Second Grade Science

We live in a dynamic world where everything is in motion, or so it seems. But not everything is moving the same way. Some things move from one place to another. Other things rotate around and around. Still other things are stationary, stable for a time, balanced on a thin line between stop and go. These are the global phenomena that students experience in the Balance and Motion Module.

FOSS expects students to

• Measure linear distance using standard metric units.
• Explore concepts of position, balance, counterweight, and stability.
• Observe and describe systems that are unstable and modify them to reach equilibrium by changing the position of counterweights.
• Observe that objects fall to the ground due to the force of gravity unless something holds them up.
• Discover different ways to produce rotational motion using forces (pushes and pulls).
• Construct and observe toys that spin, and explore and describe some of the variables that influence the spinning of objects.
• Observe and compare rolling systems with different-size wheels.
• Explore and describe the motion of rolling spheres.
• Investigate sound pitch and volume in terms of vibration.
• Investigate magnetic force and observe how it can make things move at a distance.
• Know examples of how tools and machines are used to make things move.
• Predict motion based on patterns.

The Insects and Plants Module provides experiences that heighten students' awareness of the living world. They come to know firsthand the life sequences of a number of insects. Four investigations introduce an insect and students observe structures and behaviors, discuss their findings, and record observations over time. Students see the life cycle of insects unfold and compare the stages of metamorphosis exhibited by each species. At the same time, students grow a plant from seeds and observe brassica go through its life cycle to produce new seeds. Students relate these firsthand experiences to information they gather from reading about life cycles of other plants and animals.

FOSS expects students to

• Develop a curiosity and interest in insects and flowering plants and an appreciation for them as living things.
• Provide for the needs of insects and plants and observe them over time.
• Observe the similarities and differences of the life sequences that different types of insects exhibit (simple and complete metamorphosis).
• Compare the life cycles of different kinds of animals and learn that organisms reproduce offspring of their own kind.
• Learn that some characteristics of organisms are inherited from parents and others are caused by the environment.
• Observe variations within a group of insects.
• Organize and communicate observations through drawing and writing and use bar graphs to record data.
• Follow oral instructions for life science investigations.
• Measure and record temperature in degrees Celsius.
• Write or draw a sequence of steps for an event.
• Use magnifiers to observe and draw organisms.
• Acquire the vocabulary associated with the structures and life cycles of animals and flowering plants.

The Pebbles, Sand, and Silt Module consists of four sequential investigations, each designed to introduce concepts in earth science. The investigations provide experiences that heighten students' awareness of rocks as earth materials and natural resources. They will come to know rocks by many names and in a variety of sizes. Pebbles and sand are the same material - just different in size.

FOSS expects students to

• Develop a curiosity and interest in the physical world around them.
• Observe, describe, and sort earth materials based on properties.
• Separate earth materials by size, using different techniques.
• Observe the similarities and differences in the materials in a river rock mixture: silt, sand, gravel, and small and large pebbles.
• Explore places where earth materials are found and ways that earth materials are used.
• Compare the ingredients in different soils.
• Organize and communicate observations through drawing and writing.
• Acquire the vocabulary associated with earth materials.