1. Develop narrative writing skills, such as developing characters, setting, and sequencing events.
Narrative writing skills are important elements of literacy development for second grade students. Specifically, it is important for them to be able to develop characters in a story, create a setting that adds depth to the story, and sequence events in the proper order. They should also be able to explain how the events in their story are connected.
2. Write stories that have a beginning, middle and end.
Second grade students need to understand that all good stories have a beginning, middle, and end. They should be able to create an engaging introduction, develop rising action leading up to the climax of the story, and provide resolution with a satisfying conclusion.
3. Use correct punctuation in sentences.
Students should be familiar with basic punctuation marks such as periods, commas, question marks, exclamation points, etc., and use them correctly when writing sentences. They should also know when it is appropriate to use capitalization for proper nouns or at the start of a sentence.
4. Expand on ideas with details.
In order to make their stories more engaging, students should be encouraged to add descriptive details that will help create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. This can include adding sensory words or using strong verbs and adjectives to enliven their writing.
5. Utilize descriptive words to support story elements.
Second grade students should understand how important it is to choose the right words when writing a story. They should practice incorporating more descriptive language into their stories, such as specific nouns that identify characters, places and things, or powerful verbs that show action taking place.
6. Incorporate figurative language into written pieces (similes and metaphors).
Figurative language such as similes and metaphors can be used to make stories more interesting and engaging. Students should practice including these elements in their writing, making sure that they are correctly applied in the context of the story.
7. Demonstrate proper grammar usage when speaking and writing.
Second grade students should have a basic understanding of parts of speech such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, punctuation marks, etc., and know how to use them properly when speaking or writing.
8. Use academic vocabulary within context of written work.
Students should expand their vocabulary by using words from different academic subjects such as science or social studies in order to enrich their writing. They should also practice using the words in context so that they can properly convey their intended meaning.
9. Identify main idea in texts.
To help them better comprehend what they are reading, students should be able to identify the main idea of a text and how it is supported by key details. This helps them summarize information more accurately which is an important skill for written expression.
10. Understand author’s purpose when reading informational text.
Second grade students should also understand the importance of being able to identify an author’s purpose when reading informational texts. This includes figuring out if the author is trying to inform readers about a particular topic, persuade them of a certain opinion, or entertain them with characters and stories.