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  • 2nd Grade

    Matter and Its Interactions

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Performance Expectations

  1. Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose. 2-PS1-2

    Clarification Statement and Assessment Boundary

A Peformance Expectation (PE) is what a student should be able to do to show mastery of a concept. Some PEs include a Clarification Statement and/or an Assessment Boundary. These can be found by clicking the PE for "More Info." By hovering over a PE, its corresponding pieces from the Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts will be highlighted.

Science and Engineering Practices

Disciplinary Core Ideas

Crosscutting Concepts

By clicking on a specific Science and Engineering Practice, Disciplinary Core Idea, or Crosscutting Concept, you can find out more information on it. By hovering over one you can find its corresponding elements in the PEs.

Planning Curriculum

Common Core State Standards Connections

ELA/Literacy

  • RI.2.8 - Describe how reasons support specific points the author makes in a text. (2-PS1-2)
  • W.2.7 - Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations). (2-PS1-2)
  • W.2.8 - Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. (2-PS1-2)

Mathematics

  • 2.MD.D.10 - Draw a picture graph and a bar graph (with single-unit scale) to represent a data set with up to four categories. Solve simple put-together, take-apart, and compare problems using information presented in a bar graph. (2-PS1-2)
  • MP.2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively. (2-PS1-2)
  • MP.4 - Model with mathematics. (2-PS1-2)
  • MP.5 - Use appropriate tools strategically. (2-PS1-2)

Model Course Mapping

First Time Visitors

Resources & Lesson Plans

  • More resources added each week!
    A team of teacher curators is working to find, review, and vet online resources that support the standards. Check back often, as NSTA continues to add more targeted resources.
  • Paper Bridge Design Challenge

      Students will design and make bridges out of folded pieces of paper, and test how much weight they can hold using pennies. Students will be able to explain how a bridge’s shape can make it stronger and perform tests to compare differe ...

  • Paper Bridge Materials Challenge

    This activity is an extension of the Paper Bridge Design Challenge.  In addition to making bridges out of folded pieces of paper, students will have access to a variety of materials (construction paper, aluminum foil, wax paper, cardstock, and m ...

  • Engineering Encounters: Sailing Into the Digital Era

    This resource combines The Engineering Design Process and technology using an iPad to have students create an electronic STEM journal documenting what they learned about wind and weather as they design sails for a model boat.

  • The Science of Lunch: Crash Course Kids #15.2

    This video is organized around the big question of the Physical Properties of Matter and it includes meaningful content.  The video is 3:36 long.  It is animated with a cool factor as it is part of a set of Vlog Brothers youtube channel cal ...

  • A House for Chase the Dog

    This 5-E lesson plan requires second graders to use observations and the engineering design process to test a variety of materials and decide which would make the best rain-proof roof for a doghouse.

  • Science Games For Kids: Properties of Materials

    This resource is an interactive simulation designed to have students test various materials for different properties including flexibility, strength, waterproof, and transparency. The simulation includes a workshop where students can s ...

  • The Properties of Materials and their Everyday Uses

    This wonderful set of lessons engage students in testing materials to understand their properties and discuss appropriate uses for the materials based on those properties. For example, one activity has the students examining the materi ...

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Planning Curriculum gives connections to other areas of study for easier curriculum creation.