Science

using inquiry and engineering models

Structure and Properties of Matter

An exemplary second grader's work about the States of Matter. She wrote this during Writer's Workshop. Please click for full document.

Changing States of Matter

We melted crayons to illustrate reversible changes.

From crayon to crayon

We melted old crayons down and reformulated them in the freezer. We experimented using heating and cooling.

Our community of learners

Changing States of Matter

We melted crayons to illustrate reversible changes.

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Beginning our unit on plants.

We explore the plants around our school observing their characteristics and accessing our prior knowledge.

Planting seeds.

During field trips, we make new connections with our classroom experience.

We also compare other species.

Inquiry

Observing the life cycle of a plant.

Summative Assessment

Creating our bee stick.

Designing and creating our bees.

Using our new knowledge, we simulated pollination with flour and different textures to create bee sticks. These bees moved pollen from one flower to another.

Earth’s Systems: Processes that Shape the Earth

Special guest

Exploring elements of volcanoes through role playing and creative movement.

Scientists

The children model then run their own stations using expert leaders.

Landform summative

Each group creates a blueprint before they build their island. They must create land formations that would protect their houses from landslides.

This is an example of a student- created Adobe Voice presentation about Tsunamis. In partners, the students researched, planned and edited their presention.