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Second Grade

        As your child moves from first grade to second grade, he or she will display more independence in his or her 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, 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 or her 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 or her work with family and friends. Your child will be interested in learning, wanting to discover how things work. He or she 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 or she will show his or her 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 or her school life successful. The more interest you show in your child's learning, the more motivated and positive he or she will be towards school and homework. Your child will learn how to relate his or her learning to the real world by following your examples. Together, you and your child can take the knowledge he or she 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 or her school day. Set aside a time each day for your child to talk about his or her daily experiences. Daily conversations will not only help improve your child's vocabulary, self-expression, and self-esteem, but it will also show him or her how special he or she 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 your child develop these ideas through drawing, writing, or role-playing activities. Your child will become more creative if you encourage him or her to think outside the box. Help your child break new ground by creating exciting, challenging experiences where he or she can tap his or her creative intelligence.

Read Together
        Your child must continue to read a lot-a book or several chapters of a book each day. Although he or she should now have the skills to read independently, your child will still benefit from hearing good books and stories read aloud to him or her. 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 or her work on a daily basis. Ask your child to tell you about his or her work and the process 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. Your child will learn by working through his or her 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 or she 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 or her classroom teacher. Homework is meant to reinforce learning, so you want the time spent on it to be stimulating, not frustrating, for your child.

Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Safety Tips
        As a parent, you have an important role in shaping your children's physical activity, nutrition, and safety attitudes and behaviors. Help keep them safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Here are some things you can do.

        It is recommended that children participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week. Ensure that the activity is age appropriate, and, to ensure safety, provide protective equipment such as helmets, wrist pads, and knee pads.

        Plan your children's snack choices. Healthy choices may include popcorn, low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt, and low-sugar, whole-grain cereals.

        Create a safe home and community environment. Children should use booster seats until they can wear the lap belt low and flat on the hips and the shoulder belt across the shoulder (usually when a child is around 80 pounds and about 4-feet-9-inches tall).