Balance and Motion!

We have been having a wonderful time exploring balance and motion! Last week students experimented with balance points and counter weights while trying to balance a paper crayfish on only one finger! This week we continuing to use counter weights while attempting to balance arches and triangles in stable positions.

Students have also been practicing Writing like Scientists! We have been using phrases like I observed… The evidence shows… I predict… and I noticed… Students are learning that when they make a prediction or a claim they must back it up with evidence or observations. Our science notebooks are really coming along! 

Make sure to ask your student about their hard work in science! 

Wonder of the Week: Are Leprechauns Real?

I know that a leprechaun is a man that makes shoes and buries a pot of gold. I think leprechauns are real because they bury pots of gold. – Ryan B.

I know that leprechauns are green and trade shoes for gold. I think leprechauns are not real because I set up a trap and it never worked. – Tucker F.

I think leprechauns are not real because I have never seen one. – Addison M.

I think leprechauns are real because they bury a pot of gold and you never find it because they are so tricky! – Bradyn M.

I know that leprechauns run really fast and are green. I think leprechauns are real because they made up Saint Patrick’s Day. – Nicole N.

Literacy Breakfast!

We had an amazing time at our Literacy Breakfast! Thank you to all of the families and friends who came out to celebrate these hard working second grade authors!

What is the Scientific Method?

Our Wonder this week asks us - What is the Scientific Method?

I think the Scientific Method is a list of stuff you need to do in Science. - Jayden J

I think the Scientific Method is something that scientists make a list of to help them do science experiments. - Kaden D

I think the Scientific Method is a step because you put one thing and then another and another when you do a science experiment. - Addison M

I think the Scientific Method is asking a question, collecting data and asking a new question. I think this because it is up on our back wall. - Nicole N

Now I know...

I learned the scientific methods is steps that scientist use when they are running an experiment. (Summer)

I learned that the first step of the scientific method is to ask a question.  (Gwen)

I learned that the second step of the scientific method is to make a hypothesis. (Hunter)

I learned that the third step is to run the experiment and test your hypothesis.  (Nadja)

I learned that you have to test get an accurate result you have to do things the same exact way.  (Roma)

I learned that the fourth step of he scientific method is to look at your data and draw a conclusion.  (Josh P)

I learned a conclusion is the end of an experiment and what you learned.  (Dana)

I learned the second to last step of the scientific method is to share what you learned.  (Kaitlyn) 

I learned that the final step is to ask a new question. (Talan)

Wonder of the Week

Our Wonder this week asks us to consider the following questions: Does the Olympic Flame ever go out? What does the Olympic Flame symbolize (stand for)?

We think...

I think the Olympic flame never goes out because I think that the stand that holds it is hard and it will never melt. I think the Olympic Flame stands for the Olympics. - Bradyn

I think that the Olympic Flame never goes out because when they light it, the flame goes up and it never goes out because it's strong. I think the Olympic Flame stands for the opening ceremony and the different countries competing. - Tucker

I think that the Olympic Flame will not go out because it means that the Olympics is starting. I think the Olympic Flame stands for the Olympics. - Addison

I think that the Olympic flame never goes out because when they hold it, the people around them could get hurt. I think the Olympic Flame stands for the Olympic sports. - Nicole

Wonder of the Week

Time for Kids - Winter Olympic Events

Our wonder this week asks us - What are the Olympics? What do you know about the Winter Olympics? What is one sport that is played in the Winter Olympics? What do you know about this sport?

We know:

I know that the Olympics are taking place in Russia. Last night I watched the figure skating. I liked that they did cool tricks like "Triple Axels." - Selena

I know that the Olympics have ice racing where they race on skates. I watched the racing yesterday. Also, the Olympics happen every four years. - Nick

I know that the Olympics have lots of games where people can win medals. One Winter Olympics game is ski jumping. In ski jumping they go down this big ramp and jump really far in the air! It is really cool to watch. Also, last night I watched ice skating. - Jayden

Science Notebooking!

This week in Science we began our Science Notebooking Unit! This unit combines Writing and Science to help students practice detailed and descriptive writing. Through this unit we will be exploring States of Matter, a topic that most children are relatively familiar with from first grade. So far we have introduced the different states of matter (solids, liquids and gases) and have begun describing different objects by discussing their properties (texture, shape, color etc). Students are very excited to continue to explore these concepts through experiments and writing!