Second Grade Learning Expectations

Science Expectations

PEBBLES, SAND, & SILT

1.1.1 Understand simple properties of common natural and manufactured materials and objects.

• Sort common objects by multiple simple properties (e.g., texture and color; size and shape).
• Identify and describe the differences between common natural and manufactured materials and objects using properties.

1.1.5 Understand physical properties of Earth materials.

• Sort rocks based on size, shape, and other physical properties (e.g., color, texture).
• Explain how some Earth materials are used by living things (e.g., water and soil for growing plants).

1.2.1 Understand that things are made of parts that go together.

• Identify the parts of materials (e.g., soils).
• Construct simple devices to do common tasks using common materials and explain how the parts depend on each other (e.g., wood, clay, screen filters).

1.3.4 Know that rocks break down to form pebbles and sand.

• Describe how rock can break down into smaller pieces (e.g., pebbles and sand) by the action of water.

1.3.5 Know that fossils provide evidence of plants and animals that existed long ago.

• Identify a fossil in a rock.
• Compare fossils with similar living organisms (e.g., a fossil leaf with a living leaf).

2.1.1 Understand how to ask a question about objects.

• Wonder and ask questions about objects based on observations.

2.1.2 Understand how to plan and conduct simple investigations following all safety rules.

• Make observations and record characteristics or properties.
• Make predictions of the results of an investigation.
• Plan and conduct an observational investigation that collects information about characteristics or properties.
• Collect data using simple equipment and tools that extend the senses (e.g., magnifiers, rules, balances, scales, thermometers).

• Follow all safety rules during investigations.

2.1.3 Understand how to construct a reasonable explanation using evidence.

• Categorize and order observational data from multiple trials.
• Explain an event or phenomenon using observations as evidence (e.g., shape, texture, size, weight, color, motion, and/or other physical properties).

2.1.4 Understand that models represent real objects, events, or processes.

• Describe how a model (e.g., diagram, or map and/or physical model) of something is similar to the real thing, such as an object, event, or process, and how it is different (e.g., size, shape, color).
• Create a simple model (e.g., diagram or map and/or physical model) of a common object, event, or process.

2.1.5 Understand how to record and report investigations, results, and explanations.

• Report observations of simple investigations using drawings and simple sentences.
• Describe and/or draw the materials used in the investigation (i.e., numbers, shapes, colors).
• Report safety procedures used during the investigation.
• Report the process used and results of the investigation (e.g., verbal, visual, written, and/or mathematical formats).

2.2.1 Understand that all scientific observations are reported accurately even when the observations contradict expectations.

• Record what is observed and explain how it was done accurately and honestly.
• Keep records and explain that the records have not been changed even when they did not match initial expectations.

2.2.2 Understand that observations and measurement are used by scientists to describe the world.

• Raise questions about the natural world and seek answers by making careful observations and trying things out.
• Make observations and measurements about natural phenomena.

2.2.3 Understand that similar investigations may not produce similar results.

• Observe the procedures of two similar investigations and explain that they produced different results.

2.2.5 Know that ideas in science change as new scientific evidence arises.

• Tell how scientific inquiry results in facts, unexpected findings, ideas, evidence, and explanations.

3.1.1 Know and understand problems that can be solved or have been solved by using scientific design.

• Identify and explain problems that can be solved through investigations and/or with tools.
• Identify and describe a problem in a given situation (e.g., “I want to make the plant grow faster”).
• Identify and name a common material, object, or tool that helps solve a simple problem.

3.1.2 Understand how to construct and test a solution to a problem.

• Propose, construct, and test a solution to a problem.
• Give examples of possible solutions to the problem.
• Select and construct a solution to the problem.
• Test a solution to the problem.

3.1.3 Understand how well a design or a product solves a problem.

• Choose and justify at least one reason why a design or product would or would not work to solve a specific problem.

3.2.1 Know that science and technology are practiced by all people around the world.

• Identify ways that people around the world use science and technology.
• Identify ways that people around the world use science and technology to invent things and ideas.

3.2.2 Know that people have invented tools for everyday life.

• Describe ways in which common tools help people in their everyday life.

3.2.4 Understand how humans depend on the natural environment.

• Describe what humans obtain from their environment.
• Describe what organisms obtain from their environment.

CHANGES

1.1.5 Understand physical properties of Earth materials.

• Illustrate and tell about the properties of water as a solid and liquid.
• Explain how some Earth materials are used by living things (e.g., water and soil for growing things).

1.3.3 Know that water can exist in different states: solid and liquid.

• Observe and record water changing from solid to liquid.
• Describe the physical properties of water in solid and liquid states (e.g., hard, cold, wet).

2.1.1 Understand how to ask a question about objects.

• Wonder and ask questions about objects based on observations.

2.1.2 Understand how to plan and conduct simple investigations following all safety rules.

• Make observations and record characteristics or properties.
• Make predictions of the results of an investigation.
• Plan and conduct an observational investigation that collects information about characteristics or properties.
• Collect data using simple equipment and tools that extend the senses (e.g., magnifiers, rules, balances, scales, thermometers).

• Follow all safety rules during investigations.

2.1.3 Understand how to construct a reasonable explanation using evidence.

• Categorize and order observational data from multiple trials.
• Explain an event or phenomenon using observations as evidence (e.g., shape, texture, size, weight, color, motion, and/or other physical properties).

2.1.4 Understand that models represent real objects, events, or processes.

• Describe how a model (e.g., diagram, or map and/or physical model) of something is similar to the real thing, such as an object, event, or process, and how it is different (e.g., size, shape, color).
• Create a simple model (e.g., diagram or map and/or physical model) of a common object, event, or process.

2.1.5 Understand how to record and report investigations, results, and explanations.

• Report observations of simple investigations using drawings and simple sentences.
• Describe and/or draw the materials used in the investigation (i.e., numbers, shapes, colors).
• Report safety procedures used during the investigation.
• Report the process used and results of the investigation (e.g., verbal, visual, written, and/or mathematical formats).

2.2.1 Understand that all scientific observations are reported accurately even when the observations contradict expectations.

• Record what is observed and explain how it was done accurately and honestly.
• Keep records and explain that the records have not been changed even when they did not match initial expectations.

2.2.2 Understand that observations and measurement are used by scientists to describe the world.

• Raise questions about the natural world and seek answers by making careful observations and trying things out.
• Make observations and measurements about natural phenomena.

2.2.3 Understand that similar investigations may not produce similar results.

• Observe the procedures of two similar investigations and explain that they produced different results.

2.2.5 Know that ideas in science change as new scientific evidence arises.

• Tell how scientific inquiry results in facts, unexpected findings, ideas, evidence, and explanations.

3.1.1 Know and understand problems that can be solved or have been solved by using scientific design.

• Identify and explain problems that can be solved through investigations and/or with tools.
• Identify and describe a problem in a given situation (e.g., “I want to make the plant grow faster”).
• Identify and name a common material, object, or tool that helps solve a simple problem.

3.1.2 Understand how to construct and test a solution to a problem.

• Propose, construct, and test a solution to a problem.
• Give examples of possible solutions to the problem.
• Select and construct a solution to the problem.
• Test a solution to the problem.

3.1.3 Understand how well a design or a product solves a problem.

• Choose and justify at least one reason why a design or product would or would not work to solve a specific problem.

3.2.1 Know that science and technology are practiced by all people around the world.

• Identify ways that people around the world use science and technology.
• Identify ways that people around the world use science and technology to invent things and ideas.

3.2.2 Know that people have invented tools for everyday life.

• Describe ways in which common tools help people in their everyday life.

3.2.4 Understand how humans depend on the natural environment.

• Describe what humans obtain from their environment.
• Describe what organisms obtain from their environment.

INSECTS

1.1.6 Understand characteristics of living organisms.

• Observe and describe characteristics of living organisms (e.g., spiders have eight legs; birds have feathers).

1.2.1 Understand that things are made of parts that go together.

• Identify the parts of organisms.
• Describe how the parts of organisms go together.

1.2.6 Know that living things are made of small parts.

• Observe and identify the parts of an organism seen under a magnifier.
• Illustrate or draw the small parts that make up the whole living thing.

1.2.7 Understand that plants and animals have life cycles.

• Observe and describe the life cycle of an animal (e.g., describe the life cycle of a butterfly – egg, caterpillar or larva, cocoon, and butterfly or adult).

1.2.8 Know the external parts of the body.

• Identify the external parts of the body (e.g., head, eyes).
• Draw and name the external parts of the body.

1.3.8 Know that most living things need food, water, and air.

• Observe and record that most living things need food, water, and air.

1.3.10 Know that plants and animals need a place to live.

• Observe and show how organisms live in specific places (e.g., fish live in a pond).
• Describe how animals depend on plants or other animals for food.
• Describe how animals depend on plants or other animals for shelter.

2.1.1 Understand how to ask a question about objects.

• Wonder and ask questions about objects based on observations.

2.1.2 Understand how to plan and conduct simple investigations following all safety rules.

• Make observations and record characteristics or properties.
• Make predictions of the results of an investigation.
• Plan and conduct an observational investigation that collects information about characteristics or properties.
• Collect data using simple equipment and tools that extend the senses (e.g., magnifiers, rules, balances, scales, thermometers).
• Follow all safety rules during investigations.

2.1.3 Understand how to construct a reasonable explanation using evidence.

• Categorize and order observational data from multiple trials.
• Explain an event or phenomenon using observations as evidence (e.g., shape, texture, size, weight, color, motion, and/or other physical properties).

2.1.4 Understand that models represent real objects, events, or processes.

• Describe how a model (e.g., diagram, or map and/or physical model) of something is similar to the real thing, such as an object, event, or process, and how it is different (e.g., size, shape, color).
• Create a simple model (e.g., diagram or map and/or physical model) of a common object, event, or process.

2.1.5 Understand how to record and report investigations, results, and explanations.

• Report observations of simple investigations using drawings and simple sentences.
• Describe and/or draw the materials used in the investigation (i.e., numbers, shapes, colors).
• Report safety procedures used during the investigation.
• Report the process used and results of the investigation (e.g., verbal, visual, written, and/or mathematical formats).

2.2.1 Understand that all scientific observations are reported accurately even when the observations contradict expectations.

• Record what is observed and explain how it was done accurately and honestly.
• Keep records and explain that the records have not been changed even when they did not match initial expectations.

2.2.2 Understand that observations and measurement are used by scientists to describe the world.

• Raise questions about the natural world and seek answers by making careful observations and trying things out.
• Make observations and measurements about natural phenomena.

2.2.3 Understand that similar investigations may not produce similar results.

• Observe the procedures of two similar investigations and explain that they produced different results.

2.2.5 Know that ideas in science change as new scientific evidence arises.

• Tell how scientific inquiry results in facts, unexpected findings, ideas, evidence, and explanations.

3.1.1 Know and understand problems that can be solved or have been solved by using scientific design.

• Identify and explain problems that can be solved through investigations and/or with tools.
• Identify and describe a problem in a given situation (e.g., “I want to make the plant grow faster”).
• Identify and name a common material, object, or tool that helps solve a simple problem.

3.1.2 Understand how to construct and test a solution to a problem.

• Propose, construct, and test a solution to a problem.
• Give examples of possible solutions to the problem.
• Select and construct a solution to the problem.
• Test a solution to the problem.

3.1.3 Understand how well a design or a product solves a problem.

• Choose and justify at least one reason why a design or product would or would not work to solve a specific problem.

3.2.1 Know that science and technology are practiced by all people around the world.

• Identify ways that people around the world use science and technology.
• Identify ways that people around the world use science and technology to invent things and ideas.

3.2.2 Know that people have invented tools for everyday life.

• Describe ways in which common tools help people in their everyday life.

3.2.4 Understand how humans depend on the natural environment.

• Describe what humans obtain from their environment.
• Describe what organisms obtain from their environment.