Get ready, young scientists! In Grade 2, we're embarking on an exciting journey into the world of physical properties. This unit, ‘Investigating Physical Properties,' will help us understand the amazing materials all around us.
We'll start by becoming experts at classifying matter. You'll learn to describe and sort objects based on their texture(how they feel, like bumpy, smooth, rough, or soft), flexibility (whether they bend easily or are rigid), and relative temperature (if they feel cooler or warmer). We'll formally introduce the concept of matter – anything that has mass and takes up space – and classify materials as either a solid or a liquid, focusing on whether they maintain or change their shape.
But that's not all! We'll then explore how we can change these physical properties. You'll get hands-on experience altering objects by cutting, folding, and sanding them to change their shape, size, or texture. We'll also investigate fascinating changes of state, like turning liquids into solids through freezing and solids into liquids through melting, using materials such as water or wax.
Finally, you'll become amazing engineers! We'll learn how to combine and reassemble small objects like blocks or craft materials to build brand new, larger objects for various purposes. The best part? You'll get to explain why you chose specific materials based on their unique physical properties, just like real designers and builders!
This unit is designed for hands-on investigation, with students spending 80% of their instructional time engaged in active learning. This crucial unit will help you develop a strong foundation for describing and manipulating the world around you, paving the way for understanding more complex scientific concepts in future grades, such as sound interactions, density, and changes of state like evaporation. Get ready to observe, experiment, and create!
Learning the Facts about Identifying Physical Properties of Objects
Okay, “Guided Research” sounds like a super formal term… but what it really means is that these are the activities that we do together as a class and there is typically a right or wrong answer.
This is where I introduce new vocabulary using my teaching posters and I am “guiding” students through books or videos to find new information.
These activities are completed at the beginning of the unit when students are just starting to build their knowledge base, so these activities might seem easy, but remember, they are BUILDING their knowledge on the subject.
I love using fill in the blank activities like the “Words to Know” activity that directly correlates with an easy to use Vocabulary Teaching Poster.
As a first grade teachers, I found my self scrambling (struggling if I'm being honest) to find resources that explained the topics that my worksheet activities addressed, so…
I created Teaching Posters with definitions and GREAT visuals that go along with each and every activity! This unit is truly an all-in-one unit, including answer keys which make it super easy to leave for a subsitute!
Addressing Misconceptions about Physical Properties
Misconceptions can be a valuable asset in the learning process. By identifying and addressing these pre-existing ideas, teachers can create a more engaging and effective learning environment.
Through strategies like pre-assessments, discussions, and real-world examples, teachers can challenge misconceptions and foster critical thinking.
Encouraging students to share their thoughts and debate alternative viewpoints creates a safe space for learning and growth.
By providing opportunities for reflection and revision, students can solidify their understanding and develop a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the physical properties of objects.
Interactive Physical Properties of Objects Journals and Cut and Paste Activities
Next up comes cut and paste activities. These are PERFECT for when students are ready to become a little more independent.
(and for those who are a little less independent, this is a good practice for following directions – my best tip is to highlight the cuts with them first so that they cut away all the trash and throw the trash away before cutting the individual pieces apart)
You can still complete these together as a class, OR you can have students complete the activities independent FOR… wait for….
EXTRA INTERVENTION time for math and reading!!
What??
YES! I use my last 30 minutes of the day (for social studies or science) to sneak in a little more intervention time.
I get my students going on an independent activity such as a cut and paste, then I pull back a group of 3-4 students for extra reading or math intervention rather than having them complete the social studies activity… because what's really more important?
You can read more here:
Independent Writing about Physical Properties of Objects
I always love to wrap up my first grade Identifying Physical Properties of Objects unit with a creative writing activity which I encourage students to complete as independent writing.
I feel like this is the optimal way for students to show me what they have learned and also improve on their writing skills!
For students who are pretty independent, I let them work on their own. For students who are struggling a little bit, I provide them with sentence stems to help generate their own responses.
I always like to encourage students to use real life examples in their writing which is SO easy because properties of objects examples are all around us!
Here are some specific ways to incorporate writing into science in second grade:
- Science Journals: Have students keep a science journal to record observations, predictions, questions, and reflections on experiments and activities.
- Descriptive Writing: Ask students to write detailed descriptions of objects, organisms, or phenomena they observe in nature or during experiments.
- Narrative Writing: Have students write stories about scientific concepts or their own science experiments.
- Expository Writing: Guide students in writing informative reports or explanations of scientific topics.
- Persuasive Writing: Encourage students to write persuasive arguments about science-related issues, such as the importance of recycling or the dangers of pollution.
By incorporating writing into science, you can create a more engaging and effective learning experience for your second-grade students.
Physical Properties Check In (Assessment Activities)
3 Reasons you should have your 2nd grade students completing short answer assessments:
Short answer activities are a valuable tool for developing critical thinking and writing skills in second-grade students. Here's why they're important:
1. Comprehension and Analysis:
- Short answer questions require students to process information, identify key details, and understand the overall meaning of a text.
- This encourages them to think critically about what they've read and form their own interpretations.
2. Writing Skills Development:
- Short answer activities provide opportunities for students to practice writing concise and coherent responses.
- They learn to organize their thoughts, use appropriate language, and express their ideas clearly.
- This lays the foundation for more complex writing tasks in the future.
3. Critical Thinking:
- Short answer questions often ask students to explain, compare, or evaluate information.
- This encourages them to think beyond simple recall and develop higher-order thinking skills.
Physical Properties of Objects Activities
Unlock the fascinating world of matter for your 2nd graders with this all-inclusive “Investigating Physical Properties” unit!
Dive into engaging, hands-on activitieswhere students will formally learn that matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. They will explore how to classify matter by observable physical properties, focusing on texture, flexibility, and relative temperature.
Here’s what you’ll get:
· Teaching Posters
· Printable Worksheets
· Informational and Creative Writing Pages
· Interactive Journals
· Answer Keys
More First Grade Science Favorites
