What my child is learning

In Grade 2, your child learns about listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing. Grade 2 children learn about setting goals for what they will learn and keeping track of new learning goals.

Your child learns to understand and communicate about what he or she sees and hears, for example in books, poems, videos, and art. Your child learns to:

• use strategies to understand ideas and information
• show the connections between what he or she reads and watches and his or her own feelings, experiences, and ideas
• ask questions to learn more about ideas and topics
• find information with the teacher’s help, from libraries, tables of contents, pictures, multimedia materials, elders and others

Your child learns to communicate ideas in various ways, such as by telling stories, acting, and writing. Your child learns to:

• think about what his or her ideas look like or sound like to others by changing their words, pictures, or presentation
• spell familiar words using a variety of strategies (such as phonics, knowledge of root words and affixes, word origins, and similarities with French) and
• choose ideas, pictures, and objects to present and speak clearly

Learning to cooperate in large and small groups is important in Grade 2.

To find out more about what your child is learning, talk to the teacher.

You may also refer to the Language Arts Practices: Orientation Guide for information regarding the program's guiding principles and recommended practices.

How your child is assessed

The teacher will report on your child’s progress three times a year. Here are the English Language Arts reporting areas and some examples of what the teacher will assess.

Comprehension (Reading, Listening and Viewing)

• What does your child do to understand stories, information and pictures?
  
• How does your child use actions, drawings and words to show their understanding?
• How does your child follow the steps and explain ways to do a task?

Communication (Writing, Speaking and Representing

• How does your child share questions, ideas and information about a particular topic?
• How does your child express and organize ideas for writing, representing and speaking?
• How does your child select and organize important information and identify where the information came from?

Critical Thinking:  

• How does your child compare stories, events and information to their own experiences or knowledge?
• How does your child examine information to decide if it is useful or important?
• How does your child recognize and use appropriate language for different situations and people?

Resources

• Winnipeg Public Library: Features information and programming devoted to Early Literacy as well as access to several databases of digital storybooks for a variety of grade levels.
• Lalilo: Learners following this program develop their phonological awareness skills while gradually learning the fundamentals of reading. Families may opt to have their children study in French or in English upon opening a free parent account.
• Reading Bear: A free online program that teaches beginning readers vocabulary and concepts while systematically introducing all the main phonetic patterns of written English.
• CBC has developed a number of educational apps for building children’s vocabulary and introducing them to the joys of reading. The PBSKids website includes a number of Reading Games, while Storyline Online features videos of award-winning actors reading picture books suitable for young children.
• Oxford Owl for Home: With a free account, parents may access advice and support, educational activities and games, and an extensive eBook library.
• Online Resources for Manitoba Educators: Notified homeschooling families may access this online collection of eBooks, Audio books, eJournals and other resources.
• Please visit the My Learning at Home – English website for links to more English language resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do children learn to read and write? "Learning to read does not happen all at once. Nor does it happen at the same time for all children. It involves a series of stages that lead, over time, to independent reading and to fluency. Learning to read begins in the home as children are exposed to texts in a variety of formats, including books, signage and digital messages. Caregivers who read to their children are showing them how printed texts “work”: which way is up, and where the text begins and ends. Through this process, children begin to understand that symbols and words represent concepts and that a message, once written, does not change. Once children begin school, they learn that letters represent sounds and that different combinations of letters are used to represent all the words they hear. These words are then combined into sentences that are structured differently depending on the language. As students become more confident at decoding the words and sentences they read, they start focusing on understanding the messages authors are transmitting to their readers. Children discuss these messages and make connections to personal experiences, to other stories they have heard or read, and to videos or television programs they may have viewed. Ideally, students discover that reading can affect them and even change their view of the world. They then come to realize that the messages they write can influence others as well."

How can I help my child? What tips can I use to help my child learn to read? As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. When you help your child learn to read, you are opening the door to a world of books and learning. Reading aloud to children everyday is the best way to get them interested in reading. Before long they will grow to love the stories and books. Reading and writing can be family activities. Spending time with your child playing word games, writing grocery lists, birthday or everyday messages, reading stories, and watching appropriate television programs will provide him or her with many opportunities to practice reading and writing skills. As you discuss, ask lots of question, make predictions and encourage your child to tell you what he or she thinks and feels about what is going on in the story. Your child will gain insights, gather information, and learn about the world.

Where can I get support in helping my child to read and write? Don’t feel that you are alone. Family members and friends may be willing to support you in helping your child in his or her efforts to learn to read and write. Your child’s teacher and local librarians are knowledgeable and can offer help. You can also seek advice from community organizations such as child care centers and from your family doctor. Your child’s teacher can provide advice about helping your child. Here are some topics you could discuss with the teacher: your child’s reading strengths and what strategies could you encourage your child to practice the reading goal for your child and how you can support your child in working towards those goals books that your child could read easily and books that he or she would find more difficult books and authors your child might enjoy talk about your child’s interest and how to find ways to use these interests.

Why is critical thinking important at this age? Critical thinking helps students focus on developing their ability to reason, analyze, evaluate, and create in a way that expresses their thought, feelings and actions in a reasoned and clear manner. Therefore, it is necessary for students to understand that how we interact with new ideas, what we read, what we view, and experience is as important as what these texts and ideas are. We should hear children asking questions, discussing ideas, and opinions, and what the message of the author or artist is and why he or she is communicating it.