Grade 2 Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 2 social studies in the Newfoundland and Labrador Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Citizenship, power and governance. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the origins, functions, and sources of power, authority, and governance.
- Culture and diversity. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of culture, diversity, and world view, recognizing the similarities and differences reflected in various personal, cultural, racial, and ethnic perspectives.
- Individuals, societies and economic decisions. Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to make responsible economic decisions as individuals and as members of society.
- Interdependence. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interdependent relationship among individuals, societies, and the environment—locally, nationally, and globally—and the implications for a sustainable future.
- People, place and environment. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the interactions among people, places, and the environment.
- Time, continuity and change. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the past and how it affects the present and the future.
Easy ways to practise social studies at home
- Look at a map of your community and find places you visit.
- Ask an older relative or neighbour what the area was like when they were young.
- Read stories from many communities, including Indigenous authors, and talk about what is the same and different.
- Talk about how rules and jobs help a community work.
What each unit covers
Needs & Wants
Telling needs from wants and how communities help meet people's needs.
Communities in Canada
Canada's regions, cities and rural communities, official languages, and Indigenous peoples as the first peoples of this land.
Caring Citizens
Rights and responsibilities, community helpers, and how small local actions help the planet.
Traditions & Celebrations
Well-known celebrations in Canada (such as Canada Day, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid, Hanukkah and Thanksgiving), and how food, songs, stories and language pass on heritage. First Nations, Métis and Inuit traditions are not covered here yet.
Then & Now
Generations in a family, using photos, interviews and timelines, and how technology and traditions change from the past to the present.
Groups in Our Community
The many groups and languages in a community, why families move, welcoming newcomers, and finding the places families come from on a globe or map.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Not Yet Achieving
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Good
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Excellent
- 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 Newfoundland and Labrador report card guide.
Common questions
Look at a map of your community and find places you visit. Ask an older relative or neighbour what the area was like when they were young. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Curriculum Grade 2 social studies units include needs & wants, communities in canada, caring citizens, traditions & celebrations, then & now, groups in our community.
Free printable Grade 2 social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.