Grade 2 Science

In Science this year we have studied many interesting topics, and have a few still to cover. We have learned about -

Growth and Change in Animals, 
Properties of Liquids and Solids   (partially covered)
Air and Water in the Environment,
and will be learning about
Movement (Simple Machines and Mechanisms).

The following websites have educational resources - videos, interactive games, and other multi-media information about many of the topics we have, or will, cover in Science this year. I suggest students review/learn about only one topic at a time, then write the date, title, and three things (or more) they learned from the resource. (Writing or drawing about what you are learning, helps you to understand and consolidate that learning so that it becomes a part of your background knowledge. This knowledge can be used to help you understand other information and make connections between all sorts of situations and events in your life.) Students could also write down any questions the resource brought to mind, and then research these questions on the internet to further develop their researching skills and understanding of the topic.
My purpose for suggesting these sites is not to have my students whip through the resources in a superficial manner, but actually develop meaningful learning skills where information is processed and thought about, not merely glanced at, or sampled, and then considered understood without any further thinking or questioning.
Enjoy reviewing and learning more about Grade 2 Science by clicking here for Link to Learning, and here for Simple and Compound Machines.

Celebrations in April

Social Studies

In April this year, Christians celebrate Easter, and Jewish people celebrate Passover. At school, we have discussed and learned about the traditions associated with these celebrations. We have also discussed how Easter is linked to Spring and the beginning of new life in the animal and the plant kingdoms. The egg is a symbol of Easter and a symbol of new life, so at school we learned how to decorate eggs with wax designs and food colour. We also learned about the Ukrainian practice of making Pysanky Eggs. Pysanky Eggs are beautiful with many intricate designs on them. The links below outline various interesting ways to decorate eggs for Easter. Parents, you may wish to try one of these methods with your children as a holiday activity. All children love doing art activities. The videos suggest using beeswax, but the wax from ordinary candles (small birthday candles) works as well. (Ask your son or daughter how we decorated eggs at school. Our method did not need us to melt the wax, but we did need warm water.) Food colour is available at any supermarket, and white eggs show up the food colour dyes the best. Some vinegar in the colour mixture makes the colour brighter on the eggs. Have fun decorating eggs!
This link describes Pysanky and the history of this practice.* Easter Eggs by Father Paul
*Painting Eggs The Pysanky Drop and Pull Way
*Egg Dyeing with Lace
*Rubber Band Easter Eggs   

Pysanky Eggs