Second Grade

State Report US State Report & Graphic Organizers This free STATE REPORT resource provides materials for students to create a State Report Lapbook.

Social studies has always been one of my absolute favorite subjects to teach. I get so excited about United States history, and I do my best to make a potentially boring topic come alive for my students! There are a lot of opportunities for hands-on, get out of your seat lessons and projects in the classroom (especially on those hot and extra wiggly days!)

If you are looking for a great story to read to your students, Abe Lincoln’s Dream by Lane Smith combines corny jokes, American history and great illustrations. The story alludes to the Lincoln’s bedroom ghost story and comes from the POV of a young girl taking a tour of the white house. She discovers Lincoln’s ghost and she assures him that the country has turned out just fine since he last left it. A readable story with clever illustrations make this one of my favorite reads so far this year.

Today I added a new packet to my store that is about Native Americans, but is not about Thanksgiving. This packet could be used at any time of the year. There is not a picture of a Pilgrim anywhere in this packet!

2nd Grade artists added to their knowledge of Native American Art and Culture when they looked at why certain tribes make Totem Poles, how they create them, and what significance they have/had. We discussed a totem pole slide show, sketched some totem pole ideas, read a fiction book about totem poles (Called "Totem Tale"), and created our own 3D Form totem poles.

Happy Presidents Day! Let's learn some fun facts about the US Presidents! Did you know that President Obama collects comic books? And that Bill Clinton once aced a My Little Pony quiz? Watch for more crazy presidential facts!

The students in this classroom enjoyed learning about pioneer games.

Every citizen needs to know about how our government works! That information needs to start early, and needs to be easy to understand. The one thing you never want to see is one of your past students being interviewed for an "on the street" survey missing an obvious question, like "Who is our Vice President?" Good grief, it's hard to believe how many people miss that one!!!

Scholastic News 1

This year we have new textbooks and standards in Social Studies. I was very overwhelmed trying to come up with resources to teach my students about Native Americans. I wanted to make it fun and memorable.

History students can learn all the first modern first lady in this biography worksheet, and can develop their reading comprehension skills as well.

Learn to read a family tree with this family relationships chart.

Westward Ho! All you explorers, have fun coloring and building your own paper covered wagon with this printable project.

Learn more about this fascinating woman in history who became the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic.

There's a lot of misconceptions surrounding native americans and Thanksgiving! Here's some invaluable tips for teaching native americans and Thanksgiving in upper elementary.