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Second Grade Readiness Checklist

Is your child ready for second grade? Every child is special and unique and develops at their own pace, but certain skills and knowledge sets are essential for social and academic growth, development and achievement in school. This checklist is designed to help you prepare your child for second grade. As you explore it, remember:

  • Success in second grade requires a child to be a much more independent learner than he/she was in first grade.
  • You are your child's first and most important teacher and role model.
  • Every day your child is learning as you talk, play and work together.
  • Readiness is a combination of age, individual growth and experiences.
  • Your child will develop at his/her own rate; however, your involvement strongly promotes readiness.
  • Your child will learn by doing.
  • Play is an essential part of learning.
  • Your child learns best when he/she is involved in activities that are interesting and fun.

 

Second Grade Readiness Checklists

Social & Emotional | Reading & Language Arts | Math | Social Studies | Science

Science

  • Appears to be developing a positive attitude toward science
  • Understands that objects can be described, classified and compared by their composition and properties (color, shape, etc.)
  • Recognizes that the same material can exist in different states (e.g. solid, liquid, gas)
  • Verifies that things can be done to materials to change some of their properties
  • Recognizes that many things are made of smaller pieces, different amounts and various shapes
  • Understands basic concepts of energy
  • Understands the concept of habitats and distinguishes between different types of habitats
  • Knows the Solar System
  • Understands the interaction of the Solar System and how it affects life on Earth
  • Knows the basic needs of all living things
  • Recognizes and observes characteristics and behavior of living and non-living things
  • Understands the interdependence of living things in the environment
  • Uses investigation to seek information
  • Uses tools to gather scientific information
  • Asks questions about the natural and physical world
  • Makes logical predictions based upon observations
  • Communicates scientific information in a variety of ways

 

Tips for parents for supporting children's interest in the natural world and how things work:

  • Make science part of your child's world; focus on toys that allow learning and exploration such as telescopes or microscopes.
  • Watch science and nature programs that present science in a fun fashion.
  • Treat famous scientists as heroes the same way you would treat a patriot or a sports star. By making these people "cool," you help your child to see the fun in science.
  • Listen to the daily weather report with your child. Challenge your child to focus on the images of the swirling clouds or the different colored maps used to show rain or temperature. Make a game out of trying to predict the day's high and low temperatures and then double check your answers that evening or the next day.

 

Social & Emotional | Reading & Language Arts | Math | Social Studies | Science

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