2nd Grade

Second grade at Kelly Primary is designed to help students grow as lifelong learners, problem-solvers, and responsible individuals. Our goal is to support students as they become more independent, cooperative, and confident while building strong academic, social, and emotional skills.

Curriculum Focus Areas

English Language Arts (ELA)

In second grade, students continue developing reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. They focus on:

Literature: Students learn to read and understand stories and informational texts. They practice decoding words, recognizing sight words, reading two-syllable words, and improving fluency. They also explore story elements like characters, setting, plot, and main idea, and compare and contrast texts.
Foundations & Guided Reading: Students participate in a phonics-based program, whole-class lessons, read-alouds, and small-group reading tailored to each child’s level.
Vocabulary: Students learn new words, discuss meanings, and use them in sentences. Words are revisited across subjects to build understanding.
Spelling: Students practice phonetic spelling and learn to use dictionaries or technology to check words.
Writing: Students write in various genres, including narratives, informational/explanatory pieces, opinion writing, and research projects. Instruction occurs through mini-lessons, small groups, and one-on-one support.

Math

Second graders use the Go Math curriculum to strengthen math skills through hands-on learning and problem-solving. Key concepts include:

Base-Ten Understanding: Counting in tens, hundreds, and thousands, and understanding the value of each digit in multi-digit numbers.
Addition & Subtraction: Students build fluency with numbers up to 100 and solve problems up to 1,000 using strategies and models.
Measurement: Students learn standard units like inches and centimeters and practice measuring with tools.
Shapes & Geometry: Students explore shapes, analyze their sides and angles, and combine or decompose shapes to make new ones.

Science

Second grade science encourages curiosity about the natural and physical world. Students:

Explore life science, earth/space science, physical science, and health science
Make observations, ask questions, and plan simple experiments
Use hands-on activities and FOSS kits, including units on Pebbles, Sand, and Silt and the Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Learn to analyze data and draw conclusions based on real-world observations

Social Studies

In social studies, students explore their community and the wider world. They learn to:

Compare and appreciate different communities and cultures
Understand geography, language, culture, and economics in shaping communities
Learn about government, its roles, and how officials are chosen
Study important historical figures and their impact

Skills Your Child Will Develop

By the end of second grade, students will:

Read with fluency and comprehension
Write clearly in different formats and genres
Solve addition and subtraction problems, understand place value, and explore basic geometry and measurement
Investigate scientific concepts through observation and experimentation
Understand community roles, diversity, and civic responsibilities

Second grade at Kelly Primary helps students build confidence, independence, and a love of learning while developing the skills they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.