Second Grade Science-First Semester Comprehensive Science/STEM (Part One)

The learners in this class will remain the same throughout the 9 weeks to form a group of learners. The learners will build connections and gain social skills as science is taught. Collaboration and team work will be promoted in each class. This class is excellent for home-school/unschooling families as well as learners who are interested in science enrichment or extension.

Second grade science topics taught in this 9 week class include:

1. Structure and Properties of Matter
2. Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
3. Engineering Design 

The Next Generation Science Standards (nextgenscience.org) will be used to guide course instruction and ensure learners have the needed skills for the next 9 weeks of this course, second semester courses and third grade.

In keeping with the Next Generation Science standards, science and engineering practices along with crosscutting concepts will be incorporated as learners participate in class. For example, when learners study ecosystems they will create a model which mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants (engineering) and determine the cause over time which affect how animals have changed (crosscutting concept).

Specific weekly objectives for this course:
1. Investigate and identify different types of matter.
2. Sort a variety of matter into groups to tell their characteristics.
3. Make observations to construct an evidence-based account of how an object made of a small set of pieces can be
disassembled and made into a new object.
4. Construct an argument with evidence that some changes caused by heating or cooling can be reversed and some
cannot. (A heating element will be needed this week. Water will be heated and cooled. Adult supervision and guidance will be required.)
5. Identify what plants need to grow.
6. I can tell the parts of a plant and their purpose. 
7. Investigate how plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around.
8. Project introduction:  Create a model of of a plant inclusive of the structures plants have to support life in a diverse habitat. Time will be provided to work on project. 
9. Complete projects and share with the class. Celebrate a successful 9 weeks!

The class will be structured as teacher facilitated and interactive. Learners will be engaged in games, discussions, videos and hands-on projects. My teaching style is relaxed and inclusive. I encourage learner participation and questions. The classroom is 'ours' not 'mine'. Learners will have many opportunities to interact with me and their classmates each week.