Second Grade Homework Assignments and Exercises

What Exercises Should I Assign to My Child?

Many teachers expect second graders to read at night for homework and ask parents to sign their child's reading logs. If you'd like to complete this exercise independently, you can print blank reading logs for free off the Internet. In addition to reading logs, second graders typically complete math worksheets. Depending on the unit, worksheets cover skills like addition, subtraction, time, money and measurement. You can find free samples of these online as well.

When assigning homework to your second grade child, you may want to aim for 30 minutes of reading and 30 minutes of practice in a different subject. Approximately 30 minutes worth of work will keep his or her attention and won't be overwhelming. To get started, you can try the ideas below.

Three Homework Assignments for Second Graders

Alphabetizing Sight Words

Because second graders are still beginning readers, one exercise you might try with your child is creating alphabetized lists of words. This activity can be done frequently, so you may want to start by creating a schedule and category for each list. For example, you could do a Valentine's Day list in February or a summer-themed list in July.

To set it up, simply type out a list of sight words and other key terms your child has already covered in class in a random order. Then, ask your son or daughter to label the word that comes first in the dictionary with a one, the second with a two and so on. Once complete, take some time to review the results and discuss any errors you find.

Writing Prompts

Although students have just begun to read when they reach second grade, short writing and journal prompts are a great way to encourage learning new vocabulary, practicing proper spelling and getting thoughts on paper. Once a week, schedule some time with your child to write a journal entry or response that you can keep in a file until the school year is over. At such a young age, opinion prompts are best. For example, ask your child to answer questions about favorite pets, food or vacation spots and why he or she enjoys them.

Time Worksheets

In second grade, your child will learn how to tell time. One way to practice this is to provide worksheets that simply list a numerical time and have your child draw the hands on a blank clock. Alternatively, you can also create a paper clock with movable hands for your child to use during review. You can state a time out loud and ask your son or daughter to move the hands on the paper clock to the appropriate position.