A 25-day spiral review program designed to prepare 2nd grade students for NWEA MAP Growth assessments, focusing on vocabulary, composition, and research skills. Each week provides a thematic challenge in an "Explorer's Journal" format to keep students engaged.
What page(s) should you look at to find information about Bears?
Which topic is listed on page 18?
Explorer's Journal
Day 4: Root Road
Word Quest: Root Power
The prefix re- means again. What does the word REPACK mean?
Not pack
Pack again
Pack before
Matching Game
Circle the verb that correctly completes the sentence.
The two monkeys ( swing / swings ) through the trees.
Fact Finder: Glossary
Canyon: A deep valley with very steep sides.
Desert: A very dry area where few plants grow.
Island: A piece of land surrounded by water.
What is the definition of Desert?
Explorer's Journal
Day 5: Clue Canyon
Word Quest: Context Clues
Use the text clues to find the meaning of the underlined word.
"The flashlight was essential because without it, the explorer could not see anything in the pitch-black cave."
In this sentence, essential means:
Bright
Needed
Heavy
Series Search
Which sentence uses commas correctly for items in a series?
I packed boots water and a hat.
I packed boots, water, and a hat.
I packed boots water, and a hat.
Digital Detective
Which search would give you the most facts about mountain goats?
"mountain goat diet and habitat"
"mountain goat funny videos"
"mountain goat stories for kids"
You are a Syllable Scout! Week 1 is complete!
2. Which chapter starts on page 15?
Explorer's Journal
Day 9: Crossing the Bridge
NAME:
Word Quest: Sound Alikes
Which word fits correctly in this sentence?
I can ______ the waves crashing.
here
hear
Sentence Glue
Which word best joins these two sentences?
"The water was cold. I still went swimming."
and
but
or
Fact Finder: Quick Notes
Read the short passage. Write down one fact from the text.
"Sea turtles live in the ocean, but they lay their eggs on sandy beaches. Some sea turtles can travel thousands of miles!"
Write your note here...
Explorer's Journal
Day 10: Port of Call
NAME:
Word Quest: Root Words
What is the root word (the base word) of REPLAYING?
______
Complete Sentences
Which one is a complete sentence?
Into the deep blue sea.
The explorer saw a ship.
Running fast on the sand.
Fact Finder: The Dictionary
Look at the dictionary entry below.
voyage (noun)
1. A long journey to a distant or unknown place, usually by ship or boat.
Sentence: The ship began its voyage across the ocean.
What part of speech is the word voyage?
Write a new sentence using the word voyage.
Smooth Sailing! Week 2 is complete!
Mountain Life
High Peaks
The air is thin and cold at the top...
Mountain Goats
These animals are expert climbers...
Under which subheading would you find facts about animals?
Explorer's Journal
Day 9: Transition Trail
Word Quest: Sound Alikes
Which homophone correctly fits the sentence?
I ______ the name of the island.
new
knew
Sentence Flow
Which word best shows the order of these events?
"First, I found the map. _______, I followed the trail."
But
Next
Or
Fact Finder: Narrator
Read the short story passage. Who is the narrator (the one telling the story)?
"I looked through my binoculars and saw a bright blue bird. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen!"
A. The blue bird
B. A person watching birds
C. A tree in the forest
Explorer's Journal
Day 10: Dictionary Dock
Word Quest: Spelling
Which of these calendar words is spelled correctly?
wensday
Wednesday
Wens-day
Delete the Distractor
Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong because it is not about explorers?
(1) Explorers use maps to find their way. (2) They carry backpacks for their gear. (3) I like to eat pepperoni pizza. (4) Many explorers travel to far-off places.
Sentence number: ____
Fact Finder: The Dictionary
Look at the dictionary entry below.
expedition (noun)
1. A journey taken by a group of people with a special goal.
Sentence: Our class went on an expedition to the museum.
What is the part of speech for expedition?
How many definitions are shown for this word?
Smooth Sailing! Week 2 is complete!
Challenge: Write your own sentence with the adverb quickly.
Fact Finder: Truth Tracker
Which of these websites would have the most accurate facts about volcanoes?
The word bark has two meanings. Draw a line to the correct meaning for each sentence.
"The tree has rough bark."
"I heard the dog bark."
ANIMAL SOUND OUTSIDE OF A TREE
The Mixer
Use the word and to join these two short sentences into one long sentence.
"I saw a parrot. I saw a monkey."
Fact Finder: Tricky Sorting
Put these words in alphabetical order. Look at the second letter!
Lava Lake Leaf
1st
2nd
3rd
Explorer's Journal
Day 15: Summit Search
NAME:
Word Quest: Compound Catch
Which of these is a compound word?
Volcano
Earthquake
Mountain
Fix the Sentence
Find the 2 mistakes in this sentence and fix them!
do you see the lava.
Rewrite it correctly:
Fact Finder: Good Questions
An explorer is researching polar bears. Which question would help them find facts about what they eat?
A
Do polar bears like to play?
B
What animals do polar bears hunt?
C
Where do polar bears live?
You Conquered Inquiry Island! Week 3 is done!
A. A story about a boy who lives on a volcano.
B. An encyclopedia entry called "Volcano Formation."
C. A drawing of a volcano erupting.
Explorer's Journal
Day 14: Combining Clouds
Word Quest: Idioms
"The news of the eruption was a bolt from the blue."
This means the news was:
A total surprise
Very expected
Blue in color
The Sentence Joiner
Use the word BUT to join these two sentences.
"The path was steep. We kept climbing."
Fact Finder: ABC Order
Sort these words in alphabetical order. Look at the second letter!
Lava Lake Leaf
Explorer's Journal
Day 15: Compound Peak
Word Quest: Compound
A RAINFOREST is a compound word. What does it mean?
A forest that gets a lot of rain
A place where it only rains
A dry place with many trees
The Closer
Which sentence makes a good concluding sentence (last sentence) for a paragraph about an island?
Islands are beautiful and unique places to visit.
Dolphins swim in the ocean water.
My brother wants to go to the park.
Fact Finder: Questions
You are researching Tigers. Which question would help you find out what they eat?
A. Where do tigers live?
B. What kinds of animals do tigers hunt?
C. Are tigers' stripes black or orange?
You Conquered Inquiry Island! Week 3 is done!
Which word means "a grassy plain"?
What is a tunnel in the ground called?
Explorer's Journal
Day 19: Safari Signs
Word Quest: Sound Alikes
Which word fits correctly in this sentence?
The lions are resting over ________.
there
their
they're
Who are they?
Which pronoun best replaces the underlined words?
The safari guides drove the jeep.
We
They
Us
Fact Finder: Dictionary Skills
herd (noun)
1. A large group of animals that live, hunt, or eat together.
Example: A herd of elephants walked to the water.
How many meanings are listed for herd?
What animal is used in the example sentence?
Explorer's Journal
Day 20: Journey's End
Word Quest: Word Parts
Which word means "to write again"?
Prewrite
Rewrite
Unwrite
Agreement Check
Circle the word that makes the sentence correct.
The tall giraffe ( eat / eats ) leaves.
Fact Finder: Taking Notes
Read the text. List two things you learned about lions.
"Lions are the only cats that live in large groups called prides. Male lions have thick manes of hair around their necks. Female lions do most of the hunting for the pride."
Safari Successful! Week 4 is complete!
Day 19: Dictionary Den
Word Quest: Dictionary
Look at the word SAFARI. How many syllables does it have?
1
2
3
4
Which dictionary word would come before SAFARI?
Sunlight
River
Track
Matching Verbs
Which sentence is written correctly?
The cheetah runs very fast.
The cheetah run very fast.
The cheetahs runs very fast.
Fact Finder: Glossary
Hibernation: A deep sleep some animals take in the winter.
Nocturnal: Animals that are active mostly at night.
Omnivore: An animal that eats both plants and meat.
What is the definition of Nocturnal?
Which word means an animal that eats both meat and plants?
Explorer's Journal
Day 20: Journey's End
Word Quest: Compound
Look at the word BACKPACK. Based on the two small words, what is it?
A bag you wear on your back
A bag you carry in your hand
A type of animal in the safari
Revision Ready
Read the paragraph. Which sentence does not belong because it is not about the safari animals?
(1) The elephants walked to the water hole. (2) They used their trunks to spray water. (3) I want to buy a new red bike. (4) A baby elephant followed behind them.
Sentence number: ____
Fact Finder: Relevant Info
You are researching lion manes. Which fact is relevant?
A. Lions can run very fast.
B. Male lions have thick hair around their necks called a mane.
C. Female lions do the hunting.
Safari Successful! Week 4 is complete!
mountain
climb
snowy
summit
Mixed Challenge
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
I saw rocks, ice and snow.
I saw rocks, ice, and snow.
I saw rocks ice, and snow.
Fact Finder: Detail Detective
"Many mountains have snow at the top all year. This is because the air is much colder high up in the sky than it is on the ground."
Why do some mountains have snow all year?
Explorer's Journal
Day 25: Summit Success!
YOU DID IT!
You have successfully navigated through all 25 days of the Spiral Skills Sprint!
Final Reflection
What is one new thing you learned about being an explorer?
Which week was your favorite adventure?
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Certified Explorer Stamp Here
C. The cold air
Explorer's Journal
Day 24: Final Ascent
Word Quest: Compound
A SNOWFLAKE is a compound word. What does it mean?
A tiny piece of frozen snow
A flake of cereal in the morning
A rain drop in the summer
The Revision Trap
Which sentence does not belong in this paragraph about mountain climbing?
(1) Climbing a mountain is very hard work. (2) You need special gear like ropes and boots. (3) I like to swim in the pool on Saturdays. (4) It takes a long time to reach the summit.
Sentence number: ____
Fact Finder: Subheadings
Gear Needed
Explorers need ropes, warm coats, and a compass...
What is one thing an explorer needs according to this subheading?
Explorer's Journal
Day 25: Summit Success!
YOU DID IT!
You have successfully navigated through all 25 days of the Spiral Skills Sprint!
Final Reflection
What is one thing you learned about being a better reader?
