{"id":17882,"date":"2024-09-02T15:13:58","date_gmt":"2024-09-02T22:13:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundthekampfire.com\/?p=17882"},"modified":"2024-09-02T15:14:12","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T22:14:12","slug":"teaching-science-in-2nd-grade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundthekampfire.com\/teaching-science-in-2nd-grade\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Science In 2nd Grade: 6 Things to Do First"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all know how jam-packed our classroom schedules can get, and it often feels like science gets squeezed out amidst reading and math. But don\u2019t worry! With a bit of creativity and planning, you can seamlessly integrate science into your day without added stress. In this blog post, I’ll share some practical tips to help you carve out time for teaching science in 2nd grade, get familiar with your standards, and make the most of the resources and materials you have. Let’s make science an exciting and integral part of your students’ learning journey!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Teaching Science in 2nd Grade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. Carve out time in your schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Often younger grades don\u2019t have a set time in their schedule for science. For several years I had 45 minutes twice a week to teach science. I had to find other ways to fit science into a full classroom schedule<\/a>. I saved those two days each week for projects, experiments, and STEM activities and found ways to embed my science content into other subjects during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my reading block, I often used science readers and science-related reading passages to teach several reading standards, practice close reading skills, and for building vocabulary and reading comprehension. Science topics lend themselves well to teaching cause and effect, fact and opinion, main idea, and non-fiction text features as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Learn the science standards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In second grade science, our students learn about several different topics. We teach the structure and properties of matter, habitats and ecosystems, landforms and Earth changes, and the life cycles, needs, and interdependence of plants and animals. Each topic is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards<\/a> for 2nd<\/sup> Grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We begin the school year teaching about scientists, science processes, and the scientific method. During that time students also learn about science tools and science safety<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I\u2019ve put together lesson ideas for each of these topics here on the blog: force & motion<\/a>, engineering design<\/a>, properties of matter<\/a>, landforms & Earth changes<\/a>, habitats & ecosystems<\/a>, and plant and animal interdependence<\/a>. See blog posts with third grade lesson ideas for inherited traits<\/a>, weather & climate<\/a>, and environments, survival<\/a>, and fossil evidence<\/a> at each of the links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.\u00a0Find a curriculum to use if your school doesn\u2019t provide it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although this is changing, few states have as rigorous requirements for science as they do for reading, writing, and math. These math and ELA are prioritized in elementary classrooms and when purchasing curriculum. A lot of teachers either don\u2019t have a curriculum, or they have old and outdated materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most elementary school teachers don\u2019t have a science background and without a proper curriculum, teaching science in 2nd grade can be a struggle as well as a steep learning curve. I spent several years learning everything I could about the NGSS. I then created an in-depth science curriculum for second grade<\/a> and third grade<\/a>. Each unit in the series includes detailed lesson plans, teaching slides, student workbooks, assessments, hands-on activities and experiments, and STEM labs for each lesson. The yearlong series is closely aligned to NGSS and many state science standards. Each unit is available separately or in a money saving bundle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Plan your procedures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you introduce science<\/a> and start your lessons for the year, plan the rules and procedures you will use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n