2nd Grade
First nine weeks
Core curriculum
Language Arts
What should my child be working on?
Reading
- Story language and structure (TEKS 2.8, 2.9, 2.10)
- Purpose of rereading (TEKS 2.4)
- Develops oral language through listening, speaking, and discussion (TEKS 2.1)
- Make personal connections to a variety of sources (make connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society) (TEKS 2.6, 2.7 )
Writing
- Dictate or compose personal narratives (TEKS 2.11)
- Convey messages in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing (TEKS 2.11)
- Plan a written piece by generating ideas for writing such as drawing and brainstorming (TEKS 2.11)
- Capitalization for the beginning of sentences and the pronoun "I" (TEKS 2.2)
- Punctuation marks at the end of declarative, exclamatory, and interrogative sentences (TEKS 2.2)
- Correct spelling of words with grade‐appropriate orthographic patterns and rules and high‐frequency words with adult assistance (TEKS 2.2)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child (Reading and Writing)?
- Looking at the title and the cover, what can you predict?
Nonfiction
- What do you think we will learn about in this book/article/text?
Fiction
- Based on what we just read, what do you think might happen next?
- How do you think [the character] will solve the problem?
- How do you think this is going to end?
- What are you thinking about now? What in the story makes you think that?
- Were you right?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Reading
- Read to your child daily.
- Have them read a story/book to you.
Writing
- Encourage your child to write their own books.
- Ask for help with shopping lists.
- Have them write to friends and family members.
Resources
Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their campus utilizes and for their log-in information.
Math
What should my child be working on?
Place Value to 1,200
- Represent whole numbers using words, numbers, and expanded form. (TEKS 2.2B)
- Use objects and pictures to represent the value of a number. (TEKS 2.2A)
- Determine whether a number is even or odd and explain why. (TEKS 2.7A)
- Compare and order numbers up to 1,200 using words or >; <; or =. (TEKS 2.2D)
- Make a number that is greater than or less than another number. (TEKS 2.2C)
- Place a number on a number line. (TEKS 2.2E)
- Name the number for a specified point on a number line. (TEKS 2.2F)
- Make a number that is 10 or 100 more than or less than a given number. (TEKS 2.7B)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Place Value to 1,200
- Why can we represent a number in different ways without the value of the number changing?
- How would you represent ___ in standard form? Word form? Expanded form?
- How can (place value, concrete representations, or pictorial representations) help us compare and/or order numbers?
- What strategies can be used to determine if a number is even or odd?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Place Value to 1,200
- Write the numbers 0-9 on index cards. Encourage your child to pick cards to create two-, three-, or four-digit (less than 1,200) numbers.
- Have them write the numbers in expanded and word form.
- Have them compare and/or order the numbers; then use comparative language and/or symbols to describe their comparisons.
- Have them compose/decompose the numbers in more than one way (i.e 787 could be 7 hundreds, 8 tens, and 7 ones or 787 could be 500, 200, 50, 30, and 7) using pictures or concrete objects.
- Determine if quantities that occur in everyday situations are even or odd. Then have your child find 10 more or 10 less than the quantity.
Resources
Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their campus utilizes and for their log-in information.
Science
What should my child be working on?
Matter
- Observe the physical properties of matter to classify or group it and describe how matter has physical properties such as temperature, texture, and flexibility. (TEKS 2.5A)
- Explain that matter can be classified by the state it is in by observing other physical properties, such as its temperature. (TEKS 2.5A)
- Observe and describe how heating or adding heat to materials can cause melting, evaporation, or changes in size, color, shape, or texture, and cooling (taking away heat) materials can cause freezing or changes in size, color, shape, or texture. (TEKS 2.5B)
- Predict and describe how materials change by heating and cooling. (TEKS 2.5B)
- demonstrate that things can be done to materials to change their physical properties, such as cutting, folding, sanding, and melting (TEKS 2.5D)
- combine materials that, when put together, can do things that they cannot do by themselves, such as building a tower or a bridge, and justify the selection of those materials based on their physical properties. (TEKS 2.5D)
Energy
- Investigate the effects on objects of increasing or decreasing amounts of light, heat, and sound energy, such as how the color of an object appears different in dimmer light or how heat melts butter (TEKS 2.6A)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Matter
- What are some physical properties of matter?
- How can we use physical properties to classify objects?
- What physical properties of matter identify objects as being solid or liquid?
- How do materials change when they are heated? cooled?
- What predictions can we make about how materials change by heating and cooling?
- What effect does cutting or folding have on the physical properties of materials?
- What characteristics of materials make them suitable for different uses?
Energy
- How does the amount of light affect how objects appear?
- What changes occur to objects when they are heated?
- How do changes in the amount of sound energy affect objects?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Matter
- Have your child classify various objects in the home by physical properties such as temperature, texture, and flexibility.
- Heat and cool different objects in the home and describe how the object changed and what caused the change.
- Choose a household item to disassemble and reassemble with your child. Ask your child to identify the material each part is made of and to guess why that material was chosen. Let your child try to reassemble the item.
Energy
- Observe and describe the effects of changes in light, heat and sound energy on various household items (example: increasing and decreasing the volume on a television)
Resources
Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their school utilizes and for their log-in information.
Social Studies
What should my child be working on?
Government & Citizenship
- Identify some of the purposes of government, such as establishing order, providing security, and managing conflict (TEKS 2.8A, 2.8B)
- Identify characteristics of good citizenship, including truthfulness, justice, equality, respect for oneself and others, and responsibility in daily life (TEKS 2.10A)
- Identify how selected customs, symbols, and celebrations reflect feelings for America (TEKS 2.11A, 2.11B, 2.11C, 2.11D)
Culture
- Identify the significance of various ethnic and/or cultural celebrations (TEKS 2.12, 2.1)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Government & Citizenship
- What is the role of the (mayor, governor, president)?
- How is the (mayor, governor, president) selected?
- What are some government services in our community? (police, fire department, public library, public parks, schools)
- What character traits do good citizens have?
- How do citizens make good choices that influence our local community, the state, and the nation? (for example, learning about issues and candidates before voting)
- How do people celebrate the lives of individuals who exemplify good citizenship? (MLK Day, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day)?
Culture
- How do celebrations or festivals reflect a community’s culture?
How can I help my child learn at home?
- Celebrate with your child when they display characteristics of good citizenship and name the trait they displayed.
Resources
Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their school utilizes and for their log-in information.
Additional support
Continued Learning
Going further with force, matter, and gravity!
How do climate and geology interact to change the Earth? Start with this video about glaciers and how they move across the surface of the Earth.
- After learning about glaciers, what do you think happens to the ground underneath a glacier?
- Can you think of any examples that are similar to glacier movement?
- What is happening to glaciers over time, are the growing or shrinking? What is causing the change and what is the effect on Earth?
Check out these 10 interesting facts about glaciers from NASA for Kids.
Digital Citizenship
Overview
Digital citizenship in the primary grades focuses on introducing basic concepts of media balance and well-being, privacy & security when online, digital footprint & identity, and relationships & communication online.
Media Balance & Well-Being
Helping our young learners understand that they have agency over their technology usage is important. Through the use of direct instruction and embedded learning, students begin to explore what media balance is and how the use of technology can create different feelings and emotions for them. Lessons focus on helping students understand what quality technology usage looks like, and how to know when to put their devices down.
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
TEKS: 126.6 (5) (A-B)
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
How can I help my child learn at home?
Ask your child how he feels when he is using technology. Help him notice when he is zoned out or when he has extra energy. Share with your child the different ways you use technology for productivity and for fun.
English Learner
Overview
Public schools in Texas may be different from schools in other countries. If this is the first time your child attends a Texas school, the first nine weeks will be the time your child becomes accustomed to the new environment as they learn.
How does the school know that my child is an English learner?
When you register your child in school for the first time, you are asked to fill out a home language survey that asks two specific questions: (1) What language is spoken in the child’s home most of the time? and (2) What language does the child speak most of the time? If the survey indicates that your child speaks a language other than English, he/she will then be tested at the Multilingual Department’s Welcome Center. If the assessment indicates that your child is not yet proficient in English, the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) will make a program recommendation for your child.
How will my child learn English?
Dual Language programs are designed to make grade-level academic content accessible to English learners through the development of literacy and academic skills in the child’s primary language and English. English as a Second Language program (ESL) targets English language development, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, through academic content instruction that is linguistically and culturally responsive.
What questions should I ask my child?
- What was one interesting thing you did at school today?
- Who did you sit with during lunchtime?
- Who did you talk to the most today?
- What is your homework for today?
What can I do?
- Encourage your child to use a bilingual dictionary.
- Encourage your child to read daily in his /her home language and/or English. In the primary grades, read to/with your child.
- Schedule time every day for your child to do homework.
Resources
Social-Emotional Behavior
The start of a new school year is such an exciting time! In the early childhood years, separation anxiety for both parents and children is a common theme. Children have spent most of their lives with their parents/primary caregivers more than anyone else. For some children, this will be the first time they will leave their safe and secure environment. Before the start of school, it is important to share as much as you can about the school routine to ease their anxiety.
Your child should be able to identify basic emotions such as happiness, sadness, and fear. Also at this age, your child should be able to identify what he or she likes and dislikes. Your child may have a hard time articulating exactly how they are feeling due to a lack of vocabulary and/or self-awareness. Children at this age may know what it feels like to be sad or mad, but not nervous or surprised. The lack of self- awareness can lead to frustration that may be displayed as a temper tantrum or crying.
What questions should I ask my child?
- What are you excited about for this school year?
- What are you good at?
- What is something you are not so good at?
- What does sad look like?
- What does happiness look like?
- Is there anything you need help with at school? home?
- Who can you talk to at school when you are angry? sad? frustrated?
What can I do?
- Take a visit to the school and show your child where he or she will walk in. If your child will be a bus rider or car rider, identify those areas as well.
- Talk with your child about what can be expected during the course of their school day.
- Establish a goodbye routine. Having a routine and a ritual breeds certainty and comfort.
- Establish a go-to person at the campus with whom your child can find support when you aren’t there.
- Pack a comfort item in their backpacks, such as a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. A short cuddle with a comfort item helps to ease anxiousness throughout the day.
- Draw several faces with different emotions and ask your child to identify one of the emotions. Have them share a time they felt that emotion and why. Ask how they are feeling now and why.
- Use magazines, pictures in your child’s favorite story, and family pictures to identify how others are feelings based on their facial expressions.
Resources
Second nine weeks
Core curriculum
Language Arts
What should my child be working on?
Reading
Work collaboratively with others by following agreed‐upon rules for discussion, including listening to others, speaking when recognized, and making appropriate contributions (TEKS 2.1)
Evaluate details read to determine what is most important (TEKS 2.6)
Identify and reading at least high‐frequency words from a research‐based list (TEKS 2.2)
Arrange information to create new understanding (lessons learned by characters) (TEKS 2.8, 2.9, 2.10 )
Writing
Compose informational texts, including procedural texts and reports (TEKS 2.11)
Develop an idea with specific and relevant details (TEKS 2.11)
Revise drafts by adding, deleting, or rearranging words, phrases, and sentences (TEKS 2.12)
Spell words with grade‐appropriate orthographic patterns/rules and high‐frequency words (TEKS 2.2)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child (Reading and Writing)?
Reading
Who is telling this story? How do you know?
Are the narrator and the author the same person? How do you know?
When did (event) happen? Where is that in the book?
Why did (event) happen? How do you know?
What does (character) think about (event)? How do you know?
What was the big problem or event in this story? How did they solve the problem?
How did (character) solve the problem?
What do you think (character) will do differently next time?
Writing
What do you notice about your writing over the past two weeks?
What will you write next?
Tell me more about that!
What do you do well as a writer?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Reading
When you’re out and about with your child, make time to sit and read, or to visit a library or bookstore. The more they are around books, the more kids want to read.
Find a quiet place and quiet time (as much as possible in our busy lives) for your child to read. We’re aiming for children to read at least half an hour a night, and more when possible. When some nights are cut short, try for some longer stretches on the weekend.
Ask your children what kinds of books they enjoy. If you’re not sure, let them explore the library or a bookstore. There is a book for every child, we just have to find that magic match.
Check-in with your child to see how they are enjoying their reading. Maybe even grab yourself a copy of the book so you can have book chats.
Writing
Ask often what your child is writing about. Find out about stories, articles, and essays they are writing.
When you ask children about what they’re writing, that’s an opportunity for children to rehearse. Say, ‘Tell me that story, ‘ and “How will that essay go, what are your main points?” Being a rehearsal partner can be a significant role for parents.
Make a big deal of published pieces. Copy them, put them up, send them to the family. Getting compliments from an audience they love helps writers want to keep writing.
Look for more opportunities for children to write. You can always say, ‘We should make a book about that!”
Resources
Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their campus utilizes and for their log-in information.
Math
What should my child be working on?
Addition & Subtraction (Part 1)
- What is the relationship between addition and subtraction?
- How does representing a problem (using objects/pictures/number sentences) help you to better understand the problem?
- What process did you use to solve the problem?
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Addition & Subtraction
Provide your child with problem situations where addition or subtraction could be used. Have your child explain which operation they would choose and their reasoning. Then have your child solve the problems using a strategy of their choice.
Use dice or 0-9 cards to create a number sentence. Have your child create a problem to match the number sentence and then solve the problem (numbers within the problem and answers should not exceed 1,000).
How can I help my child learn at home?
Addition & Subtraction to 20 (Part 1)
Resources
Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their campus utilizes and for their log-in information.
Science
What should my child be working on?
Force and Motion
Observe and describe how objects can move and change position over time. (TEKS 2.6C)
Observe and describe how the motion of objects can be predicted, observed, traced, and described. (TEKS 2.6C)
Observe and describe how patterns of motion can include sliding, rolling, or spinning. (TEKS 2.6C)
Observe and identify how some objects will stick to magnets, especially objects made with iron. (TEKS 2.6B)
Observe and identify how magnets are used in many ways such as holding small objects to a refrigerator or lifting objects as well as in common everyday objects like doorbells, phones, speakers, compasses, and devices with electric motors. (TEKS 2.6B)
Earth
Describe how rocks differ in size by measuring or estimating size. (TEKS 2.7A)
Use their sense of touch to observe, describe, and compare how rocks have different textures. (TEKS 2.7A)
Use their sense of sight to observe, describe, and compare how rocks have different colors and visual characteristics. (TEKS 2.7A)
Identify and explain that water comes from many different sources including streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. (TEKS 2.7C)
Identify and explain that freshwater comes from sources such as rain, streams, rivers, glaciers, and most lakes whereas, saltwater comes from sources such as oceans, saltwater marshes, and lakes. (TEKS 2.7C)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Force and Motion
How can we predict, trace, and describe the motion of objects?
How does the motion of an object compare when it is sliding, rolling, and spinning?
What is the physical property that allows an object to be attracted to a magnet?
How are magnets used in everyday life?
Earth
How can we use our senses to observe rocks?
What physical properties can we use to describe and compare rocks?
What are some natural sources of water?
What is freshwater/saltwater and which natural sources contain it?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Force and Motion
Discuss with your child and challenge them to demonstrate rolling, spinning, and sliding. Then, select some objects in your home to have them illustrate how the properties of an object affect its motion.
Have your child use a magnet to classify objects in your home between magnetic and nonmagnetic.
Earth
Go on a nature walk with your child and ask them to find rocks that have different textures, colors, and sizes.
Visit or conduct online research on a nearby body of water.
Resources
Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their school utilizes and for their log-in information.
Social Studies
What should my child be working on?
Geography
Use geographic tools to read and create maps, locate the city, state, and national landmarks, and other significant places including major landforms and bodies of water (TEKS 2.3A, 2.3B, 2.4A, 2.4B)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Geography
How do maps help us better understand our community/city/state?
How can we use maps to better understand our nation/world?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Geography
Engage your child when planning a road trip
Identify and discuss local landmarks or significant places when driving or walking around town
Resources
Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their school utilizes and for their log-in information.
Additional support
Continued Learning
Going further with maps!
Making a navigational chart
Before there were formal maps for explorers to use, they made their own with the knowledge they had of places they had voyaged to. Assist your student with making a navigational chart of the home with guides to their favorite or significant places.
What you’ll need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Colored pencils
- Tape or glue dots
- Wood sticks/popsicle sticks
- Twist ties
When the materials are gathered, watch this video to see how to make a navigational chart of the places in the home that are your favorites.
Digital Citizenship
Privacy and Security
Young learners build a foundation for safe technology usage by learning how being online is like being in a physical neighborhood. There are places to go that are safe, and places that need adult supervision. Students also begin to understand that some information can be shared with others, like a favorite color or sport, but other information needs to stay private, like their name and address. Helping students make these connections prepares them to stay safe when they are online.
TEKS: 126.6 (5) (A-B)
How can I help my child learn at home?
Show your students examples of apps and websites that collect information. Share with them what information you feel is okay to share, and what information should always be kept private. Talk to your student about phishing and spam so he will start to understand that just like in the physical world, the online world has some dangers to look out for.
English Learner
Overview
Your child is becoming comfortable with Texas schools. The focus is now developing his/her English and supporting him/her to learn the core content.
How will my child learn English?
During this time, your child’s teacher is providing strategies in the classroom in order to help with Second Language Acquisition. Teachers report the strategies and linguistic accommodations they provide for the students in order to help the students be successful in acquiring the English language.
What questions should I ask my child?
- What did you learn in your_____ class?
- How did you ask for help?
- Who did you talk to the most in your classes?
- What is your homework for today?
What can I do?
- Check out books including audiobooks in English or in their home language from public libraries.
- Encourage your child to read and/or listen to audiobooks daily.
- Be sure to attend parent-teacher conferences scheduled by your child’s school.
- Schedule time every day for your child to do homework.
Resources
Social-Emotional Behavior
Children this age are learning a lot about cooperative play and sharing. It’s through these interactions, children explore their curiosity in others. They learn more about taking turns and expressing empathy for others. Children at this age should be able to describe their relationships with others. They should be able to share the characteristics of a good friend. Children are learning how to use their social skills to positively interact with their peers. Using polite language, paying attention to others, sharing, and taking turns are some of the social skills practiced in this age group.
What questions should I ask my child?
- Tell me about the best part of your day.
- Did any of your friends do something that made you laugh? sad?
- Who did you play with today?
- Who did you sit with at lunch?
What can I do?
- Be a good example. Children often mimic the behaviors of the parents or primary caregivers. When your child sees you being kind, empathetic to others, honest, and patient, it gives them a guide for their friendships.
- Have a child help you around the house or in the kitchen. These small tasks allow the opportunity to practice social skills such as polite language. It also helps children enhance their skills of listening to others.
- Take time to talk with your child about his or her day.
- Role-play with your child. Create scenarios with friendship conflicts and share steps to resolve the conflict.
Resources
Third nine weeks
Core curriculum
Language Arts
What should my child be working on?
Reading
- Work collaboratively with others by following agreed‐upon rules for discussion, including listening to others, speaking when recognized, and making appropriate contributions (TEKS 2.1)
- Evaluate details read to determine what is most important (TEKS 2.6)
- Identify and read at least 100 high‐frequency words from a research‐based list (TEKS 2.2)
- Arrange information to create new understanding (lessons learned by characters) (TEKS 2.8, 2.9, 2.10)
Writing
- Compose personal narratives (TEKS 2.11)
- Use prewriting strategies such as drawing and brainstorming (TEKS 2.11)
- Develop an idea with specific and relevant details (TEKS 2.11)
- End punctuation, apostrophes in contractions, and commas with items in a series and in dates (TEKS 2.11)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Reading
- How does (character) feel at this part of the story? How do you know?
- What problem does (character) have in the story? How does he/she solve their problem?
- How is (character) different at the end of the story then at the beginning?
- How does (character) react when __________? Why do they act this way?
- How does (character) change throughout the story?
Writing
- What are some other topics you might write about?
- Who are writers you admire (like their work)?
- What do they do when they get stuck?
- How is this piece like others you've written?
- How is it different?
- What did you learn about writing by writing this piece?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Reading
- When you’re out and about with your child, make time to sit and read, or to visit a library or bookstore. The more they are around books, the more kids want to read.
- Find a quiet place and quiet time (as much as possible in our busy lives) for your child to read. We’re aiming for children to read at least half an hour a night, and more when possible. When some nights are cut short, try for some longer stretches on the weekend.
- Ask your children what kinds of books they enjoy. If you’re not sure, let them explore the library or a bookstore. There is a book for every child, we just have to find that magic match.
- Check in with your child to see how they are enjoying their reading. Maybe even grab yourself a copy of the book so you can have book chats.
Writing
- Ask often what your child is writing about. Find out about stories, articles, and essays they are writing.
- When you ask children about what they’re writing, that’s an opportunity for children to rehearse. Say, ‘tell me that story, ‘ and “How will that essay go, what are your main points?” Being a rehearsal partner can be a significant role for parents.
- Make a big deal of published pieces. Copy them, put them up, send them to the family. Getting compliments from an audience they love helps writers want to keep writing.
- Look for more opportunities for children to write. You can always say, ‘We should make a book about that!”
Math
What should my child be working on?
Addition & Subtraction
- Solve addition and subtraction word problems that may have more than one step. (TEKS 2.4C)
- Given a number sentence, make a word problem. (TEKS 2.4D)
- Add and subtract numbers within 20 quickly. (TEKS 2.4A)
- Solve an addition or subtraction number sentence where the unknown value is located anywhere in the problem. (TEKS 2.7 C)
- Add and subtract two-digit numbers. (TEKS 2.4B)
Money
- Determine the value of a collection of coins up to $1.00 (TEKS 2.5A)
- Use the dollar sign, cent symbol, and decimal point to name the value of a collection of coins (TEKS 2.5B)
Data Analysis
- Explain the meaning of a bar or pictograph. (TEKS 2.10A)
- Represent data in a pictograph or a bar graph. (TEKS 2.10B)
- Use a pictograph or bar graph to write and solve an addition or subtraction word problem. (TEKS 2.10C)
- Use the information on a graph to make a prediction or draw a conclusion. (TEKS 2.10D)
Multiplication, Division & Area
- Use objects and pictures to represent equal groups. (TEKS 2.6A)
- Use objects and pictures to represent the sharing of equal groups. (TEKS 2.6B)
- Use square units to find the area of a rectangle. (TEKS 2.9F)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Addition & Subtraction
- Can you change the order of the addends when adding? Why?
- Can you change the order of the minuend and subtrahend when subtracting? Why?
Money
- How does skip counting help you to determine the value of a collection of coins?
- How did you determine the value of the collection of coins? Can you think of a different way to count the coins?
Data Analysis
- How are pictographs and bar graphs the same? Different?
- How do the labels and titles help you to better understand the graph?
- What conclusions can you draw from the graph?
Multiplication, Division & Area
- When might someone need to measure the area of something?
- What is the relationship between addition and multiplication? Multiplication & division? Subtraction & division?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Addition & Subtraction
- Encourage your child to act out & draw out word problems prior to solving them. Let your child solve using whatever strategy is most comfortable to them. If you have a question about a strategy works ask your child’s teacher!
Money
- Allow your child to practice counting collections of coins.
Data Analysis
- Collect a data set and have your child create a bar graph or pictograph using the data. Then ask your child to draw conclusions or explained what they learned about the data from the graph.
Multiplication, Division & Area
- Show your child equal groups of an object. Have your child count the number of groups and the number of objects in each group. Have your child write the corresponding addition and multiplication number sentences. Repeat activity with division by allowing your child to separate a group of items into equal groups and write the corresponding number sentences.
- Have your child find the area of real-life things such as a room with a tile floor.
Science
What should my child be working on?
Earth cont.
- Investigate and explain that natural resources such as rocks, soil, plants, water, and air occur through natural processes in, on, and above the Earth’s surface. (TEKS 2.7C)
- Investigate and explain that manmade resources come from the Earth but are modified in some way for our use. (TEKS 2.7C)
- Investigate and explain that manmade resources include materials such as glass, plastic, fabric, lumber, and paper. (TEKS 2.7C)
Atmosphere & Space
- Observe and describe how objects in the sky, such as the Sun and Moon, appear to change appearance at different times of the day. (TEKS 2.8C)
- Observe and record how the Moon appears to change its shape during the month. (TEKS 2.8C)
- Observe and record how the Sun appears to change position at different times of the day. (TEKS 2.8C)
- Use tools such as rain gauges, wind vanes, and thermometers to gather weather information. (TEKS 2.8A)
- Record weather data in charts, tables, and graphs. (TEKS 2.8A)
- Use weather and climate information to make decisions about clothing, activities, or transportation. (TEKS 2.8B)
Organisms
- Identify and explain that plants and animals have basic needs that must be met in order to survive. (TEKS 2.9A)
- Identify and explain that plants require sunlight, air, water, nutrients (food), and space. (TEKS 2.9A)
- Identify and explain that animals require air, food, water, space, and sometimes shelter. (TEKS 2.9A)
- Identify and explain that plants and animals depend on each other in many ways. (TEKS 2.9C)
- Identify and explain how food chains show the flow of energy from one organism to another. (TEKS 2.9C)
- Identify the environmental factors that affect the growth and behavior of living things. (TEKS 2.9B)
- Identify and explain how dormancy in plants can be caused by decreased rainfall, temperature changes, or changes in daylight hours. (TEKS 2.9B)
- Identify and explain how migration and dormancy, or hibernation, in animals can be caused by changes in temperature, precipitation, or daylight hours. (TEKS 2.9B)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Earth cont.
- What are natural resources? manmade resources?
- How can we distinguish between natural and manmade resources?
Atmosphere & Space
- What observations can we make of the changes in the Moon’s appearance and the change in the position of the Sun during the day?
- What tools can we use to gather weather information?
- How can we record weather data?
- What weather information do we use to decide about clothing, activities, and transportation for the day?
Organisms
- What are the basic needs of animals? Plants?
- In what ways do plants and animals depend on each other?
- What is a food chain?
- How do environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and changes in daylight hours affect the growth, migration, hibernation, and dormancy of living things?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Earth cont.
- Have your child go on a hunt around their home and identify and compare manmade materials and natural resources. Ask them to describe what natural resources contributed to the manmade resources.
Atmosphere & Space
- Have your child use resources in your home to create models of the sun, moon, and earth
- Have your child observe and record the temperature and the weather on a calendar for 10 days. At the end of the 10 days, have them graph and describe their findings.
Organisms
- Encourage your child to identify items around their home that meet their basic needs
- Just before you have your next meal together, grab a sheet of paper, and help your child list all of the food items on the plate. Then, after the meal is finished, talk about which food items are producers (all fruits and vegetables) and which are consumers (any meat products).
- Look at the skies together during spring and watch for geese or ducks flying overhead. Point out the V formations the birds make, and ask your child to predict why birds make this shape. Then explain that flying in a V formation reduces the wind resistance and keeps the geese from getting tired as quickly as they would otherwise.
Social Studies
What should my child be working on?
Geography
- Identify ways in which people use the land and have to change the environment when they clear land, build roads and use the land for food (TEKS 2.5A, 2.5B)
- Talk about ways people can conserve and replenish resources (TEKS 2.5C).
History
- Learn how to describe the order of events using designations of time periods such as historical and present times (TEKS 2.16A)
- Create timelines for events as well as apply vocabulary to related chronology such as past, present, and future (TEKS 2.16B, 2.16C)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Geography
- How do people depend on the physical environment and its natural resources to meet basic needs?
History
- How do you decide what goes on a timeline?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Geography
- Discuss ways in which your family has modified the physical environment around your home such as planting a tree or adding a flowerbed.
History
- Together with your child, work to create a timeline of your child’s life and/or the lives of other family members
Resources:
- Every campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Reach out to your child’s teacher for the programs their campus utilizes and for their log-in information.
Additional support
Continued Learning
Going further with engineering!
Origami and mechanical engineering
You and your student will discuss the evolution of origami into modern-day engineering. Start by watching Engineering with Origami together.
After watching the video, answer these questions:
- What did you find most interesting about the uses for origami?
- What kind of jobs were origami used in?
- What else can you imagine possible using origami for?
- What did the experts need to have learned in school in order to use the origami to solve problems?
For a challenge practicing origami, watch How To Make a Hexaflexagon: The Definitive Guide with a piece of paper to make a hexaflexagon.
Digital Citizenship
Digital Footprint and Identity
Early learners are just gaining a strong sense of identity, offline, and online. Students are introduced to the idea of a digital footprint and begin to explore how to build a positive identity online.
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
TEK: 126.6 (5) (C)
How can I help my child learn at home?
Let your student help you pick out pictures and captions to share online, discussing their choices. Also, help your student understand that their digital footprint will stay with them forever and that making smart choices will help them have a digital footprint they can be proud of.
English Learner
How will I know when my child has learned academic English?
Every year, your child will take an assessment called the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) to assess his/her English proficiency level in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. When your child meets the criteria for reclassification, he/she will be reclassified and will not need to take the TELPAS any more. However, the school will continue to monitor your child’s progress to make sure he/she is successful at school.
What questions should I ask my child?
- What book are you reading at school?
- What did you do in your math class?
- Did you ask for help when you didn’t understand?
- What is your homework for today?
What can I do?
Resources
Social-Emotional Behavior
Children in this age group are beginning to experience the transition from parents making all the decisions to being in school and having to make decisions on their own. This can be challenging for students. Everyone, regardless of age, has to make decisions. Responsible decision making includes choices about personal behavior. It also includes choices that affect others. Children at this age should be able to recognize when poor decisions like saying mean things to friends can be hurtful. Working with your child at an early age can help him/her better face challenges in the future.
What questions should I ask my child?
- During bedtime stories, ask your child how they would solve the problem in the story.
- What choices did you make today that was challenging? easy?
- Did you make any choices that hurt someone? Make someone happy?
- What are the consequences of your actions?
- What can you do to show kindness to others?
- What can you do to help the family get ready for dinner?
- Who did you sit with at lunch? Why?
- What outfit would you like to wear today?
What can I do?
- Show your child that they will always have your love and support. We all make bad choices at times, and supporting your child when poor decisions are made will show your child that your love is unconditional.
- Allow your child the opportunity to make decisions on his/her own. Decisions like what book to read at bedtime or dessert options at dinner time will make your child feel more involved and give more autonomy.
- Talk with your child about consequences.
- Explain to your child that rules may vary depending on the setting. For example, we use a quiet voice in the library, but yelling is appropriate at recess. Understanding these differences in situations can impact their decision making.
- Talk about the decisions you are making with your child.
Resources
Fourth nine weeks
Core curriculum
Language Arts
What should my child be working on?
Reading
- Synthesize or gather information to create a new understanding of nonfiction text (TEKS 2.3)
- Evaluate details read to determine key ideas (TEKS 2.6)
- Recognize organizational patterns such as chronological order and cause and effect stated explicitly (TEKS 2.7)
- Recognize the central idea and supporting evidence (TEKS 2.8, 2.9, 2.10)
Writing
- Compose informational texts, including procedural texts and reports (TEKS 2.11)
- Develop an idea with specific and relevant details (TEKS 2.11)
- Revise drafts by adding, deleting, or rearranging words, phrases, and sentences (TEKS 2.11)
- Spell words with grade‐appropriate orthographic patterns/rules and high‐frequency words (TEKS 2.2)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
- What does ___ (vocabulary word) mean? How do you know? (Nonfiction and Fiction)
- What is this book/story about? What do you think the author wanted you to learn from reading it (lesson learned when reading Fiction)? (Nonfiction and Fiction)
- Name at least 2 text features used in this book. Explain how these text features supported your understanding of the text. (Nonfiction)
How can I help my child learn at home?
Reading
- When you’re out and about with your child, make time to sit and read, or to visit a library or bookstore. The more they are around books, the more kids want to read.
- Find a quiet place and quiet time (as much as possible in our busy lives) for your child to read. We’re aiming for children to read at least half an hour a night, and more when possible. When some nights are cut short, try for some longer stretches on the weekend.
- Ask your children what kinds of books they enjoy. If you’re not sure, let them explore the library or a bookstore. There is a book for every child, we just have to find that magic match.
- Check in with your child to see how they are enjoying their reading. Maybe even grab yourself a copy of the book so you can have book chats.
Writing
- Ask often what your child is writing about. Find out about stories, articles, and essays they are writing.
- When you ask children about what they’re writing, that’s an opportunity for children to rehearse. Say, ‘tell me that story, ‘ and “How will that essay go, what are your main points?” Being a rehearsal partner can be a significant role for parents.
- Make a big deal of published pieces. Copy them, put them up, send them to the family. Getting compliments from an audience they love helps writers want to keep writing.
- Look for more opportunities for children to write. You can always say, ‘We should make a book about that!”
Math
What should my child be working on?
Fractions
- Explain that the fewer times you divide an object, the larger the fractional parts are. (TEKS 2.3B)
- Make halves, fourths, and eighths. (TEKS 2.3A)
- Count fractional parts greater than one whole. (TEKS 2.3C)
- Explain why something does not represent a half, fourth, or an eighth. (TEKS 2.3D)
Geometry
- Sort polygons based on the number of side vertices. (TEKS 2.8C)
- When given the number of sides and vertices create a two-dimensional shape. (TEKS 2.8A)
- Use a larger shape to make smaller shapes. (TEKS 2.8E)
- Sort three-dimensional shapes based on their attributes. (TEKS 2.8B)
- Create a two dimensional or three-dimensional shape when given the number of edges, vertices, and faces. (TEKS 2.8D)
Measurement
- Estimate the length of objects. (TEKS 2.9E)
- Use objects that represent units of measure to find the length of an object. (TEKS 2.9A)
- Explain that the shorter the measurement unit is, the more I will use to measure; the longer the measurement unit is, the fewer I will use to measure. (TEKS 2.9B)
- Locate a number on a number line. (TEKS 2.9C)
- Use a ruler, yardstick, meter stick, or measuring tape to measure length. (TEKS 2.9D)
- Tell time on a clock. (TEKS 2.9G)
Personal Financial Literacy
- Explain that if I save money each week, it will add up to a larger amount of money. (TEKS 2.11A)
- Explain the difference between spending money and saving money. (TEKS 2.11B)
- Explain the difference between depositing money and withdrawing money. (TEKS 2.11C)
- Give examples of borrowing and explain the difference between what you should and should not do when borrowing money. (TEKS 2.11D)
- Give examples of lending and explain the good things and bad things about lending to someone. (TEKS 2.11E)
- Tell the difference between a producer and a consumer. (TEKS 2.11F)
- Calculate the cost to produce a simple item. (TEKS 2.11F)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Fractions
- When might fractions be used in real life?
- (Given something split into fractional parts such as cut up apples) How many pieces are there? How did you know?
Geometry
- What are the attributes of this shape? (show them a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional shape)
- (Given a group of shapes) How could you sort these shapes? Why did you choose to sort them that way? Could they be sorted in a different way?
Measurement
- What tools can be used to measure length? Describe how to use these tools.
- What distinguishes a.m. and p.m.?
- How would you use an analog clock to tell time?
Personal Financial Literacy
- When might you need to borrow money? What are some good things and bad things about borrowing money?
- How would you decide when to spend money? When to save money?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Fractions
- Using objects around the house have your child count the fractional parts. For example, if you cut up two apples (and then eat a few pieces so there aren’t two wholes), have your child count the remaining parts.
Geometry
- Describe a shape using attributes and have your child guess the shape. Repeat this activity, but switch roles.
Measurement
- Have your child choose the most reasonable unit of measurement, estimate an object’s length, and then measure furniture around your house.
- Ask your child the time. Have them practice with analog and digital clocks. Have them determine whether it is a.m. or p.m and why.
Personal Financial Literacy
- Have your child practice saving, spending, and borrowing money of their own reach a financial goal (for example: to buy their favorite snack).
Science
What should my child be working on?
Organisms & Environments
- Investigate and record how insects, such as grasshoppers and butterflies, undergo distinct changes during their lives to complete their life cycles. (TEKS 2.10C)
- Explore and explain how most insects go through four stages, including egg, larva, pupa, and adult, whereas some insects go through three stages, including egg, nymph, and adult. (TEKS 2.10C)
- Explore and explain how an insect’s behavior and appearance can be very different depending on what stage it is at in its life cycle. For example, pupae are dormant, while larvae typically eat. (TEKS 2.10C)
- Observe, record, and compare the external characteristics that help meet animal’s basic needs, such a fish’s fins, a bird’s wings, or an elephant’s trunk. (TEKS 2.10A)
- Observe, record, and compare behaviors that help animals meet their basic needs, such as hunting, swimming, diving, or flying. (TEKS 2.10A)
- Observe, record, and compare both external and behavioral characteristics animals use to help meet their basic needs of air, water, and food. (TEKS 2.10A)
- Observe, record, and compare how different structures help plants meet their basic needs of water, nutrients, air, and sunlight. (TEKS 2.10B)
- Observe, record, and compare how roots secure a plant and absorb water and nutrients from the soil, stems of plants carry water to other parts of the plant, and leaves absorb and use sunlight for energy. (TEKS 2.10B)
- Observe, record, and compare how physical characteristics of plants can help them survive in different environments. (TEKS 2.10B)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
Organisms & Environment
- What is the life cycle of an insect?
- What physical characteristics help animals meet their basic needs?
- What comparisons can we make among animals about the behaviors they use for meeting their basic needs?
- What basic needs must be met for plants to survive?
- How do the different parts of a plant help it meet its basic needs?
- What comparisons can we make about the physical characteristics of plants that help them survive in different environments?
How can I help my child learn at home?
Organisms & Environment
- Research the life cycle of a ladybug and have your child create a life cycle poster.
- With your child, observe how different animals look and act. Help your child sketch and/or write down their physical characteristics (types of body parts, color, etc.) and their behaviors (how they move, what they eat, etc.) Compare how different animals meet their needs.
- Take a nature walk and look for large and small plants. Discuss the parts of the plant, focusing on the roots, stem, and leaves.
Social Studies
What should my child be working on?
History
- Explain how people and events have influenced history (TEKS 2.2A, 2,2B)
Citizenship
- Identify characteristics of good citizenship and individuals who exemplify good citizenship, influenced the community, state and nation (TEKS 2.10A, 2.10B)
- Identify historical figures who have exhibited individualism and inventiveness. (TEKS 2.16B)
Economics
- Learn how work provides an income and how we use the income to purchase goods and services (TEKS 2.6A, 2.6B)
- Explain the difference between goods and services and give examples (TEKS 2.6A)
- Learn how to differentiate between producing and consuming (TEKS 2.7A)
- Follow a product’s production from start to finish (TEKS 2.7C)
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
What questions should I ask my child?
History/Citizenship
- Who are the historical figures you have been learning about in school?
- What have they done?
- Who is a historical figure who has exemplified good citizenship? What did they do?
Economics
- What is a good? What is a service?
- How are people both producers and consumers?
- How do our needs and wants to impact our choices?
- How do people earn money?
- How do people decide whether to spend or save money?
How can I help my child learn at home?
History/Citizenship
- Visit websites that contain biographies of historical figures that have exemplified good citizenship. Read the biography to your student and discuss it with them.
Economics
- As you and your family make purchases over the next several weeks, discuss with your child if these things would be considered a good or service.
- Also, discuss whether or not these purchases fulfill a want or a need.
Additional support
Continued Learning
Going further with money!
Creating a budget and wants versus needs
Start a discussion with your child about what money is spent on as a family. Make a chart with 2 columns, wants on one side, needs on the other. As you discuss the items you spend money on, have your child write them down in the correct column. Next, read or listen to this article about the meaning of a budget and why it is useful.
Next, talk with your child about what they make plans for, or what you plan for as a family. Explain that planning for what to do with money is just as important as planning for anything else. Work with your child to help them set up a simple budget. If they do not have any money of their own, plan out an example budget for the future and ask them to list their expenses they will need to plan for. Talk with them about spending and saving for various events, unexpected costs, giving to others.
Then, read this article about what taxes are and why everyone has to pay them.
Digital Citizenship
Relationships & Communication
Primary students are learning to build relationships offline, and digital citizenship lessons expand on those offline lessons to build connections to online relationships. Students explore how they can use technology to build relationships with the people that they know offline and how the Internet can connect us all.
What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?
TEK: 126.6 (5) (A)
How can I help my child learn at home?
When you use technology to make connections with others, point it out to your student. Ask them how the Internet helps them stay connected to family and/or friends who live far away. Share with students how using social media is another way to make connections with people in your offline and online communities.
English Learner
When your child has met the reclassification criteria, they will no longer receive English language development support (although they will continue to learn English with other students). Teachers will continue to monitor your child’s progress. Please continue to ask the teacher how your child is doing. If your child did not meet the reclassification criteria, he/she will continue to receive English language development support.
What questions should I ask my child?
- What book are you reading at school?
- What did you do in your _____ class?
- Did you ask for help when you didn’t understand? Who helped you?
- What is your homework for today?
What can I do?
- Schedule an individual meeting with your child’s teacher to learn how you can continue to help your child succeed.
- Encourage your child to read and/or listen to audiobooks daily.
Resources
Social-Emotional Behavior
Empathy is putting yourself in another person’s shoes and understanding how they are feeling. It is also the perspective of others. It is the foundation of a child’s ability to be kind and show compassion to others. At an early age, children are beginning to recognize what others are feeling around them. Young children are beginning to read gestures and facial expressions of others to figure out what they are feeling.
What questions should I ask my child?
- What’s something kind you did today?
- What’s something nice you did for someone today?
- How would you like to serve someone at school? in our family? on the ____team?
- Listen to your sister/brother’s voice, how do you think he/she is feeling?
- How would you feel if ____?
- How can we show our ___ that we care about them?
- I know you are upset with ____, but how would you feel if he/she ___.
What can I do?
- Show your child empathy. Listen carefully and acknowledge when your child speaks to you.
- Teach your child the Golden Rule, treat others the way you want to be treated.
- Teach your child to be empathetic. Encourage your child to reach out to a friend, sibling, or family member when they see them upset or hurt.
- Share stories and/or videos of families and children with fewer resources than your family. Share the similarities and differences between your families with the lens of empathy.
- Use picture books and photographs to develop empathy by pointing out facial expressions, gestures, and actions of others.
- Be on the lookout for caring moments.
- Praise your child’s character. For example, “Thank you for help me carry the groceries, you are so considerate when you help me.”
Resources
Resources
Each campus has access to different software that can be used at home. Contact your child’s teacher for the programs their campus utilizes and for their login information.