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Science Update: 9/15/25 - 9/18/25

This week, we will continue exploring our unit on States of Matter. Students will investigate how water and other materials can change form, and how people use materials in everyday life.

Our focuses for this week:

🌊 Bodies of Water and the Arctic

We will explore how different bodies of water are found around the Earth and can exist as liquids or solids.
We will study the Arctic and observe how animals interact with water in many ways—such as swimming in it, resting on ice, or building homes in snowbanks.

🔥 Heating and Cooling Materials

We will observe what happens when different materials are heated and cooled.
Students will discover that some materials change permanently, while others can reverse changes—like water moving from solid to liquid and back again.
At home, families can extend learning by noticing which foods change permanently when cooked (like eggs) and which can change back and forth (like chocolate).

🧸 Why Are So Many Toys Made of Plastic?

We will learn about the history of toy-making and how the invention of plastic made it possible to mass-produce toys.
Together, we will solve the mystery question, “Why are so many toys made of plastic?”
To wrap up, students will test the melting properties of different candies to investigate this concept hands-on.

Learning Targets:

I can explain that water can be a solid or liquid and describe how animals use water in their environment.
I can observe what happens when materials are heated or cooled and explain which changes can be reversed.
I can explain why many toys are made of plastic and describe how useful plastic is in everyday life.

Science at Home:
At home, take time to notice everyday materials and how they change. Talk with your child about:

Bodies of water you see nearby (puddles, ponds, streams) and how people and animals use them.
Foods you cook — Which ones change permanently (like eggs) and which can change back and forth (like chocolate)?
Toys in your home — Which ones are made of plastic? Why might plastic be a good material for that toy?

Service Learning:

There will not be a service learning lesson/activity this week, since Friday is a half-day for students.

SS & Sci Update 9/8/25 - 9/12/25

🗺️ On Monday, students will take the Post-Test for our Geography unit.

On Tuesday, we will begin our first Science Unit, “Matter and Materials,” focusing on Physical Science. In this unit, students will learn that matter exists as different substances that have observable properties.

Our focuses for this week:

We will first take a virtual tour of a foundry to make observations about the hot work that takes place there. We will generate observations and questions about how foundry workers stay safe in such extreme heat. We will write and discuss our initial thoughts about what foundry workers wear, and how it protects them.

Then we will plan and investigate the properties of various materials.
- We begin by exploring different materials and grouping them into categories.
- We then explore specific properties of materials used for clothing, such as texture, flexibility, and absorbency.
- We use this information to design and build a hat that protects from the Sun.

Service Learning:

Our service-learning topic for 2nd grade is community appreciation. We will be learning what communities are and working together to support and appreciate them.

This week in service learning, think about their own strengths and create a goal for helping the community.

Learning target: Identify one personal goal for how we can help community helpers. Understand that everyone has unique strengths they can share.