What your child learns in 2nd grade in Alabama
In 2nd grade, reading becomes smoother and writing gets longer. Math moves to adding and subtracting within 1,000, money, time and equal parts of shapes. Science looks at matter, habitats and how land changes, and social studies looks at Alabama and the nation: government, symbols, the economy and people who made a difference. It is also the first year of the ACAP state tests in English language arts and math.
2nd grade subjects in the Alabama Course of Study
Math
Focus areas
- Numbers and operations: adding and subtracting within 1000, place value, and skip-counting
- Measurement, data and geometry: measuring in inches and centimeters, time, money, equal parts of shapes, and graphs
- Student mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
17 units, including Bigger or Smaller, Facts to 20, Adding to 100, Patterns.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: decoding longer words, main ideas, and comparing stories
- Writing, speaking and listening: writing opinions, information and stories, and asking questions
- Vocabulary and language: building word knowledge and using grammar, spelling and punctuation
12 units, including Rhyme Time, Sound Detectives, Story Builders, Word Power.
Science
Focus areas
- Properties of matter, habitats and living things, and how Earth's land changes
- Science and engineering practices: testing ideas and comparing designs
- Engineering design: solving real problems in Alabama and beyond
11 units, including Solids & Liquids, Changing Materials, Mixtures & Materials, Objects & Structures.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Course: Living and Working Together in State and Nation
- Our state and national government and symbols
- Producers, consumers and trade
15 units, including Citizens & Leaders, Work, Saving & Resources, Work and Prices, Maps of Our World.
Printable 2nd grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
What to look for on the report card
Look for fluent reading, longer writing, adding and subtracting with regrouping, and the ability to explain thinking. State test scores are separate from the report card.
Alabama has no statewide report-card scale in 2nd grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
2nd grade students also take the Alabama state tests (ACAP). Read the state tests guide.
Alabama's learning practices apply in every grade. Read about Learning practices.
The four practice steps in 2nd grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the content standards. Most answers still need a hint or a second try.
- At home: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Practice shows a partial understanding of the content standards. Some answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Practice shows a solid understanding of the content standards. Most answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Practice shows a deep understanding of the content standards, including harder, unfamiliar questions.
- At home: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Ready for 2nd grade?
2nd grade builds on what your child practiced in 1st grade. If a skill feels shaky, a few short practice sessions before or early in the year can help:
- Math: Numbers to 20, Make 10, Adding, Take Away, Equal or Not
- English Language Arts: Blend It, Short Vowels, Word Families, Sh, Ch, Th, Sight Words
- Science: Light & Sound, Light and Sound, Signals Far Away, Animal Survival, Animal Features
- Social Studies: My Community, Respect & Inclusion, Community Services, Earning, Saving & Sharing, Goods and Services
Common questions
2nd grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Alabama Course of Study. In 2nd grade, reading becomes smoother and writing gets longer. Math moves to adding and subtracting within 1,000, money, time and equal parts of shapes. Science looks at matter, habitats and how land changes, and social studies looks at Alabama and the nation: government, symbols, the economy and people who made a difference. It is also the first year of the ACAP state tests in English language arts and math.
Alabama has no statewide report-card scale in 2nd grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. Students in 2nd grade also write the Alabama state tests (ACAP), which is separate from the report card.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the content standards. Most answers are right on the first try. At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
2nd grade builds on 1st grade. In math, that means Numbers to 20, Make 10, Adding. In English language arts, that means Blend It, Short Vowels, Word Families.
About 15 minutes a day of short practice works better than long sessions, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Practice math facts in short bursts, such as five minutes while dinner cooks. Take turns reading a page aloud, and chat about what happened and why. Praise effort, and stop on a success.
Practice 2nd grade skills with Gradelings
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