Properties of Matter with 2nd Grade

Why Do we Wear Clothes? is a Mystery Science lesson that always grabs the attention of 2nd graders. There are giggles and laughs but what a great introduction to properties of matter. We talk about attributes of materials and when we use various materials based on need. During the lesson we are stranded at sea on our cruise ship. We only have some miscellaneous supplies and we need to make a hat to protect us from the heat, water, and grueling sun. We needed to test which materials would be best and then use our creativity to build a hat with the best supplies to keep our heads and necks protected.

After we talk about which materials were soft as to not scratch our head. Which material was absorbent since we would sweat. Which material would extend past our heads so we could stop squinting. The reflection piece is my favorite tot hear their thoughts and what they would change next time. If they get stranded these 2nd graders know what to do.

You have heard that saying Could you really fry an egg on the sidewalk? This leads us into testing the cold and hot of various materials to be an insulator. What a great way to use water bottles, tin foil, socks, and styrofoam cups to test our best guess. The funniest is when you try to get them to put socks on their hands. Mind you these socks have never been on feet, they are only used for this experiment. The faces they make are priceless. Oh and trying to get them to close their eyes as their partner slides the hot or cold cup is tough for them, you know they want to be right. The lesson is on what makes the best insulator and they are having fun experimenting.

Our properties of matter unit ends with a challenge of making the tallest tower with only index cards and paper clips.  Every group receives the same materials and we quickly learn that folding and bending can make the card stronger.  With partners they are to build the tallest stack. I got to see teamwork, collaboration, problem solving, measuring and perseverance while their towers toppled over. They were a bit surprised how you could stack index cards by rolling them, folding them, or bending them.

Non-standard measurement playtime

One of the toughest concepts for a child is non-standard measurement.  Maybe because they have a hard time estimating or maybe because we change the measuring instrument from small things to larger. Well, we have been busy in science talking about measuring different things and changing the measuring tool.  We have worked with links, pretzels, and even tile pieces.  Take a look at our scientists at work measuring.  At one point, we had to predict how many pretzel sticks it would take to measure the length of a rake.  Do you have an estimate?  Check back next week and see if your estimate comes close.

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