Geometry & Spatial Sense
Grade 2: Geometry & Spatial Sense
Distinguishing between attributes that are geometric properties and attributes that are not geometric properties; classifying two-dimensional shapes by geometric properties (number of sides and vertices); classifying three-dimensional figures by geometric properties (number and shape of faces); locating a line of symmetry; composing and decomposing shapes; describing relative locations and paths of motion.
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling is an incredible tool for students to look for geometrical shapes as well looking for symmetry in natural phenomena. Their nature journal allows them to write/draw their observations helping to cement the concepts being taught.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However, the last statement becomes very important for making the connections. Encourage students to begin writing using single words or simple sentences. Please note that spelling is not the focus in a nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link below for tips on giving feedback. Using a combination of words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
Here are some more ideas to get you started.
Engage the fives senses (whenever possible)
Make leaf prints ( paint the leaf and press the print into the journal)
Make leaf rubbings
Trace the items they are looking at
Add leaves into the journal using tape
Count the birds/squirrels/insects etc.
Measure as much of the phenomena as the students can using non standard and standard units of measurement.
Here is a downloadable lesson from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. All resources shared with permission. "I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of..."
GIVING FEEDBACK here is a fantastic resource from Jack and Emilie
NOTE: You are encouraged to spend time in the outdoors Nature Journaling. However, you can also bring nature inside, look out your wonder window, have a refrigerator Safari or even observe a house plant or pet.
Line of Symmetry
Go for a walk, explore a green space or look out the window. Look for examples of lines of symmetry. Keep track of the examples (take pictures if possible).
Which examples are natural and which are unnatural (made by a person)?
Use a 'T" chart to keep a tally of all the different natural vs unnatural examples of items where you can find a line of symmetry
Create your own line of symmetry using natural items you find on the ground. Example: rocks, sticks, leaves, sand, etc.
Curriculum Link:
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Nature Journaling: Collection or Field Guide
In the activity Collection or Field Guide from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students make a field guide or “collection” of things within a focused category, such as leaf types, rocks in a stream, things that are red, or tracks."
All resources shared with permission.
Nature Journaling: Landscape Cross Section
In the activity Landscape Cross Section from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students map shifts in the location of plants or animals across an area, such as the slope of a hill or a transition from shore to pond."
All resources shared with permission.
Shapes Walk
Go for a walk or look out the window. What geometric shapes (circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, etc.) can you find outside and what shapes can you find that are not geometric?
Use a 'T' chart to keep a tally of the geometric shapes you find
Which of these geometric shapes are 2D and which are 3D? How can you tell?
Try to draw them to help you determine the differences
Curriculum Link:
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Simple Maps
Take a walk or a short drive in the car within your local area.
Point out landmarks (objects that don't move location and are easy to recognize) and where they are in relation to other landmarks - beside, to the right, behind, etc.
Back at home create a 3D map using 2D objects by using Lego, mold sand, other household objects, or materials to re-create the space you visited and the path you took.
Can't get outside?
Do the same procedure, but use your home or a space you can see outside your window.
Extension: Take a familiar object on the adventure and place it beside a landmark then take a picture. At home, place the object onto the map in the same place where the picture was taken.
Curriculum Links:
see Measurement
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
(Sur)faces Walk
Go for a walk outside or look out a window. Look for “faces” of all kinds. What (sur)faces can you find?
Are any of the "faces" found on geometric shapes? If so, how many faces are on that shape? Can you identify the 3-D shape you have found?
Curriculum Link:
see Writing
see Visual Arts
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.