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Inventors Thematic Unit:: Grade 2
Inventors Thematic Unit:: Grade 2
Thematic Unit:
Grade 2
Ellie Swanson
Education 385
Table of Contents
Lesson
Page Number(s)
Parent Letter
4-5
6-9
10-13
14-16
17-24
25-28
Geometry Lesson
29-32
Literature Lesson
33-37
38-40
PBL Lesson
41-48
Webquest Lesson
49
2
Assessment
50-52
May 1, 2017
Through hands on discoveries, your children will investigate these big ideas:
1. Motion of objects and how they can be observed and measured.
2. Plants and animals life cycles.
3. Different types of geometric shapes.
4. Impressionists and creating their own works of art.
5. Individual action and character of people who make a difference, such
as George Washington Carver and Benjamin Franklin.
By meeting these big ideas, developed from the California State and Common
Core Standards, your children will broaden their academic knowledge and
further their development as a good citizen.
The unit project will challenge the childrens creativity and knowledge.
Children will create a prototype of their own invention. All materials will be
supplied in class and at the completion of the unit we will have a Project
Night to showcase the classs inventions. The date will be announced later in
the month with a formal invitation.
Keep an eye out for some of our Inventor work to be posted outside and in
our classroom towards the middle of May. I am excited to share this fun,
thematic unit with your children. Thank you for all you do to continue to
support our second graders!
Best,
Miss Swanson
Ellie Swanson
Lets Talk About Position Science Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
2PS1.a Physical Sciences- Students know the position of an object can be
scientific investigation.
Objectives:
The students will learn how to describe the position of objects in relation to
Anticipatory Set:
o Before we start inventing we must know how to describe our future
inventions using position words.
o Activate Prior Knowledge: Students will utilize their prior
knowledge through a directed inquiry exercise.
Guided Practice:
o Ask children to identify other opposites that could be used to
describe an objects position then add word pairs to classroom
word wall.
Closure:
o Share and partner talk about how an object that does not move
can help you describe position. Why can there be more than one
description of the position of an object?
Independent Practice:
o Ask children to write a short paragraph describing the given
picture (can discuss topics with partner). Rubric on pg 10 of Grade
2, California Science Book, Unit A. Have them hand in this before
the lesson ends- it is the assessment.
Differentiation Strategies:
For students with special needs, before describing the positions of the
objects in the room and after the directed inquiry the children can place a
book on their desk. Ask them to place another object, such as a ruler, to
the right of the book. Explain to children that the ruler is to the right of the
book. Repeat using other direction words.
For students who are advanced learners help them understand that
where they sit or stand in relation to an object will affect their description
of the objects position. Have a volunteer choose an object, such as his
or her desk and sit in front of it. Ask him or her to describe the position.
Then have another child move to a spot behind or to the left or right of
the object and describe the position again. Discuss with children that
For English learners introduce the term behind. Say the word as you
stand behind your desk: I am behind my desk. Have children stand
behind their desks and say behind. Repeat with other direction words.
Describe the position of the kite, key, cloud, lightening, and kite string in
relation to Benjamin Franklin. Write in paragraph form on a lined piece of
paper.
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Ellie Swanson
Inventing Fruit and Vegetable Cars Physical Science Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
Objectives:
The students will learn how to use the scientific method to compare the
amount of push or pull objects need to move by building model fruit and
vegetable cars.
Assessment:
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Anticipatory Set:
o Purpose: Today we will be inventing fruit and vegetable cars! We
will determine which factors in making our cars affect how much
pull or push it takes to move them.
o Activate Prior Knowledge: Show Bill Nye the Science Guy video to
introduce students to push and pull and objects in world around
them where this is seen. Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iKhLGK7HGk
Guided Practice:
o Students attach rubber band to car and measure how far they have
to stretch rubber band in order to make the car move (record in
journal using metric units). They will repeat this 3 times, recording
each time.
Closure:
o Class discusses the results and together makes table on board.
(The car that stretches the rubber band the most requires the most
pull/push to move).
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Independent Practice:
o Students individually write conclusion and reflection and turn in
their science notebook so the investigation can be graded.
Differentiation Strategies:
The jobs the students are given, leader, materials manager, recorder, and
chief builder, can depend on the different needs of the students. For
example, for ELL or students with special needs depending on their
strengths they can be assigned a particular job. The process is very
interactive so they will be able to participate verbally and non verbally.
Materials:
o Rubber bands for each group, assortment of fruits and vegetables
(radishes, squash, lemons, bananas, eggplant, cucumbers,
brussels sprouts, potatoes, limes, apples, turnips, oranges, and
onions), skewers to attach the body of car to the wheels.
Resources:
o https://www.teachervision.com/tv/printables/Rev_Up_Your_Veggie
s.pdf
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Ellie Swanson
Who is George Washington Carver? Life Science Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
Objective:
Students will learn the life cycle of plants and understand it is different
from the life cycle of animals by studying the inventor George Washington
Carver and drawing a picture representing the stages of a plants life.
Assessment:
Anticipatory Set:
o Purpose: Today we will finish exploring the inventor George
Washington Carver and learn his connection with plants. Then we
will be scientists and examine the different parts of a plant.
o Activate prior knowledge: Finish reading book, A Weed is a Flower:
The Life of George Washington Carver by Aliki. Have class
discussion on plants he interacted with.
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Guided Practice:
o Have each student order the words on personal white boards and
hold up answers.
Closure:
o Class discussion to come to consensus of order of the world and
picture splash.
Independent Practice:
o For homework students draw and color a picture of plants that
correspond to each of the stages of human development. This is
graded for accuracy for the assessment.
Differentiation Strategies:
For students with special needs and ELL students, the lesson can be
modified to provide picture directions in place of words, and individual
pictures for the student to order to show understanding of the life cycle.
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Resources:
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.colt.lp_plantcycle/
plant-life-cycles/
o Video, From Seed to Plant, link is on the website page
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Ellie Swanson
Butterflies Invent Too! Life Science Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
Objective:
The student will learn the life cycle of a butterfly by filling out a worksheet
and making a mobile.
Assessment:
Anticipatory Set:
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Guided Practice:
o Students fill out blank worksheet with correct vocabulary words
showing the life cycle of a butterfly as you circulate to check for
understanding.
Closure:
o Partner talk about one thing each of you learned today.
Independent Practice:
o Give students worksheet explaining the mobile project and go
through steps with them.
o Students create mobile project.
Differentiation Strategies:
For ELL and students with special needs the worksheets can be entirely
visual or a combination of visuals with a word bank based on the needs.
For the mobile each material can be premade in order to help make the
construction more effective and the focus of the project.
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Resources:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/butterfly/lifecyclemobile/,
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/label/lifecycle/label.s
html,
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/activities/printouts/lif
ecycle.shtml
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Mobile Project
Supplies:
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Ellie Swanson
Inventors Make a Difference Social Studies Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
Objectives:
The student will learn how to place events chronologically and the
importance of individual action and character by watching a movie and
creating a timeline.
Assessment:
Anticipatory Set:
o Purpose: We have studied many inventors so far, but today we are
explore other individuals that changed our lives in positive ways
with their inventions, and when these inventions were made.
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Guided Practice:
o Ask questions comparing who was before or after who and check
for understanding by having students write and show their answers
on white board.
Closure:
o Partner talk about favorite invention in the film and how it has
helped our lives.
Independent Practice:
o Students will create a timeline of all the inventors in the film
including their invention.
Differentiation Strategies:
For students with special needs and ELL students the worksheet for the
film can be changed into ordering pictures of the inventor and invention
with the dates. Further the timeline project could be modified into having
the names typed or written out then gluing them on a timeline paper in the
correct order. Pictures could also be added if that would fulfill a students
need.
Resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/InventionsInventors-Timeline-Project-807360
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INVENTION
YEAR
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Timeline Rubric
Ellie Swanson
Toothpicks and Marshmallows Geometry Math Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
Objective:
The students will learn the language and key vocabulary by recognizing
shape names and adding them to the geometry vocabulary word wall.
Assessment:
Anticipatory Set:
o Today we will be continuing with geometry. You will each get to be
inventors and build shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks.
Write shapes on board- triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons,
hexagons, and cubes.
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Guided Practice:
o Math groups work together to create 3 different quadrilaterals with
their groups, I will walk around and make sure groups are
understanding. Ask each group how divide quadrilaterals into
smaller pieces to show divided parts of rectangle.
Closure:
o Partner talk about how other shapes could be made with toothpicks
and marshmallows and 3D ones.
Independent Practice:
o Students fill out worksheet after making the figures with toothpicks
and marshmallows.
Differentiation Strategies:
o For students with disabilities allow them to discuss the definitions
and assist with drawing as needed. Advanced learners can have
shapes added to the worksheet to challenge them. ELL students
can have outlines of the shapes on the worksheet to help them
create the marshmallow-toothpick shape then trace it onto the
worksheet.
Resources:
o https://www.teachervision.com/tv/printables/0876286910_28.pdf
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Triangle
Pentagon
Cube
Quadrilateral
Hexagon
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Ellie Swanson
Who was Benjamin Franklin? Literature Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
Objectives:
The student will learn how to support their findings with textual evidence
by reading a book on Benjamin Franklin and filling out a worksheet.
Assessment:
Formative: I will circulate the classroom as table groups are reading the
book together and ask clarifying questions to check for understanding.
Summative: At the end of the lesson students will turn in their individual
worksheets.
Anticipatory Set:
o Purpose: Today we are going to practice our close reading skills
and learn about how a famous inventor, Benjamin Franklin,
changed our lives!
33
Guided Practice:
o Students in groups will read the story and respond to prompts on
the board by writing their answers on their groups poster board. I
will circulate to ensure each group is on task and responding to the
questions.
Closure:
o Each group will present their responses to the prompts.
Independent Practice:
o Students will complete attached worksheet and turn it into teacher.
Differentiation Strategies:
To support ELL students and students with special needs how the book is
read can be modified within their group. The group can read in smaller
pairs to ensure understanding or read it aloud as a group in order to meet
the needs of the students. In filling out the worksheet, poster, and
presenting they could use pictures to represent their ideas instead of
words, and give each other support in the presentation so everyone is
involved.
Materials:
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o Multiple copies of the book, Now and Ben by Gene Barretta, big
Post-It sticky paper (poster board size), markers, and copies of the
attached worksheet for each student.
Resources:
o https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Close-ReadingQuestioning-Slides-for-Now-and-Ben-1095012
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Name _____________________________________
Date _________________________________
Then
Now
What can you predict the story will be about from the title?
I wonder how Ben learned so much about lightening? Can you visualize
Ben watching a storm and predict what he was thinking?
o I can visualize Ben as he
o I predict Ben was thinking
What was the authors purpose for writing Now and Ben? What does the
author want us to learn?
o The authors purpose for writing this story was to
o He wants us to learn
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Ellie Swanson
Is Art and Invention? Visual Arts Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
Objective:
Assessment:
Anticipatory Set:
o Purpose: Is art considered an invention? How does it improve our
lives? Today we will study impressionist and create our own art!
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Guided Practice:
o Students practice making warm and cool colors and secondary
colors using tissue paper and sharing with their table group.
Closure:
o Class discussion pointing out each type of color in Monets painting.
Independent Practice:
o Students use combinations of primary and complementary colors
tissue paper arranged next to each other. Students should
experiment to arrange their landscapessimulating rows of
mountains, waves in the ocean, or clouds in the sky. After students
have designed their landscapes, distribute the paintbrushes and
cups of glue or starch. Have students paint the glue over the
surface of the wax paper and drop the tissue paper on top.
Students will collage the layers of tissue paper into place. Add glue
over the tissue paper composition before adding successive layers
of tissue paper. The glue will make the tissue more transparent,
demonstrating the variety of secondary and complementary colors
created in this activity. After students have completed their
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Students with special needs and ELL learners can have extra teacher
assistance. They can also have precut tissue paper to arrange their
landscape and have a partner assist in spreading the glue. Further they
can each be given their own copy of Monets painting to circle the types of
colors and their own color wheel to assist in understanding.
Resources:
http://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/classroom_resources/curricula/im
pressionism/lesson01.html
40
Ellie Swanson
Im an Inventor! Project Based Learning Lesson
Grade 2
Standards:
Project:
For this project the students will make their own invention. Using the
worksheets below they will brainstorm, plan, and create a prototype of their
invention. Students can utilize books and internet sources to help with their
ideas on what to invent. There will be class and group brainstorming to think
about improvements that could be made to improve everyday life.
After the students decide on their invention and fill out the brainstorming
worksheets, which include drawing a picture, based on the resources needed the
teacher and class will collect necessary materials and the project will be done in
class. This way everyone has time to complete it, assistance from the teacher,
and it creates a more equitable environment for resources. Following the
students completing their prototype they will then present to the class their
invention, how it works, why it is important, and how it will help people. Their
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presentations will be graded based on the attached rubric. The project will be
graded using the presentation rubric and the whether or not they completed the
worksheets.
Source: wildaboutfirsties.blogspot.com
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My Invention:
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My Invention
My invention is:
This is a picture of
my invention:
My invention will:
I invented it because:
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My Newest Invention
These are some things
that I would like to invent:
Because:
My invention will:
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My Invention
My invention is:
My invention will:
I invented it because:
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My Invention
My invention is:
___________________________
My invention will:
___________________________
___________________________
I invented it because:
___________________________
___________________________
This is a picture of my invention:
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Source: organizedteaching.com
48
Ellie Swanson
Invention Convention Webquest
Grade 2
Webquest:
http://questgarden.com/81/49/9/090426145934/t-index.htm
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Ellie Swanson
This is my Scientist Assessment
Grade 2
The assessment for this unit is a research project titled, This is my
Scientist. The students will be selecting an inventor, approved by the teacher. It
can be someone the class has studied throughout the unit or one they choose.
They will do biographical research and explain the invention, how it worked, why
it was important, and how it helped people. They will present the information
learned in a flipbook they create (pictured below) that looks like the inventor they
researched. Each of these elements will be recorded under a different flap.
The students will complete the project throughout a week in class. This will
be done to make sure it is equitable for everyone. Each project will get graded
based on the rubric attached.
Resources:
rainbowswithinreach.blogspot.com
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