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2nd Grade Science Animal Adventure NGSS Full Curriculum

Class
Mrs. Scott Licensed Teacher Bachelor's of Science
Star Educator
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(25)
This class covers every one of the NGSS 2nd grade science standards while relating to animals and their environment. If your child has an interest in biology, zoology, or just loves animals, they will be engaged in this hands-on class!

Class experience

US Grade 2
30 lessons//15 Weeks
 Week 1
Lesson 1
Classifying matter
We will sort matter by observable properties and distinguish between biotic & abiotic factors
Lesson 2
Properties of matter
We will explore common properties of matter including color, texture, hardness, flexibility, and more
 Week 2
Lesson 3
Bodies of water
Students will create a map to include various water bodies
Lesson 4
Shapes of land
Students will create a model that represents shapes of land and identify patterns
 Week 3
Lesson 5
Earth's liquid & solid water, salt and fresh water
We will identify patterns where liquid and solid, as well as salt and fresh water are found
Lesson 6
Oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds
Students learn about how these water bodies create ecosystems
 Week 4
Lesson 7
Water can change the shape of land
We discuss case studies where water changed the shape of land and discuss prevention. Brainstorm solutions.
Lesson 8
Engineering and landscaping to prevent runoff and erosion
Students compare and test solutions to runoff and erosion problems with models
 Week 5
Lesson 9
Plant biodiversity
Students will collect data which will be used to make comparisons in plant diversity
Lesson 10
Animal biodiversity
We will study characteristics and structural adaptations of animals that live in different places
 Week 6
Lesson 11
Animal biodiversity
We will study characteristics and adaptations of animals in aquatic ecosystems & their food webs
Lesson 12
Animal biodiversity
We will study characteristics and adaptations of animals in terrestrial ecosystems & their food webs
 Week 7
Lesson 13
Plants & survival
As we learn about a plant's critical role in food webs, we examine what plants need to survive and design an experiment to analyze sunlight and water requirements
Lesson 14
Plant experiment analysis
We analyze our experiment results and use our data as evidence of our findings
 Week 8
Lesson 15
Plant pollination & seed dispersal
Students learn how plants often rely on animals for pollination and seed dispersal, including shape and design that optimizes their effectiveness
Lesson 16
Design a seed
Students will design a seed that is optimal for dispersal, and create an animal that is perfectly adapted to assist.
 Week 9
Lesson 17
Shapes in nature
Students will observe shapes and patterns of shells, fern fiddleheads, natural spheres, and more
Lesson 18
Shapes and function
We will experiment with strength and function of designs modeled after nature and the strongest man-made shapes, as we prepare to conquer environmental engineering and wildlife management challenges
 Week 10
Lesson 19
Define a problem that can be solved through engineering
Students will learn about the challenges of animals and humans coexisting with a growing human population. We will identify a problem that we can fix through engineering and discuss strategy.
Lesson 20
Design a solution
We will model our solution and discuss possible problems or improvements with our designs
 Week 11
Lesson 21
Create two possible solutions to a problem
We will design a sound barrier to provide some protection between communities and nearby animal preserves. Students will use two different materials to see which materials are most effective.
Lesson 22
Analyze strengths and weaknesses
Students will analyze strengths and weaknesses of their two different designs and provide evidence through data collected during testing of their designs
 Week 12
Lesson 23
Properties of materials
Students will compare strength and flexibility of materials as they design a shelter for an animal (could be useful for sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitators, etc.)
Lesson 24
Analyze if their design works as intended
Students will test the durability of their designs, record, and analyze data
 Week 13
Lesson 25
Small pieces of a whole can become something new
Students will learn about how things in nature can become something completely new and brainstorm their own ideas for deconstructing and repurposing pieces
Lesson 26
Make something new
We will use natural or man-made materials to create enrichment for animals (could be useful for sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitators, etc.) We will discuss different properties of materials used
 Week 14
Lesson 27
Chemical vs. physical changes
Students will experiment with foods that animals can eat (could be useful for sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitators, etc.) to understand how changes caused by heating and cooling can sometimes be reversed, and sometimes cannot
Lesson 28
Analyze results
Students will analyze results and make recommendations for uses of certain food items in wildlife enrichment while considering temperature changes outdoors and animal health
 Week 15
Lesson 29
Earth events
We will research and gather evidence for slow and fast changes in the earth over time, utilizing living species and fossil evidence to construct evidence
Lesson 30
Final project
Students will present a final project to the class, briefly taking turns explaining why they choose their project, their reasoning, and thought process
This class is taught in English.
Students will gain confidence and understanding of 2nd grade Next Generation Science Standards
Before I became a teacher I worked with wildlife, in a microbiology lab, and also in animal welfare. I have always been called to work with children and have volunteered at girl scout camps, zoo camps, and children's hospitals. As a teacher on Outschool, I am committed to bringing visual and tangible content to the classroom. I believe teaching is more than just a lecture. My students learn best by seeing examples of concepts, and by breaking new content down into manageable pieces. I am always available for questions and support!
Homework Offered
Students will be given fun experiments to do, models to build, and various challenges as described in class syllabus that they will need to work on outside of class weekly. Parental supervision is minimal but required as described in parental guidance section.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Final project due last class will be a wonderful representation of student growth and understanding.
Grades Offered
Students will need a number of inexpensive and easily accessible items to complete experiments and engineer models. Items as listed below (and can be creatively substituted for something else in a pinch)

Popsicle sticks
Straws
Glue
Tape
Scissors
Ruler
Large grid graph paper (totally optional but helpful)
Playdough/clay
Drawing supplies
Paint
Dry rice
Cardboard
Peanut butter (or safe alternative for allergies) not containing xylitol
Plain Popcorn
Other animal-safe food items
Wheat grass plant x2 available inexpensively from pet stores or grown from seed in advance
Celery 
Various liquids (students can use saltwater, juice, etc.)



In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
As outlined in our syllabus, students will be building models and conducting experiments which may require the use of scissors, glue, deconstructing and rebuilding, heating in a microwave or cooling in a freezer, and handling food items including but not limited to peanut butter (or alternative you supply) and popcorn. 
Star Educator
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(25)
Profile
I am a licensed science teacher with bachelor's degree and an endorsement in health & physical education. Before I became a teacher I worked with wildlife, in a microbiology lab, and also in animal welfare. I have always been called to work with... 
Group Class

$30

weekly or $450 for 30 classes
2x per week, 15 weeks
30 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 6-9
4-7 learners per class

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