Weeks 28-36 • Exploring civil war history, ecosystems, and environmental stewardship
The final quarter of second grade tackles complex themes of conflict, change, and citizenship. The historical focus is an age-appropriate study of the U.S. Civil War, examining its causes and the process of healing a divided nation. This narrative of systems in conflict and resolution is mirrored in the science curriculum through the study of ecosystems, Earth's systems, and humanity's role in conservation.
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Learning about this pivotal conflict in American history in a sensitive, age-appropriate manner
CKLA Domain 9 Selections:
"A Nation Divided," "The Civil War Begins," "The Emancipation Proclamation," "Gettysburg"
Pink and Say
by Patricia Polacco
Introduce the Civil War with "A Nation Divided" (CKLA). Use a map to color the Union states blue and the Confederate states gray. Discuss the primary cause—the disagreement over slavery—in simple, direct terms. 2.6b
Introduce adding multiple two-digit numbers (e.g., 23+35+14+20). Model strategies like grouping numbers that make a ten or adding two numbers at a time. This skill is useful for tallying supplies or soldiers in a historical context. NY-2.NBT.6
Read about the beginning of the war and key leaders like Lincoln, Grant, and Lee (CKLA). Emphasize that it was a war fought between Americans. 2.6b
Continue practicing addition and subtraction within 1000 to maintain fluency. Use a mix of word problems and equations from MWC or Zearn. NY-2.NBT.7
Introduce the concept of a "habitat" as an animal's home. Discuss the basic needs that a habitat must provide: food, water, shelter, and space. This introduces the science theme for the final quarter. CKSci Unit 2
Read about the Emancipation Proclamation (CKLA). Explain its significance as a major step toward freedom for enslaved people. 2.6b
Read the powerful story Pink and Say. Discuss the story from the two different points of view of the boy soldiers. How were their experiences similar and different? 2R6
Have the child write a short, simple letter from the perspective of a character in Pink and Say or a young person living during the Civil War. What would they see? What would they hope for? 2W3
Read about the Battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (CKLA). Read a simplified version of the address and discuss its message of honoring the soldiers and reuniting the nation. 2.6b
Create a simple timeline of the Civil War with the key events studied. Play a math game to review adding multiple numbers.
Social Studies Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Connecting biological cycles to the mathematical concept of parts of a whole
From Seed to Plant
by Gail Gibbons
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies
by Joyce Sidman
Eating Fractions
by Bruce McMillan
Read From Seed to Plant. Plant bean seeds in a clear cup with a damp paper towel to observe germination and growth over the next two weeks. 1-LS3-1
Begin a "Bean Plant Journal" to record observations.
Introduce fractions with Eating Fractions. Use food to make the concept concrete. Cut an apple into two equal pieces (halves). Cut a granola bar into four equal pieces (fourths or quarters). Emphasize the concept of equal shares. NY-2.G.3
Reread From Seed to Plant. Work together to identify the main ideas and key details about the plant life cycle. 2R2
Write a "how-to" paragraph explaining the steps of planting a seed. 2W2
Use paper shapes (circles, rectangles) and practice folding them into halves, thirds, and fourths. Label the parts. Introduce the idea that two halves make one whole, three thirds make one whole, etc. NY-2.G.3
Discuss how people use plants as resources. Brainstorm a list of things that come from plants: food (fruits, vegetables), materials (wood for houses, cotton for shirts), etc. 2.7b
Read The Girl Who Drew Butterflies. Discuss the life cycle of the butterfly again, this time through the lens of a historical scientist. 1-LS3-1
Introduce fractions of a set. Use counters or small objects. "Here are 8 counters. Can you show me half of them?" (4). "Here are 9 counters. Can you show me a third of them?" (3). NY-2.G.3
Check on the bean plants and record growth in the journal. Create a detailed, labeled diagram of either the plant life cycle or the butterfly life cycle. 1-LS3-1
Play "Fraction Cover-Up" with pattern blocks or fraction tiles. The goal is to be the first to cover a whole hexagon using different fractional pieces. NY-2.G.3
Create a "fraction pizza" for lunch, letting the child decide if they want to cut it into halves or fourths. Review life cycle diagrams and share the bean plant journal.
Science Materials:
Math Materials:
Expanding perspective to understand our planet's large-scale systems
CKSci Unit 3 Selections:
"Exploring Land," "Exploring Water"
The Water Cycle
by Gail Gibbons
A Drop Around the World
by Barbara Shaw McKinney
Read "Exploring Land" (CKSci). Introduce different landforms (mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus). Look at photographs and locate examples on a world map. 2-ESS1-1
Build landforms in a tray using sand, dirt, or clay.
Go on a "Shape Hunt" in nature and around the house. Identify 2D shapes (a door is a rectangle, a stop sign is an octagon). Discuss their defining attributes (a triangle must have 3 sides) versus non-defining attributes (it can be big, small, blue, or red). NY-2.G.1
Discuss how land changes. Introduce the idea that some changes are fast (volcanoes, earthquakes) and some are slow (erosion by wind and water). 2-ESS1-1
Model erosion by building a sand pile and slowly pouring water over it to see how it changes shape.
Introduce 3D shapes (cube, sphere, cylinder, cone). Use household objects (a can, a ball, a block) to identify them. Discuss their attributes (faces, edges, vertices). NY-2.G.1
Read "Exploring Water" (CKSci). Discuss different bodies of water (oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds). Locate the major oceans on a globe. 2-ESS2-3
Read The Water Cycle by Gail Gibbons. 2-ESS2-3
Use the diagrams in the book to explain the process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. 2R7
Create a "Water Cycle in a Bag" model. Put a small amount of blue-colored water in a sealable plastic bag, tape it to a sunny window, and observe the cycle over a few days. 2-ESS2-3
Discuss how human activities impact land and water. Brainstorm positive impacts (planting trees, creating parks) and negative impacts (pollution, littering). 2.5c
Play "Shape Sorting." Create cards with different 2D and 3D shapes and have the child sort them by various attributes (number of sides, straight vs. curved lines, etc.). NY-2.G.1
Read A Drop Around the World. Have the child narrate the journey of the water drop, using the vocabulary of the water cycle.
Science Materials:
Math Materials:
Developing environmental awareness and responsibility
The Lorax
by Dr. Seuss
What a Waste
by Jess French
We Are Water Protectors
by Carole Lindstrom
Read The Lorax. Discuss the story's message about using resources responsibly. Introduce the "Three R's": Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. 2.4c, K-2-ETS1-1
Conduct a "trash audit." With supervision, look at the trash and recycling for one day. Could any of the trash items have been reused or recycled? This is a concrete way to understand waste.
Read What a Waste. Use this informational text to gather facts for a persuasive writing piece. Prompt: "Why is it important to recycle?". Brainstorm reasons.
Draft the persuasive paragraph, stating an opinion and providing at least two reasons from the text or discussions. 2W1
Create a "Recycled Art" project. Build a sculpture or collage using materials from the recycling bin (boxes, bottle caps, magazines).
Read We Are Water Protectors. Discuss the powerful message and illustrations. Create a personal response to the book through a drawing or a short poem about protecting water. 2W4
Empower the child by letting them choose the review activities. "What was your favorite math game we played this year?" "Which math topic would you like to practice more?"
Create a "Second Grade Memory Book." Dedicate a page to each major theme or subject. Have the child draw a picture and write one sentence about what they learned or their favorite activity. This is a wonderful keepsake and a powerful self-assessment tool.
Play a comprehensive review game that covers place value, addition/subtraction, time, money, and fractions.
Look through the portfolio of work from the year. Re-read a favorite story or historical narrative they wrote. Discuss how much their skills have grown.
Environmental Activities:
Supplemental Resources:
Celebrating accomplishments and formally concluding second grade
This final week is a celebration of a year of incredible growth and learning. The focus is on showcasing accomplishments, completing the final assessment requirements, and formally marking the successful completion of second grade.
As per NYS requirements, a year-end assessment is necessary. This can be a standardized test (options include the CAT, IOWA, or Stanford) or a written narrative assessment prepared by a certified teacher or another qualified person based on a portfolio review. Schedule and complete your chosen assessment method during these two days. Keep the atmosphere low-stress and encouraging.
Organize the "Second Grade Memory Book" and the portfolio of best work from the year. Have the child help choose the pieces they are most proud of. This act of reflection is a valuable part of the learning process.
Host a special event to honor the student's hard work. Invite family members (in person or virtually) for a showcase. The student can:
This builds confidence and provides a meaningful conclusion to the school year.
Compile all necessary documentation for your final report to the school district. This includes your IHIP, quarterly reports, attendance records, and the results of the year-end assessment. Celebrate the end of a successful year and talk excitedly about the adventures to come in third grade!
Assessment Materials:
Celebration Materials:
| Title | Author | Week(s) Used |
|---|---|---|
| CKLA Domain 9 Selections | Core Knowledge | Weeks 28-29 |
| Pink and Say | Patricia Polacco | Weeks 28-29 |
| From Seed to Plant | Gail Gibbons | Weeks 30-31 |
| The Girl Who Drew Butterflies | Joyce Sidman | Weeks 30-31 |
| Eating Fractions | Bruce McMillan | Weeks 30-31 |
| CKSci Unit 3 Selections | Core Knowledge | Weeks 32-33 |
| The Water Cycle | Gail Gibbons | Weeks 32-33 |
| A Drop Around the World | Barbara Shaw McKinney | Weeks 32-33 |
| The Lorax | Dr. Seuss | Weeks 34-35 |
| What a Waste | Jess French | Weeks 34-35 |
| We Are Water Protectors | Carole Lindstrom | Weeks 34-35 |
You've successfully completed an entire year of second-grade homeschooling. Your child has made the important "second-grade leap" from concrete to more abstract thinking and is now prepared for the adventures of third grade.
Preview Third Grade Curriculum