Weeks 10-18 • Journey through early civilizations while exploring nature's patterns
In the second quarter, the curriculum expands your child's perspective both geographically and chronologically. The journey begins with an exploration of ancient civilizations in Asia, followed by a deep dive into the world of ancient Greece, including its influential myths. This historical exploration is thematically paired with the study of natural cycles, which are especially evident during the fall and winter seasons.
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Exploring ancient China, India, and Japan while mastering addition and subtraction with regrouping
CKLA Domain 2 Selections:
"The Yellow River," "Made in China," "The Great Wall," "Confucius," "The Religions of India," "Life in Ancient Japan"
The Story About Ping
by Marjorie Flack
Wabi Sabi
by Mark Reibstein
Introduce Ancient China using the CKLA read-aloud "The Yellow River." Locate China on a world map. Discuss how the river was important for farming and settlement. 2.6b
Introduce addition with regrouping (e.g., 28+15). Use base-ten blocks on a place value mat. Model combining the ones (8+5=13), "regrouping" 10 ones for 1 tens rod, and then adding the tens. This visual, hands-on step is critical before moving to the abstract algorithm. NY-2.NBT.5
Read "Made in China" (CKLA). Focus on identifying the main topic and key details about inventions like silk and paper. 2R2
Introduce adjectives. Go on an "Adjective Hunt" in the text (e.g., long wall, yellow river, soft silk). 2L1e
Continue practicing addition with regrouping using MWC workbook pages. Use word problems themed around the topic: "A merchant sold 47 yards of silk on Monday and 35 yards on Tuesday. How much silk did he sell in all?" NY-2.NBT.5
Begin a "Signs of Autumn" nature journal. Go for a walk and observe changes: falling leaves, cooler air, migrating birds. Draw and label observations. LS1.B
Read about the Great Wall and Confucius (CKLA). Discuss the purpose of the wall and the main ideas of Confucius (respect, family). 2.6b
Practice summarizing. After the read-aloud, ask "What was the most important idea in that section?" Work together to write a one-sentence summary. 2R2
Read The Story About Ping. Trace Ping's journey on the Yangtze River.
Review addition with regrouping by playing a game like "Race to 100" where players roll dice, add the numbers, and move their token on a hundreds chart, focusing on crossing the tens. NY-2.NBT.5
Journey to Ancient India with the CKLA read-alouds. Locate India on the map. Discuss the concepts of Hinduism and Buddhism in simple, age-appropriate terms. 2.6b
Introduce subtraction with regrouping (e.g., 42−17). Use base-ten blocks. Model that you can't take 7 ones from 2 ones, so you must "regroup" or "trade" 1 ten rod for 10 ones, then subtract. NY-2.NBT.5
Continue practicing subtraction with regrouping using MWC or Zearn. The visual and digital models in Zearn are especially helpful for this concept. NY-2.NBT.5
Dissect a lima bean that has been soaked overnight. Identify the seed coat, embryo (baby plant), and cotyledon (food source). This is a hands-on investigation into plant life cycles. LS3.A
Learn about Ancient Japan (CKLA). Discuss its island geography and concepts like samurai and shoguns. 2.6b
Compare and contrast the three civilizations studied (China, India, Japan) using a simple chart.
Read Wabi Sabi. Discuss the Japanese aesthetic of finding beauty in imperfection.
Create a simple "wabi sabi" art piece, like a drawing of a cracked teacup or an asymmetrical nature arrangement.
Introduce odd and even numbers. Use counters. Explain that if you can pair up all the counters, the number is even. If there's one left over, it's odd. Practice identifying numbers up to 20 as odd or even. NY-2.OA.3
Create a timeline with pictures or keywords for the three Asian civilizations. Place key inventions or concepts on the timeline. 2.6b
Solidify odd/even concepts. Explain that even numbers can be written as a sum of two equal numbers (e.g., 8=4+4). NY-2.OA.3
Write an informative sentence about a contribution from one of the civilizations (e.g., "People in ancient China invented paper from the bark of trees.").
Use these days for flexible review of addition and subtraction with regrouping. This is a major second-grade skill and deserves extra time. Use a mix of games, MWC workbook pages, and Zearn digital lessons to solidify understanding before moving on. NY-2.NBT.5
Create a mini-museum of Asian artifacts. Make simple versions of inventions (paper, abacus) or cultural items (origami, painted scroll) from the civilizations studied.
Social Studies Materials:
Math & Science Materials:
Exploring the foundations of Western civilization and democratic principles
CKLA Domain 3 Selections:
"The City of Athens," "Life in Athens," "The Agora," "A Spartan Life"
Hour of the Olympics
by Mary Pope Osborne (optional chapter book)
Introduce Ancient Greece using the CKLA read-aloud "The City of Athens." Locate Greece on the map. Discuss the geography (peninsula, islands, mountains) and how it led to independent city-states. 2.6b
Look at pictures of the Parthenon and discuss Greek columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian). Try drawing them.
Read "Life in Athens" and "The Agora." Discuss the focus on education, philosophy, and art. Introduce the concept of democracy as "rule by the people." 2.3a
Hold a "democratic" vote on what to have for a special snack.
Read "A Spartan Life." 2.6b
Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast life for a child in Athens versus a child in Sparta. This directly addresses comparing information from historical texts. 2R9
Continue to build fluency with regrouping. Use a mix of addition and subtraction word problems themed around Greece: "An Athenian potter made 52 vases. He sold 28 at the agora. How many were left?" NY-2.NBT.5
Introduce pollination. Discuss how many plants need bees or other animals to help them make seeds. Watch a video showing pollination in action. 2-LS2-2
Create a model of pollination. Make a paper flower and use a cotton ball "bee" with yellow chalk dust "pollen" to show how it moves from flower to flower.
Learn about the Olympic Games. Discuss their origin in Greece and compare the ancient and modern games. 2.6b
Begin a short historical narrative. Prompt: "Imagine you are a child living in either Athens or Sparta. Write about a typical day in your life." Use the Venn diagram from last week for ideas. 2W3
Dedicate time to playing math games that reinforce regrouping, like "Target 100" (start at 100 and take turns rolling dice and subtracting the number) or MWC games. NY-2.NBT.5
Expand on plant/animal interdependence by introducing seed dispersal. Discuss how animals help spread seeds by eating fruit or carrying burrs on their fur. Create a simple model showing a bird eating a berry and dropping the seed elsewhere. 2-LS2-2
Have the child share their historical narrative. Ask them to explain the difference between Athens and Sparta in their own words.
Review the models of pollination and seed dispersal.
Social Studies Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Exploring mythology and the cyclical nature of time
CKLA Domain 4 Selections:
"The Gods and Goddesses of Mount Olympus," "Prometheus and Pandora," "Persephone and Demeter," "Arachne the Weaver"
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
Introduce Greek myths using the CKLA read-aloud about the gods and goddesses of Olympus. Create a simple chart of the main gods/goddesses and their domains (e.g., Zeus: King of Gods, Sky; Poseidon: Sea). 2.2
Introduce telling time. Start with a review of time to the hour and half-hour from first grade. Then, introduce counting by 5s around the clock face to tell time to the nearest five minutes. Use a geared student clock for hands-on practice. NY-2.MD.7
Read the myth of "Prometheus and Pandora." Discuss the central challenge and how Pandora's choice affected the world. 2R3
Use the story to find irregular past tense verbs (gave, opened, flew). 2L1f
Continue practicing time to the nearest five minutes. Match analog clock faces to digital times. Introduce the concepts of a.m. (morning) and p.m. (afternoon/evening). Create a schedule of a typical day, labeling activities with a.m. or p.m. NY-2.MD.7
Read the myth of "Persephone and Demeter." Discuss how the ancient Greeks used this myth to explain the changing of the seasons, connecting to the "Cycles in Nature" science theme. 2R3, 2-LS2-2
Read the myth of "Arachne the Weaver." Discuss the character trait of hubris (excessive pride) and its consequences. 2R3
Play "Time Bingo." Create bingo cards with different times (e.g., 3:25, 7:10, 11:55). Call out times and have the child cover the correct clock face or digital time. NY-2.MD.7
Have the child write a few sentences retelling their favorite Greek myth. Encourage them to use at least one irregular past tense verb. 2L1f
Solve simple word problems involving time. "Practice started at 4:10 p.m. and ended at 5:10 p.m. How long was practice?" (Focus on full hours for now). Use Zearn for digital time practice. NY-2.MD.7
Have a "Gods and Goddesses" costume day. Let the child dress up as their favorite character and tell their story.
Play a final round of Time Bingo or another math game.
Math Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Exploring animal adaptations and practical money skills
CKLA Domain 6 Selections:
"What Is a Cycle?", "Seasonal Cycles"
Over and Under the Snow
by Kate Messner
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
by Judith Viorst
Read the CKLA selections on cycles. Introduce the concepts of hibernation and migration as animal adaptations to the winter cycle. Create a sorting chart with pictures of animals that hibernate (bear, groundhog), migrate (geese, monarch butterfly), or adapt in other ways (squirrel, deer). LS1.B
Read Over and Under the Snow. Compare the information in this narrative book with the informational text from CKLA. How do they both teach about animal survival in winter? 2R9
Write a short poem about a hibernating animal. 2W4
Introduce money. Review the names and values of penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. Practice counting collections of like coins (e.g., five dimes is 50¢). NY-2.MD.8
Practice counting mixed collections of coins. Start with dimes and pennies, then add nickels. A great strategy is to touch-count by 5s for nickels and 10s for dimes. Use real or play money for hands-on practice. NY-2.MD.8
Discuss how humans adapt to winter. Brainstorm a list: we wear warmer clothes, we heat our homes, we do different activities (skiing vs. swimming). Connect this to the animal adaptations studied earlier. 2.5c
Read Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday.
Use the story as a springboard for money word problems. "Alexander started with one dollar. He spent 15¢ on gum. How much did he have left?" Practice making one dollar with different coin combinations. NY-2.MD.8
Review the elements of myths vs. tall tales. Ask the child to explain the difference. Practice identifying adjectives in sentences.
Play "Store." Price various household items (e.g., an apple for 35¢, a pencil for 12¢). Give the child a set amount of money (e.g., $1.00) and have them "buy" items and calculate their change.
Look back at the world map. Have the child locate China, India, and Greece. Ask one key fact about each civilization. Ask them to explain why some birds fly south for the winter.
Conduct informal mid-year assessments. Check fluency with addition/subtraction with regrouping, telling time, and counting coins. Observe their ability to summarize a short text. Gather key work samples from the quarter for the portfolio and complete the second quarterly report.
Science Materials:
Math Materials:
| Title | Author | Week(s) Used |
|---|---|---|
| CKLA Domain 2 Selections | Core Knowledge | Weeks 10-12 |
| The Story About Ping | Marjorie Flack | Week 10 |
| Wabi Sabi | Mark Reibstein | Week 11 |
| CKLA Domain 3 Selections | Core Knowledge | Weeks 13-14 |
| Hour of the Olympics | Mary Pope Osborne | Weeks 13-14 |
| CKLA Domain 4 Selections | Core Knowledge | Weeks 15-16 |
| D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths | Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire | Weeks 15-16 |
| CKLA Domain 6 Selections | Core Knowledge | Week 17 |
| Over and Under the Snow | Kate Messner | Week 17 |
| Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday | Judith Viorst | Week 18 |
Continue your homeschool journey with Quarter 3: A New Nation and Big Ideas, featuring American history from the War of 1812 through westward expansion.
Continue to Quarter 3