This document outlines the Grade 2 curriculum. West Hartford’s comprehensive program is based on standards for teaching and learning adopted by the Connecticut Board of Education/State Department of Education including Connecticut Core Standards, Connecticut Social Studies Frameworks, and Next Generation Science Standards. The West Hartford curriculum also includes integration of state standards for visual and performing arts, physical education, and library media services. These standards guide development of curriculum and instruction to support student learning necessary for success on district and state assessments and for students to have the knowledge, skills and dispositions for future college and career readiness.
Through seven units of study, your child will focus on both the content of Math Standards (WHAT they will learn) and Mathematical Practices (HOW students engage in learning of mathematics) that are both part the CT Core Mathematics Standards for Mathematics.
In Grade 2, instruction focuses on four critical areas of mathematics content learning:
- extending understanding of base-ten notation (Number & Operations in Base Ten)
- building fluency with addition and subtraction (Operations & Algebraic Thinking)
- using standard units of measure (Measurement & Data)
- describing and analyzing shapes (Geometry)
Click here for some helpful resources that you can use to gain a better understanding of the elementary math curriculum as well as ways in which you can support your child in math at home.
- what plants need to grow and how plants depend on animals for see dispersal and pollination
- the diversity of life in different habitats
- properties of matter and the classification of materials
- how wind and water change the shape of the land
Your child will demonstrate their understanding of these core ideas by engaging in eight science and engineering practices throughout their science units of study.
This year, your child will develop an understanding of and mastery toward Grade 2 Common Core Standards for English-Language Arts. These standards integrate all aspects of Language Arts development and are categorized under reading, language, and speaking & listening. Your child will participate in whole and small group reading lessons to support progress toward mastery of these standards. An outline of the year's units are included below.
Narrative/Fiction Units:
- From Start to Finish (Story Elements)
- Morals, Messages, and More! (Recounting Fables/Morals)
- Exploring Folktales & Fairytales (Fairy Tales)
Information/Nonfiction:
- Digging Deeper (Text Features/Text Structure)
- What's the Point... PROVE IT! (Main Topic and Key Details)
- Show What You Know (Analyzing Multiples Sources)
Click here for some helpful resources that you can use to gain a better understanding of the elementary literacy curriculum as well as ways in which you can support your child with reading at home. Check out the "Where can I go to find book suggestions for my child?" section for websites to find books to read at home!
Handwriting is a key component in the Fundations program. Your child will learn correct posture, paper position, and pencil grip. Children also learn to write the upper- and lower-case manuscript alphabet with proper letter formation.
Click Here to learn about Lowercase Letter Formation
Click Here to learn about Posture and Grip
Click Here to learn about Uppercase Letter Formation
Your child will engage in the following writing units this year:
- Narrative Writing: Lessons from the Masters
- Information Writing: A How-To Guide to Nonfiction Writing
- Opinion Writing: Writing About Reading
Teachers use the Writers’ Workshop model for their instruction. Each writing block includes a short mini-lesson focusing on the writing process, writing conventions, and/or craft. Your child will then work on assigned or self-selected writing pieces as teachers confer with students either individually or in small groups. The workshop lesson closes with sharing time during which students celebrate and reflect on their writing and the writing process.
Click here for some helpful resources that you can use to gain a better understanding of the elementary writing curriculum as well as ways in which you can support your child with writing at home.
Your child will engage in weekly lessons from the Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum as well as a Morning Meeting structure (greeting, sharing, group activities) implemented in all Grade K-5 classrooms provide West Hartford students with a consistent social-emotional learning progression. As part of our WHPS commitment to equity and anti-racism, your child will also engage in lessons aligned to the four Learning for Justice social justice standards- identity, diversity, justice, and action. Students build the following social-emotional learning (SEL) concepts and skills throughout their WHPS elementary experience:
- Self-Awareness: Develop a positive self-concept
- Self-Management: Identify, understand, and regulate emotions of self and others
- Responsible Decision-Making: Make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions
- Relationship Skills: Develop positive interpersonal relationships
- Social Awareness: Develop an understanding of rules and responsibilities within communities
Your child will engage in social studies curriculum developed with guidance from the Connecticut Social Studies Framework passed by the State Board of Education in February 2015. The Connecticut framework provides a foundation for teaching history, civics and government, geography, and economics in all grade levels. In Grade 2, your child will explore the following concepts:
Geography:
- Explore maps and their purpose.
- Identify where one lives and locate important places on current and historical maps.
- Use maps to identify important information using symbols, legends, and keys.
- Give and follow directions.
- Create a variety of maps.
Civics:
- Develop an understanding of self, social standards and rules, along with the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
- Determine ways one can address problems individually and collectively to improve the communities to which we belong.
Instruction about Religion:
- Religious leaders who have made a difference in their community, country, or world.
History/Literacy Integration: As part of the English/Language Arts curriculum, your child will will participate in two integrated Social Studies units.
- How do the stories we read inspire us to make a difference? Your child will read a variety of books with fictional characters that make a difference in big and small ways. Your child will consider how just like the characters they read about, they can also make a difference in the lives of others.
- How do the actions of people in the past influence us today? Your child will study children and adults in history whose actions have impacted people living today.
The Keyboarding Without Tears (KWT) program introduces foundational letter and keyboarding skills. Muscle memory of the keyboard is developed with frequently used letter combinations. Your child will learn to type words and sentences using engaging and changing themes.
- All students in Grades 2-5 have access to the KWT program for keyboarding practice at home and school.
- Proper technique and posture are emphasized at all grade levels. Spot Checks within the program measure speed, accuracy, and gauge understanding of specific skills.
- The end of Grade 2 keyboarding benchmark expectation is 5 words per minute (wpm) with 90% accuracy.
Click here to learn more about Keyboarding Without Tears.
QUEST(Gifted and Talented)
Additional information on the district website (whps.org):
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Office
Information and Technology Services: Tech Tips for Families and Staff