2nd Grade Curriculum Update

Science
Second grade scientists wrapped up their work with the unit on Balance and Motion with an

exciting project; creating a RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE using different types of recyclable materials.  A Rube Goldberg machine is a machine with lots of steps to do one simple thing. The machine had to do one simple thing, make a cup lose it’s balance and tip over, with three or more steps.  The machine showed all of the following things: balance, spinning, rolling, pushing and pulling. Students demonstrated a variety of ways to make things move and described what causes them to change speed, direction and/or stop.  These ideas are used in tons of different machines that we use everyday! Cars, bikes, planes and elevators are just a few real-world examples. Teamwork was key to their success!

Social Studies

We have begun our last Social Studies unit on Economics this trimester. During our first phase of the unit,
students will be able to categorize family purchases according to where they are bought, assemble a toy using
assembly-line techniques, create body movements to represent four modes of transportation, create/read a
process diagram and complete a flowchart showing how goods move from factories to stores.

Reading

We are continuing our work within Series book clubs. Students are analyzing characters and story elements, along with learning about and becoming experts on Author's Craft. Students are looking at strategies Authors use to paint pictures with their words, choose precise words and complex vocabulary, incorporate literary language to make ordinary more extraordinary, plan how their stories and series will go from beginning to the end and decide on their story endings. As students read and re-read independently, with a partner or in groups, they are monitoring their reading and looking for examples of Author's Craft to strengthen their reading, writing and understanding.

Writing

Students are discovering the world of poetry in our new writing unit. First, students will learn that poets are sparked by objects and feelings that they translate to music on the page. This early part of the unit  will help develop students’ ears as they experiment with line breaks. In the first part of the unit students will be introduced to the sounds and feelings of poetry by reading poems aloud in groups, with partners, and alone. During the early days of our poetry unit, students will explore objects and memories, recognizing the poetry in their own lives. We will learn that poets choose topics that matter to them reflecting on small moments in our lives.


Math

Students are beginning their work in Unit 9 which has four main areas of focus: Review measuring with yards and meters, measure longer distances, develop the concepts of perimeter and area, and know units of weight. You can support your child at home by reviewing different things we measure at home. For example, measuring out ingredients when you cook or bake, the weight of something, the distance something travels or how long something is.  The more hands-on experiences, the better the learning transfer in class.