1st Grade
Reduce Video
Second Grade Curriculum
2.2.a./2.2.b. Science
Cycle of Life
The unit starts with an engaging reader to teach students about animal life cycles. Students learn why these cycles are, in fact, vital to the survival of all species. By introducing this subject matter in the context of humans' dependence on healthy natural systems, students see that plant and animal reproduction helps feed them, keep them warm, and shelter them. Furthermore, they understand humans' place in the system.
2.2.c./2.2.d. Science
Alike and Different
Three woodland species-the ermine, mule deer, and cowbird- introduce students to the ideas of adaptation and variation. Spotlighting adaptation as the big idea of this unit, the grade-level reader reinforces the lessons. Students learn that some inherited characteristics are essential to survival; an animal's environment can influence some characteristics; and that variations exist among individuals of a population. Students also learn that many characteristics of an organism are inherited from its parents, and they identify some of these characteristics.
2.2.e./2.2.f. Science
Flowering Plants in Our Changing Environment
This unit teaches students about environmental factors that affect the ability of flowering plants to grow and reproduce. The leveled reader shows students how a familiar fruit from an historic California tree has been affected by environmental changes over its long life span. Students also learn how human- triggered changes to the environment can help or hurt the growth and development of flowering plants.
2.3.a./2.3.b. Science
The Earth Rocks
Students learn the properties of rocks and minerals, how rock types and mineral content may change, and how they influence the ways rocks and minerals function in natural and human systems. They also learn to identify several properties of rocks and minerals, to identify ways those properties change, and to show the influence these properties have on the use of a rock or mineral. Students also understand that people depend on rocks and minerals in many ways.
2.2.4. history-Social Science
California's Lands- Then and Now
This unit focuses on land use patterns in California and how these patterns have changed over time. Also presented are basic concepts relating to the different types of land use in urban, suburban, and rural environments in California. Human influence on natural systems is addressed via community development and how the land is used for housing, transportation, agriculture, and recreation.
2.4.1. history-Social Science
From Field to Table
Accompanied by a mini-newspaper and two grade-level readers, this unit teaches students about food production and consumption, both long ago and today. The roles of farmers, processors, distributors, weather, and land and water resources are introduced. Students also learn to recognize the relationship between human needs, components of the food production system, and the eco-system goods and ecosystem services made available by natural systems. They study the ways that people have learned to use knowledge of natural systems to improve the quality, quantity, and reliability of food production.
2.4.2./2.4.3. history-Social Science
The Dollars and Sense of Food Production
Students apply what they know about natural systems, plant growth, and food production to solve a mystery about missing strawberries. As students work to solve the mystery, they review ways in which food production depends on the availability of natural resources and how such resources are limited. Students provide examples of how decisions about what to produce and what to consume can be affected by the quality, quantity, and reliability of the resources provided by natural systems. Students also develop a clearer understanding of the interdependence of consumers and producers.
2.2.a./2.2.b. Science
Cycle of Life
The unit starts with an engaging reader to teach students about animal life cycles. Students learn why these cycles are, in fact, vital to the survival of all species. By introducing this subject matter in the context of humans' dependence on healthy natural systems, students see that plant and animal reproduction helps feed them, keep them warm, and shelter them. Furthermore, they understand humans' place in the system.
2.2.c./2.2.d. Science
Alike and Different
Three woodland species-the ermine, mule deer, and cowbird- introduce students to the ideas of adaptation and variation. Spotlighting adaptation as the big idea of this unit, the grade-level reader reinforces the lessons. Students learn that some inherited characteristics are essential to survival; an animal's environment can influence some characteristics; and that variations exist among individuals of a population. Students also learn that many characteristics of an organism are inherited from its parents, and they identify some of these characteristics.
2.2.e./2.2.f. Science
Flowering Plants in Our Changing Environment
This unit teaches students about environmental factors that affect the ability of flowering plants to grow and reproduce. The leveled reader shows students how a familiar fruit from an historic California tree has been affected by environmental changes over its long life span. Students also learn how human- triggered changes to the environment can help or hurt the growth and development of flowering plants.
2.3.a./2.3.b. Science
The Earth Rocks
Students learn the properties of rocks and minerals, how rock types and mineral content may change, and how they influence the ways rocks and minerals function in natural and human systems. They also learn to identify several properties of rocks and minerals, to identify ways those properties change, and to show the influence these properties have on the use of a rock or mineral. Students also understand that people depend on rocks and minerals in many ways.
2.2.4. history-Social Science
California's Lands- Then and Now
This unit focuses on land use patterns in California and how these patterns have changed over time. Also presented are basic concepts relating to the different types of land use in urban, suburban, and rural environments in California. Human influence on natural systems is addressed via community development and how the land is used for housing, transportation, agriculture, and recreation.
2.4.1. history-Social Science
From Field to Table
Accompanied by a mini-newspaper and two grade-level readers, this unit teaches students about food production and consumption, both long ago and today. The roles of farmers, processors, distributors, weather, and land and water resources are introduced. Students also learn to recognize the relationship between human needs, components of the food production system, and the eco-system goods and ecosystem services made available by natural systems. They study the ways that people have learned to use knowledge of natural systems to improve the quality, quantity, and reliability of food production.
2.4.2./2.4.3. history-Social Science
The Dollars and Sense of Food Production
Students apply what they know about natural systems, plant growth, and food production to solve a mystery about missing strawberries. As students work to solve the mystery, they review ways in which food production depends on the availability of natural resources and how such resources are limited. Students provide examples of how decisions about what to produce and what to consume can be affected by the quality, quantity, and reliability of the resources provided by natural systems. Students also develop a clearer understanding of the interdependence of consumers and producers.
