Second Grade Units of Inquiry

Second grade classes participate in six units of inquiry throughout the year. Click on each unit below to learn more.

Unit 1 - Who We Are

Transdisciplinary Theme

Who we are: an inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.

Central Idea

Leaders have a responsibility in our communities.

Lines of Inquiry

  • Responsibilities of citizens
  • Contributions of influential Americans
  • Strategies of reading and writing

Attributes of the Learner Profile

  • Communicator
  • Caring
  • Risk Taker

Parent Support

Have a conversation about how each of your family members contribute to your family.

Single Subject Connections

Second grade students will be principled, communicators as they participate in listen and move activities.  Students will take turns exploring activities that allow them to learn pathways, levels, and speeds through freeze dance and Simon says.  Students will be responsible for listening and following directions while practicing a movement skill.

Unit 2 - Where We Are in Place and Time

Transdisciplinary Theme 

Where we are in place and time: an inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationship between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.

Central Idea

People depend on the environment and others to survive.

Lines of Inquiry

  • American Indians
  • Geography of the world
  • Plants as natural resources

Attributes of the Learner Profile

  • Open-Minded
  • Inquirer
  • Reflective

Parent Support

At home, how might your family depend on the environment and one another to survive? Share in conversation with your child.

Unit 3 - How the World Works

Transdisciplinary Theme 

How the world works: an inquiry into the natural world and its laws, the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.

Central idea

People make observations to understand characteristics of the natural world.

Lines of Inquiry 

  • characteristics of matter 
  • weather patterns and characteristics 
  • how weather changes the environment

Learner Profile Attributes

  • Inquirer
  • Knowledgeable

Parent Support

Listen to a weather forecast together. Discuss how the weather affects how we dress and what activities we can participate in.

Single Subject Connections

Second grade students will explore the concept of change by learning about the phases of matter.  Students will engage in experiences that allow them to see the changes of matter in different states.  Students will record their observations by drawing and writing statements.

Unit 4 - How We Express Ourselves

Transdisciplinary Theme 

How we express ourselves: an inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity, our appreciation of the aesthetic.

Central idea

People can lead change.

Lines of Inquiry 

  • how people communicate their values
  • ideas that lead to change
  • why and how we honor the contributions of influential Americans
  • the author’s message in poetry

Learner Profile Attributes

  • Thinker
  • Communicator
  • Reflective

Parent Support

  • Watch or read the news together. Talk about how people in your family, community and around the world help lead change.
  • Write a song or poem together.

Single Subject Connections

In Music, 2nd grade students will discover ways that a song’s musical characteristicscommunicate meaning along with the text. The students will be communicators by dramatizing the meaning of a specific song or poem.

Unit 5 - Sharing the Planet

Transdisciplinary Theme 

Sharing the planet: an inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and other living things; communities and the relationship within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.

Central Idea

Lines of Inquiry

Learner Profile Attributes

Unit 6 - How We Organize Ourselves

Transdisciplinary Theme 

Central idea

Lines of Inquiry

Learner Profile Attributes