Second grade instructional programs
in Palo Alto schools are committed to helping each child meet the
academic and intellectual competencies expected at this grade level
and become active, engaged learners in a classroom setting. The
following summary of the instructional program provides an overview
of the second grade year. The second grade program builds on the
skills and knowledge children have learned in preceding years. It
encourages critical thinking, creativity, and respect for self and
others. The manner of instruction—motivation, grouping, pacing,
reinforcing, and reteaching—is determined by each teacher
as he or she works to meet individual student needs. Expectations
are, of course, modified or expanded to meet a child’s needs
and abilities.
Curriculum standards are what all grade-level students are expected
to know and be able to do by the end of a school year. Key standards
of second grade education are highlighted below. If you would like
a complete description of PAUSD standards, you may download Curriculum
Standards for Second Grade ( 
1MB )
If you have questions about curriculum, please contact your child's classroom teacher.
Jump to:
Reading-Language Arts | Mathematics | Science | Social Studies
Visual & Perfoming Arts | Physical Education
| LibraryMedia Program
In second grade, each student will . . .
Reading-Language Arts
Reading and Writing Skills
- read grade-appropriate materials with understanding and enjoyment
- re-read for meaning and self-correct when necessary
- use a variety of phonetic, semantic, and syntactic cues to
decode new words
- identify elements of a story
- summarize and give the main idea of a story
- relate some details from a story
- read with expression and fluency from selected materials
- read a variety of fiction and non-fiction materials
- use a variety of strategies when writing to engage reader
- write independently with fluency; stay on topic throughout
the draft
- compose in different writing types across the curriculum (e.g.,
poetry, story, writing to share information)
- spell high-frequency words correctly
- write legibly using capitalization and ending punctuation
- begin to edit own and other’s work
Speaking and Listening Skills
- follow multi-step directions
- take part in class discussions and stay on topic
- express ideas with clarity
Mathematics
Number Sense and Operations
- counts, reads, and writes whole numbers to 1,000 and identifies
the place value for each digit
- uses flexibility in representing a quantity (e.g., 24 = 12
+ 12 = 10 + 10 + 4))
- knows addition facts (sums to 20)
- knows subtraction facts (up to 20)
- uses mental arithmetic to find the sum or difference of two
two-digit numbers (e.g., 37 + 23 = 30 + 20 + 7 + 3)
- uses a variety of strategies to add two-digit numbers with
and without regrouping
- uses a variety of strategies to subtract two-digit numbers
with and without regrouping
- creates models and solves simple problems involving multiplication
and division
- recognizes, names, represents and compares commonly used unit
fractions (e.g., 1/2 is larger than 1/3)
- adds and subtracts amounts of money using decimal notation
and the $ and ¢ symbols
Algebra and Functions
- recognizes, describes and extends repeating and growing geometric
and number patterns
Measurement and Geometry
- measures the length of objects using a nonstandard and standard
unit
- recognizes and makes reasonable estimates in measurement
- tells time to one-minute intervals and knows relationships
of time (e.g., how many minutes in an hour)
- describes and classifies 2D and 3D shapes according to the
number and shape of faces, edges and vertices
Data Analysis and Probability
- collects numerical data and records, organizes, displays,
and interprets the data on bar graphs and other representations
Problem Solving and Mathematical Reasoning
- explains and justifies solutions and strategies using mathematical
vocabulary
Science
Scientific Process Skills
- use scientific tools, such as the hand lens, ruler, balance scale, and thermometer
- compare and classify objects based on their attributes and characteristics
- participate in investigative classroom activities and discussions
- communicate scientific information verbally and in writing or drawing
- begin to develop and use descriptive language
- make estimates and predictions
- make models to represent an object
Encounter the big ideas of Life, Physical, and Earth Sciences through participation in units of study: Air & Weather, Insects and Liquids
- explain that plants and animals have behaviors characteristic of their kind, that parents pass on their physical characteristics to their offspring
- recognize that there is diversity in living things
- draw a plant or animal life cycle
- recognize that matter is anything that takes space, has observable properties-solid, liquid or gas-which can be changed
- recognize that the sun is the source of the Earth's heat and light energy
- understand that weather exists in many forms, that Earth is surrounded by a blanket of air called atmosphere
- recognize patterns in nature which are cycles: seasons, day and night
- demonstrate through classroom activities how shadows result when an object blocks light coming from a light source*
- investigate how air occupies space and exerts pressure
*This concept, taught through classroom activities, is not currently part of a second grade core unit.
Social Studies
Participate in classroom activities around the year-long theme, People Who Make a Difference
- understand how nations make laws, carry out laws, and determine whether laws have been violated
- have knowledge of the contributions made by famous Americans and others from all backgrounds
- describe food production and consumption long ago and today
- understand the role and interdependence of buyers (consumers) and sellers (producers)
- compare students' daily lives with those of previous generations
- locate on a map where students' ancestors live(d)
Visual & Performing Arts
Visual Arts
- perceive and discuss differences in mood created by warm and
cool colors
- demonstrate beginning skill in the use of art media, such
as oil pastels, watercolors, tempera, crayon rubbings and collage
- depict the illusion of depth (space) in a work of art, using
overlapping shapes, relative size, and placement within the
picture
- identify and discuss how art is used in events and celebrations
in various cultures
Music and the Performing Arts
- read, notate, listen to and describe music
- sing songs with accuracy and use hand percussion instruments
to play rhythmic and melodic ostinatos
- sing and play songs from diverse cultures
- make judgments about the quality of a musical performance
- describe how music communicates ideas and moods
Physical Education
- run, skip, slide
- increase ball control capacity; bounce and catch a ball several times
- jump rope
- participate in group games
- demonstrate good health practices (e.g., nutrition, exercise, rest, health care)
Library Media Program
- Information Literacy: Students learn to find, evaluate and use information in meaningful and responsible ways
- Library and Information Usage: Students learn to practice ethical and responsible behavior
- Literature Appreciation: Students learn to choose, enjoy and respond to a wide variety of literature
Revised August 2006 |
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