840L) **
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker (640L)
Kung Pow Chicken (series) by Cyndi Marko (550L)
Lunch Lady (series) by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Mia Mayhem (series) by Kara West (550L)
The Adventures of Sparrowboy by Brian Pinkney (540L)
The Carver Chronicles (Series) by Karen English (710L) **
The Gumazing Gum Girl! (series) by Rhode Montijo (580L)
The Princess in Black (series) by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale (500L)
Warren & Dragon (series) by Ariel Bernstein (640L)
Yasmin the Superhero by Saadia Faruqi (480L) *
Death of a loved one
Always and Forever by Alan Durant (570L)
Missing Mommy: A Book about Bereavement by Rebecca Cobb
The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
Military Families
H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet by Devin Scillian, Victor Juhasz
Hero Dad by Melinda Hardin (550L)
I Miss You!: A Military Kid’s Book About Deployment by Beth Andrews
Lily Hates Goodbyes by Jerilyn Marler
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Glossary (Teacher Edition)
ASSESSMENTS
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
LESSON 4
LESSON 5
LESSON 6
LESSON 7
LESSON 8
LESSON 9
LESSON 10
LESSON 11
LESSON 12
LESSON 13
LESSON 14
LESSON 15
LESSON 16
LESSON 17
LESSON 18
LESSON 19
LESSON 20
LESSON 21
Unit 6: Inside the Human Body
CORE TEXTS
First Human Body Encyclopedia (DK Children 2005)
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Me and My Amazing Body by Joan Sweeney (Dragonfly Books)
The Digestive System by Jennifer Prior (Teacher Created Materials 2012)
Good Enough to Eat: A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition by Lizzy Rockwell (HarperCollins 2009)
Article: “Read the Label Youth Outreach Materials” by U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Article: “An Oasis on Wheels” by Kio Herrera (TIME for Kids)
INDEPENDENT READING RESOURCES
Germs Make Me Sick! by Melvin Berger (530L)
Hear Your Heart by Paul Showers (500L)
Human Body! (Knowledge Encyclopedia) by DK
I Wonder Why I Blink: And Other Questions About My Body by Brigid Avison
My Amazing Body Machine: A Colorful Visual Guide to How Your Body Works by Robert Winston (890L)
See Inside Your Body by Katie Daynes
The Fantastic Body: What Makes You Tick & How You Get Sick by Howard Bennett (980L)
The Fruits We Eat by Gail Gibbons (610L)
The Magic School Bus Presents: Human Body by Tom Jackson (860L)
The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body by Joanna Cole (730L)
The Skeleton Inside You by Phillip Balestrino (600L)
The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons (660L)
Weird But True Human Body: 300 Outrageous Facts About Your Awesome Anatomy by National Geographic Kids (890L)
Why I Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup & Yawn by Melvin Berger (480L)
Wow in the World: The How and Wow of the Human Body by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Glossary (Teacher Edition)
ASSESSMENTS
LESSON 1
LESSON 2
LESSON 3
LESSON 4
LESSON 5
LESSON 6
LESSON 7
LESSON 8
LESSON 9
LESSON 10
LESSON 11
LESSON 12
LESSON 13
LESSON 14
LESSON 15
LESSON 16
LESSON 17
LESSON 18
LESSON 19
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