#2ndchat Archive
#2ndchat is a Twitter hashtag that can be used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other second grade educators from around the world. Every other week we will discuss a different topic. It's a great way to help grow your PLN (Professional/Personal Learning Network) and share ideas with others.
Wednesday January 27, 2016
We're so excited to be invited to about science!! Hi everyone!
Hi everyone! Welcome to ! Introduce yourself and tell us your location.
I am Carol from Birmingham, AL. I'm excited to be talking about science tonight!
Mary from VA. Digging out from the blizzard. Off all week.
Hi to my friends at and Terry here in Fl
We usually have a great group of teachers- very excited!
WOW! We went home 3o minutes early Friday because we had a few flurries. BUT we were snowed in at school once.
Hi Terry! Glad to see you!
Mystery Science is here tonight as well! Say hello to
Hi it's Doug from Mystery Science! I'm in San Francisco, CA.
Hi Doug! My class has LOVED Mystery Science this year!
1st question coming up soon.
Q1: What big units/concepts do you teach during the year?
A1: Weather, matter, force/motion, rocks/soil, living things, land and water
A1: matter, plants: seed dispersation, pollination, changes in the earth, engineering concepts
Yes, we do magnets in the force/motion energy unit.
adaptations - plant and animal
We have some of the same.
Q2: Do you use the New Generation Standards? If not what standards do you use?
A2: We started using the New Generation Science Standards this year.
No, we have SOLs in VA. State standards
Are you still allowing teachers to try Mystery Science free for this year?
Howdy ! Got a great mobile learning story to share about your 2nd grade classroom? Deadline is Feb. 8! https://t.co/FRv8Xt9MiD
A2: We use state standards as well.
We just started using these. I like them. I feel they go deeper but some tchrs feel that there is not enough to cover.
We also weave scientific investigation into all units
Yes, that is a big part of these as well.
Yes! Anyone who signs up will get Mystery Science free until the end of the school year (June 30th)
Do you know what year your standards came from? Do you think they are based on the New Generation Science Standards?
I will cehck it out. Thanks
I do think they are based on it. https://t.co/zOzbwVsZsl
Do you know what year your standards came from? Do you think they are based on the New Generation Science Standards?
I am just wondering if other states are headed toward them. I see lots of resources using them.
RT Yes! Anyone who signs up will get Mystery Science free until the end of the school year (June 30th)
It is so fun! I love the mysteries. It really peaks their interest. The humor is great too!
I think that even some of our materials show the NGSS
Vickie joining late from Ontario, Canada A1
In gr3 we study, structures, soils, plants, forces
Vickie joining late from Ontario, Canada A1
In gr3 we study, structures, soils, plants, forces
Welcome! SO glad you are here!
Tried with forces unit and it was successful
I just completed the mysteries on matter. I did the seed ones earlier this year. Both were outstanding.
When did Mystery Science start having things for 2nd? I had an acct but it was too high.
Great! That makes us very happy to hear. We are actively working on more 2nd grade units now!
Sorry...I am having tech issues. I can only see my tweets.
Q3: What is the hardest part of teaching science in the primary grades?
We released our first NGSS 2nd grade in late 2015, "Materials Magic." More coming soon!
A3: time - we have 30 minutes a day and alternate teaching w/SS
a3: Finding valuable hands on work, making time, appropriate thoughtful work
A3: Always looking to make it meaningful for Ss at their young age. Trying to link to STEAM as much as I can.
We do too but if anything gets dropped, it seems to be it but that makes me sad. :(
Yes, but it is a challenge at 30 minutes
Curious to know: do 30 minutes work well for you or do you wish it were longer?
Yes. I am lucky I am able to take more time. I also integrate Science into my language program and if possible Math.
Prefer a bit more time - to do STEM?STEAM activities
Yes, STEAM is great and incoporating it all in a pbl helps too!
I had about 40 minutes, but I just had to take that 40 to put writing in my day. I have to integrate Sci/SS into Language Block
I am learning to integrate more into LA
I find I need more time but 30 minutes seems to be what works most days.
I agree. It's hard to get it all in!
This yeat, I have more time 4 days a week but 0 minutes 1 day a week.
Which brings me to question 4!
Q4: How can we find ways to carve more time for science in the primary grades?
For me (), it was finding time to prep, since I love showing them lots of real visuals, telling stories...
A4: Have to integrate with LA and possibly math
A4: I think I am going to start teaching reading with Sci/Ss themes. Some hands on can be in centers
A4: I include science into our language arts block but I want to have plenty of time to do hands on activities & then read about
YES! Prep time is always hard to find!
That is a good idea. Kids love to read nonfiction.
A4: I find cross curricular linking it to other subject areas": language, math, even art! We did gravity art this year for forces.
Found a book last year that pairs fiction/nonf texts w/science. Really like it. Perfect Pairs https://t.co/ES3j0zcb5F
YES! I find this works really well. When I do cross curricular units, kids make so many more connections!
Yes I use this site. includes their resources in their "extras" at the end of a mystery.
I also love to bring in Skypes and GHO when I can to tie to science standards. Please share any you would recommend
As much as I love reading about it, I want my students to experience science by doing more than just reading.
is a new favorite. I think you shared it with me, Terry :)
Here is an example of our gravity art used to record and put on
Q5: What is your favorite unit to teach? Why?
I agree completely! I will have to do that during intervention time, sadly some will miss it. Struggle https://t.co/n05pNATCbE
As much as I love reading about it, I want my students to experience science by doing more than just reading.
It is a struggle. One I wrestle with all the time.
I can't wait to check these out!
A5: Favourite unit in Gr3 is plants! in Gr 2 it was air/water
A5: I love teaching matter. There are so many hands on activities to do!
I remember we did that awesome snow man lesson together a few years ago! It was awesome!
A5: I love pulling in living things and life cycles. It is such a natural curiosity and observation.
A5: I also love using science/math for the 3 Little Pigs house building project I do each year. So fun!
A5: This year, I am going to make sure I link it back to our matter unit- properties of materials.
you sound like an amazing and fun science T. I need you by my side!
We would have so much fun! I would love to have a fun partner to try new things!
We would have so much fun! I would love to have a fun teaching partner to try new things!
Q6: What are your favorite science resources?
Q6: Mystery Science, Pinterest, other teacher on twitter!
A6: Use a little bit of everything but colleagues and are in my top list, Mystery Science, STEAM based resources
Because of science is focused not really using texts more PBL and started a wonder wall this year
: I am so sorry- I am having terrible trouble with tweetchat and twubs. I can only my tweets for some reason tonight!
A6: Also try to partner up with local community members like Scientist in the school to teach science
Had that problem before so I use Tweetdeck
I hate to call this chat to a close and I am VERY sorry that I was having technical issues. It made it hard for me to interact!
As always you did such a great job! Thanks for organizing! I didn't even notice!
So excited of our upcoming chats: One will be hosted by PledgeCents and the other topic will be using green screens! :)
I hope you all have a great week full of wonder, questions & excitement! How fun would it be if we all taught close to each other!
Thanks for coming and again- I'm sorry for the tech issues. I should have a Storify up soon!
