2nd Grade English Language Arts

2nd Grade English Language Arts includes two courses—ELA 2 and Phonics 2—that provide a comprehensive approach to literacy. The program integrates reading, writing, grammar, word study (including vocabulary and spelling), and handwriting into one cohesive learning experience. ELA 2 is organized into 12 thematic units. Each unit features workshops where reading, writing, and word study are anchored by a focus text. Through read-aloud videos, independent reading, and close reading activities, students explore classic and contemporary works across a variety of genres and formats such as fiction, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and magazines. By studying model writing from the reading selections, students learn to apply the writing process to craft both short and extended compositions. Students learn about grammar, usage, and mechanics and apply those skills as they write, revise, and proofread their work. Vocabulary instruction is woven throughout, guiding students to learn word meanings from the texts they read and to develop strategies for understanding unfamiliar words through relationships, context clues, and word parts. Phonics 2 follows a research-based method and sequence grounded in the science of reading. Instruction explicitly develops essential foundational skills of phonological awareness, phonics, word analysis, high-frequency words, and fluency, enabling students to decode words efficiently and confidently. Spelling instruction emphasizes common spelling patterns and teaches students how to apply these patterns to new words, beyond those on the spelling lists, including high-frequency irregular words (heart words). Targeted handwriting activities provide gentle instruction to improve students' print handwriting and introduce cursive letter formation.