Curricular Plan for Making Meaning and Making Meaning Vocabulary
Grade 2
Unit 9: Determining Important Ideas (Fiction and Expository Nonfiction)
3Weeks
Students should understand and be able to:
Comprehension Focus
  • Students explore important ideas in texts.
  • Students use inference informally to think about what is important in text.
  • Students read independently.
Social Development Focus
  • Students relate the value of fairness to their partner work.
  • Students develop the group skills of giving reasons to support their thinking and sharing their partner time in a fair way.
  • Students have a class meeting to discuss sharing their partner time fairly.

Mentor Texts
  • “Wild Rides”
  • “Summer of the Shark”
  • “A Nose for the Arts”
  • Me First
  • Big Al
  • Erandi’s Braids

Making Meaning
Week 1
Day 1: Read-aloud/Strategy Lesson – “Wild Rides”
  • Pair students and get ready to work together
  • Review nonfiction
  • Introduce the article and readaloud
  • Reread the article and discuss important ideas
  • Discuss thinking about important ideas
  • Reflect on working together
  • IDR: Read independently/Document IDR conferences
  • Extension: Read titles and articles
/ Day 2: Read-aloud/Strategy Lesson – “Summer of the Shark”
  • Get ready to work together
  • Introduce the article and read aloud
  • Discuss important ideas
  • Reflect on working together
  • IDR: Read independently/Document IDR conferences
/ Day 3: Read-aloud/Strategy Lesson – “A Nose for the Arts”
  • Review the week
  • Introduce the article and read aloud
  • Reread and discuss important ideas
  • IDR: Write about an important idea in IDR journals
  • Extension: Think about the titles authors choose
Assessment: identify important ideas
Common Core State Standards
L.2.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RF.2.4a Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.
RF.2.4b Read on-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.
RF.2.4c Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
RI.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RI.2.2 Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text.
RI.2.10 By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion.
SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. / L.2.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RF.2.4a Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.
RF.2.4b Read on-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.
RF.2.4c Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
RI.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RI.2.2 Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text.
RI.2.10 By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion.
SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. / RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RF.2.4a Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.
RI.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RI.2.2 Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text.
RI.2.10 By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion.
SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
Making Meaning Vocabulary
Week 22
Vocabulary Words:complex, strenuous, optional, fresh
Word-learning Strategies: Recognizing antonyms, recognizing words with multiple meanings
Day 1: Ongoing Review
  • What do you think about?
  • Introduce and define new words
  • Vocabulary activities
  • Discuss the words
Assessment: use visualization to understand word meaning, enjoyment of learning new words / Day 2
  • Review words
  • Introduce and define new words
  • Vocabulary games
  • Discuss multiple meanings of the words
/ Day 3
  • Review the words
  • Vocabulary games

Common Core State Standards
L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.2.5a Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe foods that are spicy or juicy).
L.2.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion. / L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.2.5a Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe foods that are spicy or juicy).
L.2.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion. / L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.2.5a Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe foods that are spicy or juicy).
L.2.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion.
Making Meaning
Week 2
Day 1: Class Meeting
  • Gather for a class meeting
  • Conduct the class meeting
  • Adjourn the class meeting
  • IDR: Practice Self-monitoring
/ Day 2: Read-aloud – Me First
  • Get ready to work together
  • Introduce the story and read aloud
  • Discuss the story as a class
  • Reflect on sharing partner time
  • IDR: Read independently/Document IDR conferences
/ Day 3: Strategy Lesson
  • Review exploring important ideas
  • Reread the story and discuss the important ideas
  • IDR: Document IDR conferences/Write in IDR journals

Common Core State Standards
RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RF.2.4a Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.
RF.2.4c Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
RL.2.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion. / L.2.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RF.2.4a Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.
L.2.4b Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word (e.g., happy/unhappy, tell/retell).
RF.2.4c Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
RL.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
RL.2.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion.
SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. / L.2.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RF.2.4a Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.
L.2.4b Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word (e.g., happy/unhappy, tell/retell).
RF.2.4c Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
RL.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.
RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
RL.2.5 Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.
RL.2.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion.
SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
Making Meaning Vocabulary
Week 23
Vocabulary Words:prefer, panic, successful, conserve
Day 1: Ongoing Review
  • Play “Which Word Am I?”
  • Introduce and define new words
  • Discuss words
  • Vocabulary activities
/ Day 2
  • Review words
  • Introduce and define new words
  • Talk about the words
  • Vocabulary activities
/ Day 3
  • Review words
  • Vocabulary activities

Common Core State Standards
L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.2.5a Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe foods that are spicy or juicy).
L.2.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion. / L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.2.5a Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe foods that are spicy or juicy).
L.2.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).
RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion. / L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
L.2.4a Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.2.5a Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe foods that are spicy or juicy).
L.2.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy).
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.2.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion.
Making Meaning
Week 3
Day 1: Read-aloud – Big Al
  • Add to the “Reading Comprehension Strategies” chart
  • Introduce the story and read aloud
  • Discuss the story as a class
  • Reflect on the partner work
  • IDR: Think about and discuss important ideas
/ Day 2: Strategy Lesson
  • Review the story
  • Reread and discuss the story
  • Discuss important ideas
  • Reflect on using partner time fairly
  • IDR: Read independently/Document IDR conferences
/ Day 3: Guided Strategy Practice – Erandi’s Braids
  • Get ready to work together
  • Revisit the story and introduce the excerpt
  • Discuss important ideas as a class
  • Reflect on working together
  • IDR: Write about important ideas in IDR journals
Assessment: determine important ideas
Individual Comprehension Assessment: identifying important ideas
Common Core State Standards
RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.