Second Grade Superstars! Welcome to second grade. The expectations for second graders are that, by the end of the school year, they will excel in reading fluency. They will develop inquiry skills as we explore new concepts in science, math, and literacy. We are using Hightower’s Engineering Design Model to teach students to ask questions, create and design prototypes, and evaluate them. We are using Common Core standards to go deeper into content areas in order to promote critical thinking skills.