Description
Second Grade Science
Melamed Academy Elementary School emphasizes a science curriculum that encourages the student to interact with the material, developing a lifelong curiosity and appreciation for the marvelous world that Hashem created for us.
Students acquire their scientific knowledge with integrated units, comprised of:
- Introductory Videos
- Informational Text
- Labs and Experiments
- Visuals and Interactives
- Review Games
- Extension: Science in Current Events
- Extension: Scientists and their Discoveries
- Science Projects, Research, and Presentations
- Mastery Quiz
Science 2 Learning Units:
Week 1: It’s Time for Science
This issue introduces students to Science Studies Weekly. Students will learn that everyone can do science and that working with others can be helpful. They will also learn that scientists can learn by observing and by doing.
Week 2: The World of Science
Students will learn about some common science tools and discuss scientific investigations. They will also learn that it is important to describe things accurately and to compare observations with others. Students will understand that it is important to repeat investigations and to expect similar results.
Week 3: Science Safety
Students will learn about the importance of safety in the science lab. They will discuss some safety equipment and learn some basic rules for staying safe when doing investigations and making observations.
Week 4: Earth
Students will identify rocks, soil, and water as the basic materials that make up Earth. Students will learn about the three layers of Earth—crust, mantle and core. They will also learn some ways that Earth changes.
Week 5: Water
Students will expand their knowledge of the Earth’s waterways—oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, etc.—and will understand that clean water is important to all living things. They will learn that water can exist as a liquid, a solid or a gas.
Week 6: Weather
Students will expand their knowledge about the types of weather that happen on Earth. They will measure and record weather conditions and use appropriate weather terminology. They will also learn about safety procedures to follow during severe weather conditions.
Week 7: Space
Students will learn that many objects are in space.They will investigate the phases of the moon and recognize its different shapes. They will describe stars in terms of brightness, size and patterns.
Week 8: The Sun
Students will learn that the sun provides light and heat for the Earth. They will discuss how the rotation of the Earth is responsible for sunrise and sunset in a 24-hour period. They will learn how rainbows are formed.
Week 9: Living Things
Students will expand their knowledge of the basic needs of all living things and how they meet those needs.They will learn that living things of all kinds have structures that serve various functions and that all living things are made of cells.
Week 10: Plants
Students will understand that many different kinds of plants live in different environments on Earth. They will identify various plant structures and the functions they perform. They will also explore the life cycles of plants.
Week 11: Animals
Students will learn that many different kinds of animals live in different environments on Earth. They will learn that many animals use plants for shelter. They will also explore the life cycles of animals.
Week 12: Your Body
Students will understand that people have different systems that perform different functions — circulation, digestion, respiration, etc. — and will recognize the parts of the body that are associated with those systems.
Week 13: Living Things Grow
Students will learn that living things need energy to grow and that they change as they grow. They will explore ways that living things get energy. They will also learn about the life cycle of humans from infancy to adulthood.
Week 14: Be Healthy
Students will learn that getting regular exercise helps us stay healthy. They will learn about foods that we should eat often and foods that we should eat less often.They will also discuss ways to avoid getting sick and understand that doctors, nurses and medicine can help us get better.
Week 15: Families
Students will recognize similarities and differences in animals and their parents. They will understand that people depend on plants, animals and each other to survive. They will also learn that people can influence the quality of life of those around them.
Week 16: Habitats
Students will learn about some of the different habitats on Earth that plants and animals call home.They will understand that we can associate living things with their environments by looking at their structures, e.g., fins and gills allow fish to swim and breathe underwater.
Week 17: Share the Earth
Students will understand that people need to use resources carefully, so that they don’t run out. They will discuss ways to conserve resources. They will also learn that some living things are in danger of becoming extinct and need to be protected.
Week 18: What Are Things Made Of?
Students will learn that all objects are made of matter and that different materials are used to make different things. They will learn that matter can exist in different states and understand the difference between solids, liquids and gases.
Week 19: Matter Changes
Students will learn that people can change some properties of matter by doing something to them, e.g., cutting, heating, freezing, etc. They will also learn that different materials respond in different ways when people try to change them. Students will understand that some materials can be mixed together and then separated again.
Week 20: Energy
Students will explore how matter and energy interact.They will learn that heat can be produced in different ways and that all living things need energy that comes from food.
Week 21: Move It
Students will discuss how things move—in a straight line, back and forth, fast, slowly, etc. They will learn that pushing or pulling can change how things are moving.They will also learn that vibrations cause sounds.
Week 22: Forces
Students will continue to explore the relationship of force and motion. They will learn about natural forces like gravity and magnets.
Week 23: Systems
Students will learn that most things are made of parts that work together and that things may not work if parts are missing. They will understand that, put together, parts can do things they couldn’t do separately. Students will learn about a model energy system such as an aquarium.
Week 24: Technology
Students will expand their knowledge of how technology can help make people’s lives better. They will discuss important changes in technology in the past and present. They will also understand that when people want to build something new, they should try to figure out how it will affect other people.