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Grade 2 Benchmarks

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The student begins to acquire a way of thinking about writing and understands purposes for writing:

                * plans writing (using graphic organizers, discussions, and group brainstorming) and

                   develops one clear, main idea (Ideas)(3.1).

                * writes in an orderly sequence, anticipates and answers reader’s questions, and stays on

                   topic for the duration of the piece (Organization) (3.3, 4.1).

                * generates ideas for writing and uses a variety of sources to obtain information

                   (for example: books, libraries, videos, Internet, and elders),

                   and writes in different genres based on purpose (Voice) (3.2, 4.1).

                * provides evidence of the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing.

                * revises writing by adding/deleting words, phrases, and details (Word Choice) (4.2).

                * produces sentences of varying length with varied vocabulary.  Students are able to write 10

                   sentences without difficulty (Sentence Fluency).

                * shares writing (writing ideas, in process writing and published writing) with peers (4.4)

                * listens to other’s writing (ideas, in process, and published) and ask relevant questions

                   and/or make comments (4.4)

                * reflects on their writing and asks/answers questions on what could be done to enhance

                   writing/next steps (3.3).

                * conferences with peers based on their own and other’s work (4.2).  

The student produces various types of writing for different audiences and purposes:

                * Fiction stories (including a beginning, middle, end).  

                * Students experiment with “hooks” to start the story.

                * Written pieces have a conclusion or concluding statement.

                * Non-fiction

                * Simple reports based on independent and/or class research

                * Letter Writing

                * Poetry

                * Descriptive Poems

                * Songs

                * Small Moment Writing

                * Based on personal experience

                * Journal Writing

                * Content-Area Writing

                * Science

                * Social Studies

                * Math

The student demonstrates an understanding of the following conventions:

                * consistently and independently uses periods, question marks, uppercase letters for

                   beginning of sentences, first letters of names, and the

                   pronoun “I” (4.3).  

                * prints neatly with the correct letter formation (all uppercase and lowercase letters) (4.3)

                * uses inventive spelling for unknown words.  (4.3).  

                * spells correctly known words (100 high frequency) and words that are visible or accessible

                   in the classroom (4.3).