Grade Two Curriculum Picks
Many of these curriculum picks can be borrowed for preview purposes through the Learning Commons Search Portal or accessed through our Sora virtual library at no cost. If you are ready to purchase, some recommended curriculum may be available through our Used Bookstore, or resources can be purchased from one of our comprehensive vendors.
Vendor websites are pick-and-choose, and some optional or alternate suggestions may be listed, so carefully select your items.
Overview Of Grade 2 Curriculum Picks
Here is an overview of the curriculum picks that we suggest for Grade 2. Please note that some subjects provide more than one option. For more information about the curriculum, please refer to the information under Detailed Information for Grade 2 Curriculum Picks (further down this page).
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English Language Arts |
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Mathematics |
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Science |
In the absence of print resource options that comprehensively address BC's Curriculum standards for Gr 2 for biology, physics and earth/space science, we recommend using these Unit Study Kits: 1. Life Cycles of Plants and Animals, 2. Force, 3. Water. |
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Social Studies |
Families who prefer a Unit Study Kit over a print resource can use the Canada Has Diverse Communities Unit Study Kit instead of Canada, My Country. |
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Bible/Christian Studies |
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Optional Resources (not detailed below) |
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Detailed Information for Grade 2 Curriculum Picks
English Language Arts
Language Lessons for a Living Education 2
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Type of Resource: workbook Description: students will move beyond pages of text to make real-world connections as this exciting new series guides your young learner toward mastery of reading, grammar, and vocabulary, as well as the mechanics of communication and writing. Utilizing phonics, observation, and reading comprehension through poems, stories, and real books as the foundation, your student will start forming basic sentences.
This story-based approach, focused on young students Claire and Micah, uses Charlotte Mason's ideas for the modern homeschool student with character-building themes. Each quarter has five stories, two picture studies (one of which is Bible-based), and two poems (one of which is a Psalm). Using the spelling words and the Dictionary Worksheets, students will create their own dictionary as they move through the material weekly. This curriculum incorporates picture study, memorization, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, observation, poems, psalms, letters, and practical application through creative writing – all working towards the mastery of reading and grammar, as well as the mechanics of communication and writing. Equivalent to a second-grade level. Developing early reading and narration skills, by the end of the course, students should be able to comfortably write up to three sentences at a time.
Other Optional or Supplementary Resources |
Stone Soup Picture Book with Literature Kit (or another grade-appropriate book)
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Type of Resource: a fiction picture book and workbook Description: Students use their brainstorming skills as they think of reasons why the villagers would hide their food from the soldiers. Find the vocabulary words from the story that have short i and long i sound. Match words to their synonyms from the novel. Put events from the story in the order in which they happened when the soup was being made. Students draw a picture of their favourite soup. Then, make a list of ingredients and directions on how to make this soup. Explore the story with the sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch in a graphic organizer. Written to Bloom's Taxonomy, additional crosswords, word searches, comprehension quizzes, and answer keys are also included. Other options for picture book literature kits can be found here. PDF Samples (are available on their website) |
Printing Power Student Workbook
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Type of Resource: workbook Description: second-grade students, or those working at that level, master printing with advanced paragraphs, poems, and language arts activities. Features practice pages for advanced printing on a single line.
Additional Support (free demos, research, how-to videos, and all of our free online resources available) |
Mathematics
Math U See is not mentioned here simply because it is not available from our Curriculum Pick provider(s), although it is a strong option, especially in the primary grades. Math-U-See can be ordered directly from the Canadian Distributor, Math Canada. Place an order by Phone: 250-590-6761 or Toll-Free: 1-888-854-6284.
Option 1: Second Grade Math With Confidence Complete Set (Instructor Guide and Student Workbook)
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Description: Second The Instructor Guide provides conversational, parent-led teaching, while the Student Workbook provides short daily written practice. Workbook pages intentionally combine new learning with review of previously taught skills, helping students retain concepts throughout the year rather than learning them in isolation. As students become more capable, the program begins encouraging greater confidence and independence while maintaining the supportive lesson structure established in Kindergarten and Grade 1. Grade 2 topics include:
See how Math with Confidence aligns with BC’s curriculum in our Math with Confidence Correlations to BC's Curriculum Spreadsheet |
Option 2: Singapore Math 2022 Edition 2A and 2B Student Books and Home Instructor Guides
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Note: This program is advanced compared to our BC curriculum standards, making placement tests more important than perhaps other programs. The long-term goal would be to complete book 6B by the end of Grade 7. Books should be completed at the student's pace, which means the grade level on the cover may not correspond with the student's actual grade level. Description: epitomizes what educators love about the Singapore math approach, including the CPA progression, number bonds, bar modelling, and a strong focus on mental math. It's a no-fuss, straightforward program that balances supervised learning and independent practice. The recently released Primary Mathematics 2022 Edition uses the same approach as previous Primary Mathematics editions but features entirely new content and lesson structures.
Additional Support: Singapore Math Live offers instruction, encouragement, and support for parents and students |
Science
Biology
Life Cycles of Plants and Animals Unit Study Kit
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Type of Resource: HCOS Unit Study Kit
Description: Our world is filled with incredible creatures! Explore the fascinating world of plants and animals alongside your child. You will be able to investigate life cycles, build models, create a lapbook, make animal art, raise butterflies, film a stop-motion video, tell stories, play with clay, and much more! You will be able to read engaging books, watch fun and fantastic videos, play games, make crafts, and choose from dozens of projects to create the ultimate self-directed learning experience for your second grader.
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Chemistry
Matter & Materials by On the Mark Press (Grades 1-3)
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Type of Resource: A workbook designed for classroom instruction, so some activities may need to be adapted slightly for a home setting. Description: What is the world made of? Through hands-on activities and experiments, students will enjoy exploring the world around them as they practise science skills like observing and concluding. Games like "Simon Says" bring the realm of atoms and particles to life and demonstrate solids, liquids, and gases. Students will learn to explain the magic of ice sculptures, gas-powered rockets, and inventions.
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Physics
Force Unit Study Kit
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Type of Resource: HCOS Unit Study Kit
Description: Explore the exciting world of force alongside your learner! Push and pull with clay, paint with a pendulum, race Lego balloon cars, build a Newton’s Cradle, play with magnets, build a gyrocopter, and much more! You will be able to read engaging books, watch fun and fantastic videos, play games, make crafts, and choose from dozens of projects to create the ultimate self-directed learning experience for your second grader.
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Earth/Space
Water Unit Study Kit
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Type of Resource: HCOS Unit Study Kit
Description: Roughly 71% of the earth’s surface is water, and in this engaging unit, you will be able to investigate water in-depth through hands-on activities! Investigate local water sources, make a working ecosystem model, build a rain gauge, learn about water conservation, explore water around the world, create your own water cycle, experiment with evaporation, melt snow, and much more! You will be able to read engaging books, watch fun and fantastic videos, play games, make crafts, and choose from dozens of projects to create the ultimate self-directed learning experience for your second grader.
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Social Studies
Canada, My Country
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Type of Resource: softcover text/workbook Description: This easy to use, read-aloud text is a delight for both students and teacher. Lessons require minimal preparation but are packed with content, games and activities. Students will grasp the basics of Canadian geography, both physical and political. Chapters on national symbols, government and Canadian freedoms provide the groundwork for future study. Each lesson includes a reproducible activity worksheet.
This study requires photos of Canadian landscapes and a physical map. |
World Cultures and Global Citizenship Unit Study Kit
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Type of Resource: HCOS Unit Study Kit
Description: Travel around the world in this exciting new kit! Learners will begin by discovering fascinating countries and cultures from around the globe. They will gain a deeper understanding of what it means to live and work in God’s world. Then, in the second portion of the unit, learners will spend time exploring the ways that they can be caretakers of our beautiful planet.
Download the Unit Study Kit Guide |
Bible/Christian Studies
The Word in Motion Old Testament Advantage Set
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Type of Resource: Homeschool Curriculum Includes Student Textbook, Notebooking Journal, Audio Download, Streaming Video Lessons
Description: Apologia’s The Word in Motion Old Testament is the first volume in an illustrated, two-part Bible curriculum that equips students to know, live, and share the Word of God. As kids understand how the books of the Bible work together to tell the larger story of God’s love for people, they begin to understand God better and read the Word with purpose, passion, and real understanding. Unlock free bonus content with resources, videos, activities, and more when you buy this product! Book Extras provide rich content for students, parents, and teachers to enhance the learning experience.
This course is designed to be done 4 days a week in 30-45 minute segments over the course of 30 weeks. A suggested daily schedule is included in the student notebook so your student easily understands what is expected of them each day, while also providing flexibility to meet the needs of your student and family.
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