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New and Getting Better for 2012–2013

We held online sessions in early May to talk with parents just like you about what's new this year and answer their questions.

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Second Grade History

Scope & Sequence : Scope & Sequence documents describe what is covered in a course (the scope) and also the order in which topics are covered (the sequence). These documents list instructional objectives and skills to be mastered. K¹² Scope & Sequence documents for each course include:

Course Overview

Second graders continue their investigation (spanning grades 1–4) into history from the Stone Age to the Space Age. Through lively stories and activities, second graders will:

  • Explore ancient Rome and meet Julius Caesar
  • Learn about the beginnings of Christianity during the Roman Empire
  • Hear stories of the raiding and trading Vikings
  • Appreciate the achievements of early Islamic civilization
  • During the early Middle Ages in Europe, meet knights in armor, and hear stories of St. George, Robin Hood, and Joan of Arc
  • Visit the medieval African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai
  • Travel the Silk Road across China, and meet the powerful emperor, Kublai Khan
  • Learn about the fighting samurai and the growth of Buddhism and Shintoism in feudal Japan

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Course Outline

Getting Around This Great Big World

  • Practice with simple maps and globes to reinforce geographic awareness
  • Begin to understand the work of historians and archaeologists

Ancient Rome

  • Locate Rome on a map
  • Learn about Rome's mythical and historic origins
  • Explore life in Rome and Roman gods, goddesses, and myths

From Caesar to Augustus

  • Understand the significance of the Roman republic
  • Become familiar with the rise, rule, fall, and legacy of Julius Caesar

Roman Empire and Roman Peace

  • Learn about Rome under the rule of Augustus Caesar and subsequent emperors
  • Understand the historical beginnings of Christianity
  • Learn about the relocation of the Empire's capital to Byzantium

Byzantium Rises

  • Recognize the contributions of Rome to modern civilization
  • Identify the eastern part of the Roman Empire as the Byzantine Empire
  • Explain the contributions of Justinian and Theodora

Rome Divides and Falls

  • Recognize the significance of Attila the Hun
  • Understand how Rome fell to invading warrior tribes
  • Discover Rome's lasting contributions to society
  • Explore Constantinople

The Early Middle Ages in Western Europe

  • Explore the early settling of England and France
  • Discover the legendary saga of King Arthur and his court at Camelot
  • Learn about the role of monasteries in preserving knowledge

The Rise of Islam

  • Become familiar with the origins of Islam
  • Learn about major figures, events, and cultural achievements of the Islamic Empire

A World in Turmoil

  • Learn about Charlemagne's struggle to unify European tribes
  • Explore the Vikings' lives, beliefs, and heroes
  • Learn that Vikings raided, conquered, and settled lands on both sides of the Atlantic

The Feudal World

  • Become familiar with the concept of feudalism
  • Learn about the knight's code of chivalry and about real and legendary acts of honor, courage, and courtliness

Crusades Abroad and Changes in Europe

  • Become familiar with real and legendary heroes from the Crusades and the Hundred Years War
  • Understand the significance of the terrible plague that swept Europe

Medieval African Empires

  • Explore the rich, varied lands and people of medieval Africa
  • Follow the travels of Ibn Battuta through Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean

Medieval China

  • Learn about life during the Sui, Tang, Sung, and Yuan dynasties
  • Become familiar with the major figures and architectural feats in Chinese history
  • Learn about the discoveries of the compass and porcelain, and the development of Chinese trade with Europe

Feudal Japan

  • Learn about the history and governance of feudal Japan and about the samurai's code
  • Become familiar with the Shinto religion, haiku, and a popular Japanese folktale

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Number of Lessons and Scheduling

60 minutes

You might choose to split the lessons into smaller segments and take a break between investigations. The K¹² online lesson tracking system allows you to pick up wherever you left off in any given lesson.

Total Lessons: 108

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Materials

Standard Curriculum Items

  • U.S./World Map  (Grades K–2)
  • Inflatable Globe  (Grades K–2)

Additional Curriculum Items

Some lessons require additional resources, including common household items, and books that are readily available online or in your local library:

  • Knights in Shining Armor by Gail Gibbons (Little, Brown, 1998)
  • St. George and the Dragonby Margaret Hodges (Little, Brown, 1990)
  • Saint Valentineby Robert Sabuda (Simon & Schuster Children's Books, 1998)
  • Pompeii: Buried Aliveby Edith Kunhardt (Random House, 1987)
  • Sundiata: Lion King of Maliby David Wisniewski (Clarion Books, 1999)
  • The Hundredth Nameby Shulamith Levey Oppenheim (Boyds Mills Press, 1997)

NOTE: List subject to change.

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