Second Grade

Teaching mental math to find sums for second grade children isn't nearly as difficult as it may initially appear. Get tips on teaching mental math to find sums in second grade with help from a math…

The computer can be a useful addition to the second grade classroom and help to aid the learning process of students within various subjects, including reading. By the second grade, most kids are able…

The concept of weight measurement may be hard to grasp for young minds. But if you use mechanical devices to illustrate the principle of balance and measurement in math, it opens a door in the mind…

Heat and light are concepts that appear in most second-grade science curriculums, though they are not always presented in engaging ways to students. If you have a unit on heat and light coming up in…

In second grade, students tend to develop more confidence and independence in their writing. Their writing transforms from being purely for themselves to being for an audience as well. It goes from…

A diorama is a miniature scene or model, often constructed in a small container like a shoe box turned on its side. Constructing a diorama can help students spend time thinking about a story or topic…

An effective lesson about paleontologists should use young students' love of getting messy to engage their natural curiosity about the way the world around them works. Use hands-on exploration to help…

The plot summary recaps the key points in a story or reading passage. By second grade, students are able to decipher words within the text and read more complex stories with understanding. Teaching…

Having your second-grade students complete word activities is an ideal way to help them boost their grammar skills. After the students have a good grasp on subject pronouns, you can move on to object…

Second-graders have a basic understanding of day and night, but detailed activities expand their existing knowledge about why we change from day to night. These activities fit into the second-grade…

Comparatives and superlatives are used to describe two or more things. Comparatives add an -er to words to compare two things, connected with a than. "An elephant is bigger than a mouse."…

Commutative property in math has two basic rules -- one addition rule and one multiplication rule. Commutative property of addition states that changing the order of the digits being added does not…

Children love to measure things. From before the time they can remember a whole year, they learn to tell "how many" old they are, and candles on their birthday cakes are some of the first…

Learning how to identify the temperature on a thermometer is part of second-grade curriculum. Give your students hands-on lessons about accurately reading temperatures, hot and cold associations, and…

Second grade is the year that many students are introduced to the universe beyond our atmosphere. The students have graduated beyond sight words enough to handle the names of the planets and other…

By the end of second grade, your students should be able to recall addition and subtraction math facts quickly, as well as understand place value to the thousands and skip count by twos and fives.…

Teaching students about temperature and how it works is often a difficult task. When teaching your second graders about temperature, you can organize hands-on games with thermometers and other visual…

When working with a second grade class, it is important to keep your student’s families both informed and involved with their child’s schooling. Inviting parents, grandparents and siblings…

Teach your second-grade students about life under the sea with a unit on ocean animals. Extend the students' learning by taking a trip to a local aquarium so they can see the animals they're studying…

Chances are, you take changes in matter for granted, whether you're freezing water to make ice cubes or eagerly trying to prevent your ice cream from melting. For a second grader, such phenomena may…

Learning the basis of the states of matter early in education helps students better understand the more in-depth concepts of chemistry and other natural sciences. As a teacher, you can provide…

First-grade reading and writing is all about mastering the alphabet and learning to form letters and, eventually, words. In the second grade, students add comprehension to their writing skills.…

Second grade is the year most students learn to solve addition and subtraction problems with regrouping. Before they learn to solve regrouping problems with pencil and paper, it is important that kids…

Writing is not just a staple of education, it's also a marker of intelligence and ability for students of all ages. The elementary school years are especially important because many writing basics are…

Weather is a common part of the curriculum for many second-graders. Students at this level should be capable of observing, recognizing and predicting weather patterns. Beyond examining just the…

For young students, the relationship between cause and effect is a crucial lesson to learn. Teaching children about cause and effect allows them to understand consequences, while at the same time…

Phonics is an instructional method that teaches students how to read English words through learning the sounds of each letter and each part of a word. There has been much controversy throughout the…

Teaching elementary school writing can be a challenge. To help second graders develop the skills and passion they need to write well, break the writing process into simple steps and use a…

The ability to order is one key to learning. When children learn the steps for completing a task or activity, they have a plan. Parents and teachers seek to establish this ability in elementary school…

Measurement is a concept that children learn early in their elementary school years, but will be practiced and perfected throughout their entire school careers. Most second graders understand the…

Elementary school students can find learning to read fun with age-appropriate reading games. Second grade, educational games can focus on reading itself or reading elements such as vocabulary,…

Teaching second-grade students about adjectives doesn't have to be all about writing sentences on a chalkboard; it can be interactive and fun as well. Allowing second-grade students to play adjective…

Second graders and adjectives don't always mix well. Students who are learning vocabulary, but who don't particularly enjoy reading, will not fare well. Teachers need creativity in order to reach…

Your second graders already use fractions in their everyday lives, they just don’t realize it. Whenever they share equally with a friend, set the table with the plates, cups and flatware given…

There are many different types of graphs, and these include scatter, bar and line graphs. Second-grade children are generally of ages 7 and 8, and this is a good time for them to start learning key…

The subject of fractions is often challenging, but in second grade students begin learning about fractions and must gain a good understanding of them to advance in math. Teachers often use games as a…

At the second-grade level, a physical education (PE) class should help students develop proficiency in physical movements and teach them the basics of individual and team sports. In addition, a PE…

Second graders can explore the geometric concept of symmetry by playing symmetry games. If a line is drawn halfway through a shape and both halves are mirror images of each other, the shape has line…

For teachers, educating elementary school students in basic writing skills, such as constructing a good sentence, can be an uphill struggle. Yet such a skill, if mastered early, can have a positive…

Introducing children to the basic rules of language is essential at an early stage if they are to achieve well academically later in life. To make it easier for children in the second grade to learn…

By second grade, children are old enough to do basic projects on their own. Weather projects are a good place to start because the kids will be finding out about something they can relate to. Offer…

Decorating for Halloween can be spooky fun when elementary aged kids get involved. Help kids make Halloween decorations for the classroom with creepy craft activities that kids can do with little…

Milk is an ideal substance for early elementary science projects due to its inexpensive and nontoxic nature. Budding scientists can enjoy using a familiar substance for introductory chemistry…

While lengthy novels may not hold a second grader’s attention, short stories can provide the right mix of brevity and colorful action. Each short story contains several elements that also appear…

Imagine your second grade classroom walls covered with students' depictions of their own concept of identity. Take the common activity of self-portraits beyond its usual parameters by giving your…

Second-grade developing writers are improving on their basic writing techniques, but you can help them improve their writing talents. A second-grade writer should have some basic understanding of…

Whether it's for Halloween or a school project, making costumes can be fun and easy with just a few materials from the craft store. A pharaoh is a regal costume that is easy enough for your child to…

Learning how to take linear measurements is a math skill that will serve children well as they grow older. Learning important measurement skills can sometimes be a bit boring for students, and may…

Soon after children are able to start writing sentences, they learn that writing is a process. In second grade, individual processes within the act of writing as a whole are broken down into easy to…

Writing is not merely an important skill in school but rather in daily life. From communicating with others to completing tasks at work, writing is a skill used and relied upon throughout a lifetime.…

Looping is a term that refers to the practice of when a teacher advances with a class from one grade to the next. The teacher remains teaching the same group of children for two years in a row. This…

Teaching is almost always easier when the students are having a good time. When you are ready to teach your second grade class to read a clock, choose some games that will make the task fun for them.…

Metamorphosis is what makes an insect an insect. This process of change usually involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. You can provide an overview of each stage for second graders to gain a…

Volcanoes are openings in the Earth's surface, resembling mountains with a cup-shaped opening called the "crater." The ferocious eruptions of volcanoes create a fascinating spectacle for young…

Comprehension is understanding what one reads or is taught. Second graders learn comprehension skills in school through reading. Reading comprehension helps students succeed in other academic…

In second grade, students learn how to add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers with regrouping. People used to call this practice "borrowing" or "trading," but today it is commonly called…

Projects on the five senses can be tingly, sour, smelly, and loud. Learning about the five senses is dynamic and exciting for second-grade students. You can incorporate hands-on activities that test…

In the second grade social studies curriculum, the Mayflower represents a time in American history that European Pilgrims came to settle the new land. Lead students through several school projects…

Write a summary of a written piece of literature for your second-grade assignment that will earn you a respectable grade. A summary is a description of a written piece that describes the work in your…

Even students in elementary school can learn about and begin using expository writing. Before you begin, ensure that your students have the early skills needed to learn about expository writing.…

When children used to stayed home with their mothers and few children attended preschool or day care, kindergarten was the place they learned the basics like the alphabet, colors, counting and other…

Children in their early years of life are difficult to examine because their developmental growth and learning are variable and can be influenced by various factors, such as parents, environment and…

ECE (Early Childhood Education) and ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) both involve providing educational services to young children and offering them the tools they need to succeed in school…

English lessons at the second grade level are often dynamic, highlighting both reading and creative thinking skills. Understanding the different learning objectives at this level can help you ensure…

The Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is a system of books and recording forms used by classroom teachers to measure students' progress in decoding, fluency and comprehension of text. It is…

Expository writing requires writers to develop, evaluate and support an idea. It's important for students to master this writing method because it's a commonly used evaluation tool. Students are…

Fractions can be a difficult topic for elementary school students to master. They are not as readily apparent or used in daily life as much as whole numbers are. A useful tool for teaching fractions…

Understanding and using cardinal directions is usually challenging for First Graders. Keeping the maps simple, and relating them to the natural interests of the students, makes tackling this important…

The Texas Education Code provides the curriculum standard for students in grades kindergarten through 12. Curriculum standards set forth the expectations for learning and knowledge in core subject…

Oftentimes, schools will implement split-grade classes as a way of accommodating small class sizes. Many parents are apprehensive about a child being placed in a split-grade class, as the parents are…

Educators often have concerns about discipline in the primary grades. Effective classroom management takes practice, but a few proactive measures can prevent a great deal of disruptive behavior.…

Second grade children are introduced to earth sciences by learning about the changing seasons. After a long, hot summer, they return to school in early fall and anticipate winter with a sense of…

The Developmental Reading Assessment or DRA program is often used to assess a child's reading level. The program can be used to monitor the oral reading skills and comprehension of students in…

One of the basic English skills students need to master is exposition. Exposition is a style that explains factual information in the form of a written report or any type of presentation. Often, an…

Assessing reading skills helps teachers develop lesson plans that meet a student's individual needs and helps teachers choose skill-appropriate texts for kids. One tool used to assess a student's…

The Developmental Reading Assessment is a criterion-referenced assessment, meaning that it compares a student's performance to a set of established standards, rather than to the performance of other…

Fourth-graders are incredibly inventive. Invention Convention is a science fair organized by a class, school or school district to educate students about inventors and help them harness their…

Hygiene is a vital part of maintaining a healthy, functioning society. Even young third-graders are capable of understanding the importance of hygiene and putting it into practice. Explain not only…

It is important to start the preschool day on a positive note. This sets the tone and the mood for the rest of the day. Ease a child into activities early in the morning as opposed to expecting her to…

Get your second grade class rocking and rolling with some exciting lesson plans to help teach them about the various types of rocks. Devote all or part of a class day to getting your students…

Spinners are random color generators to base probability activities on. Probability is the likelihood that a desired outcome will occur expressed as a fraction, proportion or percentage. Experimenting…

Proper spelling and understanding the meaning of words are essential for effective communication. When creating a spelling list for second grade students, choose words that hold meaning for them and…

Early childhood special education classrooms provide extra attention to children who qualify for special education. These children are tested to have the subjects they're struggling with properly…

Boys and girls typically learn to write narrative and descriptive pieces during early elementary school. By the third grade, students are experimenting with a variety of essay genres, including…

Come up with an invention idea by rethinking one of your most routine daily habits. For example, start by thinking about how you brush your teeth, how you choose what to wear, the mode of…

Spelling is an essential subject to be taught to students of any age and there are various fun ways to teach the lesson while remaining educational. Whether you want to hand out individual whiteboards…

Their lively colors, interesting patterns and delicate movements make butterflies enchanting creatures. If you're a preschool teacher, use the lure of butterflies as a theme in your classroom. This…

It's never too early to begin teaching children about rules and laws. Unfortunately, lectures on this topic can be boring for children this young, so a different approach is required. If you are a…

Mathematics instruction, like other forms of educational teaching, has undergone significant changes in the early part of the 21st century. These changes have affected education levels from preschool…

Young students are infamous for being unmotivated in the mornings. One of the main reasons for this is that young people tend not to get enough sleep at night. In order to combat the effects of…

Spinners are visual aids with a segmented face and moving pointer used for demonstrating probabilities. Unlike static illustrations, such as those used when teaching fractions, spinners enable active…

A pie chart is a simple visual tool that can help anyone from an elementary school student to an adult working on a marketing proposal display information, facts and data or statistics. The main goal…

There are numerous approaches you can take when prompting topics for third grade students' expository writing. As with all people, children in the third grade can identify more easily with the…

Students in ninth grade can benefit greatly from English games designed to reinforce skills learned in the classroom. Computer games work on grammar, reading for information, spelling and…

Assigning challenging math projects for children in the second grade is a great way to keep kids actively involved in their learning. It helps them learn by doing rather than studying a chalkboard. It…

Have fun playing games with your second-grader and enhance her learning at the same time. Games can strengthen a foundation of skills already learned or introduce new skills in a fun way. There are…

Kindergarten isn't the same as it was when most parents were enrolled; instead of coloring and learning letters, kids are learning to read and write. Teaching these skills at home is especially…

If your child has been given an assignment to write a report on an animal, you may need to help them through a large portion of the process. Your child may have been assigned the animal to report on…

While a relatively small number of children are educated via home schooling, the practice gives some parents a chance to feel they are giving their kids the education they need. Home schooling can…

Art lessons can advance dual objectives: children can learn about an art concept while simultaneously honing important motor skills. In their first years of school, children are still acquiring motor…

Fractions can be difficult concepts for children to learn at any age. Using real-world items helps convey the abstract concept of fractions. All children love food, so using food in the classroom can…

Get the day off to a good start with organized activities for the pupils in your classroom. Create a routine for your pupils to follow and make the first few minutes of each day productive. Plan…

Invention conventions are popular educational gatherings that bring together students from several schools. The students display inventions they have created. Invention conventions can be a valuable…

Though second-grade students are starting to become more mature, that doesn't mean they don't enjoy having fun. If you're a second-grade teacher, there are a variety of games that you can use to…

Turning everyday lessons into amusing games is a creative way to get second-grade students interested in learning. Games can help children master new lessons and practice what they already know.…

By second grade, students are learning a multitude of math skills. The core skills include addition, subtraction, comparing and estimating numbers and the value of money. One way to keep students…

A solid foundation in mathematical principles is key to navigating basics that everyone deals with on a regular basis. Math is fundamental in saving and spending money and figuring out distance and…

Butterfly activities in a kindergarten classroom provide ample learning opportunities. Kindergarten children can learn science skills as they are introduced to the butterfly life cycle, art skills as…

Home schooling carries many benefits. For many parents, it's a way to insulate their children from drugs, violence and bullying in the public schools. Home schooling also allows parents to be more…

Celebrate spring with your students by making spring lamb art projects. These projects can entertain kids from preschool through elementary school. You can also do spring lamb projects as a Bible…

Second grade is an exciting time in academic life, when students are learning more complex subjects but still enjoying their childhood. Art projects can assist in the education of second-grade…

Teachers and parents struggle to find interesting and appropriate science projects to suggest to their second-graders. Projects for second-graders need to be relatively easy for the pupil to…

Charcoal drawings remain an essential skill for budding artists. Working with charcoal serves the dual purpose of building artistic creation skills and developing art appreciation skills. Lead your…

Creating a class book about topics covered during the academic year is a wonderful way to recap and review what the group has learned and accomplished. This project is simple enough for second-graders…

Children are usually fascinated by the weather. Snow makes them giddy, rainbows are amazing, and clouds are much more complicated than they thought. Most children are fascinated by the water cycle and…

The colors and objects of fall will inspire second-graders with these fun and easy art projects. Turkeys, pine cones and leaves will come alive as the children flex their creative muscles with paper,…

Most children enjoy art projects. Unfortunately, teachers know that art projects can be time-consuming -- taking valuable time away from the core subjects -- and expensive. For these reasons, it's…

Friendship is a theme that students often practice everyday both during and outside of school. Incorporate friendship into your math activities by allowing second grade students to point out the…

The study of the weather is a significant focus of the second grade science curriculum. While experiments and observations are effective ways to investigate weather phenomena, integrating art projects…

As your current school year draws to a close, encourage your second-grade students to engage in reflection by guiding them through the creation of a class book. By dedicating themselves to producing a…

Consider how many questions you ask a day, especially if you are traveling in an unfamiliar place or with a new person, and you will quickly realize how important it is to learn question words when…

Children rely on their parents for much of their knowledge. From their parents they learn how to walk, talk and behave. Many parents are carrying on this process by opting to home school their…

The spring thaw excites young children. Spring-themed art projects capture that excitement and channel it into a creative activity. The projects work for art class or in the regular classroom. The…

Twenty percent of Americans can not read above a fifth-grade level, according to Education Portal. Reading is an essential life skill, and developing a love of reading early will help foster this…

Butterflies are an easy theme for developing cross-curricular units, especially in writing, science and art. Primary students may explore both the natural world and descriptive language with these…

As a teacher or parent of a second-grader, knowing the milestones that should be reached in school helps assess a child's skill level. State educational systems put forth certain requirements per…

The way in which your classroom is organized can have a large impact on the performance of your students. Classroom setup is one of the most important aspects of preparing for a new school year, and…

Creative writing fosters self-awareness and gives younger students an outlet for self-expression by helping them learn to put their feelings into words. In the case of collaborative projects,…

Music is an integral part of childhood education. Learning music helps foster creativity and can help with tasks like simple counting and following directions. While some students will display natural…

Classroom management includes the way the teacher sets up the classroom, as well as the discipline procedure. If a second-grade classroom reflects the teacher's philosophy, he will be more at-ease and…

The guided reading level system, developed by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinell, is implemented in many elementary schools. But finding books rated for your students' reading level can sometimes be…

Making a book about ancient Egypt for kids would be a wonderful weekend project for the whole family. There's so much to share on the topic with children of all ages. Many cultures developed…

A classroom library should be kid-friendly. Books should always be neat, organized and easy for the students to find. If students are unable to find what they are looking for, they will not be…

The first 5 minutes of the day in the classroom set the tone that can make or break the rest of the day in terms of classroom management and atmosphere. Whether you teach preschool students who enter…

The time between when students arrive and the bell ringing can be a chaotic flurry of unproductive and sometimes disruptive activity. To reign in the chaos and give students purpose in the morning,…

Charoite is a gemstone named after its discovery in the Charo River Valley during the 1940s. It was found in Lake Baikal located in Russia. The Gem Society says charoite is so distinct that experts…

You can make a spinner to use in a classroom for games and educational activities. Using a spinner introduces a sense of excitement in an activity. Spinners also add student interaction to an…

The second grade is an important time for children, parents, and teachers. Students in the second grade should now be aware of punctuation, the various meanings certain words have, and the sequence of…

Write a book with your second-grade class. Each class member can design a page to make up the book. Decide on a theme based on the subject your class is studying or use a class book as a…

Playing educational games of all types helps a second grade student think creatively and be productive in school. There are many games that reinforce second grade learning objectives and most of these…

Making spinners is an easy task that is sure to be an effective learning tool for second-grade students. Spinners can be used for teaching probability, mathematical computation, prefixes and suffixes…

Many students return to school after December's holiday break with a renewed enthusiasm for learning and education. Teachers must take advantage of this enthusiasm with interesting and original lesson…

"I put words on paper, and then I push them a bit," is how one famous writer described his craft. In teaching expository writing to second-graders, your task is to encourage the children to put lots…

New inventions have the potential to become a top seller, which is part of the reason why schools are now offering this type of assembly. An invention convention asks each student to come up with an…

We are well into the 21st century, where our children and grandchildren have become known as "digital natives." They have been born into a world flourishing with computers, online social networks,…

Students in the second grade generally learn the sounds of letters, how to write a story, and rhyming sounds for key words. There are many free online games available to enhance a child's…

Henri Matisse was born in France on December 31, 1869. Matisse originally trained to be a lawyer, but when struck with appendicitis, he received an art box to enjoy while recuperating and discovered…

Educators can teach second graders how to identify and use cardinal directions by teaching concrete lessons on north, south, east and west. Students will be fascinated by all the ways the cardinal…

Art projects are an ideal way to introduce other topics to students. Through art, students can learn about Stone Age cave paintings and mosaics like those created by the artists in ancient Rome. They…

Learning about the solar system fascinates many students as they ponder the possibility of life on other planets. As students learn more about the conditions on the planets, they will also learn…

Music and the arts are important components of a well-rounded primary education. A second grader may not need to show potential as a professional musician, but a strong understanding of rhythm,…

Spring provides interesting art subject matter for kids, so provide a variety of interesting projects rather than the same old flower and rainbow drawings. Second graders can accomplish many art…

As a parent, you may find it challenging when your child's teacher sends home an assignment to write a report on an animal. In some cases, your second grader may have done some preliminary research…

Arts and crafts are an integral part of a child's education. Teachers expose students to a variety of art activities when learning academic subjects, giving them the opportunity to work together with…

Teachers use art to help second-graders explore their creative sides while learning. Unfortunately, when schools experience budget cuts, art programs are among the first to be cut. Children need art…

Dress up the classroom door with Halloween-themed decorations during the month of October. The door offers an additional display location for designs similar to a bulletin board. Getting the kids…

Second graders work best in a structured environment where the teacher and parents work together to help them succeed in school. Teachers create routines and activities that help students reinforce…

For second-graders, bowling is an activity that "kills two birds with one stone." Not only does it provide a fun activity and a moderate degree of exercise, it also can serve as a great math lesson.…

Your GPA, or grade point average, is very important. It may make a difference in being able to get into the college or graduate school of your choice. Employers could even ask for a transcript that…

Excellent second grade teachers must be strong classroom managers. Effective classroom managers are always prepared and are always thinking of ways to keep their students and classrooms productive and…

As students are introduced to addition, subtraction, counting money, and learning the order of numbers, games can help reinforce that math is fun. However, coming up with creative, engaging games on a…

Developmental Reading Assessment measures a student's reading level from kindergarten through the eighth grade. The DRA level assists the educator in finding books for a student that correspond with…

For second-graders, learning facts about ancient Egypt can revolve around what will be three new vocabulary words for many students. Call your lesson "Ancient Egypt: pharaohs, pyramids and papyrus"…

If your second-grade class is getting poor grades on weekly spelling tests, incorporate a variety of games to help your students practice vocabulary words and improve study skills. Organize activities…

Technology is important even as early as elementary school. Use technology-oriented lesson plans with your second graders to get them interested in technology and to give them an idea of what the…

The boundless energy and imagination of a class of second graders provides am opportunity to not only teach the craft of storytelling but also encourage them to learn new words, practice proper…

Teaching fractions to second graders can be a challenge. Using games as part of your fractions unit gives students some hands-on experience manipulating fractions and provides them with ways to make…

Playing games is a good way for children to remember what they're being taught. It can also take the drudgery out of sitting at a desk and working alone while listening to a lecture. Here are a few…

Basic math skills can be tricky for some kids to master, especially in the elementary grades. Luckily, there are many simple tips parents and their children can do to help their young children learn…

Learning Spanish can be made into a fun and exciting experience, which is crucial when you are teaching kids. Second grade is a special grade. Most students fall somewhere between six and eight years…

Sapphires have long been appreciated for their beauty and valued for centuries. They can be found gracing England's crown jewels. Pope Innocent III once decreed that "...the ring of a Bishop should be…

A leveled classroom library provides a quick, informal assessment of your second graders during independent reading time. Through the use of clearly marked attractive book bins, your classroom library…

For that next presentation, when you need to convey the proportional relationships between pieces of information, a pie chart might be your answer. They are simple to make using a computer and very…

Your 8-year old is finishing his second formal year of elementary school. What a joy -- he's on the cusp of tweendom and still a delight, without any of that sassy behavior that you know is coming.…