Your Complete Guide
How to Use Our Program
Everything you need to build a successful, joyful second-grade homeschool year — whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your approach.
Not sure where to start? Take the 10–15 minute placement check.
Every lesson now has a printable practice page, and each week has four checks, a specials page and a home sheet. Find them on each day and week page.
What Is This Program?
Free & Complete
A 180-day second-grade curriculum aligned to Common Core, the Next Generation Science Standards*, and state frameworks — completely free. Powered by SecondGrade.com.
36 Weekly Plans
Five subjects daily: Math, ELA, Science or Social Studies, and a rotating special (Art, Music, PE, Health), with activities, read-alouds, hands-on projects, books, materials lists, and standards alignment.
Your Framework to Customize
Use it as your full curriculum or cherry-pick the parts you love. The goal: your child grows as a learner and you feel confident every step of the way.
Getting Started
Whether it's your first day of homeschooling or your third year, these steps will set you up for a smooth start:
Explore the Year-at-a-Glance
Get the big picture. See all 36 weeks, understand the quarterly rhythm, and notice how subjects build across the year.
Look for the spiral: concepts introduced in Q1 deepen in Q2 and are mastered by Q4.
Read Week 1's Plan
Open the first weekly plan to see the format: daily activities, books, materials, standards, and the Week Opening that sets context.
Read through the whole week on Sunday evening so you can gather materials ahead of time.
Gather Quarter 1 Materials
Open Books & Materials to see the complete supply and book list for Q1. Reserve library books and order anything you need.
Most lessons use everyday items. Check Books & Materials for budget-friendly alternatives.
Set Up Your Templates
Download the Daily Schedule, Weekly Planner, and Reading Log templates. These are your daily co-pilots.
Print a full month's worth of templates at once and keep them in a binder.
Review the Subject Guides
Skim the Big Idea Guides for Q1 units — they'll give you teaching confidence even if the subject isn't your strong suit.
Each guide explains what success looks like and common mistakes to avoid.
Start Teaching!
Follow Week 1's Monday plan and tick the Done box on each lesson as you finish it. Tap Today in the menu each morning to pick up where you left off. Progress is saved on this device and browser.
If you're unsure, start at Week 1 — it reviews foundational skills and builds confidence.
Your Daily Rhythm
Compact homeschool day (core subjects plus one special)
Second graders thrive on routine. Here's a sample daily structure — adjust times and order to match your family's energy.
Hands-on lesson + practice (manipulatives, worksheets, games)
Snack, movement, free play
Read-aloud, phonics, writing, or grammar activity
Hands-on exploration, discussion, or notebook activity
Art project, music activity, PE/movement, or health and wellbeing
Review the day, read-aloud for pleasure, journal entry
Total active learning: ~2.5–3 hours. Focused, hands-on time is far more effective than long school days.
Need a longer day for a school or co-op? See the full-day model on the Curriculum page.
Your Weekly Rhythm
Each week follows a consistent pattern: prepare, teach, reflect.
Prepare (Weekend Before)
- Preview the week's plan Monday to Friday for each subject
- Gather supplies using “This week's materials” on the week page
- Reserve library books at least a week ahead
- Review the learning objectives and standards so you know what mastery looks like
- Set up your learning space with materials organized by day or subject
- Read the week's opening note for context and the daily focus
Teach (Monday–Friday)
- Follow the daily plan but adjust pacing to your child's energy and interest
- Weave the week's theme into conversation
- Take a one-line note per subject on what worked
- Don't skip read-alouds and hands-on activities, which is where the deepest learning happens
- Use the Subject Guides when you're unsure how to teach a concept
- Celebrate small wins
Reflect (Friday/Weekend)
- Tick Done on each lesson (the week page shows how many are done)
- Review your notes and plan short review activities for anything shaky
- Add work samples to the Reading Log and Writing Portfolio
- Check off standards on the Standards Mastery Checklist template
- Preview next week and start gathering
- Ask your child “What was your favorite thing we learned this week?”
Making It Your Own
No two families are alike, and no curriculum should be followed robotically.
Swap Books Freely
Our book recommendations are carefully chosen, but if your library doesn't have a title or your child has a favorite on the same topic, substitute it.
Adjust the Pace
Some weeks you'll fly through; others will need two weeks. That's fine. Weeks 31–36 are the year-end review unit, and short weeks are handled with the pacing notes in each unit opener.
Add Your Passions
If your child is obsessed with dinosaurs, weave it in. Use dino books for ELA, count fossils for math, study paleontology for science.
Combine with Other Resources
Each subject stands alone. Mix and match with programs like Explode the Code, Singapore Math, or whatever works for your family.
Curriculum & Lesson Plans 101
Curriculum
The overall plan for what your child will learn across the year. It defines the scope (what topics) and sequence (in what order).
Standards
Benchmarks describing what a child should know by the end of the grade. We align to Common Core, the Next Generation Science Standards*, and state frameworks.
Lesson Plans
Daily or weekly instructions telling you what to teach, how to teach it, and what materials you need.
Scope & Sequence
A document showing all topics covered and the order in which they appear. Our Year-at-a-Glance serves as your scope and sequence.
Assessment
How you measure your child's understanding. We use observation checklists, portfolio samples, narration, and structured activities.
Unit Study
A block of lessons focused on one topic that spans multiple weeks (e.g., 'Place Value & Number Relationships').
Your Complete Toolkit
Browse Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, and Specials — organized by unit with standards alignment.
See all 36 weeks, track progress, and plan ahead with the big-picture calendar view.
20 printable templates — daily schedules, assessment trackers, reading logs, and more.
Big ideas, success criteria, common pitfalls, and teaching tips for every curriculum unit.
Complete supply lists, book lists, and recommended materials organized by quarter and subject.
Search and bookmark CCSS-Math, CCSS-ELA, Next Generation Science Standards*, and Social Studies standards.
36 weeks of enrichment activities with books, supplies, and step-by-step instructions.
Unit assessments with D/A/P/E mastery rubric, answer keys, and teacher notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need teaching experience?
Not at all. Every lesson is scripted with step-by-step instructions, suggested dialogue, and time estimates. Just read and follow along.
What materials do I need?
Most lessons use everyday items: pencils, paper, crayons, a ruler, coins, and household objects for science. Each week's plan lists specific materials. See Books & Materials for the complete list.
How long does each day take?
A typical day runs about 3–4 hours including breaks. Many families compress this to 2.5–3 hours by combining subjects. Total active learning: ~2.5–3 hours. Second graders don't need 6-hour school days — focused, hands-on time is far more effective.
Can I skip subjects or weeks?
Absolutely. The curriculum is modular. You can focus on Math and ELA and do Science/Social Studies on alternating days, or skip weeks that cover concepts your child has already mastered. Weeks 31–36 are the year-end review unit, and short weeks are handled with the pacing notes in each unit opener.
Is this aligned to state standards?
Yes — the curriculum is aligned to Common Core (Math & ELA), the Next Generation Science Standards* (Science), and the C3 Framework (Social Studies). Visit the Standards page for details and state-specific notes.
Can I combine this with other programs?
Use our Math curriculum but prefer a different phonics program? No problem. Each subject stands alone. Mix and match with programs like Explode the Code, Singapore Math, or whatever works for your family.
Beyond Our Program
No single curriculum covers everything. Here are trusted external resources that complement our program:
Free, interactive math and reading practice that aligns well with our curriculum pacing.
Engaging phonics and early reading activities — a perfect supplement for ELA skills.
Video-based science lessons with hands-on activities that pair well with our science units.
Your most valuable free resource. Reserve books through WorldCat or your library's website a week ahead.
Free videos, interactives, and lesson plans from PBS — excellent for science and social studies enrichment.
Find homeschool co-ops, field trip groups, and social opportunities in your area through HSLDA's directory.
Recommended Reading for Parents
The Brave Learner
by Julie Bogart
Practical strategies for creating a rich learning environment at home with curiosity and joy.
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
by Siegfried Engelmann
The classic step-by-step phonics program used by thousands of homeschool families.
The Well-Trained Mind
by Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise
The definitive guide to classical education at home, with grade-by-grade recommendations.
Last Child in the Woods
by Richard Louv
Why nature-based learning matters and how to integrate the outdoors into your homeschool day.
For the Children's Sake
by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
A beautiful introduction to Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education — living books, narration, and wonder.
The Read-Aloud Handbook
by Jim Trelease
Evidence-based strategies for why reading aloud is the single most important activity for building literacy.
Home Learning Year by Year
by Rebecca Rupp
A comprehensive reference for what your child should know grade by grade, with book and resource lists.
Homeschool Bravely
by Jamie Erickson
Encouragement and practical wisdom for the homeschool parent who sometimes feels overwhelmed.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the free resources at no extra cost to you.
More homeschool guides
Our parent site offers a deep library of curated resources, tools, and in-depth guides for homeschool families.
Compare top homeschool programs and find the right fit for your family.
Supplemental LearningEnrich your core curriculum with hands-on activities, online platforms, and creative extras.
Special Needs ResourcesAdaptive tools, strategies, and curricula designed for learners with diverse needs.
Lesson PlansReady-to-use lesson plans across subjects — save hours of prep every week.
Teaching Math at HomeMaster second-grade math concepts with manipulatives, real-world problems, and proven teaching sequences.
Teaching ELA at HomeBuild strong readers and confident writers with phonics strategies and read-aloud techniques.
Teaching Science at HomeSpark curiosity with inquiry-based experiments, nature studies, and hands-on STEM activities.
Teaching Social Studies at HomeExplore communities, maps, history, and civics through stories, projects, and real-world connections.
The Complete Homeschool GuideA comprehensive walkthrough covering everything from legal requirements to daily routines.
Ready to Begin?
You have everything you need. Start with Week 1, trust the rhythm, and remember: the best homeschool year is one where your child feels curious, capable, and loved.