Grade 2 English Language Arts: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 2 english language arts in the BC Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Language and story can be a source of creativity and joy.
- Stories and other texts help us learn about ourselves and our families.
- Stories and other texts can be shared through pictures and words.
- Everyone has a unique story to share.
- Through listening and speaking, we connect with others and share our world.
- Playing with language helps us discover how language works.
- Curiosity and wonder lead us to new discoveries about ourselves and the world around us.
Easy ways to practise english language arts at home
- Take turns reading a page aloud, and chat about what happened and why.
- Keep a short journal, with one or two sentences a day to start.
- Hunt for a new word a day and use it at dinner.
- Ask for a prediction before turning the page: “What do you think happens next?”
What each unit covers
Rhyme Time
Hearing rhymes and spotting word families (-at, -ig, -op). Both help with reading and spelling new words.
Sound Detectives
Letter teams that make one sound (sh, ch, th, wh, ee, ai, oa) and clapping syllables.
Super Sentences
Starting sentences and names with capitals, and choosing a period, question mark or exclamation mark.
Story Builders
Reading short stories, then naming the character and setting, explaining why things happened, and retelling events in order.
Word Power
Building compound words, finding opposites and spelling plurals (-s and -es).
What the report card levels look like at home
- Emerging
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Developing
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Proficient
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Extending
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the BC report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 2 child with english language arts?
Take turns reading a page aloud, and chat about what happened and why. Keep a short journal, with one or two sentences a day to start. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 2 english language arts in BC?
The BC Curriculum Grade 2 english language arts units include rhyme time, sound detectives, super sentences, story builders, word power.
Free printable Grade 2 english language arts practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.