Grade 2 NGSS Science Learning Objectives and Goals

The NGSS (New Jersey Science Standards) focus on three main pieces: Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Cross Cutting Concepts.  Unlike Math and ELA, Science will be assessed using: EE - Exceeds Expectations, M - Meets Expectations, and N - Needs Improvement).  Students will be assessed using a rubric, teacher observation, "quick checks", and student participation/collaboration with others through discussions and experiments.

Unit 1: Animal Biodiversity

In this unit, students begin to develop and understanding of the world's animal biodiversity.  They explore animal classification and the traits that define each group.  Students then turn their focus to habitats and how the surrounding environment affects what organisms live in a particular environment.

• • Animal Biodiversity & Habitats -- Life Underground

  • Biodiversity & Classification -- How many different kinds of animals are there?

  • Habitat Diversity -- Why would a wild animal visit a playground?

  • Biodiversity, Habitats, & Species -- Why do frogs say "ribbit?"

  • Biodiversity & Engineering -- How could you get more birds to visit a bird feeder?

  • Biodiversity, Habitats, & Species -- Where else do bats live?

Unit 2: Plant Adaptations

In this unit, students continue to explore the needs of plants through hands-on investigations.  They explore why and how plants disperse their seeds, what those seeds need in order to grow, and what the adult plants need in order to survive and thrive.

• Seed Dispersal -- How did a tree travel halfway around the world?

• Water, Sunlight, & Plant Growth -- Could a plant survive without light?

• Light, Leaves, & Competition -- Why do trees grow so tall?

  • Adaptations & Habitat -- Should you water a cactus?

  • Adaptations & Habitat -- Where do plants grow best?

Unit 3: Erosion & Earth's Surface

In this unit, students explore how water shapes the Earth's surface.  Students construct and use models of mountains to demonstrate that water flows downhill, and in the process, transforms huge rocks into the tiny grains of sand we find at the beach.  Students also construct and use model hills to determine the causes of erosion, and to design solutions to problems caused by erosion.

• • Mapping & Earth's Surface Features -- If you floated down a river, where would you end up?

  • Rocks, Sand, & Erosion -- Why is there sand at the beach?

  • Mapping & Severe Weather -- Where do flash floods happen?

  • Erosion, Earth's Surface, & Landforms -- What's strong enough to make a canyon?

  • Erosion & Engineering -- How can you stop a landslide?

Unit 4: Material Properties

In this unit, students explore the properties of materials and matter!  They describe and classify different types of materials by properties like hardness, flexibility, and absorbency, and they investigate how those properties are useful in meeting basic human needs (such as clothing and cooking).  They also investigate how heating and cooling affect the properties of materials.

• • Materials, Properties, & Engineering -- Why do we wear clothes?

  • Classify Materials, Insulators, Properties -- Can you really fry an egg on a hot sidewalk?

  • Heating, Cooling, & Phases of Matter -- Why are so many toys made out of plastic?

  • Inventions & Engineering -- What materials might be invented in the future?

  • Materials, Properties, & Engineering -- Could you build a house out of paper?

  • Soil Properties -- How do you build a city out of mud?