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Keeping the attention of second graders is tough- but tougher still if they
have things that are cool in their hands.
Never pass out or distribute materials until you go over the rules for
handling them.
I found great success in showing 4 small groups how to work with the
materials at a time at the horseshoe table in the back. I introduced the
lesson whole group, on the mat away from desks, prefacing that best behaved
student groups were to be called to the back first.
While a group was working in the back, other groups were reading science
content books on the subject and preparing their journals (date, copying
the stems for observations, questions, and observational drawings.
Also- why not have extra soaked seeds so all can explore the layers of a
seed? I do that the day before. Peeling off the outer layer of a Lima bean
and looking at the translucent layer up to the light or with hand lenses
could be an activity they do at their desks as you manage groups one at a
time. Why IS that layer so thin? Looking closely at the little plant
inside... all great learning. They can date and record their observations,
make sketches, label parts, record steps in the process, form hypotheses,
etc.
While they’re doing this, you are with a small group. After all 4 groups
have gone and set a seed up for growth, you share out observations and
questions. Use the inquiry method to design further investigations.
You can show something like the seed coat under a projection microscope
afterwards for full class discussion, looking at pores and veins, etc.
At the end, I give a sticker to each member of the best small table group
for super scientists work. Sharing and handling materials well, book
research, careful journal entries, behavior, following directions,
teamwork...
Be aware, this activity may have already been done in first grade, as it’s
pretty basic, and there’s a prior experience with plant structures in the
NGSS sequence. Boredom can also lead to misbehavior.
Tips for collecting all materials in an orderly way: Assign 2 students at
each table group of 4 or 5 to collect and responsibly return materials. One
student at the depository site to ensure it’s neat and orderly. Another
collects all the journals from their group while two others put them in
number (abc) order. That eliminates “I can’t find my journal” woes. It also
is handy for you to look at and grade all journal entries and provide
comments and feedback.
Hope this helps!! Remember to set expectations, procedures, and objectives
firmly from the start. It makes it easier on everyone. Feel free to email
me if you have any questions.
Karen
(Former second grade teacher and science leader)
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