Second Grade Curriculum Materials List

Getting Ready for Second Grade

This comprehensive materials list covers all supplies needed for the complete second-grade curriculum. Items are organized by quarter and subject to help you plan ahead. Many everyday household items can be used for multiple activities throughout the year, and materials can often be reused across different lessons.

Quarter 1: Foundations (Weeks 1-9)

Math Materials

Base-ten blocks (hundreds, tens, ones)
Playing cards and dice
Ten-frames and counters
Graph paper
Number line to 100

Find Math Materials

Science Supplies

Magnifying glass
Various materials for testing properties
Tub of water for sink/float tests
Building blocks or LEGOs
Objects with various properties

Find Science Supplies

General Supplies

Construction paper and card stock
Mapping supplies
Shoebox for diorama
Clay, craft supplies
Graphic organizers (printables)

Find Craft Supplies

Quarter 1 Learning Activities Using These Materials:

Community mapping project (Social Studies, Weeks 2-3)
Properties of matter experiments (Science, Weeks 4-6)
Place value activities with base-ten blocks (Math, Weeks 1-9)
Fairy tale diorama project (ELA, Week 7)

Quarter 2: Ancient Worlds (Weeks 10-18)

Math Materials

Base-ten blocks for regrouping
Geared student clock
Coins and bills (real or play)
Counters for even/odd numbers
Time and money flashcards

Find Math Materials

Science Supplies

Lima beans for seed dissection
Paper flowers and cotton ball "bees"
Nature journal for seasonal observations
Animal sorting cards
Seasonal craft supplies

Find Nature Journals

Social Studies Supplies

World map or globe
Materials for Asian crafts
Materials for Greek temple model
God/goddess costume supplies
Timeline materials

Find World Maps

Quarter 2 Learning Activities Using These Materials:

Greek temple model construction (Social Studies, Week 14)
Plant life cycle observation journal (Science, Weeks 12-16)
Money math with store simulation (Math, Weeks 15-18)
Greek mythology character project (ELA, Week 17)

Quarter 3: A New Nation (Weeks 19-27)

Math Materials

Rulers with inches and centimeters
Base-ten blocks for 3-digit operations
Counters for arrays
Graph paper
Materials for math games

Find Rulers & Measuring Tools

Science Supplies

Circuit materials (battery, wires, bulb)
Magnets
Magnifying glass
Nature journal
Materials for models (body systems, insects)

Find Circuit Kits

Social Studies Supplies

U.S. maps for historical trails
Timeline materials
Materials for trading cards
Index cards for character traits
Art supplies for projects

Find U.S. Maps

Quarter 3 Learning Activities Using These Materials:

Simple circuit building experiment (Science, Weeks 20-22)
Westward expansion trail mapping (Social Studies, Week 23)
Famous American biography research (ELA, Weeks 24-25)
Measurement scavenger hunt (Math, Week 21)

Quarter 4: Our World (Weeks 28-36)

Math Materials

Base-ten blocks for multiple-number addition
Food items for fraction demonstrations
Pattern blocks or fraction tiles
Geometric shapes (2D and 3D)
Materials for year-end review games

Find Fraction Manipulatives

Science Supplies

Bean seeds, cups, and paper towels
Materials for water cycle model
Sand/clay for landform models
Recycled materials for art projects
Nature journal and observation supplies

Find Science Projects

End-of-Year Materials

Portfolio materials (binder or folder)
Supplies for Memory Book
Assessment materials
Certificate of completion
Celebration supplies

Find Portfolio Materials

Quarter 4 Learning Activities Using These Materials:

Water cycle terrarium (Science, Week 30)
Civil War historical journal (Social Studies, Weeks 28-29)
Fraction pizza project (Math, Week 32)
End-of-year portfolio and memory book (Weeks 35-36)

Essential Year-Long Materials

Basic Supplies

Pencils, erasers, pencil sharpener
Crayons, colored pencils, washable markers
Scissors (child-safe), glue sticks, tape
Construction paper, white paper, lined paper
Notebooks (wide-ruled) for each subject
3-ring binder with dividers
Whiteboard and dry erase markers
Index cards

Find Basic Supplies

Core Curriculum Materials

Language Arts

Core Knowledge Language Arts Grade 2 (free download)
All About Reading Level 2 or Logic of English Foundations C

Mathematics

Math with Confidence Grade 2
Zearn Math (free online supplemental program)

Science

Core Knowledge Science Grade 2 (free download)
Nature journal

Social Studies

Core Knowledge History & Geography Grade 2
Build Your Library Level 2 book list (literature tie-ins)

Reading Program Math Program

Money-Saving Tips

Use household items: Many science experiments can use items already found at home, such as kitchen measuring tools, old containers, and recyclables.
Visit your local library: Most read-alouds can be borrowed rather than purchased. Libraries often have educational kits and manipulatives available for checkout.
Join homeschool co-ops or groups: Share resources with other families and organize group buys of materials for bulk discounts.
Look for free curriculum resources: Core Knowledge materials are available as free downloads. Many supplemental worksheets can be found online.
Buy manipulatives second-hand: Check Facebook Marketplace, homeschool swap groups, and thrift stores for gently used educational materials.

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