Curriculum: Grade 2 Social Studies
Chicopee Public Schools
Overview: Second graders learn world and United States history, geography, economics, and government by studying more about who Americans are and where they came from. They explore their own family’s history and learn about distinctive achievements, customs, events, places, or landmarks from long ago and from around the world. The chief purpose of the grade 2 curriculum is to help students understand that American citizenship embraces all kinds of people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and national origin. American students come from all countries and continents in the world. A history and social science curriculum should help students acquire a common understanding of American history, its political principles, and its system of government in order to prepare them for responsible participation in our schools and civic life.
*Map Skills will be addressed throughout the school year.
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Term |
Topics |
Standards |
Stories from Houghton Mifflin Reading Series |
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1 Sept./Oct. |
Review previous map skills, Name and locate the continents and oceans, Know where the boundaries are for each country in North America, Discuss and locate the five major rivers of the world and major mountains or mountain ranges and their importance, Know what continent and country they live in and be able to state differences between a continent and a country. |
2.1 On a map of the world, locate all of the continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. (G)
2.2 Locate the current boundaries of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (G)
2.3 Locate the oceans of the world: the Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans. (G)
2.4 Locate five major rivers in the world: the Mississippi, Amazon, Volga, Yangtze, and Nile. (G)
2.5 Locate major mountains or mountain ranges in the world such as the Andes, Alps, Himalayas, Mt. Everest, Mt. McKinley, and the Rocky Mountains. (G)
2.6 Explain the difference between a continent and a country and give examples of each. (G)
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Julius (theme 1)
Dragon Gets By (theme 1)
Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (theme 2)
Exploring Parks and Ranger Dockett (theme 2)
Around the Pond; Who’s Been Here (theme 1)
Chinatown (theme 3)
Big, Bushy Mustache (theme 3)
Jamaica Louis James (theme 3)
Officer Buckle and Gloria (theme 4)
Ant (theme 4)
The Great Ball Game (theme 4)
Brothers and Sisters (theme 5)
Jalapeno Bagels (theme 5)
Thunder Cake (theme 5)
The Art Lesson (theme 6) |
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2 Nov./Dec. |
Traditions and customs of the family background history |
2.7 On a map of the world, locate the continent, regions, or countries from which students, their parents, guardians, grandparents, or other relatives or ancestors came. With the help of family members and the school librarian, describe traditional food, customs, sports and games, and music of the place they came from. (G, C)
2.8 With the help of the school librarian, give examples of traditions or customs from other countries that can be found in America today. (G, C)
2.9 With the help of the school librarian, identify and describe well-known sites, events, or landmarks in at least three different countries from which students’ families come and explain why they are important. (H, G, C)
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Dragon Gets By (theme 1 )
Julius (theme 1)
Mrs. Brown Went to Town (theme 2)
Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (theme 2)
Exploring Parks and Ranger Dockett (theme 2)
Around the Pond; Who’s Been Here (theme 1)
Big, Bushy Mustache (theme 3)
Jamaica Louis James (theme 3)
Ant (theme 4)
The Great Ball Game (theme 4) Carousel (theme 5)
Brothers and Sisters (theme 5)
Jalapeno Bagels (theme 5)
Thunder Cake (theme 5)
The Art Lesson (theme 6) |
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2 Jan./Feb. |
Traditions and customs of the family background history |
2.7 On a map of the world, locate the continent, regions, or countries from which students, their parents, guardians, grandparents, or other relatives or ancestors came. With the help of family members and the school librarian, describe traditional food, customs, sports and games, and music of the place they came from. (G, C)
2.8 With the help of the school librarian, give examples of traditions or customs from other countries that can be found in America today. (G, C)
2.9 With the help of the school librarian, identify and describe well-known sites, events, or landmarks in at least three different countries from which students’ families come and explain why they are important. (H, G, C)
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Dragon Gets By (theme 1 )
Julius (theme 1)
Mrs. Brown Went to Town (theme 2)
Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (theme 2)
Exploring Parks and Ranger Dockett (theme 2)
Around the Pond; Who’s Been Here (theme 1)
Big, Bushy Mustache (theme 3)
Jamaica Louis James (theme 3)
Ant (theme 4)
The Great Ball Game (theme 4) Carousel (theme 5)
Brothers and Sisters (theme 5)
Jalapeno Bagels (theme 5)
Thunder Cake (theme 5)
The Art Lesson (theme 6) |
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3 Mar./Apr. |
Continue with Family history backgrounds, Biographies of people who have achieved great distinction in various areas. |
2.7 On a map of the world, locate the continent, regions, or countries from which students, their parents, guardians, grandparents, or other relatives or ancestors came. With the help of family members and the school librarian, describe traditional food, customs, sports and games, and music of the place they came from. (G, C)
2.8 With the help of the school librarian, give examples of traditions or customs from other countries that can be found in America today. (G, C)
2.9 With the help of the school librarian, identify and describe well-known sites, events, or landmarks in at least three different countries from which students’ families come and explain why they are important. (H, G, C)
2.10* After reading or listening to a variety of true stories about individuals recognized for their achievements, describe and compare different ways people have achieved great distinction (e.g. scientific, professional, political, religious, commercial, military, athletic, or artistic). (H)
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Dragon Gets By (theme 1 )
Julius (theme 1)
Mrs. Brown Went to Town (theme 2)
Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (theme 2)
Exploring Parks and Ranger Dockett (theme 2)
Around the Pond; Who’s Been Here (theme 1)
Big, Bushy Mustache (theme 3)
Jamaica Louis James (theme 3)
Ant (theme 4)
The Great Ball Game (theme 4)
Carousel (theme 5)
Brothers and Sisters (theme 5)
Jalapeno Bagels (theme 5)
Thunder Cake (theme 5)
The Art Lesson (theme 6)
Chinatown (theme 3)
A Trip to the Firehouse (theme 3)
Moses Goes to a Concert (theme 6) Officer Buckle and Gloria (theme 4)
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3 May/June |
Continue with Family history backgrounds, Biographies of people who have achieved great distinction in various areas. |
2.7 On a map of the world, locate the continent, regions, or countries from which students, their parents, guardians, grandparents, or other relatives or ancestors came. With the help of family members and the school librarian, describe traditional food, customs, sports and games, and music of the place they came from. (G, C) 2.8 With the help of the school librarian, give examples of traditions or customs from other countries that can be found in America today. (G, C)
2.9 With the help of the school librarian, identify and describe well-known sites, events, or landmarks in at least three different countries from which students’ families come and explain why they are important. (H, G, C)
2.10 After reading or listening to a variety of true stories about individuals recognized for their achievements, describe and compare different ways people have achieved great distinction (e.g. scientific, professional, political, religious, commercial, military, athletic, or artistic). (H)
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Dragon Gets By (theme 1 )
Julius (theme 1)
Mrs. Brown Went to Town (theme 2)
Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (theme 2)
Exploring Parks and Ranger Dockett (theme 2)
Around the Pond; Who’s Been Here (theme 1)
Big, Bushy Mustache (theme 3)
Jamaica Louis James (theme 3)
Chinatown (theme 3)
A Trip to the Firehouse (theme 3)
Ant (theme 4)
The Great Ball Game (theme 4)
Officer Buckle and Gloria (theme 4)
Carousel (theme 5)
Brothers and Sisters (theme 5)
Jalapeno Bagels (theme 5)
Thunder Cake (theme 5)
The Art Lesson (theme 6)
Moses Goes to a Concert (theme 6) |
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