We began our new unit of study by Lucy Calkins, Grade 2 Information: Lab Reports and Science Books. Our students designed and conducted a force and motion experiment using ramps.
Each child gets a 5 page packet and a writing partner. They create a hypothesis by asking a question starting with, "I wonder what would happen if..." Then they list the materials they will need and the steps (procedures) they will follow. On the next two pages they write their predictions (hypothesis) of what will happen. The classroom is filled with energy and excitement during the writers' workshop where the children conduct their experiments. Some of our students wondered if the height of the ramp would matter - 6 inches vs. 12 inches. Others predicted that a small car would roll farther than a linker cube. To gather accurate results, they tested each experiment three times and recorded their data. Finally, the last page in the report documents the results and if the student's prediction was correct (conclusion).
In our classroom, we only had one plastic toy ramp and several small toy cars, but our clever kids created ramps using big books, white boards, clipboards. and paper towel rolls.
Stay tuned for the next bend in the unit when we will be creating catapults to launch cotton balls!
7 comments:
I love getting to see a real "look" inside your classroom and into these new Units of Study in writing. It looks like the kids are excited as well! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see/hear about the catapults. :)
Oh. my. gosh! This sounds like so much fun! Science and writing - what a combination!
Awesome use of pictures and text to explain your work with this bend in the Writing Units of Study. It was also interesting to "see" how obstacles were overcome such as "one plastic toy ramp."
Thanks so much for sharing!
M & M,
Way to "ramp" up your students. My hypothesis is that these students will increase BOTH their Science & Writing skills. I love the cross-curriculum activity!
I love the combo of the writing and science! I'm sure the reluctant writers who love science will really grow with this platform. Can't wait to read about the next leg of your journey. Thanks for sharing!
I cant't wait to read more about this new unit. We are loving it thus far and it is obvious that your students are as well. Thanks for sharing!
I am just starting this unit and my kids are in love with it. I was wondering if anyone has any mentor text suggestions to use? I have one that came with the unit. Thanks for sharing!
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