2nd

Treasure Maps!

Second graders developed ideas for their own islands.  From there they incorporated landforms, community symbols, compass rose and a map key.  They typed up directions to their buried treasures!  X marks the SPOT!

Designing Buildings Inspired by Food!

Students viewed actual buildings around the world that resembled food from pineapples to canned ham.  They had to come up with their own design and create a blueprint of it.  Now they are actually building their creations.

Little Bits!

Second graders are using electronic building blocks called "Little Bits" to learn more about circuitry. They are color-coded and snap together!  Here's a couple projects they worked on...

 

Conductive Play Dough!

We made our own play dough from some common kitchen supplies (water, flour, salt, cream of tartar, vegetable oil and food coloring).  Students were able to light up LED's!

Snap Circuits!

2nd graders are learning about circuits by using Snap Circuit kits.  They have completed several projects in teams in which they must follow directions to get certain things to occur (lights going on, propeller spinning, etc.).

Cardboard Robots!

Students are designing robots out of cardboard that resemble themselves.  Each will have a special function that makes them unique.  They will also get to add an LED light!

Reducing Our Impact on Earth!

How can we make a positive impact with the choices we make?  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!!

Students re-purposed newspaper into decorative bowls.  It was messy but very FUN!  Once they dry, we will trim and paint them.

Not a Stick!

After reading the book with the above title, students went on a nature walk to find the perfect stick.  What could it be that's a NOT-A-STICK?  A tent, kite, pick axe, pencil, nunchucks?  The possibilities are endless!

Float or Sink?  
Second graders are learning about buoyancy and density.  After making predictions, they are testing various items around the classroom.







Dinosaur Research!
Students have chosen a dinosaur that they would like to learn more about.  They are using online resources as well as books to find accurate information about their chosen dinosaur.  They will use this information to create a 3-D model.




Dinosaur Fossils!






How Big Were the Dinosaurs?

After reading the book with this title, second graders are exploring this question.  A variety of activities will be completed such as using estimation to determine how many of their footprints would fit in a t-rex's, making fossils and researching a dinosaur of their choice.

Ahoy mateys! While learning about pirates and treasure maps, students will practice important map skills such as using a compass rose, identifying particular landforms and map symbols.   In this project they will design their own island and place landmarks and directions on their maps that lead to their buried treasure.  Directions will also be written that leads to the treasure.



Completed maps:

Quadrilateral Robots!

Putting Math to Work!  Second graders are working with quadrilaterals.  What properties does a quadrilateral have?  What makes them different from other shapes?  Can you spot quadrilaterals around the room?  Their culminating project will be a "Quadrilateral Robot"!  There will be certain requirements that must be followed when creating this robot.  For example, it must be at least 10 inches high and 8 inches wide made only of quadrilaterals.  They will name their robot and decide what purpose their robot should have as well.

Spaghetti Marshmallow Tower Challenge!

Who can build the tallest freestanding tower that can hold a marshmallow on top?






If a magic hat landed on your head and could turn you into anything, what would you want to be?  This is the question, second graders had to think about.  There were a variety of responses from a robot to a dolphin!  Students are actually turning their ideas into a 3D creation and writing about them as well.





Here are a couple 3D models created to go along with the student's chosen dinosaurs..

Triceratops

Ankylosaurus

December 15, 2017

Second graders will be creating 3-D models of dinosaurs after learning about the work of Waterhouse Hawkins.  They will research one particular dinosaur to see what environment they lived in, what they ate and their physical features.


November 7, 2017

Ahoy Mateys!  Second graders are learning and using map skills to create their very own treasure maps.  This project involves map keys, compasses, following and writing clear directions as well as creativity!  Where will their treasure be buried?  X marks the spot!


October 16, 2017

Students were experimenting with Quibits today!  They are a new construction toy that were featured on Shark Tank!

                 





















September 25, 2017

Putting Math to Work!  Second graders will be working with quadrilaterals.  What properties does a quadrilateral have?  What makes them different from other shapes?  Can you spot quadrilaterals around the room?  Their culminating project will be a "Quadrilateral Robot"!  There will be certain requirements that must be followed when creating this robot.  For example, it must be at least 10 inches high and 8 inches wide made only of quadrilaterals.  They will name their robot and decide what purpose their robot should have as well.

Last Year's 2nd Graders
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April 20, 2017
Ahoy mateys! While learning about pirates and treasure maps, students will practice important map skills such as using a compass rose, identifying particular landforms and map symbols.   In this project they will design their own island and place landmarks and directions on their maps that lead to their buried treasure.

March 6, 2017
Symbaloo...use this to research your genius hour topic.

Symbaloo

February 13, 2017
Second graders are beginning their journey with Genius Hour.  Please see the "Genius Hour" tab for more information.


February 9, 2017
Up, Up and Away!  Did you know that the first passengers in a hot air balloon were not humans?  A rooster, duck and a sheep took flight in 1783.  Second graders are learning about the history of hot air balloons and what makes them float.  Students viewed a couple videos about the workings of hot air balloons.  We also tested out the theory that hot air rises with a toaster, trash bag and some paper clips.  Students learned that there needed to be evenly distributed weight at the bottom (ballast) to fly properly.

 
 

January 17, 2017
Vroom, Vroom!  Start your engines....3-2-1 Go! Students are getting inspiration from Peg & Cat:  The Race Car Problem to design their own water bottle race car.  They will use specified materials to design, label and then create their car.

 

  

December 5, 2016
TurfMutt and the Outdoor Powers!  Students in grades 1-2 are taking part in a backyard superhero contest.  This contest teaches the importance of living landscapes and taking care of our green areas.   They will write a 25-50 word story about how he/she is a Backyard Superhero who, along with TurfMutt and the Outdoor Powers, combats environmental villains (Carbon Creep, Dust Demon, Dr. Runoff and Heat Freak), saving living landscapes everywhere.  They will also create an original picture using character cutouts.  Check out the website for more information...
                                                     TurfMutt & the Outdoor Powers



November 18, 2016
The Necklace Shop!  Second graders were presented with a math challenge this week.  They had to create a plan and fill in an order form for a necklace that costs exactly ninety-seven cents.  Each material was worth a certain amount of money.  When their plan was approved they were given supplies to actually make their creation.
                                                       

October 24, 2016
"I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down!"  After reading "The Three Little Pigs", students are brainstorming ways to create a sturdy house that can withstand the air from a blow dryer (The Big Bad Wolf).  They can choose from a variety of materials to create their designs.  They will measure each of their structures in inches and reflect on the weight of the materials they chose as well as the size. Here are some action shots...

Second graders are in full swing already!  It's all about STEM (science, technology, engineering & math).  They have become familiar with what STEM entails and created their very own STEM journals to use throughout the year.  Right now they are designing and creating a new sturdy bed for Goldilocks using random materials.  Students realized that they had to make some changes to their original design to find success!