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Second Grade ELA Curriculum

ELA Curriculum

Second grade is a time of building and expanding basic literacy skills. By the end of the year, students should be able to fluently read both fiction and non-fiction text at a second grade level. Their reading is accurate and smooth, and they are comfortable reading silently for 20-30 minutes at a time. Second graders are able to talk about what they are reading. They can provide a detailed retelling of the plot and characters of a fiction book, make predictions, describe cause and effect, and make comparisons between two texts. When reading non-fiction, second graders can summarize information they have read, relate material to their own real-life experiences, answer how and why question, and compare information from different sources. As second graders develop literacy skills throughout the year, they become better at self-monitoring their own comprehension and making adjustments when something they have read does not sound right or doesn’t make sense. Second graders enjoy reading independently and are particularly excited to begin reading longer chapter books or more difficult informational texts.

In second grade students are introduced to elements that distinguish the genres of narrative, expository, and persuasive/opinion writing. They learn how to write longer and more detailed personal and fiction narratives, including developing characters and adding some dialogue. They write informational texts that have elements of explaining a “how to” sequence or teaching the reader about a new concept or idea. They write to share their opinions or to persuade the reader to see a particular point of view. Second graders continue to develop command of written English including more sophisticated grammar and spelling concepts.

Instructional Area

Instructional Materials

Units of Study / Learning Objectives

Word Work

Wilson Fundations Level 2

By the end of second grade, students will be able to:

  •  Segment words into sounds (up to 6 sound words)
  • Identify word structures such as vowels, consonants, blends, digraphs, and digraph blends.
  • Identify six syllable types: closed, vowel-consonant-e, open, r-controlled, vowel teams, consonant –le
  • Read and spell single and multisyllabic words containing all six syllable types.
  • Use conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns and at least 200 irregular words (trick words)
  • Add prefixes and suffixes to basewords and read and spell those words
  • Apply correct capitalization and punctuation when writing sentences

 Reading

Second Grade Reader’s Workshop Units of Study from the Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project

Units of Study Include:

  • Reading Growth Spurt
  • Becoming Experts: Reading Non Fiction
  • Bigger Books Mean Amping Up Reading Power
  • Series Book Clubs

 Writing

 First Grade Writer’s Workshop Units of Study from the Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project.

Units of Study Include:

  • Lessons from the Masters: Improving Narrative Writing
  • Lab Reports and Science Books –expository writing
  • Writing about Reading – opinion writing
  • Poetry: Big Thoughts in Small Packages

Technology Tools

I-read

Imagine Learning

Raz Kids

Teachers use technology tools to support literacy development for all students. I-read and Imagine Learning are both individualized learning programs that adjust to students’ needs as they progress through the lessons. I-read helps reinforce beginning/foundational reading skills, while Imagine Learning assists our English Language Learners to learn vocabulary, comprehension, and reading skills.

Raz Kids gives students access to many interesting leveled fiction and non-fiction books to practice reading skills.