Grade 2 Reading Curriculum

Family-facing version of the grade 2 reading curriculum

Quarterly Overview of Grade 2 Reading

The objectives and outcomes for each unit are common across FCPS and based on the Virginia Standards of Learning. The pacing by quarter and by week provides an example of how the curriculum can be organized throughout the year. Teacher teams may adjust the pacing or order of units to best meet the needs of students.

Units and Details

Unit 1: Building a Community of Readers

Students will be able to: 

  • Use oral communication skills:
    • Listen actively and speak using appropriate discussion rules. 
    • Use oral language for different purposes: to inform, persuade, entertain, clarify, and respond.
    • Speak audibly with appropriate voice level, phrasing, and intonation. 
    • Share information orally with appropriate facts and relevant details. 
    • Use increasingly complex sentence structures in oral communication.
    • Begin to self-correct errors in language use. 
    • Participate as a contributor and leader in collaborative and partner discussions. 
    • Ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify information.
    • Retell information shared by others. 
    • Work respectfully with others and show value for individual contributions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of early oral literacy skills:
  • Participate in a variety of oral language activities, including choral speaking and recitation.
  • Orally identify, produce, and manipulate various phonemes within words to develop phonemic awareness:
    • Count phonemes within one syllable words.
    • Blend sounds to make one-syllable words.
    • Segment one-syllable words into phonemes.
    • Add or delete phonemes to make words.
    • Blend and segment multisyllabic words at the syllable level.
  • Use phonetic strategies when reading and spelling:
    • Use knowledge of consonants, consonant blends, and consonant digraphs to decode and spell words. 
    • Use knowledge of short, long, and r-controlled vowel patterns to decode and spell words. 
    • Decode regular multisyllabic words. 
    • Apply decoding strategies to confirm or correct while reading.
  • Use semantic clues and syntax to expand vocabulary when reading:
    • Use information and context clues in the story to read words. 
    • Use knowledge of sentence structure to determine the meaning of unknown words. 
  • Expand vocabulary and use of word meanings:
    • Discuss meanings of words and develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of texts.
    • Use vocabulary from other content areas.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts:
    • Make and confirm predictions. 
    • Connect previous experiences to new texts. 
    • Ask and answer questions using the text for support. 
    • Describe characters, setting, and plot events in fiction and poetry. 
    • Identify the conflict and resolution. 
    • Identify the theme. 
    • Summarize stories and events with beginning, middle, and end in the correct sequence.
    • Draw conclusions based on the text. 
    • Read and reread familiar stories and poems with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression.

Unit 2: Understanding Characters

Students will be able to: 

  • Use oral communication skills:
    • Listen actively and speak using appropriate discussion rules. 
    • Use oral language for different purposes: to inform, persuade, entertain, clarify, and respond
    • Speak audibly with appropriate voice level, phrasing, and intonation. 
    • Share information orally with appropriate facts and relevant details. 
    • Use increasingly complex sentence structures in oral communication.
    • Begin to self-correct errors in language use. 
    • Participate as a contributor and leader in collaborative and partner discussions. 
    • Ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify information.
    • Retell information shared by others. 
    • Work respectfully with others and show value for individual contributions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of early oral literacy skills:
    • Participate in a variety of oral language activities, including choral speaking and recitation.
  • Orally identify, produce, and manipulate various phonemes within words to develop phonemic awareness:
    • Count phonemes within one syllable words.
    • Blend sounds to make one - syllable words.
    • Segment one-syllable words into phonemes.
    • Add or delete phonemes to make words.
    • Blend and segment multisyllabic words at the syllable level.
  • Use phonetic strategies when reading and spelling:
    • Use knowledge of consonants, consonant blends, and consonant digraphs to decode and spell words. 
    • Use knowledge of short, long, and r-controlled vowel patterns to decode and spell words. 
    • Decode regular multisyllabic words. 
    • Apply decoding strategies to confirm or correct while reading.
  • Use semantic clues and syntax to expand vocabulary when reading:
    •  Use information and context clues in the story to read words. 
    • Use knowledge of sentence structure to determine the meaning of unknown words. 
  • Expand vocabulary and use of word meanings:
    • Use knowledge of homophones. 
    • Use knowledge of prefixes and suffixes. 
    • Use knowledge of antonyms and synonyms. 
    • Discuss meanings of words and develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of texts.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts:
    • Make and confirm predictions. 
    • Connect previous experiences to new texts. 
    • Ask and answer questions using the text for support. 
    • Describe characters, setting, and plot events in fiction and poetry. 
    • Identify the conflict and resolution. 
    • Identify the theme. 
    • Summarize stories and events with beginning, middle, and end in the correct sequence.
    • Draw conclusions based on the text. 
    • Read and reread familiar stories and poems with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression.

Unit 3: Understanding Nonfiction

Students will be able to: 

  • Use oral communication skills:
    • Listen actively and speak using appropriate discussion rules. 
    • Share information orally with appropriate facts and relevant details.
    • Participate as a contributor and leader in collaborative and partner discussions.
    • Ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify information.
    • Retell information shared by others. 
    • Work respectfully with others and show value for individual contributions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of early oral literacy skills:
    •  Participate in a variety of oral language activities, including choral speaking and recitation.
  • Orally identify, produce, and manipulate various phonemes within words to develop phonemic awareness:
    •  Count phonemes within one-syllable words.
    • Blend sounds to make one-syllable words.
    •  Segment one-syllable words into phonemes.
    • Add or delete phonemes to make words.
    • Blend and segment multisyllabic words at the syllable level.
  • Use phonetic strategies when reading and spelling:
    • Use knowledge of consonants, consonant blends, and consonant digraphs to decode and spell words.
    • Decode regular multisyllabic words.
    • Apply decoding strategies to confirm or correct while reading.
  • Use semantic clues and syntax to expand vocabulary when reading:
    • Use information and context clues in the story to read words.
    • Use knowledge of sentences structure to determine the meaning of unknown words.
  • Expand vocabulary and use of word meanings:
    •  Discuss meanings of words and develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of texts.
    • Use word-reference materials including dictionaries, glossaries, and indices.
    • Use vocabulary from other content areas.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts:
    • Preview the selection using text features including table of contents, headings, pictures, captions, and maps.
    • Make and confirm predictions.
    • Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning. 
    • Set purpose for reading.
    • Ask and answer questions using text as support 
    • Identify the main idea.
    • Draw conclusions based on the text.
    • Read and reread familiar texts  with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression.

Unit 4: Poetry

Students will be able to: 

  • Use oral communication skills:
    • Listen actively and speak using appropriate discussion rules. 
    • Share information orally with appropriate facts and relevant details. 
    • Participate as a contributor and leader in collaborative and partner discussions. 
    • Ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify information.
    • Retell information shared by others. 
    • Work respectfully with others and show value for individual contributions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of early oral literacy skills:
    •  Create and participate in oral dramatic activities.
    • Participate in a variety of oral language activities, including choral speaking and recitation.
  • Orally identify, produce, and manipulate various phonemes within words to develop phonemic awareness:
    • Count phonemes within one-syllable words.
    • Blend sounds to make one-syllable words.
    • Segment one-syllable words into phonemes.
    • Add or delete phonemes to make words.
    • Blend and segment multisyllabic words at the syllable level.
  • Use phonetic strategies when reading and spelling:
    • Use knowledge of consonants, consonant blends, and consonant digraphs to decode and spell words. 
    • Use knowledge of short, long, and r-controlled vowel patterns to decode and spell words. 
    • Decode regular multisyllabic words. 
    • Apply decoding strategies to confirm or correct while reading.
  • Use semantic clues and syntax to expand vocabulary when reading:
    •  Use information and context clues in the story to read words. 
    • Use knowledge of sentence structure to determine the meaning of unknown words. 
  • Expand vocabulary and use of word meanings:
    • Use knowledge of homophones. 
    • Use knowledge of prefixes and suffixes. 
    • Use knowledge of antonyms and synonyms. 
    • Discuss meanings of words and develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of texts.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts:
    • Make and confirm predictions. 
    • Connect previous experiences to new texts. 
    • Ask and answer questions using the text for support. 
    • Describe characters, setting, and plot events in fiction and poetry. 
    • Identify the theme. 
    • Read and reread familiar stories and poems with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts:
    • Ask and answer questions using the text as support.

Unit 5: Interpreting Stories

Students will be able to: 

  • Use oral communication skills:
    • Listen actively and speak using appropriate discussion rules. 
    • Use oral language for different purposes: to inform, persuade, entertain, clarify, and respond.
    • Speak audibly with appropriate voice level, phrasing, and intonation.
    • Share information orally with appropriate facts and relevant details.
    • Use increasingly complex sentence structures in oral communication.
    • Participate as a contributor and leader in collaborative and partner discussions.
    • Ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify information.
    • Retell information shared by others. 
    • Restate and follow multi-step directions.
    • Work respectfully with others and show value for individual contributions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of early oral literacy skills:
    • Create and participate in oral dramatic activities.
    • Participate in a variety of oral language activities, including choral speaking and recitation.
  • Orally identify, produce, and manipulate various phonemes within words to develop phonemic awareness:
    • Count phonemes within one-syllable words.
    • Blend sounds to make one-syllable words.
    • Segment one-syllable words into phonemes.
    • Add or delete phonemes to make words.
    • Blend and segment multisyllabic words at the syllable level.
  • Use phonetic strategies when reading and spelling:
    • Use knowledge of consonants, consonant blends, and consonant digraphs to decode and spell words.
    • Use knowledge of short, long, and r-controlled vowel patterns to decode and spell words.
    • Decode regular multisyllabic words.
    • Apply decoding strategies to confirm or correct while reading.
  • Use semantic clues and syntax to expand vocabulary when reading:
    • Use information and context clues in the story to read words.
    • Use knowledge of sentence structure to determine the meaning of unknown words.
  • Expand vocabulary and use of word meanings:
    • Use knowledge of homophones.
    • Use knowledge of prefixes and suffixes.
    • Use knowledge of antonyms and synonyms.
    • Discuss meanings of words and develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of texts.
    • Use word-reference materials including dictionaries, glossaries, and indices.
    • Use vocabulary from other content areas.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts:
    • Make and confirm predictions.
    • Connection previous experiences to new texts.
    • Ask and answer questions using the text for support.
    • Describe characters, setting, and plot events in fiction and poetry.
    • Identify the conflict and resolution.
    • Identify the theme.
    • Summarize stories and events with beginning, middle, and end in the correct sequence.
    • Draw conclusions based on the text.
    • Read and reread familiar stories and poems with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts:
    •  Preview the selection using text features including table of contents, headings, pictures, captions, and maps.
    • Make and confirm predictions.
    • Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning. 
    • Set purpose for reading.
    • Ask and answer questions using text as support (PRS 2)
    • Identify the main idea.
    • Draw conclusions based on the text.
    • Read and reread familiar texts  with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression

Unit 6: Critical Literacy

Students will be able to: 

  • Use oral communication skills:
    • Listen actively and speak using appropriate discussion rules. 
    • Share information orally with appropriate facts and relevant details.
    • Use increasingly complex sentence structures in oral communication.
    • Participate as a contributor and leader in collaborative and partner discussions.
    • Ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify information.
    • Retell information shared by others. 
    • Work respectfully with others and show value for individual contributions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of early oral literacy skills:
    • Create and participate in oral dramatic activities.
    • Participate in a variety of oral language activities, including choral speaking and recitation.
  • Orally identify, produce, and manipulate various phonemes within words to develop phonemic awareness:
    •  Count phonemes within one-syllable words.
    • Blend sounds to make one-syllable words.
    • Segment one-syllable words into phonemes.
    • Add or delete phonemes to make words.
    • Blend and segment multisyllabic words at the syllable level.
  • Use phonetic strategies when reading and spelling:
    • Use knowledge of consonants, consonant blends, and consonant digraphs to decode and spell words.
    • Use knowledge of short, long, and r-controlled vowel patterns to decode and spell words.
    • Decode regular multisyllabic words.
    • Apply decoding strategies to confirm or correct while reading.
  • Use semantic clues and syntax to expand vocabulary when reading:
    • Use information and context clues in the story to read words.
    • Use knowledge of sentence structure to determine the meaning of unknown words.
  • Expand vocabulary and use of word meanings:
    •  Use knowledge of antonyms and synonyms.
    • Discuss meanings of words and develop vocabulary by listening to and reading a variety of texts.
    • Use word-reference materials including dictionaries, glossaries, and indices.
    • Use vocabulary from other content areas.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts:
    • Make and confirm predictions.
    • Connect previous experiences to new texts.
    • Ask and answer questions using the text for support.
    • Describe characters, setting, and plot events in fiction and poetry.
    • Identify the conflict and resolution.
    • Identify the theme.
    • Summarize stories and events with beginning, middle, and end in the correct sequence.
    • Draw conclusions based on the text.
    • Read and reread familiar stories and poems with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts:
    • Preview the selection using text features including table of contents, headings, pictures, captions, and maps.
    • Make and confirm predictions
    • Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning. 
    • Set purpose for reading.
    • Ask and answer questions using text as support (PRS 2)
    • Identify the main idea.
    • Draw conclusions based on the text.
    • Read and reread familiar texts  with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression

Unit 7: Series Book Clubs

Students will be able to: 

  • Use oral communication skills:
    • Listen actively and speak using appropriate discussion rules.
    • Use oral language for different purposes: to inform, persuade, entertain, clarify, and respond.
    • Speak audibly with appropriate voice level, phrasing, and intonation.
    • Share information orally with appropriate facts and relevant details. 
    • Use increasingly complex sentence structures in oral communication. 
    • Begin to self-correct errors in language use. 
    • Participate as a contributor and leader in collaborative and partner discussions.
    • Ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify information.
    • Retell information shared by others.
    • Restate and follow multi-step directions. 
    • Give multi-step directions. 
    • Work respectfully with others and show value for individual contributions.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of fictional texts:
    • Make and confirm predictions.
    • Connect previous experiences to new texts. 
    • Ask and answer questions using the text for support. 
    • Describe characters, setting, and plot events in fiction and poetry. 
    • Identify the conflict and resolution.
    • Identify the theme. 
    • Summarize stories and events with beginning, middle, and end in the correct sequence.
    • Draw conclusions based on the text.
    • Read and reread familiar stories and poems with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression.

Unit 8: Research

Students will be able to: 

  • Use oral communication skills:
    • Listen actively and speak using appropriate discussion rules. 
    • Use oral language for different purposes: to inform, persuade, entertain, clarify, and respond. 
    • Speak audibly with appropriate voice level, phrasing, and intonation.
    • Share information orally with appropriate facts and relevant details.
    • Use increasingly complex sentence structures in oral communication. 
    • Begin to self-correct errors in language use. 
    • Participate as a contributor and leader in collaborative and partner discussions. 
    • Ask and answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify information. 
    • Work respectfully with others and show value for individual contributions. 
    • Create a simple presentation using multimodal tools.
  • Read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts:
    • Preview the selection using text features including table of contents, headings, pictures, captions, and maps. 
    • Make and confirm predictions. 
    • Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning. 
    • Set purpose for reading. 
    • Ask and answer questions using the text as support. 
    • Identify the main idea. 
    • Draw conclusions based on the text. 
    • Read and reread familiar texts with fluency, accuracy, and meaningful expression.
  • Conduct research by using available resources to gather information and answer questions to complete a research product:
    • Generate topics of interest. 
    • Generate questions to gather information. 
    • Identify pictures, texts, people, or media as sources of information. 
    • Find information from provided sources.
    • Organize information in writing or a visual display.
    • Describe difference between plagiarism and using own words.

Virginia Department of Education Resources

Assessments

Student assessments are part of the teaching and learning process.

  • Teachers give assessments to students on an ongoing basis to
    • Check for understanding 
    • Gather information about students' knowledge or skills.
  • Assessments provide information about a child's development of knowledge and skills that can help families and teachers better plan for next steps in instruction.

For testing questions or additional information about how schools and teachers use test results to support student success, families can contact their children's schools.

In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), second grade tests focus on basic literacy and numeracy development.

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