Students investigate the relationship between length and width by trying to create the longest paper chain from one piece of construction paper. Does making the loops wider increase or decrease the length of the chain? How does that relate to basic measurement in mathematics?
Making Hypothesis Using Your Senses
Students learned what a hypothesis is and why it is important to the scientific process. Students were presented with a box that contained 'something'. Each box had a hole and the students had to use their senses to create and revise their hypothesis as to what the item in the box was.
Dissolving Peep Challenge One of the science units in second grade deals with states of matter. Students learn about different types of matter, such as liquid. Students had to chose a liquid that they thought would dissolve the 'peep' (marshmellow) the fastest!
Jack and the Parachute
After reading Jack and the Beanstalk as part of our ELA unit, students had to create a parachute to help Jack escape from the giant! We decided that a parachute would be faster than climbing down the beanstalk. Students had to run a test to see how fast Jack (lego man) fell without the parachute. Students also had to decide what type of material provided would be the best to create a parachute and help Jack fall slowly and safely.
Rubber Band Ball Challenge
In conjunction with our unit on measurement, students had to create a rubber band ball that would bounce the highest. Students had to decided what would be the best material for the 'core'. They also had to decided whether it was better to use thick or skinny rubber bands, as well as if the size of the ball made a difference in the height of the bounce. We then discussed what unit of measurement would be the best to measure the height of the bounce.
Storm Water Management and Water Cycle Unit Students learned about the water cycle and the effect that storm water has on our community. We had a special presenter come in and talk about 'run off' and why it is important to have certain preventative measures in place for managing excess water. The culminating activity of this unit was creating a rain barrel, one way to manage storm water. It was then part of the McFee Auction.
Spider Web Challenge
In conjunction with our unit on noctornal animals, students had to create a spider web out of one container of dental floss. The spider web had to be strong enough to hold 5 plastic insects that the spider had 'caught'. Students used black construction paper as a backing while creating their web, which was then removed during the testing phase.
Three Little PIgs Challenge
As part of our ELA curriculum, students read different versions of the Three Little Pigs. Students were given the task of creating a house out of provided materials (i.e. dots, foil, clay, toothpicks) that in the end had to protect the little pig by withstanding the force of a hair dryer.
Blue Print Challenge
As an extension of our unit on area, students had to design a floor plan for a prospective 'client'. They were given certain specifications but, the overall design was up to them! Real world application of area and perimeter.
Survey and Graphing
Students used their Google accounts to create surveys in Google Forms. Students picked four questions that they wanted to collect data on and then sent out their surveys to staff and peers. They collected and organized the data and used different programs such as Microsoft Publisher and Powerpoint to present their information.