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2nd grade · Social Studies · Unit 1 of 14

Communities Compared

City, village, rural and urban

What your child practices

Comparing communities around the world: what they share (basic needs, school, play) and how they differ (size, climate, jobs, travel).

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 2.1a; 2.1b; 2.1c · comparing urban, suburban and rural communities and how land is used in each

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Urban communities are cities: many people, buildings and busy streets.
  2. Rural communities have more open space and fewer people.
  3. All communities need food, water, shelter and clothing.

Example: Which place is likely quieter and has more open space? Cities are busy and crowded. The countryside has fields and fewer people. Answer: a rural area

Communities Compared in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 1 of 14 in 2nd grade Social Studies, before Climate & Ways of Life.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    In an urban community, you might see…

    • many people, buildings and busy streets
    • only forest
    • only farm fields

  2. Question 2

    What is the same in every community?

    • It always snows
    • Everyone speaks English
    • People need clean water

  3. Question 3

    Why do people live in communities?

    • To be alone
    • To avoid everyone
    • To share places, help each other and get what they need

  4. Question 4

    A bridge, a school and a library are all…

    • kinds of weather
    • natural features
    • things people build for the community

  5. Question 5

    To compare two communities, you can make a list of how they are…

    • only the same
    • the same and different
    • only the colors

  6. Question 6

    In a rural community, you might see…

    • farms and open land
    • a subway under every house
    • a skyscraper in every block

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