Our class read the book How To Catch A Reindeer, and then responded to the text with a writing in which they devised a plan on how to catch a reindeer, complete with a diagram. During our STEAM time students built a model of their design.
The Most Magnificent Inventions
After reading and writing about inventors this week, students applied their growth mindset modeled by the book The Most Magnificent Thing to design and build an invention that solved a problem. Students wrote a paragraph about their invention and then built a model during STEAM. Inventions ranged from room cleaners to homework robots to fleet fast feet to an invisible pancake machine.
Dot Tower
After reading the book, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds, students discussed the importance of having a growth mindset and put that growth mindset to work completing a STEAM challenge. Students worked in groups to design and build a dot tower, using limited time and only 10 notecards and 20 sticker dots. A discussion and written review followed as students presented and evaluated their designs. Way to keep learning new strategies!
Students created welcoming structures and friendship structures. So many rainbows!
Students participated in fun hands on learning during our STEAM stations after taking the Reading MSTEP last week. Check out our creations!
All About Architecture
Second and third graders are all about architecture. Students listened to the architecture read alouds Curve and Flow, Shapes, Lines, and Light and Iggy Peck Architect. As part of our S.T.E.A.M. learning, students took part in a distance learning interview with Christine Rosenberg, a senior architect for Valerie Dewalt Train in Chicago. Ms. Rosenberg walked students through the process that architects use to design spaces. She showed us the spaces she helped design including culinary schools and a concert venue. After showing her company's concept for a school lunchroom and library, she invited students to redesign their classroom and create a model. "I'd add more books and a class pet," added Sarah. "We need math and writing zones with tables and chairs," included Joseph. "I designed a water slide and a lazy river to float in while you read," included Talon. Students concluded the lesson by writing thank you letters to the architect.
Turkey Zipline Challenge
Students applied their knowledge of speed, force, motion, weight, and gravity to create and test a basket holding a paper turkey down a zipline in our classroom. Some groups made modifications and improved their travel time. Everyone was grateful for our Friend Friday STEAM challenge. Happy Thanksgiving!
A Sad Fish Story
Students listened to a story about the impact of pollution on Earth’s water and living things. At different points in the story students added items to our River model and answered the question, “How does it feel now to be this fish?”
Pollination
Students participated in a Mystery Science activity to demonstrate how bees cross pollinate flowering plants.
Tinkering With Forces and Motion
Second and third graders in Mrs. Mackenzie's class participated in an MISD Distance Learning today called "Tinkering With Forces and Motion." Led by science consultant, Paul Drummond, students designed, built, tested, and modified their very own wind turbines. Their turbines had to move freely and lift a small load. After modifying their wind turbines, Jayden said, "I know engineers are hard working people." "I learned that the propeller lifted the cup," said Ana. Romina added, "This experiment is so exciting and fun!" Students were able to apply their knowledge of force and put their engineering skills in motion.
Unlocking The Properties of Magnets
Today students worked with a partner to explore the properties of magnets. They designed and created a model for a door that unlocks using a magnet and other supplies.
Pumpkin Science
Today students conducted experiments with pumpkins. We explored properties of matter by measuring the circumference and weight of our pumpkins. We predicted whether our pumpkins would float or sink and then tested our hypotheses. As a class we drew conclusions about the size and number of ribs on our pumpkins had compared to the number of seeds. Students also listened to an Epic read a loud about pumpkins as well as read an informational text and answered text dependent questions. It was a great Fun Friday!
Mad Hatter Science
Second graders read about and experimented with the properties of matter. After testing materials for softness, stiffness, and the ability to soak up a liquid, students designed and created hats for hot weather. Students shared their findings as to which materials had the best properties.
A Home For Harry
Today students participated in a STEAM activity to engineer a "home for Harry." Using their engineering skills and given materials, they created a perch for a small fuzz ball named Harry. After building and testing structures and analyzing what went well and what they'd improve next time, students presented their models to the class. Below are pictures of our fun STEAM activity.