Geometric Building

We are enjoying geometry!  Students have been exploring their plane figures, and have discovered that they can build structures.  It was fun to watch students stack their blocks in a variety of combinations.  Here are a couple of photos that show some of the creations that students created. 

Properties of Matter

Matter is made up of many different properties!  We have discovered that matter can be hard, soft, bumpy, cold, smooth, flexible, different colors, absorbent, heavy, and light.  We decided to compare different solids.  During this experiment we paid attention to texture, color, and flexibility for 10 different solid forms of matter.

We noticed that a cotton ball and a marble are both spheres, but they each have differing properties.  A cotton ball is soft, squishy, light, and does not roll.  A marble, we discovered, is hard, round, smooth, and rolls.  We also discussed where we might use a marble and where we might use a cotton ball.  A marble works best in a game, or a marble track, instead of a cotton ball. 

Store Time!

The students work hard each day to earn coins for the good choices they make and for their reading that they have accomplished.  Students are then able to spend their money in the classroom store!  We have store time twice a month.  Students are able to come and shop, when they know how many coins they can spend.  They must always have five coins saved, that they are not able to spend.  This past Friday was our first store time of the new year.

What's the most popular purchase?  Squishies seem to always be at the top of the list.  Light sticks, markers, pens, and fidget spinners have also be favorite purchases as well.  I am always looking for store supplies.  I was asked, recently, where I find items.  I peruse our local Dollar Tree, Target dollar bins, and Oriental Trading for fun buys.  I love finding fun, unique items for the kids to purchase!  This picture shows how I set up the store, when it is open. 

Snowman Bags

During our STREAM time today, we explored a reaction between vinegar and baking soda.  Students created a baking soda "bomb" from a tissue square and baking soda.  They decorated a zipper bag with a snowman face, and added their baking soda bomb to their bag.  

Next, each student was given a squeeze bottle of about 1/4 cup of vinegar.  The bag was sealed, except for a small corner.  We added the vinegar to the bag outside, and then sealed the bag completely.  Students shook their bags and observed what happened when the vinegar and baking soda mixed.  We discovered that a gas was formed: carbon dioxide!

This experiment was a great example of all three states of matter.  We have been discussing states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.  Today, in this experiment, we observed what happens when a solid (baking soda) combines with a liquid (vinegar) to create a gas (carbon dioxide).  Matter is magnificent! 

Snowflake Symmetry

Did you realize that snowflakes are created from geometric shapes?  Did you know that every snowflake is symmetrical?  Most people realize that each snowflake is unique.  However, did we ever stop to explore how symmetry and geometry are part of snowflakes?

We learned about Willie Bentley's work with photography, actually microphotography, of snowflakes.  Wow!  The detail is amazing and miraculous.  Students observed snowflake photos, and then cut geometric shapes out to create their own paper snowflake on black paper.

Our math chapter is geometry.  We began this chapter on Monday.  We are super excited to explore shapes in new and exciting ways.  Snowflakes are full of geometric possibilities! 

Matter Really Matters!

What is our world made of?  What do we see that surrounds us?  What is in the things that are around us?  These were questions that we explored today.  Students thought about the things they see, and wrote one item on each post it note.  

Here are some of the things that we wrote on our notes: dirt, water, trees, grass, weeds, rocks, clay, food, people, concrete, flowers, metal and magnets.  Each student completed at least one note, but many completed more than one.  This is the first lesson in our unit on matter!  Next up, we are exploring solids, liquids, and gases.  We will be categorizing the items (matter) around us into these three states.  So, matter really matters! 

Birthday Blessings

We enjoyed a great start to our second semester, second day of school, in second grade: a birthday!!  We learned about a fabulous watch that takes pictures and videos, and counts your steps.  It also shows you the time on a real clock!  We enjoyed chocolate or a white cupcake, and learned that a favorite sweet is ice cream.  YUM!  Happy birthday blessings to this wonderful lady!