Manitoba
MY CHILD IN SCHOOL
MY CHILD IN SCHOOL – Informed Parent, Involved Parent

GRADE 2: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

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?

How can I help my child? What tips can I use to help my child learn to read?

Where can I get support in helping my child to read and write?

Why is critical thinking important at this age?