Special Collections
District List: NYC Core Curriculum 2nd - Social Studies
Description: The New York City Core Curriculum program aims to provide a high-quality curricula to NYC students through a seamless instructional program across grades and subjects. This list has been curated by NYCDOE for 2nd Grade Social Studies materials.
- Table View
- List View
New York
by Jacqueline A. Ball and Kristen BehrensEach of the 52 volumes in the World Almanac Library of the States is filled with the most up-to-date information, including the latest Census results. Full-color photos bring to life the story of each state, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other outlying areas. In addition to an in-depth factual profile of each state in the form of a state Almanac, each book offers fascinating and lively discussions of the state's history, people, geography, government, economy, culture, and lifestyles. Each title also includes a section on notable people, a calendar of events, and enough primary source documents, time lines, maps, and other tools to make this unquestionably the best young adult reference material on the United States of America available anywhere.
Meet President Obama
by Mel BartlettAligned to the Common Core State Standards, these leveled, informational texts are great for individual or small group reading instruction.
Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers
by Boyds Mills Press Staff and Karen B. WinnickAbraham Lincoln was the first President of the United States to wear a beard. What gave him the idea was a letter he received from an eleven-year-old girl from Westfield, New York named Grace Bedell. "Dear Sir," she wrote, "... if you will let your whiskers grow I will try to get (my brothers) to vote for you. You would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you..."
Rules
by Tammy Jones and Margie Burton and Cathy FrenchThis book is about the rules that both students and adults follow to maintain a safe, healthy, fun lifestyle.
The Little House
by Virginia Lee BurtonVirginia Lee Burton won the Caldecott Medal in 1943 for her memorable picture book The Little House, a poignant story of a cute country cottage that becomes engulfed by the city that grows up around it. The house has an expressive face of windows and doors, and even the feelings of a person, so she's sad when she's surrounded by the dirty, noisy city's hustle and bustle: "She missed the field of daisies / and the apple trees dancing in the moonlight. " Fortunately, there's a happy ending, as the house is taken back to the country where she belongs. A classic!
Paying Taxes
by Sarah De CapuaKids aren't voting or serving on juries just yet--but it's never too early to learn about the responsibilities that come with being a U.S. citizen! In those fascinating books, clear, detailed text and colorful images introduce you to important aspects of U.S. society--from taxes to elections.
We the Kids
by David CatrowA long time ago some smart guys wrote the Preamble to the Constitution. You have probably read it before, but do you know what it means? And did it ever make you laugh? Now it will! Perfect for inspiring discussion in classrooms and around kitchen tables, this fun-filled and cheerfully illustrated look at the Preamble provides an accessible introduction to America's founding ideals for citizens of all ages. Includes a glossary of terms and a foreword by the artist. "This zany, patriotic paean offers kids lighthearted but meaningful incentive to reflect further on the relevance of those 'big words' and 'big ideas.'"
A River Ran Wild
by Lynne CherryAn environmental history of the Nashua River, from its discovery by Indians through the polluting years of the Industrial Revolution to the ambitious cleanup that revitalized it.
Miss Rumphius
by Barbara CooneyAlice made a promise to make the world a more beautiful place, then a seed of an idea is planted and blossoms into a beautiful plan. This beloved classic and celebration of nature—written by a beloved Caldecott winner—is lovelier than ever!
Barbara Cooney's story of Alice Rumphius, who longed to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful, has a timeless quality that resonates with each new generation. The countless lupines that bloom along the coast of Maine are the legacy of the real Miss Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went. Miss Rumphius received the American Book Award in the year of publication.
Duck for President
by Doreen CroninPublishers Description: My fellow Americans: It is our pleasure, our honor, our duty as citizens to present to you Duck for President. Here is a duck who began in a humble pond. Who worked his way to farmer. To governor. And now, perhaps, to the highest office in the land. Some say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he is a duck. We say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he will be the next president of the United States of America. Adults and teens will enjoy reading this satirical book to their young charges. Other books by Doreen Cronin are available from Bookshare.org.
Country Kid, City Kid
by Ted Rand and Julie CumminsBen and Jody may be miles apart, but they are two of a kind. Ben is a country kid. He lives on a quiet farm, where he wakes to the peaceful sounds of cows mooing and birds chirping. Jody is a city kid. She lives in an apartment building, where her mornings begin with honking horns and wailing sirens. Their lives are nothing alike--or are they?
2030
by James Daly and Amy ZuckermanGlobal events and new technology change how we live from moment to moment. So, what will our world be like in twenty years? Come take a look as futurists Amy Zuckerman and James Daly examine what a kid?s daily life might be like in the year 2030. Inspired and informed by trends and scientifi c and technological research, 2030 is not only a peek at some cool future gadgets (talking dog collars, cars that drive themselves), but also a thoughtful examination of how our lives might be impacted as we adjust to environmental change.
Grace for President
by Leuyen Pham and Kelly Dipucchio"Where are the girls?" When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate the school's mock election!
Author Kelly DiPucchio not only gives readers a fun introduction to the American electoral system, but also teaches them the value of hard work, courage, and independent thought--and offers an inspiring example of how to choose our leaders.
Vote!
by Tara Funk and Katherine ScraperWhy do people vote? Who can vote? Read about people who vote.
The Big Buck Adventure
by Shelley Gill and Grace Lin and Deborah TobolaOne little girl and one very big dollar set out on a great adventure at the store.
However, what seems like a pleasant afternoon of shopping soon turns perplexing as the challenge of her buying options becomes overwhelming. She doesn't know what to do. There are so many choices, but she only has one buck. A fun and perfect example of how we use math in our daily lives.
On This Spot
by Susan E. GoodmanOn This Spot… See buildings soar and traffic zoom, a kaleidoscope of color and movement. Now turn the page and time-travel back 175 years, where on the same spot carriages bumped and pigs raced across cobblestones. Turn again and go back 400 years to when a Lenape Indian trail crossed the spot. Now travel farther still, to when glaciers crept . . . dinosaurs preyed . . . a tropical sea teemed with ancient creatures . . . back 540 million years, when rock was all you could see. What happened on this spot?What will happen next?Look out your window. What happened on that spot?
You Can't Buy A Dinosaur With A Dime
by Harriet Ziefert and Amanda HaleyClink, clink, clink, clink...Clink, clink, clinkity... Money saved in a bank makes your brain think-thinkity!
Children are fascinated by money how it looks, feels, smells, and most of all, what it buys. And Pete is no exception. The rhymed verse describes how Pete saves his allowance, spends too much of it, has second thoughts, and starts over.
Young readers will not only applaud Pete's decisions, but join him in his computations as he saves, spends, and strategizes over future purchases. The lively combination of fact and fiction, plus humorous art, will prove both thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable.
Ox-Cart Man
by Donald HallChildren's book about the ox-cart man and his hard work throughout the year.
Three Immigrant Communities NEW YORK CITY in 1900
by Monica HalpernMiranda has one messy desk. It's full of books, pencils, science projects and…other stuff. Too much stuff, says her teacher, Ms. Basil. On a family visit to her Uncle Aldo's one night, Miranda wonders if some of his magician's tools might offer a solution to her messy-desk problem. Sneaking off to the magic room, Miranda finds Uncle Aldo's impressive collection of top hats. Miranda knows that magic top hats can hold lots of things—why not the mess from her desk? At first, the hat seems to do the trick, but soon things start to go horribly wrong. As Uncle Aldo says, you have to be careful with magic.
My Great-aunt Arizona
by Gloria M. HoustonBestselling author Gloria Houston lovingly recounts the story of her great-aunt's quiet yet remarkable life. Born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains, Arizona spent her childhood dreaming of all the faraway places she would one day visit. Though she never did travel to those places, Arizona did become a teacher and helped generations of children craft their own dreams.
The Doorbell Rang
by Pat HutchinsEach time the doorbell rings, there are more people who have come to share Ma's wonderful cookies.
My New York
by Kathy JakobsenBecky, a young New Yorker, takes the reader and a friend on a tour of her favorite places in the city
What Does a Congressional Representative Do?, First Edition
by David J. JakubiakDiscusses the duties of congressional representatives, how they get into office, how states are represented, the leadership of the House of Representatives, working with the Senate, committees, and where the House meets.
Local and State Government
by Etta JohnsonIt's about the responsibilities and functions of local and state government.
Symbols of the United States
by Etta JohnsonPhotographs and simple text describe three of America's symbols, the U.S. flag, the Liberty Bell, and the bald eagle.