Second Grade Science

 Second grade science resources by subject:

 

          

Classroom Planning

I found some great resources where you can find free samples for 2nd grade social studies:

·       Education.com offers a variety of worksheets and printables that cover a wide range of topics, from geography and world cultures to government and historical figures. You can find activities like state word searches, Venn diagrams, and worksheets on important people and events in history1.

·       PBS LearningMedia provides a collection of social studies activities, lessons, and interactive resources. These materials are aligned with state and national standards, making them a reliable source for educational content2.

·       Teachers Pay Teachers has a section where you can filter for free 2nd grade social studies resources. This marketplace for educators features a variety of materials created by teachers for teachers3.

·       For PDF resources, Teachers Pay Teachers also offers free social studies PDFs specifically for 2nd grade. These can be easily downloaded and printed for classroom use4.

·       Teach Starter is another platform where you can find teaching resources for 2nd grade social studies. They offer printable worksheets and activities that can help students learn about history and the world around them5.

Education.com Social Studies Tons of Worksheets

AUGUST - Good Citizen

2nd Grade Social Studies Unit: Citizenship and Diversity in our Classroom and Community  PDF for downloading 60 pages

Worksheets Samples For Printing

Here are some ways to teach good citizenship to kids:

·       Introduce Good Citizenship with Videos: Videos can be a fun and engaging way to introduce the concept of good citizenship. There are several educational videos available that are designed for this age group1.

·       Use Interactive Worksheets: Worksheets with IF/THEN scenarios or interview prompts can help students think more deeply about what it means to be a good citizen2.

·       Read Books on Good Citizenship: Books like “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud and “The Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña can be great resources to illustrate good citizenship through stories2.

·       Discuss and Reflect: After activities, have a class discussion to allow students to share their thoughts and understandings. This can also help you assess which students might need more help with the topic2.

·       Citizenship: Being a Good Citizen1

Objective: Students will identify and describe the character traits of a good citizen.

Activities: Watching a video on good citizenship, reading stories, and discussing what it means to be a good citizen.

Materials: Video on good citizenship, books like “How Kids Can Be Good Citizens” by Gina M. Bennett.

Teaching Good Citizenship Lesson Plans and Materials2

Objective: To provide structure and materials for teaching young Americans to be involved and effective citizens.

Lessons: Includes four lessons covering democracy basics, the importance of being involved, how to be an effective citizen, and performing citizen actions.

Grade 02 Social Studies Unit 01 Exemplar Lesson 01: I Am a Citizen3

Activity: Creating a “Wanted! Good Citizens” poster with examples of historic or contemporary figures practicing good citizenship.

Simple & Fun Ways to Teach Being A Good Citizen For Kids4

Activities: Interactive notebook with vocabulary flipbook, picture sorts, and writing examples of good citizenship.

Good Citizen Lesson for Kids5

Examples of Good Citizenship: Always wearing a seatbelt, obeying traffic signs, being kind to neighbors, picking up litter, donating to shelters, and voting in elections.

These resources can be adapted to fit your classroom needs and help instill the values of good citizenship in your students.

What is a Scientist

Free 2nd Grade Resources/Fun Science Practice Worksheets has lots of activities and worsksheets

A scientist is someone who is curious about the world and uses a special process called the inquiry process to find answers to questions. This process involves:

·       Observing things carefully.

·       Asking questions about what they see.

·       Predicting what might happen.

·       Experimenting to test their predictions.

·       Collecting data to see what actually happens.

·       Communicating their findings to others.

For a 2nd grader, understanding what a scientist does can be made fun and engaging through activities and lessons that introduce them to the scientific method and the tools scientists use. Here’s a simple explanation suitable for a 2nd-grade student:

“Scientists are like detectives who try to understand how the world works. They look at things very closely, ask lots of questions, and do experiments to find answers. They use tools like magnifying glasses to see tiny things and notebooks to write down what they learn. And just like detectives, they share what they find out with others!”

·       Teachers can use various resources to help 2nd graders learn about scientists and what they do. For example, free activities and lesson plans are available that introduce students to the scientific process1. 

·       There are also complete science curriculums designed for 2nd graders that cover topics like the properties of matter, living things, habitats, and Earth’s systems2. 

·       Worksheets and lesson sets specifically tailored to meet educational standards can also be a great help34.

Remember, scientists are always safe, so they follow safety rules and learn how to use their tools properly. It’s all about exploring, learning, and having fun with science!

SEPTEMBER

Sources (sorry, could not really find anything under just sources)

Second Grade Social Studies Worksheets and Printables 447 of these

Not sure if you know about this one Twinkl

World Map Worksheet

Introduction to Maps it has 5 Lesson Plans, Summative Assessment, and Lesson Worksheets and Resources.

Investigating Matter 2.5 TEKS

Design a toy using a solid, liquid, and gas

Challenge your students to design and build a toy using all three states of matter.

Provide these materials or anything else you can think of for students to use.

 

 

Solids:

·       cardboard, card stock or construction paper

·       yarn, string, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes

·       foam craft sheets, gold brad fasteners

·       paper clips

·       any other craft materials

Liquids:

·       paint

·       school glue

·       Mod Podge

Gases:

·       sponges (they are filled with air)

·       bubble wrap

·       balloons

Investigating matter is a fantastic topic for 2nd graders! Here are some engaging activities that can help young students understand the properties of matter:

·       Describe and Compare Properties: Have students observe different types of objects and describe their size, shape, color, and texture. This helps them understand that matter can be described by its properties1.

·       Test for Hardness: Use a paperclip to scratch the surface of various objects like an apple, a rubber eraser, a wooden spoon, and a rock. This experiment allows students to compare the hardness of different materials1.

·       Flexibility Experiment: Gather materials like straws, rubber bands, and pencils, and have students test how much each item can bend. This shows them how flexibility is a property of matter1.

·       Absorbency and Buoyancy: Test everyday objects to see if they float (buoyancy) or absorb water (absorbency). This could include items like sponges, plastic toys, and cotton balls1.

·       Temperature Effects: Explore how temperature affects matter by melting ice to water and then freezing it back to ice. Discuss how the state of matter changes but the amount of matter remains the same2.

·       Non-Newtonian Fluids: Make Oobleck (a mixture of cornstarch and water) to show how some materials can act like both a solid and a liquid under different conditions2.

·       Inspiration from Nature: Watch a short video on how engineers use nature to inspire inventions. Discuss how the properties of matter in nature can solve human problems1.

These activities align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and are designed to be hands-on and fun, making science both exciting and educational for 2nd grade students. Remember, the key is to encourage curiosity and allow students to explore and discover the wonders of science through interactive learning!

Describe the properties. Eat the matter!

Scientists describe matter by its features or properties. This simple cracker lab gives students the opportunity to look closely at different types of crackers to describe and compare their size, shape, color and texture.

 

 

 

Test the properties of everyday objects

Scientists often test objects for flexibility, hardness, absorbency and buoyancy. They may also test if an object is magnetic.

Test objects for hardness

Have students use a paperclip to do a scratch test for hardness. To do this gather a few items made from different materials. Some that are hard and some that are soft. Some items to include are an apple, a rubber eraser, a wooden spoon, and a rock. Have students use a paperclip to scratch the surface of each object to determine its hardness compared to the other objects. Next, have students then order the objects based on their degree of hardness.

Test objects for flexibility

Try a simple flexibility experiment that uses easy to find materials for students to gently bend and test for flexibility.

Explore how engineers are inspired by nature

Scientists and engineers often look to nature for inspiration and ideas when trying to solve problems.

Build models to solve a problem

Show students this PBS video, How Beavers Build Dams.  Discuss the purpose of this animal’s home to give it shelter from predators. Guide students to understand that it also changes the flow of water. Have students describe the purpose and properties of the materials a beaver uses. Compare the purpose of a beaver’s dam to a man-made dam. Have students share why they think humans might want to change the flow of water. Investigate further by having students use Legos or other materials to build a model of a structure that can change the flow of water. Students can then test their models in a plastic container to determine if it works as expected.

Make student science journals

Keeping a science journal gives students a place to respond and write about what they are learning in science. Science journals can be used for lesson responses, quick checks for understanding, drawing diagrams or designs, planning investigations, and as vocabulary keepers.

Explore reversible and irreversible changes using Play Doh

One simple way to explore changes in matter is to use Play Doh. Give students 2 small balls in 2 different colors (Dollar Tree Play Doh is great for this.). Ask students to explore ways they can change their matter (Play Doh). Students can cut, roll, and shape their Play Doh then change it back to the way it was to demonstrate a reversible change. To demonstrate an irreversible change have students mix their 2 colors together.

Use science content to practice literacy skills

Literacy-based science centers are a great way to reinforce science content as students practice literacy skills. Scientists use many of the skills and processes we teach our students as they learn to read. Much of science content can be reinforced while practicing these skills:

Cause & Effect: Connect causes and effects to teaching students about matter and temperature.

Classifying: Have students classify and sort objects by their properties, states of matter and purpose. Groups of students can then compare how they categorized and classified their objects.

Sequencing: Scientists often take steps in a specific order to test objects and materials. They conduct investigations in a sequential order. Have students sequence steps to planning an experiment, building a model and combining matter (Think root beer floats). Add a writing element by having students explain the steps in writing.

Compare/Contrast: Challenge students to compare the properties and purpose of man-made objects to natural objects.

 

Links:

Animal Research

 

 

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Monthly Themes