Grade 2

This document outlines the Grade 2 curriculum. West Hartford’s comprehensive program is based on standards for teaching and learning adopted by the Connecticut Board of Education/State Department of Education including Connecticut Core Standards, Connecticut Social Studies Frameworks, and Next Generation Science Standards. The West Hartford curriculum also includes integration of state standards for visual and performing arts, physical education, and library media services. These standards guide development of curriculum and instruction to support student learning necessary for success on district and state assessments and for students to have the knowledge, skills and dispositions for future college and career readiness.

Through seven units of study, your child will focus on both the content of Math Standards (WHAT they will learn) and Mathematical Practices (HOW students engage in learning of mathematics) that are both part the CT Core Mathematics Standards for Mathematics.

In Grade 2, instruction focuses on four critical areas of mathematics content learning:

• extending understanding of base-ten notation (Number & Operations in Base Ten)
• building fluency with addition and subtraction (Operations & Algebraic Thinking)
• using standard units of measure (Measurement & Data)
• describing and analyzing shapes (Geometry)

Click here for some helpful resources that you can use to gain a better understanding of the elementary math curriculum as well as ways in which you can support your child in math at home.

• What plants need to grow and how plants depend on animals for see dispersal and pollination
• The diversity of life in different habitats
• Properties of matter and the classification of materials
• How wind and water change the shape of the land

Your child will demonstrate their understanding of these core ideas by engaging in eight science and engineering practices throughout their science units of study.

This year, your child will develop an understanding of and mastery toward Grade 2 Common Core Standards for English-Language Arts. These standards integrate all aspects of Language Arts development and are categorized under reading, language, and speaking & listening. Your child will participate in whole and small group reading lessons to support progress toward mastery of these standards. An outline of the year's units are included below.

Unit 2: Inspiring Change

Unit 3: A World of Stories

Unit 4: Ecosystems: Homes Animals Rely On

Click here for some helpful resources that you can use to support your second grader with reading at home.

Writing instruction is now embedded into the literacy block. Teachers will use both sentence-level writing routines, as developed through The Writing Revolution, along with a gradual release model for process writing to guide their writing instruction. Students will continue to engage in process writing and complete narrative, informational, and opinion pieces.

Click here for some helpful resources that you can use to support your second grader with writing at home.

Handwriting is a key component in the Fundations program. Your child will learn correct posture, paper position, and pencil grip. Children also learn to write the upper- and lower-case manuscript alphabet with proper letter formation.

Your child will engage in weekly lessons from the Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum as well as a Morning Meeting structure (greeting, sharing, group activities) implemented in all Grade K-5 classrooms provide West Hartford students with a consistent social-emotional learning progression. As part of our WHPS commitment to equity and anti-racism, your child will also engage in supplemental lessons that support Second Step programing as it relates to identity, diversity, justice, and action. Students build the following social-emotional learning (SEL) concepts and skills throughout their WHPS elementary experience:

• Self-Awareness: Develop a positive self-concept
• Self-Management: Identify, understand, and regulate emotions of self and others
• Responsible Decision-Making: Make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions
• Relationship Skills: Develop positive interpersonal relationships
• Social Awareness: Develop an understanding of rules and responsibilities within communities

Your child will engage in an integrated social studies curriculum developed with guidance from the Connecticut Elementary and Secondary Social Studies Standards passed by the State Board of Education in October 2024. The Grade 2 standards, which include Inquiry, History, Geography, Economics and Civics, are embedded into Course Questions and Course Topics.

Grade 2 Course Questions:

• How do people in communities work together?
• How do leaders make decisions?

Grade 2 Course Topics:

• Working Together as a Community
• Leadership Past and Present
• Decision-Making in our World

As part of the English/Language Arts curriculum, your child will will participate in two integrated Social Studies units.

History/Literacy Integration: As part of the English/Language Arts curriculum, your child will will participate in two integrated Social Studies units.

• Your child will read a variety of books with fictional characters that make a difference in big and small ways. Your child will consider how just like the characters they read about, they can also make a difference in the lives of others.

• Your child will study children and adults in history whose actions have impacted people living today.

Instruction about Religion:

• Religious leaders who have made a difference in their community, country, or world.

• The typing.com program introduces foundational letter and keyboarding skills. Muscle memory of the keyboard is developed with frequently used letter combinations. Your child will learn to type words and sentences using engaging and changing themes.

  
  

  Click here to learn more about keyboarding practice at WHPS.

Visual Arts: The visual arts curriculum provides a sequential and meaningful focus on skills and concepts while emphasizing art production, art history, aesthetics and art criticism. Your child will engage in inquiry, exploration and development of visual literacy skills, technique and expression of personal style through child-centered experiences.

Physical Education: The department strives to help children create healthy, active lifestyles through a balance of activities in a positive, responsible and cooperative environment. Your child will engage in activities that include the movement areas of body management, use of manipulatives, educational gymnastics, dance, fitness and adventure/cooperative education.

Music: The study of music fosters artistic development, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the pursuit of life-long learning. Through performing and responding to music, your child will develop individual skills, realize a sense of belonging, and establish connections to the community.

Library-Media: The library-media department provides instruction, resources and services necessary for students to become lifelong learners in a global community. Your child will engage in weekly sessions with the library-media specialist to develop a flexible set of skills throughout their elementary experience to prepare them to be independent knowledge-seekers, critical thinkers, and creative-problem-solvers.

Computer Science

Early Childhood (PreK)

QUEST(Gifted and Talented)

World Languages

Additional information on the district website (whps.org):

Elementary Handbook

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Office

Information and Technology Services: Tech Tips for Families and Staff

West Hartford Cares Crisis and Community Resources