2 年生の理科 - 第 1 学期の総合科学/STEM (パート 2)

*This is part two of first semester. It is NOT necessary that learners complete part one first. All learners are welcome.*

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. Habitats
2. Earth's Systems: Processes that Shape the Earth
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 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 Earth's Processes they will create a model of a volcano or earthquake (engineering) and determine how the earth has changed over time due to its processes (crosscutting concept).

Specific weekly objectives for this course:
1. Review of content from the first 9 weeks (matter, what plants need to grow, pollination).
2. Identify Earth's Processes (volcanic eruptions and earthquakes).
3. Create a model of either a volcano or an earthquake. Learner will choose the process to create a model and present to the class next week. 
4. Presentations from class 3 project.
5. Investigate how wind and water can change the shape of the land.
6. Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land.
7. Understand the roles of water in Earth's surface processes.
8. Create an argument to support and defend a plan to stop flooding in a particular area. Learner will be given a scenario and will spend time in class researching and writing an argument.
9. Share arguments from week 8.

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.