What your child learns in 2nd grade in California
In 2nd grade, reading becomes smoother and writing gets longer. Math moves to numbers up to 1,000, adding and subtracting within 100, money, time and estimating. Science looks at materials, plants and animals, and how land changes, and social studies is “People Who Make a Difference”, from family history to heroes long ago and today.
2nd grade subjects in the California Content Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Number and operations: adding and subtracting within 1000, place value, estimation and money
- Measurement, data and geometry: shapes, measuring and reading data
- Mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
17 units, including Bigger or Smaller, Facts to 20, Adding to 100, Measuring.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading literature and informational text: reading with fluency and understanding stories
- Writing: writing to tell, explain and give an opinion
- Speaking and listening: sharing ideas and building on what others say
12 units, including Rhyme Time, Sound Detectives, Story Builders, Word Power.
Science
Focus areas
- Properties of materials
- Plants, animals and their habitats
- How land changes, and where water is found
9 units, including Solids & Liquids, Water World, Changing Materials, Mixtures & Materials.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- People who make a difference
- Family history and maps of North America
- Government, producers and consumers
11 units, including Then & Now, Communities Compared, Our Community Changes, Working Together Fairly.
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.
California report cards describe learning with Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
California's social and emotional learning competencies apply in every grade. Read about Social and emotional learning.
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: Animal Survival, Light & Sound, Sky & Seasons, Parents & Babies, Ideas from Nature
- Social Studies: Maps, Our Land, My Community, Respect & Inclusion, Community Services
Common questions
2nd grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the California Content Standards. In 2nd grade, reading becomes smoother and writing gets longer. Math moves to numbers up to 1,000, adding and subtracting within 100, money, time and estimating. Science looks at materials, plants and animals, and how land changes, and social studies is “People Who Make a Difference”, from family history to heroes long ago and today.
California report cards describe learning with Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding.
Short, regular practice works better than long sessions: 10 to 15 minutes a few times a week, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Read together, use math in real life, and praise effort.
Practice 2nd grade skills with Gradelings
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