Reading+&+Writing+Expectations

Reading Expectations for Second Grade
Beginning readers take a developmental leap as they begin to apply various word study strategies to identify new words using phonics, meaning, and word and sentence structure clues. They can independently read a range of early-reader books such as I Can Read books, Henry and Mudge books, Little Bear books, Frog and Toad books, and Nate the Great books. During D.E.A.R. reading time, they are able to read for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Beginning readers rely more on print than illustrations as they read. They are able to retell the beginning, middle and end of stories. These readers demonstrate comprehension through participation in guided literary discussions about a variety of reading material including fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama. They can recognize story elements such as characters, setting, problems, events and solution. They can contribute ideas and begin to organize information about topics related to units of study. Most students meet the standards for the Beginning Reading Stage by the end of second grade. Writing Expectations for Second Grade Beginning writers compose stories with beginning, middle and end. With teacher guidance they compose short informational pieces that include introduction, body and conclusion. They are able to adapt their writing style/form to focus on topic, purpose and/or audience in stories, letters, journals, poems, and/or plays. Their narrative pieces include literary elements (characters, setting, major events) and they use some descriptive language (adjectives and/or adverbs and actions verbs.)

Beginning stage writers begin to write complete sentences (subject plus verb), using end punctuation (periods, exclamation points and question marks) and are also beginning to use conjunctions (and, but, or) to write compound sentences. Beginning writers use sound spelling effectively but are also making the transition into more conventional spelling, spelling at least 30 frequently used words correctly. These writers are beginning to revise by adding missing details and determining whether ideas are presented in logical order based on conferencing with classmates and/or the teacher. They are also able to edit for capitalization for the pronoun "I", names, and the first word in a sentence. Most students meet the standards for the Beginning Writing Stage by the end of the second grade.