Grade 2 • Social Studies How to Support Your Child

Grade 2 Social Studies

How To Support Your Child

According to the U.S. Department of Education, families can spark enthusiasm in children and lead them to a very important understanding- that learning can be enjoyable as well as rewarding and well worth the effort required. 

This page contains extension activities related to comparing communities, people and the environment, economics, and citizenship in the community.

Family Field Trips

Content and Skills to Reinforce at Home

Historical Thinking Skills

  • Discuss how life today is similar or different from life long ago.
  • Talk to their elders about what life was like when they were a child.
  • Examine photographs from the past and discuss what they notice about them.
  • Practice the skill of corroborating evidence by having your child compare and contrast two ideas, concepts or sources.  This is often done using a venn diagram or asking, "How is this book similar or different from the other book?"

Economics and Financial Literacy Skills 

  • Take a trip to a store and compare prices.  
  • Discuss where food comes from.
  • Take a trip to the bank and talk about money.
  • Visit a local farm to see animals or go fruit and vegetable picking.

Geography and Map Skills

  • Discuss where you are with your children. 
  • Encourage your child to read maps when you are out.
  • Follow map directions and identify items from the key when you are at the grocery store, amusement park,  or other location where maps are available.   
  • Make a map of a favorite playground.
  • Try food from different countries and cultures around the world.
  • As you drive through areas discuss the difference between where you live and where you are. 

Political Science

  • Be a model citizen.
  • Celebrate the diversity of cultures/nationalities in your community.
  • Take your child to the voting booth with you.
  • Take your child to community meetings or political events.
  • Consider volunteering or participating in community service with your child.

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