2nd Grade

We read Izzy Gizmo together. Students then busted out their creativity to build a new pair of wings for their crow.  After designing, building, and testing, students had a conversation and discussed how they would improve upon their wings if they could build them again.

Second graders read The Dot, where Vashti learns the importance of believing in yourself and trying again and again. We discussed the differences between a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset. After, students were tasked with building the tallest tower possible using index cards and dot stickers. Overall, the students struggled with the difficult task.  We discussed our attitudes and how well we collaborated that day and how it impacted our ability to build/succeed.  The next week that students came to STEM, we discussed growth mindset even further and recited some positive affirmations after a talk about how positive words and beliefs can transform your attitude! Students then had to retry the tower building task. It was pretty incredible to see the difference in tower height (and especially, attitudes) from the first week to the second! Students definitely started to believe in themselves and their abilities--we are slowly but surely improving our growth mindsets! Take a look at both weeks' towers below. 

Week 1

Week 2

After reading Balloons over Broadway where we learned about Tony Sarg, a puppeteer and the creator of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2nd grade students got to work designing a float for their very own Macy's parade. However, we ran in one big problem--Mrs. McKibben didn't have any helium for our balloons! Second graders then had to design and build some sort of device to hold their floats upright in the air so spectators of our parade could see their creative floats.  We had so many awesome designs: check out a few pictures and a short video of our parade below! 

Second graders completed a unit discussing "digital citizenship" and how to be responsible online. We watched Nettie and Webster tackle some tricky situations on NetSmartz Kidz.  One big topic we discussed was trusted adults and who can be there to help us in person OR when something makes us sad, scared, or uncomfortable online.  Then we learned a little bit about Google Slides, a useful Google app that is used to share lots of different kinds of information. To practice these skills, students created a Trusted Adults slide, inserting Word Art and changing the background of their Google Slide to create an awesome digital poster! Check out our work:

One of the best parts about STEM is computer programming! We learn about what it is and how it works, then we get to work doing some actual coding. We use Osmo coding blocks and their iPad app, code.org, and our Dot & Dash Wonder Workshop robots!  

Together we read a crowd favorite, Creepy Crayon. Then we got creative and wrote our very own versions of the story! Once our stories were complete, students worked with our iPads to animate their creepy crayons and make them talk. It's neat to watch our students become more and more comfortable with the technology. Check out our creepy crayons below!