My long term plan of our youngest doing roughly the same thing as our oldest did in each grade is pretty much being tossed out the window. As every parent will tell you, each kid is different. Homeschooling allows us the freedom to customize our children’s education, and it’s time to start heading down a slightly different road with this kid. She’ll be heading into 2nd grade (according to her age) this fall but academic subjects like reading, spelling, and math have been really easy for her so far. Her only request for the upcoming school year is that I challenge her more. Here is where we’re starting for our 2nd grade homeschool curriculum choices, but we’ll probably be moving pretty quickly through it.
My general homeschool goal is to keep them challenged but not overwhelmed. This past year was not challenging for my youngest even though she moved very quickly through the material. I pushed my oldest too much when she was that age and it back-fired. However, my youngest needs to be pushed more…and by her request. So, here we go!
Please note – the books pictured from Bookshark and Sonlight are from the 2016 version of their programs. Book lists may have changed slightly since then.
![](https://homeschoolgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bookshark-1-History-and-Reader-Aloud-books.jpg)
Bookshark level 1 History and Reader Aloud books
History and Read Alouds
She’s been following along with big sister’s history for a few years. She actually does understand the material and can hold her own in the discussions, but she wants her own curriculum in all subjects. So, I’m still going to follow my original plan and have her do the same Bookshark history levels that big sis did. It seems silly to go back to the earlier levels but she’s having fun and we’re going down different rabbit holes to dive deeper into topics.
For 2nd grade, we’ll be doing Bookshark’s level 1 History with Reading which is meant for kids ages ages 6-8. This puts us on track to hit level 3 for 4th grade which is in the middle of the age range for that level. Level 3 is when the amount of work and maturity of content jumps so I like my kids to be 4th grade age for that level.
I love how Bookshark weaves in geography throughout the history lessons. We have separate markable maps for each child and we also use printable maps from Map Trek to go along with notebooking pages.
![](https://homeschoolgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Sonlight-Science-B.jpg)
Sonlight Science level B
Science
When big sis was this age, I choose Sonlight’s Science B instead of sticking with Bookshark. She loves science and so I opted to get a 5 day program so that we’d have a bit more science. In this science level, there are no religious books. I love that Bookshark and Sonlight focus on non-consumable materials so it’s easy to reuse for younger kids. I just get an extra set of worksheets and the science kit if there are enough consumable items that are hard to find around the house.
STEM
My youngest has a very strong interest in robotics, coding, engineering and space. Even though we’re still going to continue with our plan to do Sonlight’s science, I’m really going to focus this year on her STEM interests. We’ll be using several of the Academy Books from Usborne – Scientist Academy, Coder Academy, Astronaut Academy, and Engineer Academy. I’m not sure we’ll get through all of them, but they will certainly keep her busy and having fun. She has a few programmable robots and I’ll make sure she gets regular time to practice coding with them as well as on Hour of Code. However, she really wants to design and build her own robot from scratch! I have no idea how yet, but I’m going to try making that happen for her.
Related Post: 15 Engaging STEM Toys for Kids
![](https://homeschoolgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bookshark-level-2-int-readers.jpg)
Bookshark level 2 intermediate readers
Reading and Spelling
She’s moved through All About Reading very quickly and will be using the 4th and final level of the program for 2nd grade. She’s picking up all kinds of books and reading them fluently. I do wonder if we even need to do level 4, but we’ll move as quickly through it as she wants (while retaining the info, of course). We also use Bookshark readers for additional reading practice. She’ll be doing the 2nd grade intermediate readers (which I already own) and several of the 2nd grade advanced level readers.
She finished up All About Spelling level 3 in 1st grade and will be moving onto level 4 for 2nd grade. I love that the publisher recommends starting spelling after the student has completed the first level of their reading program. This way the student is learning to spell words that they’re already comfortable reading. It makes spelling so much easier!
Related Post: Organize All About Reading Homeschool Curriculum
![](https://homeschoolgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2nd-grade-LA-choices.jpg)
Language Art and Math choices for 2nd grade
Other Language Arts
We’ve been doing Jot it Down projects from Brave Writer and we’ll continue for this year. We’re adding in Brave Writer’s Quiver of Arrows to introduce copywork and dictation. Brave Writer has many study guides for books that are in Bookshark programs. It’s been a wonderful to tie together history and language arts. The Quiver of Arrows matches up well with Bookshark’s level 1.
We’re continuing on with Peterson Directed Handwriting. I really love this handwriting program, but I hardly see it mentioned around the homeschool community. It uses verbal cues that describe how the letters are formed. Several programs do this, but often the words to be recited are long. This program uses cues that are short and to the point.
I snagged a Draw Write Now level 1 book at a used curriculum sale last year and it’s been a great tool to introduce copywork and longer handwriting practice. We’ll continue with books 3 and 4 from this series. I love that it connects handwriting with drawing!
Related Post – Animal Mini Book Project
Math
While I’ve always gone back and forth about whether Singapore’s Primary Mathematics is a good fit for big sister, it has worked very well for little sis. She’s picked up academics so fast because she’s been listening in on her big sister’s lessons for so long. She’ll be starting the year with level 2b and using the intensive practice books for extra challenge.
Related Post – Six Ways to Teach Math at Home
Art and Music
We’re changing things up in this area. My attempts at using ARTistic Pursuits failed last year. I still love the program, but I’m going to try outsourcing art this year. I’ve heard great things about Chalk Pastel. I love that so many of the lessons match up with our history topics.
The girls took a break from choir during the second half of last year but they both want to go back again. We’re also going to start piano lessons. For music appreciation, we’ll be using Squilt’s Meet the Composers. Last year I just pieced a few things together, so I’m excited to be able to follow a structured program.
That’s our 2nd grade homeschool curriculum choices…at least the big things. I’m sure we’ll add in things here and there. I’m really looking forward to more STEM projects this year, and seeing what she can do with other academics now that I’ve decided to challenge her more. Each kid is so different! It took me a bit to realize that we need to do a few things differently. At least, it’s something I now see.
Related Posts
Our 1st Grade Homeschool Curriculum Lineup 2018-2019
4th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Lineup
5th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Lineup
6th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Lineup
What a great plan for grade 2! Thank you for all the information and inspiration ?
I’m glad you found it useful! Thanks for stopping by 🙂