Experience Our Academic Program

Grade 2

Welcome to Grade 2

Grade 2 is a year of expanding horizons and deepening understanding. At Country School, our second-grade curriculum builds on the foundational skills acquired in Grade 1, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Through an engaging mix of individual and group activities, students enhance their literacy and numeracy skills while exploring subjects such as science, social studies, and the arts. Our teachers foster a supportive environment where students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and develop a lifelong love of learning. We also focus on social-emotional growth, helping students build confidence, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills. 

Grade 2 Highlights

List of 3 items.

  • Study of the United States

    Second graders dive into a deep and engaging study of the 50 states, each choosing one to explore in detail. Along the way, they learn about geography, state history, and cultural landmarks — building research skills and a broader understanding of American identity. The unit culminates in the States Expo, where students proudly share what they’ve learned through hands-on projects and creative presentations.

  • Arts Assembly

    A beloved Country School tradition, the Arts Assembly is a joyful celebration of student voice and creativity. Each year, first and second graders choreograph and perform original dances for an audience of classmates, teachers, and families. Guided by our Music & Movement teacher and supported by classroom faculty, students collaborate from start to finish — brainstorming, rehearsing, and bringing their ideas to life on stage.

    The result is more than a performance; it’s a rite of passage that reflects the values we hold dear: independence, collaboration, and joyful self-expression.

  • Maker

    In our Maker program, students bring their ideas to life through hands-on projects that connect directly to what they’re learning in the classroom. Whether they’re building models, solving real-world problems, or working with new materials and tools, students are encouraged to think creatively and work collaboratively. A recent project challenged students to design playground prototypes that are more accessible to children of all abilities — blending innovation, empathy, and design thinking.

2nd Grade Sample Schedule

List of 15 items.

  • 7:30 a.m.

    Early Birds: Before School Programming Available
    Learn More

  • 8:00 a.m.

    Arrival

  • 8:30 a.m.

    Morning Meeting

  • 9:00 a.m.

    Math or Science/Spanish/Library

  • 9:45 a.m.

    Recess/Snack

  • 10:00 a.m.

    Literacy

  • 11:05 a.m.

    Lunch

  • 11:30 a.m.

    Recess

  • 12:15 p.m.

    PE or Literacy

  • 1:00 p.m.

    Art or Coding

  • 1:30 p.m.

    Writer’s Workshop or Social Studies

  • 2:00 p.m.

    Math or Music & Movement

  • 2:45 p.m.

    Closing Meeting

  • 3:00 p.m.

    Dismissal

  • 3–5:30 p.m.

    After School Programming Available
    Learn More

Our Grade 2 Curriculum

Language Arts

Second graders continue to hone the many facets of reading, including fluency, decoding, comprehension and vocabulary development. Students are encouraged to choose books from the classroom and library collection as they build skills and stamina for independent reading. Small-group discussions delve into nonfiction and fiction with an emphasis on responding in writing to the text. Word work includes direct instruction in the syllable types, syllabication, prefixes and suffixes, all of which are reinforced through word building, sorting, and dictations. Comprehension and critical thinking skills are taught through discussion, written activities, illustrations and dramatization. Second grade writers gain a deeper appreciation for the writing process as they expand their repertoire of writing genres to include narrative, poetry, realistic fiction and nonfiction.

Social Studies

In second grade, focus continues on the community and social identity. In the second half of the year, students study the United States. At this point, students are formally introduced to basic mapping skills while learning about the five regions of the United States, including land and water forms. Using an interdisciplinary approach, each student explores one state in depth. The United States study culminates in an end-of-year States Exposition where each student presents his or her research to the school community.

Mathematics

Students focus on representing and solving problems involving addition and subtraction, applying understanding of place value to add and subtract while also working with equal groups of objects to gain foundations for multiplication. Second graders learn how to measure and estimate lengths in standard units and to reason with shapes and their attributes.

Science

In second grade science, our students learn about living things. The year begins with an in-depth study of plants. Each student plants and cares for their own seeds. The foundational scientific concepts of systems, structure and function, and change over time unfold before each student’s eyes as they observe and record their seeds’ growth. Various animal life cycles are explored as students watch chicken eggs hatch and caterpillars change to butterflies, and even catch tadpoles from our campus vernal pool to see them transform into tiny frogs before returning them to their natural home. This study of animals is integrated into their social studies states unit, which includes a detailed report on their state animal. Throughout the year, students take part in engineering challenges where they design and build creative solutions to challenging problems related to the topics they are learning.

World Languages

Second graders begin to gain awareness of the relationship between aural/oral and reading/writing skills as assignments and projects often include written components. Interdisciplinary units continue to enhance instruction. For example, in conjunction with a social studies unit on communities, the students learn the names for Spanish food items in the international aisle in the supermarket. Similarly, through a human body unit, students learn much more pertinent vocabulary and practice expressing discomfort, pain and sympathy toward others in Spanish. Additionally, students with more experience speaking the language at home are given the opportunity to extend their learning through stories and are encouraged to share their work as well as their families’ cultures with their classmates.

Visual Arts

Children are introduced to many fine arts and a wide variety of media. Lessons emphasize basic design elements and are planned so that all children experience success with materials, concepts and creative problem solving. Cultural traditions and works by major artists are presented; many interdisciplinary projects are implemented. Children develop the skills and techniques to communicate their own ideas visually. The emphasis is on concepts and process.

Music & Movement

Second graders build on their Early Childhood experiences with song, movement and instrument play, and begin to lay the groundwork for aural skills and music literacy. Performance opportunities for all grades range from informal assemblies to seasonal concerts and productions.

Physical Education

Lower School students participate in a carefully sequenced curriculum, with emphasis on fitness, participation, sportsmanship and general athletic skills. More specifically, the program develops gross- and fine-motor skills, collaborative skills, coordination, visual and spatial awareness, cardiovascular fitness, self-confidence, and “knowing your body.” Second grade students participate by homeroom.

Where Foundational Skills and Forever Friendships Go Hand-In-Hand.

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771

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Accreditations

New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.