Second Grade Academics

Parent Newsletter

What will my child learn?

English Language Arts

Standards

• Wisconsin English Language Arts Standards (Revised 2020)

Resources

• Curriculum Map 
• Scope and Sequence

Second Grade Units

Parent Resources for ELA

• RAZ Information for Families
  Your child has access to an award winning literacy resource. Click on this link to learn more about Raz Plus from Learning A-Z!
• Act 20 Resources & Family Activities

Math

Standards

• Wisconsin Math Standards (revised 2020)

Resources

• Scope and Sequence

Second Grade Units

Parent Resources

• Math at Home – collection of activities, organized by mathematical content, uses familiar routines that can be used by students and families.
• Math Apps – free apps that are based on the visual models student use in Bridges in Mathematics

Social Studies

Standards

Wisconsin Social Studies Standards

Second Grade Units

Science

Standards

• Wisconsin Science Standards

Second Grade Units

Social Emotional Learning

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) helps children develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. These include:

• Understanding and managing emotions
• Making responsible decisions
• Showing empathy and kindness
• Building positive friendships
• Solving problems in peaceful ways

SEL supports the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—helping students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

Elementary school is a time when children are learning how to navigate the world around them. As they grow, they begin to understand themselves, others, and how to work together. SEL helps students:

• Develop self-confidence and independence
• Learn how to handle big emotions
• Build friendships and resolve conflicts
• Follow directions and stay focused in class
• Create a strong sense of belonging at school

When students feel supported socially and emotionally, they are more engaged in learning and better prepared for future academic success.

KUSD uses the Second Step Elementary program, a trusted, research-based curriculum that teaches SEL skills in a developmentally appropriate and engaging way.  Second Step lessons are taught in the elementary classroom and focus on:

• Skills for Learning – Listening, focusing attention, and being assertive
• Empathy – Understanding and caring about others’ feelings
• Emotion Management – Recognizing strong emotions and calming down
• Problem-Solving – Using step-by-step strategies to make good choices

Lessons include stories, songs, discussions, games, and role-playing to help students practice their skills in fun and meaningful ways.

• Second Step
• CASEL
• WI DPI Social Emotional Learning

Physical Education

All K-5 students in the Kenosha Unified School District participate in physical education for 75 minutes per week.

Wisconsin Physical Education Standards

Music

All K-5 students in the Kenosha Unified School District participate in general music for 45 minutes per week.

• National Core Arts Standards

Second Grade Learning Objectives for Music

Students will demonstrate and understand:

• Rhythm Patterns
  • Quarter, eighth, and  quarter rest
• Pitch
  • Patterns of two or three pitches (mi-sol, mi-sol-la, d-r-m)
  • Use a system to read and notate simple melodic patterns

Demonstrated Vocal Skills

• Sing accurately in head voice, with or without accompaniment
• Sing a variety of songs

Demonstrated Instrumental Skills

• Perform pulse and rhythm on classroom instruments
• Use proper playing technique on classroom instruments

Demonstrated Performance Skills

• Follow the cues of a conductor with regard to tempo, dynamics and appropriate movement/actions
• Perform various dynamics and tempi
• Perform with expression

Demonstrated Interaction with Music

• Form – Identify AB, ABA and verse and chorus/refrain form.
• Tempo (Slow and fast) – Largo, moderato, and presto
• Dynamics (Loud and Soft) – Piano and forte
• Pulse/Meter – Simple meter of 2, 3, and 4
• Identify the expressive intent of music
• Identify characteristics of various styles/genres of music
• Creatively move to music with or without form

Art

All K-5 students in the Kenosha Unified School District participate in art for 45 minutes per week.

• National Core Arts Standards

Second Grade Learning Objectives for Visual Art

Elements and Principles of Art

• Color
  • Combines primary colors to create secondary colors.
• Shape/Space
  • Understands and uses positive and negative space.
  • Understands and uses overlapping.
• Form
  • Understands the difference between 2D and 3D artwork.
• Emphasis
  • Creates a focal point.

Artistic Process

• Creates art using different materials based on my interests (Including 2D and 3D artwork).
• Brainstorms many ideas and designs for artwork.

Craftsmanship

• Identifies good craftsmanship in their own work.

Responding

• Interprets artwork by how it makes them feel.
• Groups or categorizes artwork based on a big idea or theme.

Connecting

• Explores art from different times and cultures.
• Uses emotional vocabulary to express their opinion about their artwork.

Contact Information