homework ideas for 2nd grade

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Second Grade Math Worksheets

Free grade 2 math worksheets.

Our grade 2 math worksheets emphasize numeracy as well as a conceptual understanding of math concepts . All worksheets are printable pdf documents.

Grade 2 math topics:

Skip Counting

Place Value & Rounding

Counting Money

Telling Time

Data & Graphing

Word Problems

Sample Grade 2 Math Worksheet

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• Number Charts
• Multiplication
• Long division
• Basic operations
• Telling time
• Place value
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• Add, subtract, multiply,   and divide fractions
• Mixed numbers vs. fractions
• Equivalent fractions
• Prime factorization & factors
• Fraction Calculator
• Decimals & Percent
• Add, subtract, multiply,   and divide decimals
• Fractions to decimals
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• Percentage of a number
• Percent word problems
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• Volume & surface area
• Pre-algebra
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• Simplify expressions
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• Equation calculator
• Equation editor
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• Assessment, review & test prep
• Online math curricula

2nd Grade Spelling Words & Activities

Here is a wide assortment of 2nd grade spelling words and activities for your family or classroom! My biggest list of 175 second grade words was compiled after researching textbooks, dictionaries and a variety of online resources. They are words your second grader will need to know to succeed in this key year of elementary school.

While you're here, please check out the rest of my grade-level spelling word lists, games, worksheets, and other age-appropriate activities. Click on the links below for the resources you need.

Lists of 2nd Grade Spelling Words

175 Second Grade Spelling Words - A comprehensive list of words that are important for second graders to know. Here's peek at just a few:

Second Grade Spelling Bee Words - This printable list of 100 words is suitable for a classroom competition. It's also a great study list for parents! Words range from easy to challenging. 

2nd Grade Vocabulary Words  :  Challenge your 2nd grade students with a BIG list of 200 words to use in their speaking vocabularies. Soon, they will be reading and writing these words, too! An engaging graphic groups 100 of the words into these categories: Calendar, Animals, Science, Math, Foods, Homophone Sets, Adjectives, Verbs, People and Places . Find the complete list of words, along with teaching helps and extension activities here. 

Second grade sight words - The all-important Dolch words, broken down in three subsets for your convenience. Study a few at a time.

Group One: best, call,  cold, fast, five, gave, its, sing, sit, sleep, tell us, use, why, wish.  Find the rest of the words, and teaching helps here. 

Dolch words - Complete list of Dolch words for preprimer through 3rd grades. The second grade subset includes always, around, because, been, found, many, these, upon, which, would, write and many more. 

Dolch nouns - More sight words for your 2nd graders to learn to spell. From apple to garden to party to window , these words will equip your students to read and write sentences more easily. Fluency increases as more sight words are mastered! Spelling improvement is a definitive plus as well!

Fun Word Detective Book!

My book, Word Detective (Grade 2):  130 Games and Puzzles to Improve Spelling , is available on Amazon! This is a hard copy book,   Learn more!  

There's a fun mystery, "The Case of the Hidden Gold," in the book, which kids will solve as they work through the puzzles in the book.  This volume covers 200 spelling words. It's packed with learning and brimming with FUN!  

A Word Detective (Grade 3) is also available on Amazon! Double the fun and get both for your active learners!

Spelling Activities for 2nd Grade

Second grade lesson plans - 25 spelling dictation sentences and full instructions. Use a few of these each week to provide students with extra practice in writing, spelling and using spelling words in context. 

S.I.P.  -  Easy-to-teach lesson covers the of capitalization of holidays and brand names. Fits  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.2a    (Capitalization)

Worksheets for 2nd grade Spelling Words - Fun worksheets provide age-appropriate practice with 2nd grade spelling words. Word search puzzles with frequently misspelled words, fill-in stories, and many more to choose from. Try them all!

2nd Grade Writing Prompts

Set #1  - What will a lion say to a mouse? What's in the hole in your yard? What will you do about the panda in your pool? Assign these  second grade writing prompts  to your students and learn what they think!

Set #2  - What does your pet lizard like to read? When should you NOT give your teacher a big red apple? What should always do in the morning? Your early learners will love these  2nd grade writing prompts !

Second Grade Writing Practice :  A Zoo-y Day ! - A delightful way for students to practice reading and spelling as they  write  their very own goofy story about a trip to the zoo. Every story will be different!

Fill-In the Family  - Kids identify words in the same word family within a sentence, then add another word from the same family to complete the sentence. Great way to practice reading comprehension  and  spelling!

Kids' Spelling Practice - Fun ways for students to write their spelling words over and over.  Use "Fancy Letters" or "Partner Practice" to make spelling practice much more interesting!!!

2nd Grade Spelling Activities and Games - Get your students working and thinking together as they practice their spelling words with these whole-class interactive games. Try both "Identity Riddles" and "Stand and Spell for lots of learning fun!

Second Grade Spelling Fun: Puzzlers and Brain Teaser s - Play these on the board with the whole class or use paper and pencil at home for some critical thinking and spelling fun!

Roll It! - Easy-to-make spelling word games. Roll the consonants around the tube to spell new words. Great at home or at school.  

Be sure to check out my collection of Fun Spelling Worksheets for grades 1 and 2.  

You'll find lots of all-new pages, not on the website , to help boost your first and second graders' spelling and phonics skills!

Compound Word Wizards - Whole class  or large-group activity for learning about compound words. Build new words as you play a fun game. Use the same format again and again with new words. Fun for everyone!

Spelling Bee Games - Try one of my new Silent Spelling Bee variations. A fun--and quiet--twist on  a classic game!

I Also Recommend...

You'll also find many helpful ideas for your second grade student in my  spelling word games , spelling homework ideas , and 3rd grade spelling words and resources .

Ann Richmond Fisher is a longtime published educational writer, a former classroom teacher and a former homeschool teacher. Ann's spelling bee resources, graded spelling word lists, spelling games, worksheets, and other language arts resources have become respected around the globe since she launched Spelling-Words-Well in 2010.

Ann is also the creator of  www.word-game-world.com .

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Phonics Activities, Phonics Games & More

300 Sixth Grade Spelling Words Your Students Should Master

Think-A-Spell! A fun collection of brain teasers and spelling challenges. Best for ages 10 to adult. 

Young Spellers Spelling Bee Word List for Grades 1 & 2 only 

AnyWord Spelling Practice Series Worksheets, Games and Prompts that work with almost ANY spelling words!

Fun Spelling Worksheets for Grades 1 and 2      50 All-new reproducible pages for early learners!

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Unit 1: add and subtract within 20, unit 2: place value, unit 3: add and subtract within 100, unit 4: add and subtract within 1,000, unit 5: money and time, unit 6: measurement, unit 7: data, unit 8: geometry.

Explore 2nd grade educational resources for Math and ELA. Browse a variety of learning resources, such as games, worksheets, lesson plans, live classes, and more. Learn and master key concepts like addition and subtraction, reading skills, phonics, writing, etc. with ease. Get started today for free!

CONTENT TYPE

• Lesson Plans
• Math (1,740)
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• Compare Numbers within 20 (18)
• Compare Numbers within 100 (28)
• Use Place Value Blocks to Compare Numbers (2)
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• Doubles and Near Doubles Strategy to Add (25)
• Doubles Facts (10)
• Add Three Whole Numbers (11)
• Addition Strategies within 100 (35)
• Add using multiples of 10 (19)
• Addition Strategies within 1000 (36)
• Add using multiples of 100 (25)
• Addition Facts (114)
• Fluently Add within 10 (22)
• Fluently Add within 20 (92)
• Equal Expressions (13)
• Addition Without Regrouping (168)
• Add within 100 without Regrouping (72)
• Add 2-digit number to 1-digit (17)
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• Add within 1000 without Regrouping (96)
• Add 10 to 3-digit numbers (15)
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• Addition With Regrouping (98)
• Add within 100 with Regrouping (51)
• Regroup and add 2-digit number to 1-digit (17)
• Regroup and add 2-digit numbers (17)
• Add within 1000 with Regrouping (47)
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• Regroup ones and tens and add (13)
• Regroup tens and add (3)
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• Subtraction Sentences within 10 (2)
• Model Subtraction (9)
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• Subtraction Strategies (135)
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• Count Back Strategy within 10 (7)
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• Count Back Strategy within 20 (32)
• Relate Addition and Subtraction within 20 (13)
• Doubles and Near Doubles Strategy to Subtract (4)
• Subtract from 10 Strategy (12)
• Subtraction Strategies within 100 (36)
• Subtract using multiples of 10 (20)
• Subtraction Strategies within 1000 (22)
• Subtract using multiples of 100 (11)
• Subtraction Facts (86)
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• Fluently Subtract within 20 (82)
• Equal Expressions in Subtraction (10)
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• Subtract within 100 without Regrouping (78)
• Subtract Multiples of 10 (14)
• Subtract within 1000 without Regrouping (79)
• Subtraction With Regrouping (86)
• Subtract within 100 with Regrouping (49)
• Subtract within 1000 with Regrouping (37)
• Multiplication (147)
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• Addition Word Problems within 10 (1)
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• Three Letter Blends (5)
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• Dolch Sight Words (93)
• Fry Sight Words (123)
• Silent Letter Words (11)
• Reading Skills (40)
• Cause and Effect (3)
• Inference (3)
• Identify the Main Idea (3)
• Prediction (3)
• Sequencing (3)
• Story Elements (4)
• Authors Purpose (3)
• Compare and Contrast (3)
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• Punctuation (3)
• Verbs and Tenses (13)
• Vocabulary (109)
• Affixes (6)
• Figures of Speech (2)
• Alliteration (2)
• Synonyms and Antonyms (6)
• Word Puzzles (63)
• Shades of Meaning (3)
• Sorting Words into Categories (11)
• Flashcards (10)
• Phonics Flashcards (10)

Number Sense

Skip Count by 10s Starting from a Multiple of 10 Game

Practice the superpower of counting by learning to skip count by 10s starting from a multiple of 10.

Count up by 2s Game

Practice the superpower of counting by learning how to count up by 2s.

Count All the Objects Worksheet

Reveal the secrets of math wizardry by practicing to count all the objects.

Compare Using Dots Worksheet

Reveal the secrets of math wizardry by practicing to compare using dots.

Identify Turn Around Facts Game

Add more arrows to your child’s math quiver by identifying turn around facts.

Add using Turn Around Facts Game

Have your own math-themed party by learning how to add using turn around facts.

Apply the Commutative Property of Addition Worksheet

Print this worksheet to apply the commutative property of addition like a math legend!

Apply Commutative Property of Addition Worksheet

This downloadable worksheet is designed to help you apply the commutative property of addition.

Subtraction

Use the Count Back Strategy to Subtract Game

Take the first step towards building your math castle by using the count back strategy to subtract.

Count Back Using a Number Line Game

Take the first step towards building your math castle by learning to count back using a number line.

One More or One Less within 20: Horizontal Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

Dive into this fun-filled printable worksheet by finding one more or one less within 20.

One More or One Less within 20: Vertical Addition and Subtraction Worksheet

This downloadable worksheet is designed to practice finding one more or one less within 20.

Multiplication

Count Rows and Columns Game

Take the first step towards building your math castle by practicing to count rows and columns.

Create Arrays Game

Enjoy the marvel of mathematics by learning to create arrays.

Rows and Columns Worksheet

Print this worksheet to practice rows and columns like a math legend!

Arrays and their Attributes Worksheet

Print this worksheet to practice arrays and their attributes like a math legend!

Identify Halves and Fourths Game

Kids must identify halves and fourths to practice geometry.

Identify Thirds Game

Dive deep into the world of geometry by identifying thirds.

Identify Quarters Worksheet

Put your skills to the test by practicing to identify quarters.

Parts That Make a Whole Worksheet

Learners must explore parts that make a whole to enhance their math skills.

Measurement

Measure Length in Centimeters Game

Take a deep dive into the world of math by learning to measure length in centimeters.

How Many Centimeters Longer Game

Sharpen your math skills by determining 'how many centimeters longer' in this game.

Identify the Unit of Measurement Worksheet

Reinforce math concepts by practicing to identify the unit of measurement.

Estimate Length Using Objects Worksheet

Solidify your math skills by practicing to estimate lengths using objects.

Relate Activities with A.M. and P.M. Game

Shine bright in the math world by learning how to relate activities with A.M. and P.M.

• Tell Time in A.M. and P.M. Game

Kids must tell the time in A.M. and P.M. to play this game.

AM and PM Worksheet

Assess your math skills by practicing AM and PM in this worksheet.

Everyday Activities and Time Worksheet

Combine math learning with adventure by looking at everyday activities and their time.

Who has More Money? Game

Help your child take flight by solving for 'Who has More Money'?.

Add the Same Type of Coins and Compare Game

Enjoy the marvel of mathematics by exploring how to add the same type of coins and compare them.

Compare Amount Worksheet

Assess your math skills by comparing amounts in this worksheet.

Make Enough Money Worksheet

Combine math learning with adventure by solving to make enough money.

Word Problems

Represent How Many More Scenarios Game

Shine bright in the math world by learning how to represent "How Many More" scenarios.

Represent How Many Fewer Scenarios Game

Kids must represent "How Many Fewer" scenarios to practice addition.

Choose the Correct Equation for the Given Problem Worksheet

Solidify your math skills by choosing the correct equation for the given problem.

Solve Story Problems Using Bar Model Worksheet

Reinforce math concepts by practicing to solve story problems using bar models.

Explore Words With Diphthongs - oy Game

Polish your language skills by exploring words with diphthongs - oy.

Explore Words With Diphthongs - ou Game

Polish your language skills by exploring words with diphthongs - ou.

Matching Game: Diphthongs Worksheet

Enhance your kid's phonics skills with this engaging matching worksheet focusing on diphthongs!

Spot the Correct Sound Worksheet

Spark an interest in language in your child by spotting the correct sound.

Learn to Write the Sight Words: world, old, start, well & work Game

Children must learn to write the sight words: world, old, well, start & work.

Learn to Write the Sight Words: long, light, live, grow & people Game

Children must learn to write the sight words: long, light, live, grow & people.

Writing Practice: Common Fruits Mistaken as Vegetables Worksheet

Discover and learn about fruits often mistaken as vegetables with our enjoyable handwriting practice worksheet.

Handwriting Practice: Continents Worksheet

Explore the continents with our exciting handwriting practice worksheet, ideal for geography enthusiasts.

All Resources

Add Three Numbers in Any Order Game

Enjoy the marvel of mathematics by learning to add three numbers in any order.

Adding 3 Numbers Worksheet

In this worksheet, learners will get to practice adding 3 numbers.

Create Addition Sentences Worksheet

Pack your math practice time with fun by creating addition sentences.

Represent 'Take Apart' Scenarios Game

Kids must represent 'Take Apart' scenarios to practice subtraction.

Select the Correct Subtraction Sentence Worksheet

Learners must select the correct subtraction sentence to enhance their math skills.

• Describing Equal Groups Worksheet

Make math practice a joyride by practicing to describe equal groups.

Identify Shapes in Different Orientation Game

Have your own math-themed party by learning how to identify shapes in different orientations.

Least or Greatest Game

Learn to find the least or the greatest data point with this game.

Number of Sides and Corners Worksheet

Enhance your math skills by practicing shapes & the number of their sides and corners.

Recognize the Longer Object Worksheet

Use this printable worksheet to recognize the longer object to strengthen your math skills.

Use Coins to Make the Given Amount Game

Have your own math-themed party by learning how to use coins to make the given amount.

Time of Activities of the Day Worksheet

Look at the time of activities of the day by printing this playful worksheet.

Guess the Price Worksheet

Dive into this fun-filled printable worksheet by practicing to guess the price.

Addition Word Problems on Finding the Total Game

Learn to solve addition word problems on finding the total.

Add or Subtract within 20: Summer Word Problems Worksheet

Engaging summer-themed worksheet to master addition and subtraction within 20 through word problems.

Finding Double of Numbers From 1 to 5 Worksheet

Solidify your math skills by finding the double of numbers from 1 to 5.

Add Using Associative Property Game

Enjoy the marvel of mathematics by exploring how to add using associative property.

Solve 'Take Apart' Scenarios Game

Take the pressure off by simplifying subtraction by solving 'Take Apart' scenarios.

Write Addition Sentences Worksheet

Print this worksheet to practice writing addition sentences like a math legend!

Create Subtraction Sentences Worksheet

Be on your way to become a mathematician by practicing to create subtraction sentences.

Identify Trapezoid, Hexagon, and Pentagon Game

Take a deep dive into the world of math by identifying trapezoids, hexagons, and pentagons.

Representing Equal Groups Worksheet

In this worksheet, learners will get to practice representing equal groups.

Identify Open and Closed Shapes Worksheet

Reveal the secrets of math wizardry by practicing to identify open and closed shapes.

Read and Compare Data using Bar Graph Game

Unearth the wisdom of mathematics by learning how to read and compare data using a bar graph.

Comparing Length Worksheet

Put your skills to the test by practicing to compare lengths.

• Hour Hand and Minute Hand Worksheet

Be on your way to become a mathematician by practicing the hour hand and the minute hand.

Trade Coins with the Equivalent Value Game

Enter the madness of math-multiverse by exploring how to trade coins with equivalent values.

Addition Word Problems on Put-Together Scenarios Game

Use your skills to solve addition word problems on put-together scenarios.

Identify Coins & Values Worksheet

Solidify your math skills by practicing to identify coins & values.

Add or Subtract within 100: Summer Word Problems Worksheet

Summer-themed worksheet to enhance students' skills in adding or subtracting within 100.

Skip Count by 2s on Hundreds Charts Game

Take a look at how to skip count by 2s on the hundreds charts with this game.

Add Numbers within 20 Game

Take a deep dive into the world of math with our 'Add Numbers within 20' game.

Doubles Facts From 6 to 10 Worksheet

Make math learning a joyride by practicing doubles facts from 6 to 10.

Make 6 Worksheet

Be on your way to become a mathematician by practicing to make 6.

Second Grade Curriculum and Educational Resources

In grade 2, for children around 7 to 8 years old, the educational journey advances as they start learning more challenging concepts. This grade introduces more complex math and ELA skills compared to grade 1, such as addition and subtraction with larger numbers and reading comprehension. The curriculum for 2nd graders is designed to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Grade 2 Math Learning : In math, students learn counting (up to 1,000), skip counting (by twos, fives, tens, etc.), comparing and ordering numbers, even and odd numbers, place value concepts (standard form, expanded form, etc.), addition and subtraction (up to 1,000 with and without regrouping), multiplication as repeated addition (arrays and equal groups), partitioning different 2D shapes,  measuring and estimating lengths, data handling concepts (bar graphs, tally charts, picture graphs, etc.), counting money , reading analog clocks , and much more.
• Grade 2 ELA Learning : In ELA, kids learn essential reading and writing skills. Under the reading curriculum, kids explore important phonics concepts, such as diphthongs, consonant blends, trigraphs, sight words, etc. As a part of the writing curriculum, kids learn different writing strategies, such as learning to write high-frequency sight words.

Types of Grade 2 Learning Resources

Let’s take an overview of the different types of second grade learning resources offered by SplashLearn.

Fun Grade 2 Learning Games

The grade 2 curriculum-aligned learning games primarily cover two subjects — Math and ELA .

• 2nd Grade Math Games : This section features over 350 math games focused on topics like number sense, addition, subtraction, multiplication, geometry, measurement, time, money, and word problems.
• 2nd Grade ELA Games : There are around 400 language games expertly designed to help students improve their reading and writing skills.

Engaging Grade 2 Worksheets

SplashLearn offers printable 2nd grade worksheets for math and ELA.

• 2nd Grade Math worksheets : There are over 950 math worksheets expertly designed to offer hands-on practice.
• 2nd Grade ELA worksheets : There are 650+ ELA worksheets fully packed with systematic and effective language exercises for kids.

Grade 2 Lesson Plans

• Math lesson plans for 2nd graders : There are well-curated lesson plans that cover key math topics, like number sense, addition, subtraction, multiplication, geometry , measurement, time , money , and word problems .
• ELA lesson plans for 2nd graders : This section features educational lesson plans designed for reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, etc. 

Grade 2 Live Classes

• You can join interactive Live Classes on SplashLearn designed for Math and reading. These classes are led by experienced and certified teachers. Parents can choose a convenient time slot for their child. 
• Parents who have an active subscription or trial can effortlessly find the "Live Class" page at the top of the dashboard.
• While our grade-specific apps don't currently have the Live class feature, you can easily participate via our website using laptops, desktops, iPads, Macbooks, or Chromebooks.

What Are the Best Tips for Teaching 2nd Graders?

To explore effective teaching methods for 2nd grade, understanding the curriculum and its goals is key. Check out these blogs and articles for guidance:

• 2nd Grade Curriculum: 5 Things Kids Learn in 2nd Grade : Discover what 2nd graders study in Unit conversions, Reading, Writing, Science, Geometry, and Measurements. Plus, find helpful tips for parents of 2nd graders.
• 100 Fun Writing Prompts for 2nd Grade: Journal Prompts : This blog will be great for finding the best writing prompts and creating a love for writing in kids. Give it a read!

What Are the Best 5 Second Grade Learning Resources?

Here are 5 super-fun learning resources for 2nd graders offered by SplashLearn:

• Count on using a Number Line Game
• Math Lesson Plan — Master Subtraction Word Problems

Your one stop solution for all grade learning needs.

Make Homework Meaningful & Manageable with Menus

Are you looking for a new homework management solution try homework menus to motivate your students and differentiate through choice read on for tips on using homework menus plus free printables for 2nd and 3rd grade to get you started..

Teacher Homework Confession/Spoiler Alert:

I’ve never been a fan of homework – not as a child and definitely not as a teacher

Homework has been my pet project for awhile, as it’s always driven me crazy that parents, districts, and most administrators required I create and assign something that any research I’ve encountered deemed at worst detrimental or at best only mildly useful. Since I’ve rarely taught in an environment where not giving homework was an option, I’ve attempted to finagle a way to make homework as meaningful as possible for ALL of my students. No easy task, especially when there are so many other things worthy of our time and attention (literacy, math, arts instruction anyone?!)

I’ve tried: *Daily homework – everyone does the same thing, bring it back the next morning *Weekly homework folders – students complete a set schedule of assignments per week (Monday – spelling, Tuesday – math, Wednesday – reading response, etc.) *Homework packets – go home Monday, students finish in whatever order they choose, bring back Friday *Homework point sheets – students earn a specified amount of points for each homework assignment and earn a set amount of points each week

I’ve had varying amounts of success with all of the above as well as a good amount of failure.

The Research on Homework

After reading a variety of research about homework at the elementary level, I strongly believe that the most important part of homework for kids K-5 is reading a just right book. After that, the rest is – just that – the rest.

These two articles are good starting points if you are interested in an overview of the research on homework practices.

Synthesis of Research on Homework The Case For and Against Homework

Here were my takeaways from the articles (from a grade 2-3 perspective)

Homework should:  •Give students a chance to review skills they are comfortable with and can practice independently •Give them an opportunity to do what they enjoy •Give students a chance to be successful at home with academics •Help children see connections between what they do in school and the real world

Homework should not: •Require parents to teach their child something new – let parents do the wrangling, not the teaching •Frustrate kids because of the difficulty of the assignment •Be one size fits all – we don’t teach this way, so why would we assign homework this way?

Homework Menus can be a Solution!

After 14 years of facing this homework conundrum I’ve found that homework menus are the easiest way to differentiate homework in a way that’s easy for teachers to assign and grade.

Plus they give you tons of flexibility so you can include exercise, listening to music, hanging out with family, practicing math facts or mindfulness as menu options.

You are still assigning homework, but getting to choose menu options that you know are really important for kids.

Homework menus give students choice within a structure and can be easily adapted to what you have already taught in class.

You only have to create one menu a month and collect homework assignments once per week (or even per month – although I wouldn’t recommend this – too much room for procrastination).

There are a few different ways to handle turn in of assignments for students who can’t handle the Friday only turn in option.  I use homework bookmarks for 99% of  my kids and a daily homework tracker for the kiddos who need a bit more daily accountability.

Getting Homework Menus up and Running

Want to try out homework menus? Here are a few things to know about getting organized.

At the beginning of every month you will need a new homework menu. Your menu (if you choose to do a monthly one like me) should include around 25 choices. Then you just need the printables and you’re ready to go.  It’s work up front but it saves you time later.

To Do Monthly:

*Get copies of the homework menu ready for every student *Make 15-20 copies of the printable homework options you want to use *Make one set of answer keys for your homework grader (if you are lucky enough to have one) *Find a place to keep homework menu options (you can see some of mine in the pics) – I put them outside my room on plastic shelves so they’re easy to find before and after school

To Do Weekly:

*Make copies of homework bookmarks or trackers to send home *Enter homework in grade book and grade as you would like (If you don’t have a parent volunteer to help you, I say put a sticker on the homework bookmark and send that puppy home!)

To Do As Needed:

As you teach something in class, add it to your homework options folders, crate or shelves. If I have extra copies of a math or reading response assignment I always put them in the homework shelves for students to do as extra practice at home. These have been introduced to them in class and they should be able to complete them at home with minimal support. They can easily fit with the “Complete a math assignment you haven’t already done.” or “Complete a reading response/log” menu options. Even if I have something that doesn’t necessarily fit with a given option, I’ll let students know they can use it as a homework option (and let the parents know too) and write in the assignment they did instead of a number. Easy-peasy!

Homework Menus Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If homework doesn’t really matter anyway, then why even use a menu? Isn’t it just extra work that could be better spend elsewhere? A: I have always worked in schools where there was pressure either by the district, our school administration, or students’ parents to provide some sort of homework . (95% of the pressure came from parents in my experience.)  Providing homework menus with age-appropriate options is my attempt to work within these expectations, while differentiating for every student and honoring their time. This is why exercise, listening to music, practicing mindfulness, and spending time interacting with family members have always been mainstays on my homework menus.  I also like that the menu structure gives me opportunities to include math and reading review assignments that are beneficial for students, since they’re reviews of what we’ve already done in class.

Q: How do parents respond to this type of homework? A: Just like anything else you do in your classroom, some parents are 100% on board and think homework menus are the best thing ever, and others are not so easily persuaded. For the naysayers I use their questions as a jumping off point to explain what research says about homework in elementary grades and that truly my #1 concern is that their child is reading at home. For the most part parents have been very supportive of this type of homework and loved that it gave their child more freedom and less busy work. Kids are busy after school, and they loved that soccer practice and piano lessons (both great uses of after school time!) could be counted toward their weekly homework. Using menus also eliminates complaints from parents who constantly tell you their child isn’t being challenged by the work you’re sending home, since the kids are making the choices.

Q: Parents are concerned that their children aren’t old enough to make choices. What if they just want a homework packet? A: If parents want a packet, I nicely take them outside my classroom (where I keep copies of all the homework choices) with a stapler in hand, randomly take three or four assignments and staple them together. Voila! A homework packet! I don’t think this is the best way to assign homework as it takes responsibility away from the student, but I don’t believe homework is important enough to cause rifts between teachers and parents. I strongly, strongly, strongly (did I say strongly?) disagree that children aren’t able to make choices for themselves.

Q: What if students can’t handle turning in homework only once a week? A: Weekly turn in typically works for 99% of students. For the other 1% I use a Daily Homework Tracker or Bookmark. Students who use these do the same assignments, but turn in a bookmark/tracker each morning with the minutes they read the night before and the menu option they completed (or are working on) so they don’t get behind.

Q: How do you keep track of homework that has been turned in? Do students ever repeat the same assignment? A: I keep track of homework in an Excel document where I record the total minutes of reading and the numbers from the homework menu that students complete each week. At a glance I can make sure students are completing different assignments throughout the month

Q: How do you grade homework? How much time does this take when students are completing different assignments? A: Grading and entering homework into the Excel document is one of the parent volunteer jobs in my classroom. I feel my grading time is much better spent working on reader’s response notebooks or giving students comments on their writer’s workshop pieces rather than grading and entering homework assignments. I have a pack of answer keys that I include in my parent volunteer section of the room for all the monthly assignments, so a willing parent volunteer can do the grading for you. If parent volunteers are scarce, I would grade for completion only. Check! Sticker! Done!

Q: What do you do if students choose only the easiest assignments? A: Parents are usually much more concerned about this than I. Homework is something students should be able to complete independently so technically they should choose assignments that are easy (on an independent level) for them. I talk with my students throughout the year about choosing just right homework assignments and train the parents to do the same. If you can finish it in two minutes it’s too easy. If it makes you want to cry it’s too hard. Since I can’t necessarily control which assignments students pick as this is HOMEwork, I choose my battles. I would rather battle about reading just right books in the classroom than choosing just right homework assignments.

Q: Parents are telling me they have to teach their child how to do the assignment(s). What should I do? A: Remind the parent that there are a number of options for homework. Their job is to provide a calm place, time and structure for their child to work and then congratulate them when their child does their best. Train parents the same way you do students about choosing just right homework assignments (finish in 2 minutes vs. make you want to cry) and make some assignments available online if possible so parents can see what options are available.

Want to try out homework menus? 

Click HERE to download this FREE editable homework menu , homework bookmark , and 4 printables that correspond to the menu and see what you think.  I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Need more homework menus and printables?

If you are ready to get started with homework menus for the year, homework menus with corresponding printables are ready to go for every month of the school year at the Super Teacher stores. If you’re just getting started for the year, you can check out the August Homework pack HERE and the September Homework Menu pack HERE .

You can buy them one month at a time or take the leap and get the entire year bundle which includes EVERY homework pack + extra presents for Super Pack buyers only!

Have you tried out the freebie? Already using menus for homework? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Need More Back to School Resources?

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Ready, Set, Show! Place Value Game

Great idea!!

• Pingback: But I Don’t Get It! The Late, Great Homework Debate | TWU New Teachers

Do you plan on making different grade levels? I would like to purchase a second grade one!

Thanks so much for your question! For 2nd grade, I recommend using menus as in-class activities rather than homework because all of the choices are a bit too overwhelming for 2nd graders. When I taught 2nd grade we used a more simple homework and it worked well, especially at the beginning of the year. However, I did still have students use menus, but as enrichment or fast finishers.

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2nd Grade Homework

• The general rule is 10 minutes of homework for every grade level.  That would be 20 minutes for 2 nd grade.  I don’t include reading at home when I’m talking about homework.  So I expect 20 minutes (or so) of homework and 20 minutes of at-home reading.
• I only assign homework Monday-Thursday (again reading is not included in this).
• No parent assignments.   If it’s a project that parents are going to have to orchestrate it’s not helping the kids.
• The kids should be able to complete it as independently as possible.  I love the idea that parents sit with their children and help them finish their work each night, but with many families at our school that never happens.
• Nothing on the homework is new material.  If I haven’t taught it, it doesn’t belong on a homework page.  The purpose is to reinforce what’s already been taught and to show parents what’s happening in class.  If a child is struggling on the homework (with content that should have been mastered) it’s a sign to parents and me that the child needs some support.
• I don’t do a lot of worksheets in class.  This homework gives my students exposure to the format of many end-of-year test questions.
• If they come to school without their homework, they finish it during morning recess.  They almost always finish it with at least 5 minutes to spare, so I know the assignments don’t take longer than 10-15 minutes.

But what does the research say?  Harris Copper, a psychology and neuroscience professor at Duke University and the nation’s leading expert on homework (what a boring job!), reviewed 100+ homework related studies from the past decade.

His findings?  Well, apparently homework in the elementary grades does little to help student achievement.  Kids who do their homework aren’t necessarily going to outperform their non-homework doing classmates.  In high school, it’s a different scenario, but for the little ones it isn’t that crucial.

“However, we support assigning homework to younger elementary-school children due to its potential long-term developmental impact,” Dr. Cooper says, “It helps elementary students develop proper study skills which, in turn, influence grades.”

And from Cathy Vatterott (former teacher, associate professor of education at the University of Missouri—St Louis, and author of Rethinking Homework) we find that the value of homework is in “reinforcing or practicing skills already learned and giving (teachers) feedback to check for understanding.”

Alright, well I’m not totally out in left field.  So what do I do?

On Monday 3 things go home:

• Timed 1 minute fluency story (more about this here ).  This is the only homework that can’t be done without a parent or older sibling helping.  If it doesn’t come back to school at the end of the week, there is no consequence for the student because this is a parent that has dropped the ball, not the child.
• Spelling practice (read about it here ).  To be completed a little at a time or all on Thursday night.  If this doesn’t come back to school on Friday morning, they must practice their spelling words 2 times during morning recess (it takes less than 5 minutes).
• What we call a “half-sheet” because it’s a half-sheet.  Clever, right?  🙂   It’s a half-sheet of paper with language arts practice on one side and math on the other.  Some of my coworkers send all 3 half-sheets on Monday and give them the week to do it.  I send them one at a time and expect it back the next day.

We do 3 half-sheets a week (or less if it’s a short week).  I don’t send it home on Thursdays so they have time to finish up the spelling practice.

There are 5 main strands for language arts.

The emphasis is on practicing vowel sounds, but there are also some consonant skills.  The sequence of phonics skills aligns with our morning work book practice.

Comprehension

Covering topics from the common core like contractions, plurals, past tense, etc.  I also toss in some sight word review if it will fit on the page.

Sometimes the students are composing the writing.

A lot of times students are asked to edit writing because that’s a big part of our end-of-year test and no matter how much writing we do in-class, the transfer of skills to the test format doesn’t happen automatically.

This strand is pretty eclectic.  There’s practice with compound words and synonyms.  There’s also some word analogies, glossary practice, and collective noun review.  Sometimes they learn new words (using a modified Frayer model graphic organizer).

These 5 language art strands cycle through every 5 days of the homework.  It’s the same with math.

Place Value

This is huge in the 2 nd grade common core for a reason.  A firm understanding of our base-10 system and how to use it to understand and solve problems is essential for more complex mathematics.  ESSENTIAL!

In the homework pages, the sequence of these skills follows the outline from Singapore math and the Learning Trajectories .  Are you familiar with the Trajectories?  A fabulous book!  Assuming you have $45 to spend (!!) it will change the way you teach math.

Anyway, the place value pages build on those ideas.  There’s practice of building numbers within ten.  Working with ones and tens, making numbers with hundreds, and using place value patterns to problem solve.

What you won’t find are any pages with problems like this:

462                                                                                                                                                -209

I debated this for a while.  I used to have problems like that.  But here’s why I decided against it.

The common core says this for 2 nd grade:

Add and subtract within 1000, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction…

It says nothing about using the algorithm.  And while the algorithm (step-by-step adding the ones , regrouping a ten if necessary, adding the tens, etc.) isn’t the enemy, teaching it too early stops the development of deeper thinking.

So when students see problems written like this:

And, more importantly, when parents see problems written like that, the reaction is to follow the algorithm regardless of a student’s readiness or understanding.   I found that when I sent home problems like that, all of the amazing, creative thinking and problem solving perseverance that I’d nurtured like a rare orchid was crushed under the booted foot of, “Look what my mom showed me!”   No longer were they interested in how the solved the problem or why their strategy worked.  They just wanted to follow the steps and be done.

So, no more.

• Recognize what they’ve mastered and
• Figure out how to master the rest.  Strategies, strategies, strategies!  All those great strategies we’ve learned in class (doubles +1, make a ten, etc.) get practiced here.

Problem Solving

Each problem solving page has 3 problems and plenty of work room.  Topics cover addition, subtraction (1 and 2-step problems), comparisons, multiplication, division, money, and writing their own story problems.

Even though there aren’t any 3-digit addition pages, there are plenty of story problems using 2 and 3-digit numbers.  Why?

Well, using larger numbers helps students solidify their base-10 understanding.  If they have to decompose 186 into 100+80+6 in order to figure out a problem, you can bet they’re really thinking about the numbers and how place value can help them find the answer.  Also, in a problem solving format, students are more likely to solve it in a way that makes sense rather than following meaningless steps.

There’s a great article here if you’re curious about why I sometimes have kids write their own math problems.

Students get a chance to practice tally charts, bar graphs, pictographs, line graphs, data tables, and line plots.

I hadn’t done much with line plots before they were in the core.  I really enjoyed making some up for these homework pages.

This is where you’ll find questions about telling time, counting coins, even and odd, greater than/less than, geometry, even more place value, measurement, and fractions.

If you’re interested in learning more about our 2nd grade homework, you can get the table of contents here .  It goes through each day by topic and content.

At our Teachers Pay Teachers shop you can download a 10-page sample (pages 61-70).  That’s a preview of 2 weeks worth of homework!

I hope you find this as useful in your 2nd grade as my team does!  A little bit of review every day pays big dividends in the end!

Note: We have created a 40 page add-on pack of homework for those who have requested more days. Find the add-on pack here. 

• Read more about: 2nd grade , homework , Spiral Review , teachers pay teachers

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44 Second Grade Art Projects Full of Imagination and Creativity

Reading self-portraits, clay snails, and much more!

By second grade, students have a better grasp of basic art concepts and will therefore love a chance to try out new techniques and materials. That’s why they’ll embrace these imaginative projects, which use a wide variety of media to create amazing results. Whether you want to introduce a famous artist like Monet to your students or a concept like 3D sculpture, there really is something for everyone on our list. And parents will be impressed by the beautiful masterpieces their kids bring home to display!

1. Design with yarn art

Looking for a way to use up yarn scraps? Try this cool idea! Use pieces of clear self-adhesive shelf paper, and this second grade art project is a breeze.

Get tutorial: Yarn Painting

2. Experiment with string art painting

String-pull painting has become a trendy craft in recent years, and second grade art students will love getting to try it. The abstract designs they’ll create will definitely wow everyone.

Get tutorial: String Pull Painting

3. Tear paper to create landscapes

First have kids draw landscapes, cityscapes, or seascapes on manila paper. Then show them how to tear construction paper into pieces to fit their designs and glue into place. Finally, mount the masterpieces on large pieces of construction paper.

Learn more: Torn Paper Landscapes

4. Paint paper flowers

Start by having kids create their own colorful patterned paper using paints. Then, cut out petals and assemble these gorgeous flowers.

Get tutorial: Painted Paper Flowers

5. Carve ancient rock art

First, spend some time learning about cave paintings in places like the American Southwest. Then, use terra-cotta clay to make your own.

Get tutorial: Ancient Dwellings Rock Art

6. Draw multi-stripe crayon designs

This is the perfect second grade art project to do in a pinch since all you will need are crayons, tape, and paper. In addition to taping crayons together and coloring with them, you can have your students experiment with crayon etchings and mixing colors by overlaying them.

Learn more: Creative Coloring

7. Float paper hot-air balloons

Once kids learn the trick to making these 3D hot-air balloons, they’ll weave them in no time. Then, they can spend time adding details to the background, like clouds, birds, or kites flying by!

Learn more: Hot Air Balloon Paper Craft

8. See yourself in the abstract

Kids start by painting an abstract background. Then they add a photo of themselves with a collage of text strips about their favorite things, dreams, and wishes.

Learn more: Abstract Self-Portraits

9. Engineer paper pop-up robots

Kids love robots! These 3D paper creations are so fun to create, and kids can use a variety of materials to make them.

Get tutorial: Paper Robots

10. Take a bite out of this craft

This would be the perfect craft to do around Thanksgiving, but we think it would work anytime. Bonus: If you have a toy kitchen in your classroom, this craft can double as a toy.

Learn more: Pumpkin Pie Craft

11. Illustrate an underground world

Dream up an imaginary world deep beneath the soil. Kids can take inspiration from illustrators like Beatrix Potter and Garth Williams.

Learn more: Underground World

12. Mix up a color wheel umbrella

Mixing and contrasting colors are key concepts for young art students to learn. These cute umbrellas are a fun way to see the color wheel in action using liquid watercolors .

Learn more: Color Wheel Umbrella

13. Make a flower craft

Start by having second grade art students paint an oblong cardboard box with terra-cotta paint and fill it with paper shreds for soil. Then, craft paper flowers and plant a fresh display of color!

Get tutorial: Planter Boxes

14. Trace and color crazy circles

Take inspiration from artists like Kandinsky and Frank Stella and make bold geometric art pieces. Kids can trace around lids or plates to make circles or try them freehand.

Learn more: Circle Art

15. Create some beaded wind chimes

This is a second grade art project that will take multiple classes to complete, but the end result will totally be worth it. Be sure to really bring it in the supply department with different-colored straws, a variety of beads and pipe cleaners, and some jingle bells.

Get tutorial: Beaded Wind Chimes

16. Surprise them with ferocious creatures

The best art provokes a reaction—in this case, surprise! Fold the paper and sketch your figure’s face, then open it to add a gaping mouth full of teeth.

Learn more: Ferocious Beings Paper Project

17. Design fish mosaics

Mosaics take a lot of planning, but the results are always so cool. This is a terrific project for using up scraps of construction paper too.

Get tutorial: Fish Mosaics

18. Dive deep for underwater portraits

Art is all about encouraging kids to see themselves in unique new ways. Underwater self-portraits allow kids to imagine themselves enjoying life under the sea!

Learn more: Underwater Self-Portraits

19. Float sponges to create sailboats

These sailboats are easy to replicate with just sponges, wood skewers, card stock, and glue. You can even race them in a big tub of water by having students blow air into a straw to push their boat across the water.

Get tutorial: Sponge Sailboat

20. Design tissue paper water lilies

Tissue paper art replicates the soft lines and translucent colors of Monet’s impressionist style. Use this technique to create your own peaceful lily pond.

Get tutorial: Monet for Kids

21. Sketch springtime bunnies and bears

The soft and colorful flowers in the background contrast sharply with the patterned lines of these friendly creatures. Take the pressure off kids by letting them trace the animal shapes so they can focus on adding texture instead.

Learn more: Bunnies and Bear Cubs

22. Hang a wreath collage

One of the best things about this second grade art project is that you can really tailor it to the seasons. In addition to spring flowers, consider fall leaves and paper acorns, or holly leaves and poinsettia flowers.

Learn more: Wreath Collages

23. Draw a stuffed animal still life

Your students will definitely be excited to bring their favorite stuffed buddy to school. They will be even more excited when they realize it is going to be the subject of their next art project!

Learn more: Stuffed Animal Still Life Drawing

24. Draw windy-day houses

Watch trees blowing in the breeze on a windy day. Then take a look at the work of Gustav Klimt and emulate his style for the bendy trees in this project. Let your imagination take hold and add leaning buildings too!

Learn more: Windy Day Art

25. Sculpt birds in their nests

This is a cool project to do if your students are also studying birds in science class, but they’ll enjoy it even if they’re not. Kids can try to re-create real birds, or let their imagination fly and dream up an entirely new species.

Get tutorial: Clay Birds in a Nest

26. Make “Not a Box” sculptures

Before beginning this project, read the book Not a Box with your students. Be sure to set aside multiple class periods to work on these since your students will likely get carried away—in a good way!

Get tutorial: 3D “Not a Box” Paper Sculpture

27. Explore culture with Native totem poles

Begin by learning about the importance of totems and totem poles to First Nations people of the northwest coast. Then have kids choose symbols that are meaningful to them to create their own paper totems.

Learn more: Native American Totem Poles

28. Scream for these ice cream sculptures

Pick up some Model Magic , then grab your markers and paint and let your students’ imaginations run wild. They will definitely get a kick out of how realistic their ice cream sundaes look!

Learn more: Ice Cream Sundae Art

29. Create geometric collages

These collages may just look like random scraps of paper, but there are actually multiple art concepts in use here. Kids should be able to identify organic vs. geometric shapes and primary vs. secondary colors.

Get tutorial: Shape Collages

30. Fold origami whales

Origami whales with curling paper water spouts add dimension and texture to these compositions. Second grade art projects that use folding and cutting give kids a chance to improve their fine motor skills too.

Learn more: Origami Whales

31. Print symmetrical tigers

Second graders might be a little young to understand the “fearful symmetry” of Blake’s Tyger , but they’ll enjoy using the paint-and-print technique to make these wild faces.

Get tutorial: Tiger Prints

32. Paint reflected fall trees

Kids will be fascinated to see how wetting the bottom half of the paper changes and mutes the paint colors. Use oil pastels to add lines and water effects.

Learn more: Fall Reflections

33. Coil up some snails

Clay can feel a little intimidating, but it’s not too difficult to roll a long “snake” and coil it up. Add a body with eyestalks, and the sculpting is done!

Learn more: Clay Snails

34. Fill watercolor vases with tissue flowers

The watercolor wash in the background is set off by the geometric-patterned lines of the vases in the foreground. The tissue paper flowers add another bit of texture to this mixed-media project.

Get tutorial: Watercolor Vases

35. Plant a pumpkin farm

These unique pumpkin patches are so fun to make. Ask your students to make the pumpkins as realistic as they can. Then, they can set their imaginations free and make the rest of the composition as unrealistic as they like!

Learn more: Pumpkin Farms

36. Craft reading self-portraits

This is one of our favorite twists on a self-portrait. Kids can include their favorite book or make one up that tells the story of their own life.

Get tutorial: Reading Self-Portraits

37. Walk among a birch tree forest

These landscape paintings help kids understand the concepts of foreground, middle ground, and background. They’ll also use techniques like wax-crayon-resist and cardboard printing.

Learn more: Birch Tree Landscapes

38. Escape to a silhouette island

Take a trip to a tropical isle and learn art concepts like warm colors, silhouettes, and horizon line. Each piece will be unique, but they’ll all be masterpieces!

Get tutorial: Silhouette Islands

39. Paint some snakes

It will be fun to see how different each of your students’ paintings come out despite starting with the same premise. We love that this second grade art project teaches about perspective as parts of the snake’s body will be visible while other parts will be hidden.

Learn more: Snakes

40. Design flower-painted rocks

Rock painting is always a hit. Get ready for spring with these colorful and fun creations.

Get tutorial: Flower-Painted Rocks

41. Build recycled sculptures

Recycled junk makes the best treasure. The possibilities are endless with these one-of-a-kind creations.

Learn more: Recycled Sculptures

42. Create a garden diorama

We adore how bright and beautiful these garden scenes are! Grab some old shoeboxes, crayons, paper, and decorating materials to create your own.

Get tutorial: Garden Diorama

43. Fly paper-plate tropical bird art

These colorful creations are so simple and fun. Made from paper plates, these crafts get their vibrant color from liquid watercolors and crayons. Kids will love to fly these birds like paper airplanes or hang them as lively decorations.

Get tutorial: Tropical Bird Craft

44. Design nature prints

We love how incredibly versatile and beautiful these are. Use rocks, leaves, flowers, and more to create lasting markings. Kids can be involved in every step of this project, including collecting materials from nature, which can be an endless source of inspiration.

Get tutorial: Nature Prints

What are your favorite second grade art projects? Come share your ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out collaborative art projects that bring out everyone’s creative side ., you might also like.

72 Amazing 1st Grade Art Projects To Inspire Creativity and Play

Project ideas for every kid! Continue Reading

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50 Activities for 2nd Grade

Hands-on ideas to engage digital learners in meeting standards and learning goals.

Fifty ideas for using a digital approach to help second-grade students meet standards and learning goals.

1. Explore antonyms

Explore antonyms with your students. Read Dr. Seuss's The Foot Book and create a list of antonyms. You can start them off with things like hot/cold or high/low.

Students can use a creativity and productivity tool, like Wixie , with illustrations of an antonym pair. Students can use the microphone tool to record their explanations.

2. Go on a shape hunt

Read a book like The Shape of Me and Other Stuff by Dr. Seuss. Then have students walk around school or their home and find shapes, like rectangles, triangles, or even cylinders and spheres.

Have students use their device to capture the shapes they find and label or add narration to identify them.

Seeing Shapes lesson plan with literature connections, samples, and more

3. Design a superhero

Tap into students' passion for comics and superheroes by asking them to share some favorites. Then, ask them what qualities or "powers" make a great superhero.

Use an ID card approach to help them define their hero's identity.

Discuss as a class, and then ask each student to design their own superhero and explain how their traits make them a hero.

Explore a Design a Superhero lesson plan

4. Create an animal alliteration

Create an amazing animal alliteration - a short sentence in the noun—verb—noun format, such as "Birds build bubbles." Use a creativity tool, like Wixie , to illustrate and record voice narration.

Explore an Animal Alliteration lesson plan

5. Create an animal riddle

Encourage students to craft riddles that test other students' knowledge about animals. Students can select their favorite animal or use this opportunity to learn more about an unfamiliar animal.

Explore an Animal Riddles lesson plan

6. Write a haiku

Combine close reading and descriptive writing with visual haiku. Haiku poems are a 17-syllable verse form consisting of three metrical units of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Haiku always contain a kigo (season word) to indicate the time of year.

Have students start with a photo as inspiration or write first and add visuals to enhance the meaning.

This spare form of writing forces students to choose words wisely. Share haiku and have students read closely to find the kigo word as well as identify other highly descriptive words.

Explore a Harmonious Haiku lesson plan

7. Publish fabulous fables

Students learn about beginning, middle, end, and parts of a story as they write, retell, or adapt a fable.

Explore a Fabulous Fables lesson plan

8. Write a letter to or between characters in a story

Taking the perspective of a character in a story can help students understand their motivations and better comprehend their response to events in a story. Have students use stationery to write a letter to or between characters in a story.

Give students a prompt that requires them to use evidence from text to justify their opinion or make an argument about it.

9. Survey peers

Ask students to survey friends, family members, and neighbors about a favorite book, sport, food, game, or at-home activity. Project a question or a tally sheet on your white board to collect student responses.

10. Adapt a rhyming story to build skills with phonics

Read a rhyming story like Dr. Seuss's There's a Wocket in My Pocket . Have students choose a place in the house and write a rhyming nonsense word for a creature living there. Use Wixie to add a Seuss-like sentence and illustrate your page.  Use Wixie's Project Wizard feature to combine individual student work into a class book. ( template )

11. Make a map of your neighborhood

Have students create a map of important places in their neighborhood. Have students start with a plain page or use digital grid paper. Then, ask students to draw locations or capture photos with their devices.

12. Take a 5-senses walk

Go outside and walk around your school. What do you see, hear, smell, touch, or taste? Have students take devices outside to record observations using the 5 senses with pictures and a microphone. Then, when you come back inside, add text and more details.

13. Create a personal timeline

Have students add photos and images to create a timeline that shows important events in their lives. Add text to each bubble and images for an event or two. Use the microphone tool to record a summary.

Extend student thinking by asking them to add another page and draw pictures of where they see themselves in the future. Share the final product with family and friends.

14. What would you do with $100?

In second grade, students' abilities in reading, writing, and math are blossoming. Embrace their growing ability to think independently by asking them what they would do with 100 dollars.

Create a slideshow of student opinions and discuss them as a class.

Use this project to build literacy and math by asking students to tell you what they would spend their money to buy, why they would do this (reason) as well as subtract the value of this object from 100 to show the change they would get back from paying with a $100 bill.

15. Review and rate a book

Have students write a review of a recent book they have read. Encourage students to share with friends and peers to give them ideas for new titles they can read!

Explore more book review ideas, including a book review cube, on Creative Educator .

Explore a 5-Star Book Reviews lesson plan

16. Create a trait map

Have students recall, retell, and share text, images, and voice narration about a character's physical traits, feelings, and actions on a trait cluster .

17. Tell tangram tales

After students have tried to solve tangram puzzles, read Ann Tompert's Grandfather Tang's Story where the main character rearranges tangram shapes to represent the characters and events as he tells a story.

Ask students to use tangram shapes to create their own tangram shape puzzle and tell a story about the shape. Combine into a class book!

18. Create a backyard field guide

Ask students to go outside, or even look out a window, and simply observe the plants and animals there. Have them find a plant they find beautiful or an animal that interests them. Use a digital paint program to have them sketch their object and add text labels and insights about what they notice.

Students can then use their observations and sketches, along with a field guide, to help them identify the species if they don't know what it is. They can add additional information or notes to create a field guide for other species that live nearby.

Explore a Fantastic Field Guides lesson plan

19. Write your own version of A. A. Milne's "When I was One" poem

Read "The End" a poem by A. A. Milne, who you know from Winnie the Pooh.

When I was One, I had just begun. When I was Two, I was nearly new. When I was Three I was hardly me. When I was Four, I was not much more. When I was Five, I was just alive. But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever, So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

Use a "When I was (age)" template , have students finish each line, and illustrate the poem.

If you have students of different ages, make a copy and adjust the template to add or remove a line. Then, assign different templates to different students.

20. Craft a concrete poem

Concrete poems are poems where the words are arranged in a shape that reflects the topic of the poem. Because creativity, presentation, and productivity tools let you resize, move, and rotate text easily, they make it easy to move text to create a desired shape.

Ask students to write a poem in small phrases or stanzas. Then, use the font, size, color and rotation options to use it to create a larger image.

21. Create a character coat of arms

Small, but mindful, changes can move a task beyond remember and retell. For example, replace a typical character trait cluster assignment with the task of developing a coat of arms for a story's protagonist that represents traits of the main character.

Creating a coat of arms provides students with an opportunity to think about objects, colors, symbols, and mottos that reflect a character's personality, passions, strengths, and experiences.

Wixie has a Coat of Arms template that makes it easy to add color, text, and images to show comprehension.

22. Write a fractured nursery rhyme

Ask students to write a funny, or fractured, version of their favorite nursery rhyme. Have fun!

23. Plan a class party

Planning the details for a party, including needed space (measurement) and a budget (calculations), requires students to practice and apply math and argument skills to a real-life scenario.

Explore a Plan an Event lesson plan

24. Take a brain break

When the mind needs a break, a creative activity can help. Use a digital art tool to sketch or simply play a digital game.

Remember scratch art? Wixie has a collection of pages with a variety of backgrounds students can "scratch" using an eraser tool.

25. Create and send a digital thank you card

Find a thank you note design and write a letter to your teacher. Better yet, start a blank page and use the paint tools to create an original drawing.

You can also use your device's camera to capture your picture and use the microphone tool to record your voice and let your teacher know how much you appreciate them.

26. Write about your favorite relative

Practice opinion writing through a favorite relative project. Give structure to your emerging writers by using an O-R-E-O Opinion template which asks them to state their opinion, share 2-3 reasons why, and finish with a concluding statement.

Share students' work with their favorite relatives.

Explore a Favorite Relative lesson plan

27. Design an animal diary

Have students use personification to write a diary for an animal that teaches others about its unique physical characteristics, behaviors, and adaptations.

Explore an Animal Diary lesson plan

28. Write a backwards rebus poem

Read or watch I Love You, A Rebus Poem by Jean Marzollo. Challenge students to come up with reverse rhymes for their I Love You message. Great idea for Valentine's or Mother's Day.

29. Create an ABC's of... 

After researching and learning about a topic, have students use an A-B-C format to share knowledge they have learned.

Assign individual letters to students and combine into a class project.

Explore an ABC Book lesson plan

30. Celebrate culture

Creating a safe and respected community culture in your classroom is essential. Have students complete and share a culture poster about themselves, including where they are from, family traditions, and more.

31. Write your own word problems

Have students use a paint or image program, like Wixie , to draw models that help the viewer (and themselves) visualize quantities and relationships in word problems.

32. Persuade for a pet

Humane societies and pet rescues reported record numbers of adoptions during COVID-19. Encourage students to write a letter or create a presentation to persuade their family to get a new pet, supporting their opinion with reasons and examples. An O-R-E-O graphic organizer can help students support their opinions.

Explore a Persuade for a Pet lesson plan

33. Inform others about an endangered plant or animal

Ask students to raise awareness or inform others about an endangered species in the form of a trading card. The limited space on a trading card helps emerging writers summarize information and organize their thoughts.

34. Create a digital word wall

Digital tools make adding thoughts to a personal word wall easy. Ask each student to add words they do not know from books they are reading. Have students look up the meaning in a dictionary or ask a peer to help them define the word and add a picture or voice recording.

35. Create a memory book

Have students reflect and compile memories of the school year by creating a digital memory book.

Tools like Wixie make it easy to add images, text, voice recording and video to capture experiences, feelings, and achievements.

36. Design a habitat snow globe

Most students have or have seen a snow globe at home or at a tourist attraction. Ask students to design a snow globe to showcase the animals and plants in a particular habitat.

Explore a Create a Creature lesson plan

37. Publish a brochure for your neighborhood

What makes where you live special? Our families choose places to live based on economics, weather, family, geography, and culture.

Have your students talk to their parents about why they chose to live where they do. Encourage students to walk their neighborhood, take pictures, and use what they learn to create a brochure to let others know about the unique place they live.

38. Tell a data story

Read or watch Five Creatures by Emily Jenkins. This story describes a family with five creatures comparing features between them in many different ways.

Have students collect data for five creatures in their home and use this data to write their own five creatures story!

Explore other books that make for great literature adaptations . 

39. Design a how-to book or presentation

What can your students teach others? Procedural writing is an excellent way for students to become experts in a topic and feel confident about their ability to share the information with others.

To cement learning and inspire others, encourage students to closely examine the parts of a rule they struggle to understand or share the process of doing something they are passionate about. Use a flowchart to help students break down the process into each essential step.

Explore a Procedural Writing lesson plan

40. Become the masked reader

Take a clue from the Masked Singer television show to make reading fluency practice less stressful and way more fun.

This is especially helpful for ELLs and struggling readers since they can practice, record, delete, and try again to produce their best work. Their work can also remain completely private if the reader is not unmasked.

41. Make safety PSAs

Public service announcements are a great way to get students to back up claims with evidence and practice argument writing without conflict.

Helping other students practice safely crossing the street, eating healthy, and even just acting nice are easily within the reach of emerging writers.

Explore a Halloween Safety PSAs lesson plan

42. Write cycle stories

Science doesn't have to be a list of boring facts or calculations. How does a drop of water feel as it evaporates or plunges down a gully after a fierce rainstorm? How does rock feel when it transforms into a liquid and is ejected from a volcano?

Ask students to craft a digital story that shares a science cycle from a first person perspective!

Explore a Cycle Story lesson plan

43. Interview an animal

Kids love animals, so use this love to build research, questioning, and communication skills with an animal interview!

Sharing factual information in story form helps students avoid simple repetition of facts or direct copy and paste.

Explore an Animal Interview lesson plan

44. Use emojis to write a story

Emojis started as a time-saving way to communicate emotions without having to type each letter, but have quickly become part of popular culture. Use your student's interest in emojis to encourage creative writing. If needed, provide them with a writing prompt.

45. Give students project choices

When every student completes the same task, like creating a trading card or comic, project work is easier to manage. While this is effective, students also thrive with choice!

Create a choice board or task your students with sharing their learning in the medium they choose.

46. Observe with a new perspective

So much of what we see about our world depends on our perspective. While young students are still working to show what they observe through their sense of sight, have them practice taking someone else's perspective by sharing a view of the world from the eyes of an insect.

You can also ask them to complete an empathy map and then write a story about a day in the life of an insect or a letter to one of their insect friends.

47. Adapt a story

To support your budding authors, ask them to give a twist to a story they know by adding or replacing nouns and verbs.

Explore a list of books perfect for student adaptation

48. Celebrate a community helper

Community helpers are essential to the health and success of our world. Have students celebrate how a community helper is essential to a community by combining words, pictures, and even narration in a digital sentence strip.

49. Write a 5 senses poem

In addition to reinforcing scientific observation, engaging the five senses is a great way to help young learners add descriptions to their writing and practice vocabulary.

If your learners would benefit from a little direction, provide a specific topic for their poem.

Explore a 5 Senses Poetry lesson plan

50. Explore the shape of things

Dayle Ann Dodds and Julie Lacome showcase shapes in a fun rhythmic story in their book The Shape of Things .

Use this story to inspire students to write their own shape of things book that names a common shape and how it becomes a common object when specific things are added to it.

Explore a Shape of Things lesson plan

Once they have experience with digital projects, let students choose the product or way they will demonstrate understanding… simply make them argue their case before they begin. No matter what you or they choose, transfer as much responsibility as possible to students to motivate and empower them to control their own learning.

by Melinda Kolk

Melinda Kolk ( @melindak ) is the Editor of Creative Educator and the author of Teaching with Clay Animation . She has been helping educators implement project-based learning and creative technologies like clay animation into classroom teaching and learning for the past 15 years.

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Homework Ideas for Elementary Teachers: Save Time and Make Learning More Purposeful for Students in 2024

What’s the first word you think of when I say “homework?” It’s one of those hot topics that people feel very strongly about one way or another. However, more often than not, it’s a requirement. As a result, I am here to share homework ideas that will make your life as an elementary teacher a little bit easier.

I used to send homework home nightly, but found it to add chaos to each and every day. I would spend many lunch periods copying an assignment for that night. Kids would forget to take their copy home. Parents would call or email to get clarification on what the assignment was for that night.

Then I switched to a weekly packet. The packet included all of the pages for the week along with a cover sheet that listed spelling words and assignments. This was an improvement, but still not ideal.

Last year, I started using a separate folder just for homework. This is one of the best homework ideas I have come up with. The folder includes the homework calendar and all of the printables they will need for the week. I sent home a Paragraph of the Week assignment each week. The consistency was outstanding. We really felt like we hit gold because the kids were all working on something meaningful with a purpose. The parents liked it because it was easy for them to understand and help with. I began experimenting with a monthly homework packet. And let me tell you…

It. Was. Awesome! 

We placed everything into a homework folder for the month and included an assignment calendar. The folder stayed at home and the students returned their completed work each morning in the communication folder . Learn about some of my best homework ideas for elementary teachers below!

7 Benefits of Assigning Homework

Do you question the importance of homework? Are you one of the many teachers or parents who feel homework should be banned? The idea of homework just doesn’t make sense to you. If you are part of the growing number of people questioning if the reasons homework is bad outweigh the benefits to homework, then you might find this to be helpful. 

I’m going to be honest, as a teacher (and especially as a parent), I am in the camp of not liking the idea of homework at the elementary level. However, each of the districts I have taught in has required teachers to assign nightly homework in addition to reading for 20 minutes. It often felt like a waste of time and paper.

For some teachers, the word HOMEWORK brings about pangs of dread. Others see it as a necessary evil of learning. For many, it merely represents having to fulfill a district requirement. In many districts these days, homework is not counted towards a student’s overall grade. The debate over homework has been waged for years. The question is: What’s a teacher to do?

No matter where you stand on the topic of homework, here are some ideas related to homework that will make you feel better about assigning homework. They may even make you feel good in some cases! I am hoping the 7 benefits listed below will ease the guilt some teachers feel about burdening their students and their families with tasks to complete at home.

1. Prepares Students for the Next Day’s Learning

A great way to use homework is preparation for an upcoming lesson, whether it’s doing some reading ahead of time, or looking over other assigned material, there’s no doubt that preparing for an upcoming lesson is a beneficial way to assign homework.

2. Increases Responsibility

When a student has a task that they MUST do rather than WANT to do, they learn to be responsible. Homework is the “You do” in the learning model of “I do, We do, You do.”.  It gives the learner a chance to practice what was covered in class and take responsibility for their own learning.

3. Advances Problem-Solving Skills

If the student can’t find an answer to something in their homework, (or even where to look for information to find an answer), what steps will they take to solve this problem? Will they look in a dictionary, online, ask a friend, or go to a library? Homework gives students a chance to flex their problem-solving muscles.

4. Offers Review Practice

Whether it’s a new math skill, or spelling/vocabulary words, homework that involves reviewing material covered in class will help students to remember it and is a very useful assignment.

5. Teaches Time Management

For students with an active extra-curricular life, homework teaches them how to manage their time. This helps them learn to prioritize schoolwork.

6. Strengthens Persistence and Grit

There have been many studies done recently that show a lack of persistence and grit in today’s students. Developing the fortitude to complete homework assignments also helps develop a student’s capacity for grit and persistence. These are necessary for success in many areas of life, not just academically.

7. Promotes Self-Esteem

Students will develop a sense of pride when they learn the value of a job well done and take ownership of their work. This carries over into their personal development as well. It is for this reason that homework should always be a review of skills already taught.

5 Problems with Assigning Traditional Homework

These were five of the problems I faced in my 3rd grade classroom. No matter which grade you teach I’m pretty sure you can relate. The good news is I managed to find a solution that saved me time and reduced my stress each day. Not only that, but my students’ math skills were strengthened and their families were less burdened with random assignments each night. Read on to learn about the problems I had and how I solved them.

1. Mandated to Give Homework

My school required we give homework 4 nights per week. It was a mandate, so my personal feelings made no difference. I had to send it nightly.

2. Emails and Calls from Parents

I often received emails and phone calls from confused parents. They often said they didn’t understand the homework or told me that their child said that they had “never seen this stuff before”. Let’s be honest, our time is so limited. We do not want to spend the afternoon or start the morning returning messages explaining directions or convincing someone that you did, in fact, teach it in class.

3. Wasted Class Time Every Day

I needed to spend some of our instructional time every afternoon going over the instructions because each assignment varied.

4. Drop-In Visits from Parents

I frequently had a parent and child return to my classroom because the homework never made it into the backpack. This often resulted in an unplanned conference at a time when I needed to prepare for the next day.

5. Students Forgot what was Taught

Unrelated to homework, I consistently faced a different problem. I often would teach a concept, the students would demonstrate proficiency…and then they didn’t.

How often do you have students who forget what odd and even (or a prime and composite if you teach higher grades) numbers are, not remember how to round to the nearest 10, 100 or 1000, or sit like a deer in headlights when asked to write a number in expanded form in the spring when they were rock stars of that skill in the fall when it was taught.

This is especially troublesome if you teach in a grade that takes standardized testing at the end of the year because you then need to set aside a lot of class time for review and test prep.

How to Grade Homework

Determine if correcting homework is an effective use of your time. Teachers don’t know how much assistance a child had with an assignment so it isn’t always an accurate representation of their abilities. Checking the homework for effort and general understanding may be sufficient. If you are assigning worksheets, consider selecting a few questions to go over in class.

Homework Incentive Ideas

Homework should be completed because it is an expectation and not to receive a trinket. However, some teachers do find that extrinsic rewards are motivational to their students. If you choose to make those a part of your homework procedure, here are a few easy-to-manage suggestions:

Students earn a ticket when they complete an assignment. Have them place the tickets into a container. Draw one ticket a week to win a No Homework Night Coupon.

Certificate

Honor perfect homework efforts with a certificate. This could be done monthly or by marking period.

Offer a “No Homework Coupon.” These are like gold!

Ideas for Homework Consequences

First, check with your school and district to see if there is a policy in place. Next, determine a plan for how you will handle homework that is incomplete, missing, poor quality, etc. and be consistent. Be cautious about using recess as a punishment for not doing homework. Often the kids who are not doing their homework are the ones who most need recess .

10 Homework Tips for Elementary Teachers

Below are homework tips for elementary teachers to consider. You are bound to find some helpful homework ideas on this list that you can implement.

1. Assign Tasks Students can do Independently

The first tip on this list of homework ideas is to strive to find easy-to-manage, yet effective assignments. Although it is true that you shouldn’t be sending home tasks that students can’t complete on their own, you also need to be careful not to give them “busy work” either.  Having them complete an assignment for a skill they are proficient in also creates unnecessary work for the teacher. Time is a teacher’s greatest obstacle so be careful not to spend it copying, correcting, managing, chasing, etc sheets of paper that students are not gaining anything from. 

2. Keep Homework Assignments Consistent Across the Grade Level

The second tip on this list of homework ideas is to strive to be consistent with your grade level colleagues. Ideally, the assignments and policies should be identical.

3. Collaborate with Your Team

The third tip on this list of homework ideas is to save time by teaming up with the other teacher(s) at your grade level. Alternate prepping the packet for the week or designate different subjects to different teachers.

4. Communicate Expectations with Your Students’ Families

Communicate your expectations with parents from the beginning. Discuss them at open house and make a hard copy available for students who may transfer in later in the year.

5. Change the Way you See Homework

Use homework as an opportunity to teach organization and responsibility. While homework may not always be a reflection of a student’s abilities, it can be a valuable learning tool for time management and work habits.

6. Keep a Simple and Consistent Format

Design a simple and consistent format for homework. It could be reading and a math page every night or you may have students work on a different subject each night.  When I taught 2nd grade I used to do Math Monday (computation), Teacher Choice Tuesday (a spelling activity), Word Study Wednesday, Thinking Thursday (word problems).

7. Create a System for Collecting It

The seventh tip on this list of homework ideas is to create a system for collecting it. It’s important to have some sort of turn-in system and procedure so students know what to do with their homework each morning.

8. Implement an Efficient Routine for Checking Homework

Consider implementing an efficient routine for checking homework. If you are just going to check for completion and spot check the homework you could have students place it on their desk while they do morning work and you can circulate and check the pages.

9. Communicate Homework Progress with Parents

Determine how you will communicate homework progress with parents. In general, no news is good news, but I do have a homework alert that gets sent home as needed. It needs to be signed by an adult at home so the families know if they are not meeting the expectations.

10. Consider Creating a Menu of Optional Homework Activities

The last tip on this list of homework ideas is to create a menu of optional homework activities. Some parents find homework to be a burden and others want more. One way to make everyone happy is to send home a basic assignment that is required for all students and a list of optional enrichment choices for those who want additional assignments.

How I Implemented Homework in My Classroom

There are tons of homework ideas out there, but this is what worked for me.

As a public school teacher, I was required to give out nightly homework to my third graders. I found myself spending a lot of time picking out assignments, making copies, communicating directions, answering emails and phone calls from parents who did “not understand the new math” (aka the math workbook pages), distributing, collecting and correcting what essentially was just busy work sent home to meet a requirement I did not agree with. 

My biggest concern was (and continues to be) that many of the assignments from the workbook included 10-20 of the same type of problem. That meant that if a student was struggling with subtraction with regrouping and completed 20 problems incorrectly, that misconception and error became so much harder to fix. 

Parents were signing reading logs, but the kids weren’t actually reading.

I was frustrated by feeling like my time, the students’ time, and the parents’ time was being wasted. I knew there had to be a better option, so I set out to fix the problem. I’m thrilled with the results I must say.

I began creating spiral review math pages for each day for my own 3rd graders. These pages proved to be important and meaningful work. This resource is best if not one of the best homework ideas I have ever come up with.

What are the Spiral Review Math Pages?

The spiral review math pages are a tool for teachers to use to ensure students are having continued practice with previously taught skills. They are available for 1st-5th grade. The spiral review packets were designed to have 25 pages per month, which gives you the flexibility to assign them for homework every night plus have extras. The 1st grade version is set up a little differently, but still has 180 pages so you’ll be covered for the year.

Each of the spiral review pages follow the same daily format, cover skills from each area (e.g. computation, measurement, geometry, data, and word problems) and continuously spiral previously taught skills. This consistent format of 10 standards-based questions focused on topics we’d already covered provides an important spiral review of all the grade-level skills. This helped students to retain previously taught skills. The added benefit was that students who had not demonstrated proficiency earlier in the year had the opportunity to do so over time through repeated practice and instruction.

Using these spiral review math pages makes homework more purposeful and easier to manage. My students became much stronger in all math concepts, the parents expressed gratitude for the consistent format, and the phone calls and emails asking for assignment clarification completely stopped. It was so effective that it completely eliminated the need for any test prep in the spring. My students’ test scores were even much higher than previous years.

These worked so well for myself and the other 3rd grade teachers who were using them, that (by request) I created them for 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade too. Each was designed in consultation with and piloted by experienced teachers in those grade levels. They have since been used the past few years by thousands of teachers who have reported great success as well. I most recently added first grade.

This is one of my favorite ideas for homework of all time!

What’s Included in the Spiral Review Math Resources?

The 2nd-5th grade packets all have monthly/seasonal themes. September targets many of the skills that were required at the end of the previous grade level. It was designed to be used as a review for the new year and to pinpoint important foundational skills that your students must be proficient in before moving on to new standards. The following months build in a systematic, sequential order with lots of spiral review built in so that students retain important concepts. They include the following resources:

• 250 print and go pages (plus 10 bonus pages) that will cover you for the full school year
• answer keys to make grading quick and easy for you
• 2,500 review problems (plus 100 bonus problems) based on the Common Core, which will help you rest easy knowing your students are practicing the math concepts and skills they need to
• 250 Google Forms so students can access them digitally from home or in school
• Recording sheets for students to show their thinking
• Item analysis data trackers to make it easy to see which students need to be pulled for small groups or if it would be beneficial to reteach the concept to the entire class
• Projectable answer keys so students can check their own work

The first grade version is a little different. It’s format has only 5 problems to better meet the developmental needs of our younger learners. It has 180 printable pages instead. In addition, this resource does not include seasonal pages, which allows you to use them at any time of the school year.

Learn more about the spiral review math resources for your grade level below.

• 1st grade spiral review math activities
• 2nd grade spiral review math activities
• 3rd grade spiral review math activities
• 4th grade spiral review math activities
• 5th grade spiral review math activities

Where Can I Learn More about Spiral Review Math?

You can learn more about spiral review in this post: Spiral Review Math .

The Benefits of Using Spiral Review Math Pages

There are tons of benefits to using the spiral review math pages for homework.

• The spiral review pages provide multiple opportunities for students to become proficient in a skill instead of just teaching it and forgetting it
• The repeated spiraling practice of foundational grade level skills ensures they were ready to build upon them when y ou introduce new skills.
• You’ll no longer need to waste hours of valuable class time on standardized test prep in the spring because the spiral review throughout the year ensure your students are always ready for the exam.
• It constantly shows you if there are skills you need to reteach either to the whole class or to a small group of students. 
• Students complete them with ease because the skills and the format of the pages are familiar to them.
• The variety of 10 different problems eliminates the risk of students cementing a misconception into their minds.

Why You’ll Love it as a Teacher

Not only will the nightly spiral review math pages provide your students with meaningful practice of important skills, increase their confidence as learners and make them stronger math students, they will also solve many of the problems you face as a teacher and make the parents’ lives easier too. It’s one of the best homework ideas I have ever come up with!

• You’ll longer needed to scramble to find homework for each night. Instead, simply print each month’s pages at the start of the new month and copy them all at once into weekly packets for the students.
• Your lesson planning will become much more intentional and focused because you are able to easily identify which skills your students need to work on more.
• You will no long waste valuable time correcting busy work. Instead, you’ll go over these important skills as a class.
• Parents will feel better about being able to help their students and became true allies and partners in their learning.
• Students and their families will be able to better enjoy their evenings together as a family because they know what to consistently expect for homework each evening.
• Distributing the week’s packet all at once enables students’ families to support my goal of teaching time management because they can work ahead when they know there is a busy night coming up on their calendars.
• Homework will be easier for you and more meaningful for your students.
• The homework assignments will be systematic and routine so parents and students will always know exactly what the expectations are and understand the instructions.
• You will constantly review all prior skills so that your student reach mastery over time. This will prevent students from forgetting what they learned earlier in the year.

How to Implement them in Your Classroom

I used a separate folder just for homework. It included the homework calendar and all of the printables they will need for the week. We placed everything into a homework folder for the month. The folder stayed at home and the students returned their completed work each morning in the communication folder .

I assembled the homework packets for the entire year in one afternoon and didn’t have to think about it again the rest of the school year. I sent them home on Friday afternoons.

The students simply completed one page each night beginning on Monday afternoons and returned only that one page to class in the morning. The other nightly pages remained at home. 

This meant I no longer needed to take any class time to explain the directions or check to make sure the papers made it into the backpacks.

The next morning I projected the answer sheet onto my smart board and reviewed each problem with them. This daily quick review made them accountable and reinforced all of the math skills regularly. Going over it in class sent the message that the work they did outside of school was purposeful and they would be accountable for it. They no longer felt homework was a waste of time so they demonstrated increased effort.

I also created data collection sheets to use either with one specific student’s page, or to examine the class as a whole. The pages were so easy to use and let me see at a glance where I needed to focus future instruction. 

How Can I Use the Extra Spiral Review Pages in the Packet?

There are 25 pages per month in each of the spiral review resources. Since you’ll never need to use all 25 for homework purposes, consider using the extra pages in the following ways:

• formative assessment to monitor progress
• morning work
• math center activity (“at your seat” activity during Guided Math Workshop )
• Emergency sub plans  activity

Where Can I Buy the Math Spiral Review Pages?

You can purchase the math spiral review pages from my Teachers Pay Teachers store . They are also available in my Elementary Math Resource Collection and grade level math clubs, which you can find below.

What Teachers Who Used these Packets Have Said

Thousands of teachers have used this homework idea in their classroom. Read some of the reviews below!

• “WOW! I’ve been teaching for 16 years and this has been the most useful thing I have used. My students really understand all of the skills and I loved knowing I wasn’t moving on without all my kids being proficient. The beautiful layout, structured format, and clear expectations made it so easy to make these become part of our daily routine. I highly recommend them to everyone.” (Thank you Jocelyn P.!)
• “I started using your monthly spiral review pages in October and never looked back. Not only did they provide us with quality daily work, but I just got my end of year scores back for the district math assessments and my entire class crushed it. I attribute their success 100% to these pages combined with your guided math book that opened my eyes to a whole new way of teaching. I can’t thank you enough. My administration has taken notice. I’m so proud of what we’ve done.” (Thank you Kerri K.!)
• My teammates and I had the opportunity to see you present about guided math and math workshop and excitedly jumped right in with your guided math format the next week! We have been using the spiral review pages as homework and in the “at your seat” station during our daily math workshop. OMG!!! We ALL agree that between the new teaching routines and the use of these pages, our students are consistently performing above average and truly understand the math. It’s not just our opinion either because we just received our test scores from last year and they were not only MUCH higher than ever before, but we outscored the district and student growth from the previous year was amazing. That was what prompted me to finally leave a review. I/we can not recommend these enough. Thank you for not only making our jobs easier, but so much more enjoyable as well. (Thank you Jessica R.!)
• These are absolutely wonderful for my students! I use them for a variety of things including review and homework. (Thanks Tony C.!)
• “Love the data sheets! Great way for me and my students to monitor their learning.” (Thanks Kelsey!)

In closing, we hope you found these homework ideas for teachers helpful! If you haven’t already checked out this post about spiral review math , please be sure to do so!

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Home » Blog Posts » Literacy Centers » Unexpected 2nd Grade Literacy Center Ideas Students Will Love

Unexpected 2nd Grade Literacy Center Ideas Students Will Love

You want your second graders to have hands-on practice with ELA skills in a meaningful way. Of course, these activities should be fun so that students aren’t bored! Well this post shares some unexpected 2nd Grade literacy center ideas your students (and you) will love! These activities provide essential ELA practice while keeping kiddos interested. Get your pen and paper ready for notes and inspiration!

Plus, you can grab some free literacy games below to use in your Second Grade class.

*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which do not cost any extra for you. Please see the  full disclosure here . *

How Do Literacy Centers Work?

Before I became a 4th grade teacher, I spent four years teaching 2nd grade.

Ahhh, my first love…second graders.

I had students whose reading and writing abilities ranged from 1st grade level to 3rd grade level.

So, my mentor teacher strongly recommended that I use more small group ELA activities.

I had zero 2nd Grade literacy center ideas!

Plus, I had no idea how to make them work. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Here’s a quick snapshot of how I set up my centers and eventually had them running smoothly all year long:

• For that first year, I divided my students into 6 groups of 4 students each.
• Since it was too much for them to move around to different locations, I had their desks set up into quads where they faced each other.
• Then I assigned a group leader to retrieve their center materials from my bookshelf to pass out to their group.
• Each group worked on a different literacy activity for 20 minutes, then I would ring a bell to signal that it was time to stop.
• I trained them to clean up (without leaving their desks) and another student had the job of walking that activity to the quad of students beside them.
• This transition took about 5 minutes. Once all materials were rotated, I started the timer again and they would work on a new ELA activity for another 20 minutes.

Having my Grade 2 literacy centers set up this way allowed students to complete at least 3 centers within our literacy block.

Depending on the day of the week, I would also have a small group at my teacher table working on a guided reading activity.

Is That All It Takes to Run Centers?

Do you have to set up your centers just like I did?

Absolutely not! In fact, within those four years, I tweaked my system and eventually starting using choice boards with my 2nd graders.

Running my centers with choice boards allowed the students more autonomy.

Plus, they could move around the room.

But this only worked with students who could handle that level of flexibility. If you’re interested in managing your centers with choice boards, I have this post that goes over that process too .

Of course, there are SO many details that go into making literacy stations work for 2nd graders, no matter what system you use.

If you want more nitty-gritty details on making your centers work, I have this guide book that walks you through different scenarios with time frames for how to set it all up.

But I Need 2nd Grade Literacy Center Ideas that are Fun!

Maybe you already know how to run centers in your classroom.

If so, HUGE congrats on scaling that big hurdle.

Now you just need some activities that will keep your kiddos interested enough to stay on task while they learn.

Here’s the criteria I developed for fun center ideas:

• They need to include movement –this doesn’t have to mimic indoor recess! But most of the things I incorporate are hands-on.
• Spiraled activities make learning stick –Second graders needs lots of review. This boosts their confidence, which keeps them motivated to complete their centers.
• Choose centers with a game-style aspect –card games, spinners, board games, matching activities…these scream fun for students!
• They can be completed with a partner or group –since I like game-style centers, it makes sense to have friends included.

Now that we’ve briefly covered how 2nd grade literacy centers work plus ways to make them fun, let’s jump into some unexpected ideas you and your students will love.

Spin and Write: Helping Second Graders Who Struggle with Summarizing

The first idea I want to dig into involves spinners and writing! I call it Spin and Write.

The goal of this center is to help students who struggle with retelling and summarizing details from a text.

Here’s how it works:

• Each page has two wheels with reading questions in each section of the wheel.
• Your students will use a spinner that you provide to land on a question.
• Then they will write the answer on their response sheet.

The great thing about this activity is that it can be used with any reading passage in your classroom.

For me, I love using a combination of 2nd grade chapter books and shorter read-alouds . With Spin & Write, students can practice their reading comprehension skill of summarizing after any book we read together.

This is way more fun than back-to-back worksheets where they have to answer questions about the story.

Another great thing about this activity is that it’s also digital! I found a free online spinner that students click and the arrow lands on a different question.

Then your kiddos can type the answers inside Google Slides or another platform you want to use.

Whether it’s a hand-held spinner or a digital one, knowing where it will land feels unexpected and exciting for students.

By the way, I always use these clear spinners from Amazon for ALL my literacy centers that involve hands-on spinners.

Shorts and Longs: An Effective Word Work Station for Vowels

Including games with vowel practice is a must with your 2nd grade work stations. I created an enjoyable ELA activity called Shorts and Longs.

Shorts and Longs is a fun way to help second graders practice telling the difference between short and long vowel sounds.

Students pull cards with different words typed on them from a deck.

Then they sort these words into categories based on the vowel sounds. This activity works for independent and partner work.

As partners, your kiddos can turn it into a little competition. Remember the game-style aspect we talked about earlier?

Practicing vowels with a card game keeps the fun factor high!

As students progress in their reading skills with differentiating vowel sounds, they can add their own words into the mix.

Which is important because that keeps the challenge level growing without extra lesson planning from you.

So, I added in blank cards that students could write on to expand the card deck.

This is a win-win for me because it gives my early finishers a way to stay engaged with the center!

An Extra Tip to Add to Your 2nd Grade Literacy Center Ideas

Since I’m on the topic of having centers that “naturally expand,” let me park here with some advice.

When you choose word work station ideas that have built-in extension opportunities, they provide two things:

• a chance for your students to stretch their knowledge with that skill AND
• less time spent searching for early finisher activities to add to your centers

I love this because it saves my lesson planning time and helps my students grow stronger with their ELA. ❤️

With the Shorts and Longs vowel game example, I add in the extension activity with the blank cards for them to write their own words.

But I also would often add some read-aloud books with this center and challenge students to find examples of short and long vowel words from the book.

That prevented students from yelling out “We’re done Ms. Marshall! What do you want us to do now?”

They already had a meaningful way to continue working on that station so that I could focus on my guided reading group.

In a nutshell, choose centers that have extension activities built into them!

The Noun Matcher : Grammar Games for 2nd Graders

Let’s keep it moving with our third center idea–nouns!

Grade level standards require second graders to identify, spell, and use regular and irregular nouns. Your kiddos need to know:

• the difference between these types of nouns
• singular vs. plural
• how to match them
• and how to use them in a sentence

The Noun Matcher game gives students practice with all of those skills in a card-game style.

This hands-on activity can be completed with a small group of 3-4 students, between partners if you want to just have pairs working together, or individually.

There were times in my class when I couldn’t always have equal groups of 4.

If a student was absent or if my class roster wasn’t an even number, I needed flexibility with my ELA activities.

Card games like The Noun Matcher can be used with different amounts of students.

Students can play it “goldfish style” where they turn all the cards overs face down, then work on matching singular with plural.

Or they can follow the card game rules to play with a classmate to see who gets the most pairs.

Prefix and Suffix Puzzles: Another Word Work Center for 2nd Grade

This is probably one of my favorite 2nd grade literacy center ideas! I love using puzzles for learning.

Do your 2nd graders know how to define a word based on the meaning of its prefix or suffix?

Well, that’s what this center is all about!

Students match base words to their correct affix based on each word’s definition.

As you can see from the video, each word part looks like an actual puzzle piece that students must put together.

Hands-on learning like this keeps students engaged because it’s lively and has a gaming-aspect to it.

Especially the digital version of this center! Your kiddos must drag and drop the word parts to create a full word using each affix and base word.

And of course, just like I explained above, it has to have an extension aspect to it.

To expand this center, students get the chance to write each word in a sentence once they’ve put it together.

Sound Twins: A Reading Center Combined with Word Work

The next idea I have for your centers combines reading with word work again. Except this time, students are focusing on homophones and homographs.

Sound Twins practices matching and understanding homophones and homographs.

Your kids will read several sentences with these “sound twins” and use context clues to determine the meaning of the homophone or homograph.

To really test my students ability to use context clues during reading, I design these in two different ways:

• To read a sentence with a homograph in it and choose the correct definition that matches how the word is being used in the sentence.
• And to also read sentences where a homophone is being used incorrectly; find that incorrect word then write the homophone that fits.

These reading skills can be challenging at first if you have struggling readers. Which is why I introduce this center by completing a few examples during whole group time.

In general, I really like using the I Do, We Do, You Do teaching approach to model my literacy centers for 2nd graders.

This is especially helpful for Sound Twins.

Once your kiddos get the gist of it, they will enjoy telling the difference between each “twin.”

FREE Literacy Centers for Second Grade

Honestly, I could keep going with more fun 2nd grade literacy center ideas!

Over the years, I found several activities that were easy to implement and kept my students interested in learning.

But I know how busy teachers are, so let’s get to the really good stuff… you can use some of these centers for free :

When you sign up to get your free centers, I will also share five more center ideas with you! Plus, I enjoy sharing other teaching tips to help you thrive as a 2nd Grade Teacher.

It is such a wonderful grade level to teach!

If you want access to the games I mentioned above, they are included in my full 2nd Grade Literacy Centers set. You can purchase them here. 👇🏾

Which idea are you most interested in trying with your students? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Teaching 🦋

2 Responses

Such great ideas!! I loved the spin and write activity, I think my students will love it.

Thanks so much Zoe! I hope they will. 🙂

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• BookWidgets Teacher Blog

20+ creative alternative homework ideas for teachers

When giving homework, it must always be based on learning goals your students have to reach, just like in your lessons. But it’s sad to see that lots of teachers are using homework as extra lesson time. Of course, as a teacher, you’re on a clock. But that doesn’t mean your students have to suffer from it and keep working on those boring textbooks and worksheets at home.

Consider goals like attitudes, real-life experiences, and practice, physical exercise, social encounters, creative solutions, and philanthropy as crucial as your lesson goals. These are things students don’t just pick up in your classroom. These are things they pick up in life.

In this blog post, I’ll give you some innovative homework ideas that will engage your students more. These alternatives to traditional homework will thereby also teach your students new things that can’t be taught in the classroom. You will find a variety of homework ideas: online and offline.

I will mention homework alternatives for primary school and high school. Some of these ideas can be changed a little bit, so they are the perfect fit for the right audience.

20 Creative homework ideas

You can divide homework tasks into the following themes or categories:

• Crafts & arts
• Outdoor activities & outings
• Games and activities
• Physical activities
• Digital or computer activities
• Philanthropy & social work

💡 Good to know : all the ready-to-use homework activities are created with BookWidgets . You can easily create activities like these yourself or duplicate an activity below for free, edit it if needed, and share it with your students. You can do so in the examples separately, or you can find all the homework examples in the BookWidgets Blog group folder .

Crafts and arts homework

1. prepare a dish from a recipe book.

2. Make a board game

3. Create a birdhouse

4. Transform a fictional book character into a hand puppet

Outdoor homework activities and outings

5. coupon game.

Students can also go grocery shopping with their parents. Here, they have to read the ingredients of the products and help their parents choose the healthiest products for the best prices, figure out the best deal between the sizes of items, …

6. Visit the zoo

7. Visit the local dumping ground or container park

8. Build a tree house

Games and activities as homework

9. bookwidgets games.

10. Minecraft

11. Play Cards

12. Play Zoo Tycoon or Rollercoaster Tycoon

Physical homework activities

13. rope skipping.

Many rope-skipping songs let your students do different tricks while rope-skipping. This is an excellent opportunity for homework as well. Ask your students to transform a rope skipping song into a song with lesson content. Let them count or spell or even sum up the different states or capitals. To engage their lifestyles even harder, you can additionally give them the assignment to create a TikTok in which they are jumping and singing.

Click here to see how you can get Tiktok more involved in the classroom.

14. Walking quest

If there aren’t any walking quests in the neighborhood, you could ask your students to create a walking quest like this for their fellow students. What a fun day it will be!

15. Obstacle Quiz

In order for students to answer the questions, they have to run and pass a challenging parkour. This is a fun homework exercise, and in the end, it’s a great lesson starter or lesson end.

16. Swimming games

After the activity, they can fill out an Exit Slip:

Digital or computer homework activities

17. create a picture album.

This teaches them to handle the online software, add pictures and write without spelling mistakes. And of course, creating memories is so much fun!

18. Video job application

19. Your life in 10 minutes - video

20. Email pen-pals

Is it still too complicated? Read the messages from your students, before they send them, and provide them with some feedback.

Philanthropy and social homework

21. grow a community garden.

22. Help in a retirement home

23. Help at a homeless shelter

24. Collect litter

Here’s another homework tip: Don’t call homework “homework”. Call it a challenge. Homework has become a negative word for students, and I bet they start rolling their eyes as you even mention the word.

Still looking for more inspiration? Check out the blog on short films and lesson activities that spice up your Google Classroom . Tip: even if you don’t use Google Classroom, there is a lot of inspiration back here.

Above you have read single assignments. But, you also have the option to involve your homework in a project. Find out more here .

So, as I mentioned earlier, there are many fun alternatives to traditional homework. Now it’s up to you to apply this in the classroom as well. In this folder , you will find all the examples you have come across.

Which idea do you or perhaps your students like the most? Let us know on Twitter . Of course, there are many more alternatives. If you have other ideas, you are always welcome to share it with other teachers in our Facebook group .

One more thing: don’t forget to say hi👋 on LikedIn .

Join hundreds of thousands of subscribers, and get the best content on technology in education.

BookWidgets enables teachers to create fun and interactive lessons for tablets, smartphones, and computers.

Social Studies

All resources.

2nd Grade Homework- 1st Quarter

Description.

This homework pack contains 9 weeks of spiral review homework to send home for a quick review for students to complete. They are spiral review activities to help second grade students practice Common Core standards and other literacy and math skills. This set is for the first quarter of your school year, including Weeks 1-9.

*The first quarter set now includes access to a digital version. When you download the PDF, you will get a link on page 5 to Google Slides. These Slides are the same work as the paper version offered in the PDF. *

There are 9 weeks of weekly second grade homework. Each weekly set comes with one assignment sheet and four days of homework to complete Monday through Thursday. The set should be turned in Friday, so there is no Friday page!

5 homework sheets for each week: -Assignment sheet and reading log- Nightly -Monday- Math -Tuesday- Language/Foundations -Wednesday- Reading -Thursday- Writing

Related products

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Homework First Grade- 3rd Quarter

2nd Grade Homework- 2nd Quarter

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Free 2nd Grade Morning Work/Homework

First Grade Homework- 2nd Quarter

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