Grade 2 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 2 science in the Ontario Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- A1 STEM Investigation and Communication Skills: Use a scientific research process, a scientific experimentation process, and an engineering design process to conduct investigations, following appropriate health and safety procedures
- A2 Coding and Emerging Technologies: Use coding in investigations and to model concepts, and assess the impact of coding and of emerging technologies on everyday life
- A3 Applications, Connections, and Contributions: Demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of science and technology, and of contributions to science and technology from people with diverse lived experiences
- B1 Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: Assess ways in which animals have an impact on society and the environment, and ways in which human activities have an impact on animals and the places where they live
- B2 Exploring and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding that animals grow and change and have distinct characteristics
- C1 Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: Assess ways in which liquids and solids and their uses can have an impact on society and the environment
- C2 Exploring and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of the properties and physical changes of liquids and solids
- D1 Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: Assess the impact of simple machines on society and on the environment
- D2 Exploring and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of movement and ways in which simple machines help to move objects
- E1 Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World: Assess ways in which the actions of humans have an impact on the quality of air and water, and create plans to protect these resources
- E2 Exploring and Understanding Concepts: Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of air and water, including water in various states, and of ways in which living things depend on air and water for their survival
Easy ways to practise science at home
- Try a kitchen experiment, such as what dissolves in water and what floats or sinks.
- Keep a simple weather or moon log for a month.
- Ask “What do you think will happen?” and then test it.
- Visit a park, beach or creek and look for living things and their habitats.
What each unit covers
Think Like a Scientist
How scientists and engineers work: tools for measuring, fair tests, safety, sharing results, simple algorithms and how new technology changes everyday life.
Animal Life Cycles
Life cycles of butterflies, frogs, chickens and mammals, and how some animals change a lot while others look like small adults.
How Animals Move
How animals swim, fly, hop, slither, crawl and gallop, and the body parts that help them move.
Animal Adaptations
Body features (fur, quills, beaks, camouflage) and behaviours (hibernating, migrating, storing food) that help animals survive, and which features change as animals grow.
Animals & People
Helpful and bothersome ways animals affect us, and how building, litter and clean water affect animals and the places they live.
Solids & Liquids
Sorting solids and liquids, describing melting, freezing and boiling, and changes that can or can't be undone.
Mixtures & Materials
Mixing liquids and solids (dissolving, separating), what sinks or floats, and which materials soak up or push away water.
Safety Symbols
Reading hazard symbols (poison, flammable, explosive, corrosive) on household products, and storing and throwing out dangerous liquids safely.
Push & Pull
Pushes and pulls, magnets, gravity, and how surfaces slow things down.
Simple Machines
The six simple machines (lever, inclined plane, wedge, pulley, wheel and axle, screw), where we see them every day, and how they make a job take less effort.
Air & Water for Life
Air takes up space, the three states of water, why all living things need clean air and water, and how people can protect and share water.
Water World
The water cycle, where our water comes from, and simple ways to save water and keep rivers clean.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Level 1
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Level 2
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Level 3
- Has it! Level 3 is the provincial standard. Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Level 4
- 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 Ontario report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 2 child with science?
Try a kitchen experiment, such as what dissolves in water and what floats or sinks. Keep a simple weather or moon log for a month. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 2 science in Ontario?
The Ontario Curriculum Grade 2 science units include think like a scientist, animal life cycles, how animals move, animal adaptations, animals & people, solids & liquids.
Free printable Grade 2 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.