Second Grade is built on the national frameworks that most state standards are based on or closely resemble: the Common Core State Standards for math and English language arts, the national K-12 science framework (the Next Generation Science Standards*), and the C3 Framework for social studies. Every lesson lists the standard it teaches.
North Carolina Standard Course of Study: 2017 K-12 Mathematics
Based on the Common Core, with the state's own changesAdopted 2017
Revised Common Core standards (codes like NC.2.OA.1), in schools since 2017-18. New math standards are in revision and were awaiting State Board action as of this check.
Official standards (opens in a new tab)North Carolina Standard Course of Study: 2017 K-12 English Language Arts
Based on the Common Core, with the state's own changesAdopted 2017
In use since 2018-19. The State Board adopted new 2026 ELA standards on January 8, 2026, for use starting in 2027-28; the 2017 standards stay in place until then.
Official standards (opens in a new tab)North Carolina Standard Course of Study: 2023 K-12 Science Standards
The state's own standardsAdopted 2023
Approved July 6, 2023, and required from 2024-25. They build in science and engineering practices, but the state does not describe them as based on the Next Generation Science Standards*, and Grade 2 topics differ.
Official standards (opens in a new tab)North Carolina Standard Course of Study: K-12 Social Studies
The state's own standards
Approved February 4, 2021. Grade 2 focuses on the United States: how the nation developed over time and the many groups and cultures that shape its identity. A review of these standards is under way.
Official standards (opens in a new tab)Science: Grade 2 covers sound and vibrating objects, which the Next Generation Science Standards* place in Grade 1.
Add at homeAdd a 15-minute sound test: stretch rubber bands over an open box or tap a pot lid, and have your child touch it to feel the vibration and notice when the sound stops.
Science: Grade 2 covers animal life cycles, which the Next Generation Science Standards* place in Grade 3.
CoveredCovered in Week 31, where your child compares the life cycles of a frog and a butterfly.
Science: Grade 2 covers weather patterns and how the sun's energy affects weather, which the Next Generation Science Standards* place in Kindergarten and Grade 3.
Partly coveredWeek 23 keeps a weather log and looks for patterns. Add 10 minutes to put one thermometer (or a cup of water) in the sun and one in the shade, and compare them to see how the sun warms things.
ELA: Grade 2 includes printing all upper- and lowercase letters legibly and in proportion (RF.2.2). Common Core's handwriting standards end in Grade 1.
Partly coveredYour child makes neat final copies each week in Publishing. Add 10 minutes of print practice twice a week, working through all upper- and lowercase letters and checking size and spacing.
Verified: 2026-09-30. Standards change; always check your state's official page.