Who else is planning for 2nd grade? Come join me!

Hi, I'm new here. Right now I'm looking for a Spanish language arts curriculum or guide for 2nd grade. It is as a first language, English is our second language. I can't believe it's so hard to find something good! Is anyone in the same situation? Thanks!

Ok, I may have just hit the jackpot here, or at least this is how I'm feeling! Check out this MEGA bundle of printables that are all FREE! http://www.educents.com/educents-k-2-freebie.html Worth $78 but for free for a limited time only (and counting!) so claim it quick! So far so good, my kiddos are loving it! I hope you do too!!

I am in the middle of picking out curriculum for my 8 year old son for next school year. We have signed up for Classical Conversations Foundations to help me out with memory work and socialization. I am not planning on just handing everything over to CC though. I'd like to work on LA at home not just memory work review. I'd like something easy and laid back, so I have chosen Language Lessons for the Very Young. I figured that since grammar is already going to be memorized, that Language Lessons would be okay with a smattering of this and that. I have also chosen Spelling You See to go along with it and A Reason for Handwriting. I have Pathway Readers to practice reading out loud. How does this sound? Too much work? Just right? The only other concern I have is implementing literature and vocabulary. Maybe this is all too much and there is something better out there. I'm open to suggestions. PLEASE. Other curriculum that I plan to use: Story of the World w/AG - Ancients Rightstart Math - B Young Explorers- Flying Creatures...

Hello all, :001_smile: I live abroad and sending my 2nd grade son to a Russian school this coming year. I want to make sure he keeps up with his English LA, reading and writing and follows the U.S. standards/common core. We want to compile the best sources for this during the summer so that we have everything we need to start at the school year. I will be the one teaching him. I'm searching and searching and can't seem to find a place that would review all of the textbooks and resources. Does anybody have recommendations for LA, reading and writing curriculum/textbooks and resources for 2nd grade? My preferences are: - Non religious (although i know some religious curriculum is designed so that I can choose the materials i want to use) - Combines Social Studies/World Studies and Geography or other handy subjects he may need to keep up with - Inquiry based Thank you so much! Mrs.TB

Hi there! I am deliberating between TOG Yr 2 and SOTW Vol 2 next year for my upcoming 2nd grader and kindergartener. We have used TOG Year 1 this year, but with SOTW Vol 1 as the spine. The kids have really enjoyed and retained a lot from the hands-on projects, but of all the reading we've done, SOTW has definitely been the most enjoyable. I already have TOG Year 2, and I'm looking through it and noticing both that SOTW 2 doesn't seem to be scheduled much (which is disappointing) but also noticing that the 2nd-year scope of the curricula seem very different. I'm trying to decide which to use for next year - TOG year 2 or SOTW Vol 2? Here are some considerations.... 1. I definitely want to use TOG at the higher grades, and planned to use it for this first cycle so I myself could get used to the planning. However... 2. SOTW is simpler, and my kids have definitely liked it. Simpler is starting to sound more appealing, at this stage where I have one barely independent reader and most subjects are still being done orally with both kids, which is a lot of hands-on investment of my time with each kid each day. (We're also using RightStart math, which I LOVE, but which is time-intensive.) More planning might be easier when we've hit the point where I can hand off assignments and check in, instead of hovering over shoulders all day. (Is it real that there will be a day when I can hand off assignments and check in? That seems like a fairy tale. But I digress.) With SOTW, I can incorporate some hands-on projects from the activity guide, and bam - history's done, versus more planning and more book juggling with TOG. For 2nd grade, it might just be easier to do what's...easy. 3. Can anyone speak to the differing scopes of the two curricula? TOG 2 seems like it's a lot of Church history, and it ZIPS through the Middle Ages awfully fast. It goes all the way from the fall of Rome to the Constitution, and to me, that seems like a lot to cover in one year. It almost seems like, at my kids' ages, more time on the Middle Ages and Renaissance might be preferable to a lot of Church history, which they might not really appreciate until they're a bit older? Or am I wrong about the TOG scope? Have you who've used it found that TOG Year 2 works well for the younger ages? Will we be missing something if we go with SOTW? 4. Finally, because of the difference in scope, it seems that whatever I use this year, I'll need to use next year as well. So the decision feels big...although I'm starting to learn the homeschooling lesson that consistency means more than having the "perfect" curriculum. Sorry for all of my rambling, and thank you very much for your thoughts! :)

I am trying to plan our curriculum for next year and need advice. I will have a "2nd grader" who is still learning to read. He is doing Saxon Math 1 this year and we finished FLL 1 & 2, we also did WWE 1. We are still working through OPGTTR and he is doing really well but it looks like it will take us all of 2nd grade to finish it. My daughter would normally be starting 6th grade is she was in public school but when we pulled her out of public school she was behind in several things so we are working on bringing her up slowly. It bothers her that her books say 4th grade but I have explained to her that she is still doing well and not to compare herself to her friends. We are currently finishing up R&S 4 and Saxon 5/4. Here is what I am looking at using this year with both children. Please let me know if it is overkill, not enough or any other advice you might have. 6th grader (working in 4th and 5th grade work) Reading- Memoria Press (select three books and study guides to go along), also Ambleside online Cursive- Memoria Press New American Cursive 2 Copy-work/ Dictation/ Recitation- I have no idea Grammar/Vocabulary- CLE (will test her to see where she places once we finish this year) (Also considering Analytical Grammar) Spelling-Sequential Spelling (she really struggles with spelling, we have used AAS and Spelling Workout and neither helped) Writing- IEW (this will be new to us but she loves to write) Diagramming- She is struggling with this in the R&S book (any advice on what curriculum would be best) Math- CLE (will test her to see where she places once we finish this year) Science- Elemental Science Earth & Space for Logic (2nd grader will follow along) History- Ambleside Online (have no idea which year to use) and Story of the World 2 Geography- Memoria Press States & Capitals Book (2nd grader will follow along), Ambleside Online also Classical Studies- Memoria Press D'Aulaire's Greek Myths (2nd grader will follow along) Latin- First Form Latin Art- Ambleside Online & Artistic Pursuits Music- Ambleside Online, Keyboard and also something to teach to read music (Any advice on program) Foreign Language- Duolingo (Will start a formal program in 7th grade) Typing- Not sure, what's a good program? Poetry & Shakespeare- Ambleside Online Logic-(looking at Critical Thinking Games but not sure, any advice) PE- Have no idea maybe YouTube videos 2nd grader (still not reading) Reading- Memoria Press (select three books and study guides to go along), also Ambleside online Handwriting- ????, still needs practice Copy-work/ Dictation/ Recitation- I have no idea Grammar/Vocabulary- CLE (will test him to see where she places once we finish this year) Spelling-Sequential Spelling (maybe, I haven't decided if we will use anything) Math- CLE (will test him to see where she places once we finish this year) Science- With sister and also Ambleside Online History- Ambleside Online (either Y1 or Y2) and Story of the World 2 Geography- With sister and Ambleside Online Classical- With sister Art- Ambleside on Artistic Pursuits Music- Ambleside Online, Keyboard and also something to teach to read music (Any advice on program) Foreign Language- Duolingo (only if he wants to) Typing- Not sure, what's a good program? Poetry & Shakespeare- Ambleside Online Logic-(looking at Critical Thinking Games but not sure, any advice) PE- Have no idea maybe YouTube videos What do you guys think? Am I doing way to much? Any advice would be appreciated. We would not do all of these everyday.

My ds is 7 and in between 1st and 2nd grade. We used the Pathway Reader "first steps" with it's correlating workbook last year and he did well. Now that I'm getting curriculum ready for this year, I'm getting overwhelmed at where to start him. I'm trying to take a small (let me emphasize small) step back to fill in any phonics gaps he may have. The teacher guides in PR suggest that one workbook goes hand-in-hand with another workbook, etc. We did not start with the beginning workbooks last year (Learning through sounds, Before we read, etc). I have all the workbooks and have looked through them trying to figure out where I should start him but it seems as if I skip forward to the place in the workbooks where "Days Go By" begin, then he may be missing something in another workbook that goes with the Days Go By workbook. I have Climbing to Good English as well but again, it's an issue of where to start and again missing things in other books. I've been considering The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and First Language Lessons due to reading somewhere that it's not grade specific and it's an easy book to jump in to no matter what reading level the child is. I dont want to rush him through, but I also read that it's a great book to get your kids reading fluently quickly. Would this be a bad idea to change books? My other question is in regards to readers, what does OPGTR/FLL use for reading? Just the script or does it suggest books or readers? I looked on the Cathy Duffy review website and she didnt seem to care much for WWE. I dont know if I completely agree with everything she reviews though.

I'm looking for suggestions for great read aloud books for my second grade son. What have you loved to read with your kids?

My child is in 2nd grade this year and it is our first year homeschooling. I received info about Stanford testing being offered in the area. The same forum said that testing is beneficial for children to prepare for later required tests, even though testing is not required in my state. So, I am curious about other's opinions on the pros/cons of testing in general? And the pros/cons of the Stanford test? Is it a good idea to test a 2nd grader or just wait until child is older?? Thank you!

Brand new to this site, am desperately seeking advice on math curriculum for my son who will be entering 4th grade. Trying to decide between Math Mammoth and Saxon. Thoughts? Anyone used both? Which do you like and why? (by the way, someone tell me what "dd," "df," etc. mean) Thanks!

So, dh is starting to recognize that school isn't a good fit for ds. This doesn't mean he'll actually agree to pull him, but the odds are increasing. I've started looking more seriously at curriculum again, and wanted to ask some questions/get my thoughts out. Feel free to comment, make suggestions, etc. IF I pull ds and start homeschooling at some point this school year, I feel like I'm going to need a curriculum that does some handholding (ie, I don't have to do much planning), but I DON'T want or need a curriculum that approximates public school. I know one of you lovely ladies recommended that, as new homeschooler, I should use something that approximates school. That makes sense when I first read it, but, upon reflection, I think that would backfire on me. School hasn't been a good experience for DS, and I think pulling him out and doing something like, say, Calvert (public school in a box) or Abeka (Christian school in box) would just frustrate him. It would be like doing homework ALL DAY LONG. Believe me, the 30 minutes or so we already spend on homework is quite enough. So, basically, I need something that's structured but in a different way from public school. This has changed my thoughts a bit on some of the curriculum I liked. MBTP: The more I look at the samples and scope and sequence, the more I think it looks like a really good, creative version of public school. The topics are similar (in fact, my son's class did one of the exact topics in the Culture unit in first grade), and some of the activity sheets look uncannily like things he brings home from school. I'm sure this curriculum is wonderful for some people, but I don't think it's what we need if we want to break away from school-type learning. Oak Meadow: The fact that there are only weekly plans makes me nervous, but, more importantly, the more I look at the samples, the more I realize I'd have to do TONS of tweaking in LA and Math. Yes, I know people use OM as a base and do that, but, if I'm going to pay for a full curriculum as a beginning homeschooler, I really want to use the full curriculum. Also, Oak Meadow, being a graded curriculum, seems to expect even advancement in the skill subjects from year to year. Yes, they start slowly, but there's a pretty decent jump from grade to grade. DS just doesn't advance like that. MFW Adventures: Even though this is the one I was advised against because it's so different from school, it looks the most attractive upon reflection. It's scheduled but not super rigidly. I could use Math and LA that serve DS's needs and not feel like I was missing out on a good portion of the program. I do wonder, though, if it would be better to hold off and consider it for 3rd grade, since I'd be pulling DS out partway through the year. Curriculum mix: I never really considered this before, but I'm wondering if this would be the best choice if I pull DS out partway through the year. I could use Math and LA that fit his skill level, and maybe double up on science programs since that's his area of strength. This would involve a bit more planning, but if I chose programs well at least each program would be planned for me.

Hi, I am brand new to homeschooling and feeling overwhelmed by the choices. I'm looking for recommendations for a 2nd grade curriculum that is good for gifted children (quick learner, reads above grade level, etc) along with suggestions for a Kindergartner that is an average learner. Things that are Important to me: 1. Christian based 2. Affordability 3. Easier for a 1st time homeschooling mom to figure out. Should I go with 2 separate curriculum or try to combine? I thought about Heart of Dakota, but not sure if that would be a good choice?? Should I get different subjects from different places? Or try a all-in-one curriculum?

Ok, I posted looking for help with Write Source Level 2, but it doesn't look like too many people use that curriculum. So, I'm looking for a 2nd grade writing curriculum that covers the steps of the writing process. Background: We just started WWE2. DD does dual enrollment in public charter but we do lang. arts at home. They are teaching steps of the writing process in what seems like a rather accelerated method for 2nd grade. I want her to have background in this in addition to the classical method in case she needs to re-integrate into the school curriculum, just to cover all our bases. Can anyone recommend a writing curriculum that does this, provides small incremental practice, AND is easy to teach? :bigear: Thank you.

Hello, I am getting a headache from trying to figure out curriculum for this fall. I would just like to get an idea of the basic curriculum needs for my kids and then I can go from there. This is what I have in mind so far.. DD 10 5th grade Math - Saxon WWE 3 (need to finish) and get 4. We used Calvert last year and I got WWE 3 about half-way through the year b/c I felt Calvert was really lacking in how they taught writing. History- Story of the World Middle Ages (I am planning on both kids doing the same history and having the 10yo read more). Logic - no idea - I saw the Logic Safari books on Amazon but I don't know which one or if they are good..thoughts please! Spelling Workout F Science ? Our zoo offers homeschool classes once a month and maybe we could get a book like the Mud Pies book or Kitchen Chemistry and work through some of the experiments with both kids. Spanish - Rosetta Stone - she works on this independently Grammar ? She also plays soccer and the violin and possibly horseback riding. DS almost 8 2nd grade Math - Saxon 2 Phonics - finish Ordinary Parent's - We are almost finished. What do I do after we finish the book? Spelling Workout C Handwriting - Zaner Bloser Cursive Writing - WWE 2 We haven't done any writing yet. I really focused on math and reading in first grade. Grammar - Finish FLL Science ? History -SOTW Middle Ages He also plays piano. I may sign him up for karate or horseback riding if I can fit it in. This really sounds like a lot. I just want to make sure I have the basics covered. We don't have any plans for art. I have such a hard time fitting art in. I would love to hear your suggestions for good (read easy) art books to do with both ages. I love the Drawing with Children book, but I can't seem to get started with it. I considered hiring an art student to teach the kids. Let me know what you think I should add or take away!

This is my third son. You would think I would have this down by now:glare: I am a Christian. I use secular curriculum because we use a VA and that is what they buy. I prefer to order from RR because I can use a purchase order with them. I've really thought about doing Oak Meadow with him. But, honestly I don't know if it's a good fit. He does not sit still for long. He does a lot of short lessons and I've given into bribing him with treats if he will finish:tongue_smilie: He is a high energy boy. Can I repeat that? Reading He is not reading on his own yet. This will be our main focus. We will continue working with Hooked on Phonics and use games from Happy Phonics. This seem to be working well. Writing He will use GD Italics B. Since, he isn't reading yet, I'm not sure WWE would be useful for me. Maybe just a lot of copywork? History The other boys will be on SOTW Volume 4. SOTW 3 was not attractive to him at all. I don't know if he will have some sort of jump this year. But, I don't think SOTW 4 is appropriate for his age. I do have SOTW 1 and I suppose I could try that with him. Being on two cycles will drive me nuts I'm sure:lol: Science The other boys are doing Physical Science and Chemistry. He liked the Delta Science in a Nutshell Kits. So, maybe more of those? Math He did Math U See Primer. It went ok. I do have the next level of MUS. So, I could just try that with him.

Can anyone please share their plans for second grade? For our Second Year we're using the following: Math: MCP Mathematics and Miquon Math, some Living Math books and games from Family Math (thinking about using Singapore instead of MCP, but not sure yet. I really like the format and ease for the teacher of MCP) Grammar: Primary Language Lessons by Emma Serl Penmanship: Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting Book C Reading: A selection of good books Copywork: Once weekly from his lessons. Phonics: Tanglewood Phonics Review Vocabulary: English from the Roots Up or Vocabulary Vine (any suggestions in this area? :)) Spelling: Natural Speller word lists, ideas and activities Literature: Read-Alouds, great selections of living books Natural Science: Six-week Nature Studies using Handbook of Nature Study and Kingfisher's Young Discoverers Series each on Insects, Wildflowers, Rocks and Minerals, Electricity. BFSU (Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding K-2) the rest of the time. The Story Book of Science, Nature Smart and Science Smart as necessary. History: SOTW 2, book and Activity Guide (Medieval Times), living books Geography: Young Discoverers Maps and Mapping, through SOTW Spanish: The Easy Spanish, KidSpeak Spanish computer games, Muzzy DVDs Art: Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists Series - Giotto and Titian Music: Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers Series - Tchaikovsky and Beethoven; singing Poetry: Poetry for Young People Series - Edna St. Vincent Millay and Rudyard Kipling Other activities: piano lessons, Cub Scouts, tennis, horseback riding, swimming

Saw all the other grades but didn't see this one :)

We're going to be mixing in a few of our favorite resources to create our own science curriculum for my upcoming 3rd grader, among them BFSU and Nebel's upcoming book, Sciencesaurus (perhaps), R.E.A.L. Science (perhaps), Mchenry's books and and Usborne's Science Encyclopedia. Trying to think how to map this whole thing out. I want to create lab sheets, questions, worksheets, and organize it all by lesson, and would love tips from those who have created their own rigorous, well-defined science curriculum.

Hi! I have a friend who shared with me the program her ds uses and I cannot for the life of me find the link (note to self: keep better bookmarks! :tongue_smilie:) I am looking for an introductory recorder program for ds who will be 9. I want it to show all the finger placements so he can refer back to it after we go over it and practice. He has no experience with reading music whatsoever so it would have to go over those basics as well. I was hoping by this point we would be able to start piano lessons but we are not financially at a point where we can pay for lessons. Still I want to start some music, even if small and he is so excited about the recorder after seeing his friend play several songs at a recent get together. So what is out there??? :bigear:

I have a little extra jingle in my budget and would really really like to make science more interesting for my ds. We are doing the WTM rotation and recommended books, but I want to add some experiment books, or kits or something fun. I am completely inept at designing science curricula. I need someone to lay it all out and explain it all for me. I have the Jan Van Cleave books and can't really figure out what to do with them and when (yes, it is that bad. I look at them and think "well, that seems kind of a big waste of time and energy when a two sentence explanation will cover it.") So, what have you used to supplement earth and space science that was easy, well laid out, relevant and actually educational--that your kids liked? Not like I'm asking for the stars or anything...:lol:

Does anyone use this? I know they have a whole site, but I was wondering if anyone had the book and found it useful. If so, tell me how you use it and why you love it. Thanks!

Ladies, I've been trying to choose a Latin curriculum for my son who will be in 2nd grade next year. He will finish Song School Latin this year. I've read about Latin programs on this forum, but I'm really not sure which one might be the best fit for us. The more I read, the muddier the water gets. I never took Latin..... had only 1 year of Spanish a LONG time ago. I will need some hand-holding. There are not many choices for a 2nd grader. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like we need to choose from Prima Latina, Latin's Not So Tough, Minimus and maybe Lively Latin. Every other Latin curriculua I read about starts in 3rd grade. My son has asked to continue Latin. He has gotten used to the "fun" of SSL. I need to continue this aspect of "fun". If I try to get too academic, he will NOT want to continue. Yet, I want to get as far into the declenations, etc... as we can at this age. Ok... I don't know how important macrons really are, but from reading one post about them, I think I should choose a curriculum that teaches them from the beginning. My goal in using Latin is to strengthen my child's grammar skills and enhance vocabulary.... I think we need part to whole. Finally, I need a logical progression if we are to continue Latin study for several years. Also, one that is consistant in either classical or ecclesiastical pronounciation. (Classical seems more popular.) If we started with LL, PL, LNST or Minimus we could grow into LfC, First Form Latin, or stay with LL. These seem to be my favorites, but I'm certainly open to suggestions. Please..... share with me a FUN 2nd grade curriculum that could follow SSL and graduates into an older level for 3rd grade and beyond. How many of you have used Lively Latin successfully at 2nd grade? Seems like that curriculum could go either way depending on the child. BTW, we will have completed Writing With Ease vol. 1 and First Language Lessons 1 by the end of this year. His reading is on grade level..... he reads mostly word-to-word and is working to read more smoothly. (Sing, Spell, Read, and Write 1st grade) His writing is ok.... not too slow but not fast.

I would love some book suggestions for my youngest. He reads at about a 5th grade+ level, loves science and boyish adventures. It doesn't need to be modern, although he loves Homer Price, Encyclopedia Brown, and Tin Tin. Maybe something like The Railway Children he really liked reading that one too. I would prefer it be light on magic and vampires (does Barnes and Noble really need a whole 10' x 4' section of these Harry Potter/Twilight wannabes - rhetorical), but I don't mind some (magic level of Tolkien, Lewis, MacDonald.) After 2 other boys I should know these things, but I don't. He's my first voracious reader of fiction. Thanks :001_smile: Karen

I have to change my science plans for next year. We have decided where we are finally moving to, and it is near the ocean. Since the kids have never seen the ocean I am thinking they will be fasinated with it, so we may as well do an ocean study for science. So those of you that have done an Ocean study/ocean science program what did you use?