Calvert 2nd Grade Language Arts Complete Set

Description

The Calvert 2nd Grade Language Arts Complete Set offers homeschooling families a time-tested, comprehensive curriculum that seamlessly integrates grammar, spelling, reading, and writing instruction. Built on a strong phonics foundation, this mastery-based program guides second graders through essential language concepts including sentence construction, punctuation rules, prefixes and suffixes, parts of speech, and fundamental writing skills. With over a century of educational excellence behind the Calvert name, this curriculum provides the structured approach many homeschooling parents need while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to your family’s unique learning style.

What Makes This Curriculum Special for Homeschoolers

Mastery Learning Approach

Unlike traditional grade-based curricula that rush students forward regardless of comprehension, Calvert’s mastery learning methodology ensures your child truly understands each concept before advancing. This approach builds confidence and creates a solid foundation for future academic success. Each of the 10 units can be completed in 3-4 weeks, providing regular opportunities for celebration and accomplishment.

Teacher-Friendly Design

Homeschooling parents appreciate the comprehensive 246-page teacher’s guide that eliminates guesswork from lesson planning. The guide includes detailed unit lesson plans, materials lists for each lesson, optional enrichment activities, complete answer keys, and alternative assessment options. This thorough support allows parents to focus on teaching and bonding with their children rather than curriculum development.

Engaging Student Experience

The 10 full-color student workbooks feature vibrant illustrations and age-appropriate activities that capture second graders’ attention. Each workbook contains 3-5 instructional sections, built-in self-tests for ongoing assessment, spelling tests, and comprehensive unit tests. The magazine-style binding makes the workbooks easy for young hands to manage while the colorful format keeps learning engaging and fun.

Practical Implementation for Homeschool Families

Daily Structure and Time Management

With approximately 160-180 daily lessons designed for 45-minute sessions, this curriculum provides a full year of language arts instruction. The self-paced nature allows families to adjust the schedule based on their child’s learning needs, family circumstances, or seasonal activities. Many homeschooling families find they can complete 5-7 pages per day, making this curriculum manageable even for busy households.

Assessment and Progress Tracking

The built-in assessment system helps homeschooling parents identify areas where their child may need additional support or is ready to advance. Self-tests serve as checkpoints throughout each unit, while unit tests ensure mastery before moving forward. This systematic approach provides clear documentation of academic progress, which can be valuable for record-keeping requirements in your state.

Flexibility for Different Learning Styles

While designed as a teacher-student interactive program, the curriculum accommodates various homeschooling approaches. Students who thrive with independence can work through many activities on their own, while those who need more guidance benefit from the structured teacher interaction. The optional learning activities in the teacher’s guide provide additional support for kinesthetic learners or enrichment for accelerated students.

Skills and Concepts Covered

Grammar Foundation

Students develop understanding of essential grammar concepts including nouns, action verbs, adjectives, possessive nouns, pronouns, and verb types and tenses. These concepts are presented in age-appropriate ways that build naturally on each other throughout the year.

Sentence Construction and Punctuation

The curriculum emphasizes building strong sentence structure skills, covering simple sentences, different types of sentences, and proper punctuation usage. These fundamental skills provide the foundation for clear written communication.

Word Study and Vocabulary Development

Through systematic study of prefixes, suffixes, and word structure, students develop the tools needed for independent vocabulary growth. Dictionary skills are also integrated throughout the program, teaching children to become independent learners.

Writing Development

Students practice various forms of writing while developing their voice and style. The program balances structured writing instruction with creative expression opportunities.

Customizing for Your Homeschool

Integration with Literature

Many homeschooling families enhance this curriculum by incorporating living books and quality literature. The structured grammar and writing lessons complement literature-based learning beautifully, allowing students to see language concepts in context through great stories.

Supplementary Activities

The teacher’s guide provides numerous optional activities that can be adapted for field trips, unit studies, or special interests. For example, grammar lessons can be reinforced through nature walks where children identify nouns in their environment, or writing skills can be practiced through family newsletters or correspondence with grandparents.

Multi-Level Teaching

Families with multiple children can adapt this curriculum for mixed-age learning. Older siblings can help younger ones with reading portions while working on their own advanced writing assignments, and younger children can participate in oral activities even if they’re not ready for the written work.

Character Development

While this is a secular curriculum, homeschooling families can easily incorporate character building and biblical principles into the writing assignments and discussion questions. The structured format provides a solid academic foundation while leaving room for families to add their own values and worldview.

What’s Included

• 10 Student Workbooks: Full-color, consumable workbooks with engaging activities, self-tests, and unit assessments
• 1 Teacher’s Guide: Comprehensive 246-page guide with lesson plans, answer keys, materials lists, and optional activities
• Complete Assessment System: Built-in progress monitoring through self-tests and unit tests
• Optional Placement Test: Available separately to ensure proper grade placement

Educational Attributes:

• Grade Level: 2nd Grade
• Subject: Language Arts (Grammar, Spelling, Reading, Writing)
• Skill Level: Elementary
• Learning Style: Visual, Kinesthetic, Auditory
• Educational Approach: Mastery Learning
• Curriculum Type: Secular, Traditional

Practical Attributes:

• Page Count: Teacher’s Guide (246 pages), 10 Student Workbooks
• Lesson Count: 160-180 daily lessons
• Estimated Completion Time: 45 minutes per lesson, 3-4 weeks per unit
• Answer Key Included: Yes

Content/Scope Attributes:

• Topics Covered: Grammar, spelling, reading comprehension, writing, sentence structure, punctuation, parts of speech, dictionary skills, word structure
• Real-world Applications: Written communication, reading comprehension, vocabulary development

Format/Usability Attributes:

• Format: Print workbooks and teacher’s guide
• Reproducible: No (consumable student workbooks)

Special Features:

• Mastery-based learning approach
• Built-in assessment system
• Self-paced units
• Optional enrichment activities
• Time-tested curriculum with over 100 years of educational excellence