Grade 2 ELA

Knowledge

In this unit, students will listen to classic fairy tales and tall tales while learning about the lessons these stories teach. Students will explore the elements of fairy tales and then compare them to the features of tall tales as a unique genre. Through literary read-alouds and discussion, students will practice asking and answering questions, making interpretations, building vocabulary, identifying real-life word connections, and sharing ideas using complete sentences.

Skills

In this unit, students will review various spellings with an emphasis on consonant sounds, one- and two-syllable words, and high-frequency Tricky Words. 

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about the continent of Asia and the early civilizations of India and China. Students will explore how mighty rivers helped these civilizations develop and will revisit important features of early civilizations, including farming, cities, government, writing, religion, and specialized jobs. Through informational read-alouds and discussion, students will practice retelling important facts, asking and answering questions, building vocabulary, and sharing ideas using complete sentences.

Skills

In this unit, students will review and practice spelling patterns with an emphasis on vowel sounds. Students will read one- and two-syllable words, contractions, and high-frequency Tricky Words. Students will also learn how to use quotation marks and begin writing narratives and opinion pieces through the writing process.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about ancient Greece and the lasting contributions of Greek civilization. Students will explore Greek gods and goddesses, the city-states of Sparta and Athens, philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, the first Olympic Games, important battles, and the conquests of Alexander the Great. Students will also learn about the Greek contribution to democracy and how democratic ideas continue to influence governments today. Through informational read-alouds and discussion, students will practice asking and answering questions, retelling important facts, building vocabulary, and sharing ideas using complete sentences.

Skills

In this unit, students will learn additional spelling alternatives for vowel sounds and practice tricky spellings that can represent more than one sound. Students will also practice writing a personal narrative. In grammar, students will focus on capitalization, quotation marks, ending punctuation, and common and proper nouns, while also learning about antonyms and synonyms.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will build on their learning about ancient Greece by listening to well-known Greek myths and exploring famous mythical characters. Students will learn that myths are fictional stories that were once believed to be true and were used to explain mysteries of nature, human behavior, and the world. Students will hear stories about Greek gods, goddesses, and heroes, including Prometheus, Pandora, Demeter, Persephone, Arachne, the Sphinx, and Hercules. Through literary read-alouds and discussion, students will practice asking and answering questions, retelling important details, building vocabulary, and sharing ideas using complete sentences.

Skills

In this unit, students will learn additional spelling alternatives for vowel sounds and practice three tricky spellings. Students will also practice persuasive writing within the format of a friendly letter. In grammar, students will review singular and regular plural nouns, common and proper nouns, and learn about irregular plural nouns, action verbs, and to be verbs.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about the War of 1812 and why it is often called America’s second war for independence. Students will explore how conflicts between France and Great Britain affected the United States, learn about James and Dolley Madison, and examine important events such as the attacks on Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, the Battle of New Orleans, and the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Through informational read-alouds and discussion, students will practice asking and answering questions, retelling important facts, building vocabulary, and sharing ideas using complete sentences.

Skills

In this unit, students will learn additional spelling alternatives for vowel sounds, including the schwa sound. Students will practice breaking words into smaller sound parts to help read multisyllabic words. Students will also review grammar skills, learn about adjectives, and identify the subject and predicate in complete sentences. In writing, students will continue practicing narrative writing by rewriting the ending of a story from the Student Reader.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about natural cycles that help make life on Earth possible. Students will explore seasonal cycles, plant and tree life cycles, animal life cycles, and the water cycle. Students will also examine how seasonal changes affect plants and animals and how living things depend on Earth’s water supply. Through informational read-alouds, poetry, and discussion, students will practice asking and answering questions, retelling important information, building vocabulary, and sharing ideas using complete sentences.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about westward expansion in the United States during the 1800s. Students will explore why pioneers moved west, the hardships they faced, and the transportation and communication innovations that supported westward movement, including the steamboat, Erie Canal, transcontinental railroad, and Pony Express. Students will also learn about the hardships and tragedies Native Americans experienced as a result of westward expansion. Through informational read-alouds and discussion, students will practice asking and answering questions, retelling important facts, building vocabulary, and sharing ideas using complete sentences.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about insects, the largest group of animals on Earth. Students will explore the characteristics and life cycles of insects, compare solitary and social insects, and examine how insects can be both helpful and harmful. Students will also learn about the role insects play in pollination and in producing resources such as honey, cosmetics, and medicines. Through informational read-alouds, journals, research, discussion, and writing, students will practice asking and answering questions, retelling important facts, building vocabulary, and using gathered information to plan, draft, and edit an informational narrative.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about the U.S. Civil War and the conflict over slavery between the North and the South. Students will explore how disagreements about slavery contributed to the start of the war and how the end of the Civil War also led to the end of slavery in the United States. Through informational read-alouds and discussion, students will practice asking and answering questions, retelling important facts, building vocabulary, and sharing ideas using complete sentences.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about the human body by exploring cells as the building blocks of life. Students will learn how cells form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs work together in body systems. Students will focus on the digestive and excretory systems, including their major parts and functions. Students will also learn about the importance of good nutrition and how a balanced diet helps the body stay healthy.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about immigration to the United States, with a focus on the major wave of immigration between 1880 and 1920. Students will explore why people left their homelands, what drew them to the United States, and why many immigrants settled in particular cities or regions. Students will also make connections to family history and the idea that the United States is often described as a country of immigrants.

Knowledge

In this unit, students will learn about ordinary people who stood up for what they believed in and worked to create change. Students will explore historical figures who fought for causes such as the abolition of slavery, women’s right to vote, and the rights and welfare of migrant workers. Through informational read-alouds and discussion, students will examine how people’s ideas and actions can help protect individual rights, change public awareness, and make a lasting impact on society.