Finding all of the activities needed to run engaging and standards-based literacy centers can feel like a monster task! The Lucky Little Learners 1st and 2nd Grade Literacy Centers are a great option for teachers who want high-engagement and totally standards-aligned options for practicing reading, writing, grammar, and phonics during center time.
Take a closer look at our literacy centers and how they meet ALL the 1st and 2nd grade Reading, Writing, and Language standards!
For each center activity, there is a printable AND digital center to keep stations running for a full school year. Read on for a list of the standards covered for each part of literacy.
Literacy Centers for 1st & 2nd Grade
These literacy centers for 1st and 2nd grade make learning engaging, rigorous, and hands-on! They will keep your students practicing ELA skills with meaningful and purposeful tasks. With activities for reading, writing, grammar and phonics, you know all the standards for your grade level are covered. Take a look at everything included below!
1) Reading Centers
Sign up for All Access and download all of our literacy centers! Click below to get center activities for the specific reading standard you're working on in your classroom.
| Monitor and Fix-Up Strategies RF 1.4.B RF 2.4 | Reading Fluency RF 1.4 RF 2.4 | Answering Questions in Nonfiction RI 1.1 RI 2.1 | Asking Questions in Nonfiction RI 1.1 RI 2.1 |
| Determine Importance RI 1.2 RI 2.2 | Finding the Main Idea RI 1.2 RI 2.2 | Main Idea & Details RI 1.2 RI 2.2 | Retelling Nonfiction RI 1.2 RI 2.2 |
| Cause and Effect RI 1.3 RI 2.3 | Describing Connections RI 1.3 RI 2.3 | Nonfiction Text Structures RI 1.3 RI 2.3 | Problem and Solution RI 1.3 RI 2.3 |
| Unknown Vocabulary RI 1.4 RI 2.4 | Nonfiction Text Features RI 1.5 RI 2.5 | Author’s Purpose RI 1.6 RI 2.6 | Information from Images RI 1.7 RI 2.7 |
| Reasons Support Points RI 1.8 RI 2.8 | Compare and Contrast Nonfiction RI 1.9 RI 2.9 | Nonfiction Genres RI 1.10 RI 2.10 | Close Reading Nonfiction RI 1.10 RI 2.10 |
| Book Review RL 1.10, RI 1.10 RL 2.10, RI 2.10 | Asking Questions in Fiction RL 1.1 RL 2.1 | Answering Questions in Fiction RL 1.1 RL 2.1 | Making Inferences RL 1.1 RL 2.1 |
| Recount and Moral RL 1.1 RL 2.2 | Fables, Fairytales, and Folktales RL 1.2 RL 2.2 | Character Response to Challenges RL 1.3 RL 2.3 | Alliteration RL 1.4 RL 2.4 |
| Poetry RL 1.4 RL 2.4 | Rhymes RL 1.4 RL 2.4 | Fiction Story Structure RL 1.5 RL 2.5 | Summarizing RL 1.5, RL 1.2 RL 2.5, RL 2.2 |
| Character Voices RL 1.5 RL 2.5 | Point of View RL 1.6 RL 2.6 | Information from Illustrations RL 1.7 RL 2.7 | Compare and Contrast Fiction RL 1.9 RL 2.9 |
| Synthesizing RL 1.10 RL 2.10 | Close Reading Fiction RL 1.10 RL 2.10 | Fiction Genres RL 1.10 RL 2.10 | Predictions RL 1.10 RL 2.10 |
| Visualization RL 1.10 RL 2.10 |
Informational Standards
Literature Standards
2) Writing Centers
Sign up for All Access and download all of our literacy centers! Click below to get center activities for the specific writing standard you're working on in your classroom.
Skills and Standards Covered: Foundational Writing
| Introduction Writing W 1.1, W 1.2, W 1.3 W 2.1, W 2.2, W 2.3 | Conclusion Writing W 1.1, W 1.2, W 1.3 W 2.1, W 2.2, W 2.3 | Fact or Opinion W 1.1 W 2.1 | State an Opinion W 1.1 W 2.1 |
| Supporting Reasons for Opinion W 1.1 W 2.1 | Linking Opinion and Reasons W 1.1 W 2.1 | Opinion Writing W 1.1 W 2.1 | How To Writing W 1.2 W 2.2 |
| Topic and Facts W 1.2 W 2.2 | Points with Facts and Definitions W 1.2 W 2.2 | Informational Writing W 1.2 W 2.2 | Writing a Letter W 1.2 W 2.2 |
| Adding Details W 1.3 W 2.3 | Dialogue W 1.3 W 2.3 | Narrative Writing W 1.3 W 2.3 | Fantasy Narrative W 1.3 W 2.3 |
| Stretching Sentences W 1.3 W 2.3 | Transition Words W 1.3 W 2.3 | Editing Writing W 1.3 W 2.5 | Revising Writing W 1.3 W 2.5 |
| Writing a Report W 1.7 W 2.7 | Inquiry Writing W 1.8 W 2.8 |
3) Grammar Centers
Sign up for All Access and download all of our literacy centers! Click below to get center activities for the specific grammar standard you're working on in your classroom.
| Common and Proper Nouns L 1.1 B L 2.1 | Singular and Plural Nouns L 1.1 C L 2.1 | Subject-Verb Agreement L 1.1 C L 2.1 | Pronoun-Verb Agreement L 1.1 D L 2.1 |
| Verb Tenses L 1.1 E L 2.1 | Adjectives L 1.1 F L 2.1 | Conjunctions L 1.1 G L 2.1 | Articles L 1.1 H L 2.1 |
| Demonstrative Pronouns L 1.1 H L 2.1 | Prepositions L 1.1 I L 2.1 | Types of Sentences L 1.1 J L 2.1 | Linking Verbs L.1.1 L 2.1 |
| Collective Nouns L 1.1 A L 2.1 A | Irregular Plurals L 1.1 B L 2.1 B | Reflexive Pronouns L 1.1 C L 2.1 C | Irregular Past Tense Verbs L 1.1 D L 2.1 D |
| Irregular Verbs L 1.1 D L 2.1 D | Adverb or Adjective L 1.1 E L 2.1 E | Combine and Expand Sentences L 1.1 F L 2.1 F | Run-on Sentences L 1.1 F L 2.1 F |
| Abbreviations L 1.2 L 2.2 | Ending punctuation L 1.1 B L 2.2 | Commas in Dates and Series L 1.1 C L 2.2 | Capitalization L 1.2 A L 2.2 A |
| Letter Writing Punctuation L 1.2 B L 2.2 B | Possessive Nouns L 1.2 C L 2.2 C | Contractions L 1.2 C L 2.2 C | Generalize Spelling Patterns L 1.2 D L 2.2 D |
| ABC Order L 1.2 E L 2.2 E | Formal vs. Informal English L 2.3 A | Homophones L 1.4 L 2.4 | Literal vs. Nonliteral Language L 1.4 L 2.4 |
| Multiple Meaning Words L 1.4 L 2.4 | Context Clues L 1.4 A L 2.4 A | Prefixes L 1.4 B L 2.4 B | Root Words L 1.4 C L 2.4 C |
| Compound Words L 2.4 D | Using Dictionaries L 2.4 E | Synonyms & Antonyms L 1.5 L 2.5 | Real-life Uses of Words L 1.5 A L 2.5 A |
| Shades of Meaning L 1.5 B L 2.5 B | Similes L 1.6 L 2.6 |
4) Phonics Centers
Sign up for All Access and download all of our literacy centers! Click below to get center activities for the specific phonics standard you're working on in your classroom.
Skills and Standards Covered: 1st & 2nd Grade Phonics Centers
| Short Vowel Words RF 1.3 A RF 2.3 A | U Vowel Teams RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Multisyllabic Words RF 1.3 C RF 2.3 C | Complex Vowels RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| Multisyllabic Short Vowel Words RF 1.3 A RF 2.3 A | Variant Vowels RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Open Syllables RF 1.3 C RF 2.3 C | Consonant Digraphs RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| Long or Short Vowels RF 1.3 A RF 2.3 A | Short and Long OO RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Two Syllable Long Vowel Words RF 1.3 C RF 2.3 C | L Blends RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| Silent E Words RF 1.3 A RF 2.3 A | Diphthongs with OI and OY RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | vPrefixes RF 1.3 D RF 2.3 D | R Blends RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| A Vowel Teams RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Diphthongs with OU and OW RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Suffixes RF 1.3 D RF 2.3 D | S Blends RF 1.3 A RF 2.3 |
| E Vowel Teams RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Mixed Diphthongs RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Inconsistent Spelling Patterns RF 1.3 E RF 2.3 E | Contractions RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| I Vowel Teams RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Silent E Words (Multisyllabic) RF 1.3 C RF 2.3 C | Silent Letters RF 1.3 E RF 2.3 E | Compound Words RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| O Vowel Teams RF 1.3 B RF 2.3 B | Vowel Teams (Multisyllabic) RF 1.3 C RF 2.3 C | Comparative Endings RF 1.3 RF 2.3 | Final Blends RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| Final Stable Syllables RF 1.3 RF 2.3 | Hard and Soft C and G RF 1.3 RF 2.3 | Inflectional Endings Without Spelling Changes RF 1.3 RF 2.3 | Inflectional Endings With Spelling Changes RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| AR RF 1.3 RF 2.3 | ARE, AIR, EAR RF 1.3 RF 2.3 | ER, IR, UR RF 1.3 RF 2.3 | OAR, ORE, OR RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
| Mixed R-controlled Vowels RF 1.3 RF 2.3 | Three-Letter Blends RF 1.3 RF 2.3 |
Literacy Centers for 2nd Grade: The Benefits
1- Offer digital AND printable options
Whatever the learning setting your students thrive on, we have you covered! You can offer both printable and digital options for literacy centers with these activities. The digital options are all set up for both Google Slides and Seesaw!
Digital Centers
Printed Centers: Simple Prep
Print full color or black and white – your choice. Prep is easy with simple cutting and assembly. The variety of practice opportunities each week keeps kids interested and engaged for years to come!
2- Feel Total Confidence That You're Meeting ELA Standards
Each center is focused on a literacy skill aligned with Common Core Standards.
3- Encourage Independent Thinkers
Direction signs are included for each of the literacy centers. No more, “What am I supposed to do?” when kids start a new center!
4- Hold Students Accountable
Each center has a recording sheet included, so you can get a quick snapshot of the work being completed. The recording sheets are great for checking student understanding too!
5- Assign by Skill/Standard
You can fit these literacy centers into any scope and sequence. The activities do not tie into seasons or holiday themes, just fun and engaging for any time of the year!
6- Motivate On-Task Behavior
The best way to motivate on task behavior is through fun activities. These centers are so creative and fun, you'll want to join your students! Plus, with over 140 centers, it's easy to find activities that appeal to all of your lucky little learners.
7- Reading Practice
Each reading center includes text or book suggestions to ensure your students are practicing each skill through reading.
8- QR Codes Included for Research
Some writing centers include QR codes so students can research a topic further to complete the activity. Here's more information about how you can set up QR codes.
9- Hit standards all day long with Literacy Centers!
These literacy center activities can be plugged into a variety of spots in your schedule.
Download Literacy Centers for 1st or 2nd Grade
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Thank you
I teach second grade class of high achievers and gifted students. If I join does this give me access to 2 grade activities and 3 grade activities, or just one grade?
Hello Stacey! All Access members have access to everything we have ever made, including all grade levels. Thanks for this question and have a wonderful day!