Science Museum of Long Island

We always LOVE a good field trip here in Class 2H, and yesterday was no exception, as we experienced a TERRIFIC field trip at the Science Museum of Long Island.  Our second grade scientists witnessed science come to life, literally, with cockroaches and snakes...OH MY!!! 
This amazing hands-on experience immersed our second graders in three separate learning activities throughout the day.  First, we got to "travel" to the tropical rain forests of our planet, where we learned about the diverse layers of that ecosystem, as well as the various animal species that call the rainforest home.  We also got up close and personal with a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach and a snake!!  Next, we traveled back in time to discover the dinosaurs.  Not only did we get to classify fossils into groups of "fake" and "real," but we also got to categorize our fossils as being derived from plants or animals.  We even got to make our very own "fossils," while discussing how and why scientists use fossils to learn new things about life from the past! Finally, after a much a needed lunch, we talked about the scientific properties of the gak and flubber that we concocted!! Did flubber or gak bounce better?  Did gak or flubber stretch more easily?  Just ask our young scientists!  What was our favorite learning experience of the day?  It's too close to call!  Check out our kids in action and you can decide for yourself!!  #scienceisfun!

Our Ride in the Rainforest

Did you know that the rainforests contain over half of the diverse species of animals in the world, but the rainforests only make up about 7% our world?!

Fantastic Fossils

Do you see that giant shark tooth that George and Arjun are examining?  It is actually a REAL fossilized tooth from an actual megalodon!  Jaws has nothing on that monster!!

Slime, Goo, and Ooze

It's amazing what a little borax and glue can do!

The Science Museum of Long Island is located in Plandome, right near Manhasset.  Though it is called a "museum," the location is more like a cluster of classrooms than a typical museum.  SMLI offers many weekend and summer activities/programs in a wide array of scientific areas.  If your child enjoyed yesterday's field trip, you might want to consider checking out more of what the museum has to offer!  Our scientists love to explore :)

Astounding Astronomy!

Our second grade astronauts have been immersed in a vast variety of amazing astronomy activities for the past few weeks.  From comets to constellations, we have been intergalactic explorers, having an absolute BLAST learning about our solar system.  We wanted to share with you some of the awesome activities we experienced.  Maybe we can even teach you a thing or two about our galaxy ;)  

Come take a ride with us as we ROCKET back to the past to share our learning with you. Houston, we are ready for lift-off in 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...BLAST OFF!!


Our first activity was to use different-sized sports balls to demonstrate the number of planets in our solar system and their relative sizes.  Can you recognize which ball is actually a star, the largest in our solar system but only medium-sized?

Then, we bundled up and went outside to make a human solar system.  We acted out the difference between "rotation" and "revolution."  Then we role-played and took turns becoming all 8 planets orbiting the sun.  Here we are revolving AND rotating around our sun...Levy is just a ball of sunshine ;)

During our next lesson, we used a mnemonic device to remember the order of the planets from the sun.  We had fun using a velcro solar system to place the planets in their correct orbits.  We even solved planet riddles!  You try- Which planet is the fourth planet from the sun and nicknamed "The Red Planet?"

The following week, we focused on the phases of the moon.  To do this, we turned to a favorite snack in Class 2H...the OREO!  It was "sweet" molding our Oreo cream to resemble the different phases of the moon.  We also discussed the terms "waxing" and "waning."  Remember- the earth revolves around the sun, and the moon revolves around the earth.  Check out our Oreo creations below!

After the holiday break, we continued our planetary studies, but our focus shifted to the constellations.  Not only did we use star stickers and chalk to create our favorite constellations from trading cards, but we were also lucky enough to participate in the Star Lab.  We converted our very own Seaman gym into a stellar night sky.  In our star lab, our space expert, Ms. Lynn, taught us all about stars, constellations, and Greek myths.  We learned so many cool facts.  We even learned how to find constellations in our night sky here on Long Island.  First face south, then look for Orion's belt.  That's the key to a successful stargazing session!  Check out some pics below!

Finally, we came to the end of our astronomy unit this week.  In celebration, we followed "How To" directions in order to make galaxy play-dough!  By using black food coloring and purple glitter, we created a unique play-dough experience.  You can even add marbles or plastic glow-in-the-dark stars to really bring your space scene to life!  Good fun for everyone!

Thanks for blasting to the past with us on our space journey!  We are now re-entering the earth's atmosphere.  Hope you enjoyed the ride :)  We look forward to continuing our scientific studies next week.  Stay tuned as our meteorologists become weather experts.  Hopefully, the spring weather is just around the corner.

Thanks for visiting!!  Hope to see you again soon!!

Class 2-H is having an absolute BLAST with our new "How To" writing unit.  So far, we've completed some pretty "sweet" activities that we wanted to share with our friends and families.  Last week, we took a poll of our favorite ways to eat an Oreo cookie.  After gathering the data, we then created two different bar graphs.  One was completed by hand, as we learned that every bar graph must contain a title, as well as a labeled x- axis and a labeled y-axis.  Next, we used Microsoft Excel during Computers to graph our data digitally.  Finally, we completed our own cookie books on "How To Eat An Oreo."  Check out our finished product on the Oreo poster that was sent home today.  Now, we want to turn the question over to you- How do you like to eat your Oreos???

Today, we continued our "How To" unit during Writer's Workshop with winter-themed sweetness.  In order to welcome in the cold, snowy season that is winter, the children were given materials and shown a model of a marshmallow snowman.  Then, working collaboratively with their table, they planned, assembled, and recorded "How To" instructions for this kid-friendly craft.  We all worked together as a team and turned out terrific first drafts.  We've even begun to experiment with adding introductions and conclusions to our "How To" pieces!  Check out these adorable, edible snowmen which were sent home today.  You can even have your second grader show other children "how to" make this awesome seasonal craft over the Winter Break! 

Our work during this unit has been nothing short of impressive!  We can't wait until after the vacation so that we can start brainstorming our personal "How To" projects :)  

Enjoy the photos below.  Class 2-H wishes everyone a happy, healthy New Year!!!  See you in 2014!!!

Brendan acting as "recorder" for the Goofy table,
while Ava begins building!

George adding sprinkles for the "charcoal" mouth...

Jade- add a mouth so your snowman can smile and say cheese!

Ben, are you trying to hide behind the snowman?
Hope it doesn't melt on you!

Phoebe is carefully adding arms...are
they made of sticks or pretzels though??

The Woody table recording their "How To" steps.

Levy, your snowman has a scarf...time to add a hat??

Buzz's finished products!!!

Mickey Mouse's snowmen look good enough
to eat!!

The Goofy table has 4 happy kids and 4 sweet snowmen!

The Woody table is ready for the winter!!

WOW!!!  Don't forget to eat your treats before they melt :)


HAPPY WINTER!!!