English Language Arts, Grade 2

Unit 1: Understanding the Conventions of Written Language

Grammar, usage, mechanics and spelling in the child's own reading and writing.

• Use: Writes sentences in an order that supports a main idea or…

• Use: In simple sentences by using subject, verb, modifier
• Use: In syntactic structures that carry meaning

• Use: Uses vocabulary and/or terminology related to the type of…

• Use: Uses invented spelling by choosing letters on the basis of…

Unit 2: Response Process

How a reader connects with, understands and responds to texts.

• Use: Understands the purpose for reading, listening to and/or…

• Use: Makes explicit connections between own personal experiences…

• Use: Constructs a personal response to the text

Unit 3: Writing Process

The stages of writing — planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing.

• Use: Understands the purpose for the writing

• Use: Writes to a specific familiar audience of family, friends…

• Notice: Rereads for clarity

• Use: Selects personally significant pieces of writing to publish

Unit 4: Production Process (Media)

The stages of making a media text, from planning to sharing (a genuine QEP strand).

• Notice: Uses appropriate technology resources for the specific…

Unit 5: Self-Expressive: Texts That Reinforce or Maintain Relationships

Texts that build and keep relationships — cards, letters, messages.

• Use: Thank-you notes
• Use: Invitations
• Use: Greeting cards
• Use: Friendly letters

• Use: Salutation, body and closing in a friendly letter
• Use: Relevant details such as time, place and location in an…
• Use: Suitable message, given the communication context, in…

Unit 6: Narrative and Literary Texts

Stories and literary texts — their features, genres and required reading.

• Use: Nursery rhymes
• Use: Illustrated wordless and picture books written for younger…

• Use: Stories based on ideas, experiences and events

• Use: Predictable story patterns
• Use: Sequence of events

Unit 7: Information-Based: Planning Texts

Texts that organise and plan information.

• Use: Understands the use of talk to compose a first draft of…
• Notice: Understands the use of talk to clarify the steps in a…

Unit 8: Information-Based: Explanatory Texts

Texts that explain how or why.

• Use: Directions and instructions
• Notice: Explanation of reasons for a decision

Unit 9: Information-Based: Descriptive Reports

Texts that describe and report on a topic.

• Use: spoken reports based on family, community or school…
• Notice: spoken reports that describe the way things are or were

• Use: Nonfiction that describes and reports details about a topic
• Use: Reports on personal experiences in family, classroom, or…
• Use: Reports on topics/subjects of personal interest

• Use: Title to indicate contents

Unit 10: Information-Based: Persuasive Texts

Texts that try to persuade a reader.

• Use: Popular signs and symbols, such as logos of popular food…
• Use: Packaging for popular products aimed at children
• Notice: Promotional posters or flyers