Grade Two English Curriculum

The curriculum of St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School is comprised of literacy, mathematics,science, social studies, physical education and the fine arts. The Learning Goals under each core area represent the schools end of the year expectations for students in grade two. The second grade curriculum will include but not be limited to these topics. The developmental level of students as well as their varying abilities and interest will be taken into account when designing and implementing instruction.

Literacy

Reading

Decoding:

Decode words with initial and final consonant blends
Decode words with initial and final consonant digraphs
Decode words with vowel digraphs
Use syllabication skills to read and write

Comprehension:

Retell and summarize stories
Identify main characters and describe setting
Make predictions about text
Relate story to personal experience and other texts
Identify the main idea of a story
Dramatize stories
Obtain and use information from graphs and charts
Distinguish between fact and opinion
Compare and contrast stories from different cultures

Writing:

Use phonics skills to write words
Create sort maps for reading and writing
Write simple story with beginning, middle and end
Use a dictionary or other reference tool for spelling
Write a paragraph with a topic sentence and at least three related detailed
Edit for mechanics, spelling, word usage and sentence structure with teacher guidance and peer support
Publish, share and display written work
Write a letter

Grammar

Identify and use plural, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, comparative and superlative adjectives
Identify and begin to use prefixes, suffixes and root words
Identify and use abbreviation
Apply rules for capitalization
Identify and use exclamation marks, periods and question marks
Identify and use pronouns
Begin to identify and use verbs, adverbs, nouns and adjectives correctly
Identify and use apostrophe in contractions and possessives
Judge when a sentence is grammatically correct
Alphabetize words using initial letter

Communication:

Follow directions
Take turns during discussions
Give opinions and descriptions
Demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose using appropriate eye contact, proper pace, volume and clear enunciation

Mathematics:

Number System:

Sequence numbers to 100
Estimate quantities to 100
Record and keep track when counting numbers
Demonstrates understanding of place value (ones, tens and hundreds)
Count by 2's, 5's and 10's
Compare quantities using <,>,=
Find patterns on a 100 charts

Fractions and Decimals

Demonstrate initial understanding that a fraction is part of a whole
Understand concept of fair shares and equal parts
Begin to represent fractions through drawings and models

Computation:

Compare amounts to 100
Distinguish between and solve combining and separating problems
Recall addition and subtraction facts to 20
Solve addition and subtraction problems
Add two-digit numbers
Use strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems
Solve addition problems with multiple addends
Match addition and subtraction equations to the situations they represent
Write a story that reflects and addition equation
Determine when it is appropriate to use a calculator
Recognize the commutative property of addition

Data:

Collect and represent data using graphs and charts
Make predictions based on data
Conduct surveys

Measurements:

Estimate volume, length and weight
Measure length using standard units of measurement
Choose appropriate unit of measuring length

Geometry:

Sort 3-D and 2 -D shapes according to common attributes
Identify shapes that represent halves, thirds and fourths
Explore symmetry with blocks, mirrors and paper folding
Identify triangles and rectangles based on number of sides

Time and Money

Tell time and represent time using standard and digital clocks to 5 minute intervals
Identify and know value of penny, nickel, dime and quarter
Count money to $5.00
Make change

Communication:

Use appropriate language to describe and compare amounts
Use pictures, numbers or words to record strategies for solving problems
Work cooperatively in groups to solve problems

Science

Living Things:

Understand that animals have characteristics that help them survive (body parts, action, camouflage)
Describe similarities between animals and humans
Identify parts of plants
Describe different types of habitats
Construct an appropriate habitat for a given animal
Classify animals according to common attributes

Changes Over Time:

Use common objects to convey relative size of dinosaurs
Demonstrate understanding of carnivorous and herbivorous animals
Demonstrate understanding of how fossils are made
Use fossils to make informed guesses about the causes for extinction
Explore strategies for protecting endangered animals

Making Things Move

Demonstrate understanding of concept of force
Distinguish between pushes and pulls
Identify factors that affect the amount of force needed to move an object (mass and friction)
Identify ramps, levers and pulleys as simple machines
Demonstrate how ramps, levers and pulleys reduce work
Demonstrate how magnets move certain objects
Describe different uses for magnets
Describe similarities between machines and the body
Understand the relationship between muscles and bones

Earth and Sky

Understand the size of the sun in relation to the earth
Describe characteristics of the sun
Understand effects of sun on plants animals and the earth
Describe similarities and differences between sun and other stars
Understand that stars can be grouped as constellations
Understand that moonlight is reflected sunlight
Describe the moon's surface
Demonstrate understanding of the phases of the moon
Identify materials that make up the earth
Compare different kinds of land
Identify different places where water is found on earth
Explain similarities and differences of slat and fresh water

Social Studies

Community:

Identify members of school community
Understand that communities depend on people with different jobs
Identify jobs that people have outside of the school community
Identify rules within the school community
Identify laws within the community

Elections

Understand that voting is a tool used in democracies
Identify major political parties in U.S.
Identify president and vice president of U.S.

Native Americans

Recognize how Wampanoags lived before the arrival of Europeans (food, shelter, roles of women, men and children, transportation, communication and recreation)
Recognize similarities and differences between their lives and lives of Native Americans long ago
Through narratives, read and hear about Native Americans and their life experiences

Colonial Days

Understand where Pilgrims came from and why they came to this country
Describe dangers involved in coming to the New World
Identify where the Pilgrims settled and why they decided to settle there
Explain why the Mayflower Compact was important
Describe problems that the Pilgrims live (food, shelter, roles of women , men and children, transportation, communications and recreation)
Understand how Pilgrim's arrival affected lives of Native Americans

Map Skills

Identify original 13 colonies on map of United States
Demonstrate knowledge of directionality (North, South, East, West)
Use knowledge of map scale to find distances on a map
Understand purpose of a key or legend on a map
Understand cardinal and intermediate directions
Identify landforms and bodies of water on maps
Understand purpose of and use coordinates on a map