Second Grade

English Language Arts

English Language Arts students will grow skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students in Second Grade will… 

● grow as independent readers, reading more challenging texts smoothly, with expression 

● ask and answer questions about fiction texts, retell stories with a clear understanding of the lesson/moral, and describe how characters respond to events 

● ask and answer questions about nonfiction texts, identify the main topic and details, and use text features to locate important information 

● use context clues, root words, and resources to figure out the meaning of new words 

● write opinion, informative, and narrative pieces with a beginning, details, and ending 

● plan, write, revise, and edit with support, making writing clearer and more interesting 

● write complete sentences, use capitalization, commas in dates/lists, and end punctuation 

● grow spelling skills by learning word families, vowel teams, prefixes, and common rules 

● participate in conversations, listen to others, ask questions, and share ideas clearly 

● build confidence using descriptive words and complete thoughts to speak and write

Mathematics

KPS math students make sense of problems and persevere in solving them; reason abstractly and quantitatively; construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others; model with mathematics; use appropriate tools strategically; attend to precision; look for and make use of structure; and look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Students in Second Grade will… 

● solve challenging addition and subtraction word problems with one or two steps 

● quickly and accurately add with a sum of 20 or less (11 + 8); quickly and accurately subtract from a number 20 or less (16 – 9); and know all sums of one-digit numbers from memory by the end of the year 

● understand what the digits mean in three-digit numbers (place value) 

● use understanding of place value to add and subtract three-digit numbers (811 – 367); add and subtract two-digit numbers quickly and accurately (77 – 28) 

● build, draw, and analyze 2D and 3D shapes to develop foundations for area, volume, and geometry in later grades 

● measure and estimate length in standard units

Science

Through inquiry, collaboration, and sense-making, KPS students use science to understand the world around them regarding… 

● Earth’s systems - processes that shape Earth 

● structure and properties of matter 

● interdependent relationships in ecosystems

● engineering design

Social Studies

Individually and collaboratively, students will engage in planned inquiries to investigate… 

● the past in their own community 

● ways people interact with their environment and consequences of those interactions 

● how local government affects people 

● economic activity in their own and other communities 

● public issues in the local community that influence people’s daily lives

Specials

Art

The KPS Art program supports creativity, self-expression, and skill development through hands-on learning and exposure to a variety of artistic tools and techniques. 

Students learn class rules, procedures, and routines to establish a safe and respectful learning environment. They explore basic color theory, geometric shapes, and the elements of design. Through exposure to multiple forms of art, mediums, and tools, students begin developing strong artistic habits and an understanding that art is an important part of our world, both past and present.

Music

The KPS Music program offers all students from a rich and engaging experience grounded in Music Learning Theory. Music instruction emphasizes how children naturally learn music in a way similar to how they acquire language. 

Students experience music through a variety of songs and chants in different tonalities and meters. Learning is playful and exploratory, involving steady beat activities, movement, and the use of classroom instruments such as shakers, drums, woodblocks, and xylophones. These early experiences lay the foundation for musical understanding and expression.

Physical Education

The KPS Physical Education (PE) program is designed to help students build essential skills through a wide variety of activities that promote fitness, teamwork, and fun. 

Students develop motor skills through  running, dribbling, passing, catching, and various fitness challenges. They learn fundamental concepts of soccer and basketball and enjoy creative games like Rainbow Tag and Rock, Paper, Scissors variations. The year concludes with Field Day - an exciting celebration where students showcase their skills, support one another, and enjoy friendly outdoor competition.

STEM

The KPS Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program provides students with hands-on learning experiences that inspire creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking through real-world exploration. 

Students are introduced to STEM through engaging, age-appropriate activities that build foundational skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and exploration. They work with a variety of materials and tools to investigate simple challenges, begin experimenting with basic technology, and discover how STEM connects to the world around them - all in a fun, supportive environment that encourages learning through trial and error.