As your child moves from first grade to second grade, he will display more independence in his learning patterns. Based on national standards and research on how children learn, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has developed clear expectations, or standards to guide classroom instruction at each grade level. This booklet reflects some of DoDEA's standards for the major academic areas in the second grade. For a complete copy of the DoDEA standards, please refer to DoDEA's website at www.dodea.edu.

        DoDEA's standards reflect learning expectations for a second grade student. Because of learning styles and differences, we know that not all children reach the same expectations at the same time. If you are unsure or worried about your child's educational progress, please discuss it with his classroom teacher. DoDEA believes that all children can learn if parents and schools work together.

        Your child will enter the second grade eager to please and share his work with family and friends. He will be interested in learning, wanting to discover how things work. He will make significant leaps in reading, writing, and math skills, and his knowledge base in the areas of science, social studies, and technology will involve more complex concepts and thinking. As your child develops and progresses in school, he will show his understanding by using new vocabulary, orally and in writing.

This will be an exciting year of learning for your child. DoDEA is ready to partner with you in making your child's second grade year successful. Some things you can do at home are:

Take Time
        Your child will seek your attention and want your help to make his school life successful. The more interest you show in your child's learning, the more motivated and positive he will be towards school and homework. He will learn how to relate his learning to the real world by following your examples. Together, you and your child can take the knowledge he learns at school and apply it in the home setting.

Talk Together
        Your child is a unique individual who has important things to share with you about his school day. Set aside a time each day for your child to talk about his daily experiences. Daily conversations will not only help improve your child's vocabulary, self-expression, and self-esteem, but it will also show him how special he is in your life. Research indicates that "Language plays a central role in learning, and the success of children in school depends to a very large degree on their ability to speak and listen." (Speaking and Listening, the National Center on Education and the Economy, and the University of Pittsburgh, 2001)

Encourage Creativity
        Second graders tend to view life in black and white terms, becoming more interested in "real" activities than engaging in fantasy. They become less dependent on their imaginations and try to make sense of their world by becoming interested in the rules, rituals, and routines that govern their lives.

        Creativity is the substance of discovery. Creativity comes from brainstorming different solutions to the numerous issues we encounter each day. Have a writing tablet close at hand and jot down ideas that your child brings to your discussions. Later, help him develop these ideas through drawing, writing, or role-playing activities. Your child will become more creative if you encourage him to "think outside the box." Help him break new ground by creating exciting, challenging experiences where he can tap his creative intelligence.

Read Together
        Your child must continue to read a lot-a book or several chapters of a book each day. Although he should now have the skills to read independently, he will still benefit from hearing good books and stories read aloud to him. It is important to model the daily habit of reading (e.g., a newspaper, a book, a magazine) for your child.

Set the Environment for Learning
        To help your child reach DoDEA's standards or expectations for second grade, it is most important that you review his work on a daily basis. Ask him to tell you about his work and the process that he used to complete it. It is important that your child feels success, but remember that learning from one's mistakes is a part of life. He will learn by working through his errors. Motivation comes from within, so guide your child in seeing the importance of reinforcing learning.

        Set aside a quiet time each day for your child to work on reading or completing homework. Find a place in your home where he will be free from distractions. Use a kitchen timer to set a work period, a short break, and then a completion period for the work. If your child seems overwhelmed, talk with his classroom teacher. Homework is meant to reinforce learning, so you want the time spent on it to be stimulating, not frustrating, for your child.