STEM Challenge Days 1 and 2

This week we have been working on a STEM challenge during our Power Hour time.  The students were split into teams and given a challenge: Create the tallest freestanding tower in second grade.  Throughout this week, they will be making prototypes out of different materials, to see which ones they would like to use for their final tower, on Friday.

Yesterday we started off by using marshmallows and toothpicks.  I was impressed by how well some groups worked together, and also by how creative the students were.  The tallest tower of the day measured 7.5 inches tall.  We learned a lot from trial and error!

Today, students were given marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti to create their towers.  This was, I admit, a failure.  One group of students was able to make a tower that stood 13.5 inches.  However, the rest of the towers fell flat.  Literally!  We learned a LOT from using these materials!  First, the noodles were not strong enough to hold more than one marshmallow.  They kept snapping and toppling whenever they tried to add more levels.  Also, spaghetti noodles and marshmallows are a PAIN to clean up!  Luckily, I have lots of good helpers and we were able to get everything cleaned up in about 20 min.  (Thanks to the help of Miss Lesa's vacuum!)  After we cleaned up, we sat down and talked about what we learned from today's prototypes.  We came to a consensus that spaghetti noodles are not going to be used for the real towers on Friday!  I also related this to Thomas Edison inventing the lightbulb.  He didn't fail, he just found 10,000 different ways that didn't work!

MLK Day

Today, we didn't have Power Hour, so we took some time to learn about an everyday hero, Martin Luther King Jr.  We learned about how he dedicated his life to helping the world become a better, more inclusive place.  We discussed how over time, through the help of Dr. King, our country banned segregation.  I was impressed with the comments students made about judging others by their looks.  I am lucky to teach such amazing, open minded students!  We also discussed how we want to make sure we are always judging people by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin (or other physical attributes).  To go along with this discussion, each student created a set of hands to represent themselves.  I didn't give a lot of guidance with this activity because I wanted to see what they came up with.  Many students put their names, favorite colors, interests etc.  Others put things that are important to them in their lives.  I LOVE the way it turned out!  I glued them all to our door, along with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.  I hope this is something we can all strive to remember and apply into our lives!  Happy MLK Day Monday!

Instant Snow!

On Wednesday, we continued our exploration of matter!  This time, students were given a cup of water and a cup of "mystery matter".  They observed both and drew models on their posters.  Then, we predicted what would happen to the water and mystery matter when they were combined.  It was SO fun to watch their reactions when they poured the Instant Snow into the water and watched it "grow"!

Then, we discussed what type of matter the Instant Snow was.  Solid?  Liquid?  (We eliminated gas right off the bat).  In the end, we decided that since each tiny particle of instant snow had its own shape, it would be considered a solid.  We also decided to let the snow sit out for a few days to see what will happen to it.  Some students think it will keep growing, others think it may turn back into powder!

If anyone would like to purchase Instant Snow to try at home, you can get it at Hobby Lobby! You can also put food coloring in your water to tint your snow.

Salty Water

We have started a new science unit this week, and we are all pretty excited about it!  To start off our unit on matter, students made some observations on two different types of matter: Epsom salt and water.  First, each group was given a cup of salt to observe.  They used their senses to describe the salt, and drew a model of it as a group.  Then, they did the same thing with some warm water.  After they had recorded their findings, we combined the water and the salt.  They stirred to see what would happen.  Most of the students knew that the salt would "disappear" but we had a great conversation about what actually happened to the salt!  Some described it as "melting" into the water.  :)  Our salty water is still sitting at the back of our classroom.  We are hoping that over the next few days, or weeks, it will change again!

Christmas Partying!

We had the BEST day on the last day of school before the break!  I am still recovering from all of the fun, which is why I am just now posting! :)  We started off our morning with our class party, put together by our amazing room mom and mom volunteers!  Students got to make candy cane reindeer, santa handprint ornaments, and decorate bags to hold it all!  They also got to play some fun snowball and jingle bell games!  I was so impressed by how many parents showed up to help!

Next, we went caroling in the lunchroom with the rest of the school.  This is one of our most treasured, Woodruff traditions!  2nd Grade sang "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" and the teachers did a special "12 Days of Christmas" performance.

After lunch students came in and we filled out some pretend passports for our Christmas Around the World activity.  This is another one of my favorite things we do during the year.  First, our class went and "visited" Mexico in Miss Wooten's room.  Then they "traveled" to Mrs. Olsen's room, in Finland.  After that they "jetted" to Miss King's room for a little African holiday fun!  Next they "zoomed" to Miss Pierce's room to learn all about England's holiday traditions!  Last, they "flew" back to my classroom to learn about Denmark and the fun Christmas traditions people participate in there.  They learned about the Nissa Man and got to try a traditional danish aebleskiver (like a pancake).  We had so much fun!

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas!  Thanks to all of you who sent me gifts!  I felt so loved and special!