This publication is a preliminary bulletin, giving the basic course of study and related learning activities in history and the social sciences for grade two in the City of New York. This bulletin is one of a series designed to provide students from prekindergarten through the 12th grade with a revitalized curriculum in history and the social sciences. The philosophy of the program is summarized into six basic emphases: (1) the teaching of concepts rather than the accumulation of data; (2) providing all students with the values, skills, understandings and knowledge needed to cope with the pressing social problems of our age; (3) the attempt to incorporate into the curriculum basic concepts drawn from the disciplines of history and the social sciences; (4) the attempt to develop skills and research techniques sequentially; (5) the attempt to provide learning activities that aim at conceptualization through techniques of inquiry and discovery; and (6) the use of multimedia resources rather than the traditional textbook. The bulletin for the kindergarten is abstracted under number PS 001 470, and the bulletin for grade one is abstracted under number PS 001 473. (WD)