Activities for Science Centers

Transcription

1 Science Grade 2 Activities for Science Centers Hands-On Experiments Background Scientific Information for the Teacher Includes Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science Activities

2 Activities for Science Centers Grade 2 Published by Instructional Fair an imprint of

3 Author: Q.L. Pearce Editor: Christine Hood Published by Instructional Fair An imprint of School Specialty Publishing Copyright 2004 School Specialty Publishing All Rights Reserved Printed in the United States of America Limited Reproduction Permission: Permission to duplicate these materials is limited to the person for whom they are purchased. Reproduction for an entire school or school district is unlawful and strictly prohibited. Send all inquiries to: School Specialty Publishing 3195 Wilson Drive NW Grand Rapids, Michigan Activities for Science Centers grade 2 ISBN

4 Table of Contents Introduction Part I: Life Science Center 1: The Plant Kingdom Center 2: The Animal Kingdom Center 3: Earth s Biomes Center 4: The Rain Forest Center 5: Seasonal Behavior Center 6: Dinosaurs and Fossils Part II: Earth Science Center 1: Seasonal Patterns Center 2: Worldwide Winds Center 3: Rain, Snow, and Hail Center 4: Bodies of Water Center 5: Erosion of the Earth Center 6: Carving Caves Part III: Physical Science Center 1: Bending Light Center 2: All About Sound Center 3: Mighty Magnetism Center 4: Forces of Friction Center 5: The Pull of Gravity Center 6: Properties of Balance Teacher Resources

5 Part I: Life Science 1 Life Science Center 1: The Plant Kingdom Scientists have organized all living things into as many as five large groups, or kingdoms, to make them easier to study. Each kingdom is divided into smaller groups organized by the characteristics that the organisms have in common. There are more than 250,000 members of the plant kingdom and new varieties are discovered every year. There are two general plant groups those that reproduce with small cells called spores, and those that reproduce with seeds. Algae, mosses, liverworts, ferns, and horsetails belong in the first category. Algae may be found in water or on land, and have no true stems, roots, or leaves. Mosses and liverworts, such as peat moss, are found in damp places on land. They have tiny stems and leaves. Ferns and horsetails have true leaves, stems, and roots. Scientists do not classify fungi, such as mushrooms and toadstools, as plants. Lichens, however, are a partnership of fungi and algae algae produce the food and fungi provide the shelter. When spores fall onto moist ground, they sprout into tiny structures that have both male and female reproductive cells. When there is enough moisture, the male and female cells join and a new plant grows. The second plant group includes flowering plants and conifers. Flowering plants have leaves, stems, and roots. Most reproduce by means of covered seeds. Conifers are woody plants with leaves (called needles), stems, and roots. They reproduce with seeds that develop within tough, protective cones. Conifers are often called evergreens, because they do not lose their needles all at once. Instead, they drop old leaves and produce new ones throughout the year, so the tree is never bare. Some of the world s tallest trees, like California redwoods, are conifers. In the following experiment, children will discover a simple way to measure the height of trees. Vocabulary cones: the dry fruit of conifers spores: the reproductive cells of certain plants Reading List I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves: And Other Questions About Plants by Andrew Charman (Larousse Kingfisher Chambers, 2003). Ages 4 8 The Plant Kingdom (Junior Adventure) by Sharon Dalgleish (Mason Crest Publishers, 2003). Ages 9 12 The Plant Kingdom: A Guide to Plant Classification and Biodiversity (Classification) by Theresa Greenaway (Raintree/Steck Vaughn, 1999). Ages School McGraw-Hill Specialty Children s Publishing Activities for Science Centers

6 The Plant Kingdom Objectives: To understand that plants are living things To learn how to measure the height and age of trees Part I: Life Science 1 Let s Experiment: Measuring Trees Materials: two trees, tape measure, yardstick, notebook, pencil 1. Post student instructions and hand out record sheets. 2. Have children work in pairs. Choose two trees of different heights. 3. Measure from the base of the first tree to a spot 25 feet away. This is where a child will stand. 4. Have the children measure the length of their arm. If it is less than 25 inches, their partners will need to hold the yardstick. 5. Have the children hold the yardstick straight out, 25 inches from their eye. 6. Hold out the yardstick so the zero is level with the base of the tree. 7. Look at the top of the tree and note how many inches it is from the base. 8. Tell children to switch places. Repeat steps 3 7 with the second tree. 9. Have children complete their record sheets. Results: Because of the observer s position 25 feet from the tree, and the yardstick s position 25 inches from the observer s eye, the ratio is one inch equals one foot in tree height. For example, if you measure 22 inches, then the tree is approximately 22 feet tall. If the tree is so tall that it extends higher than the yardstick, have the children back up until they are 50 feet away. Measure the tree as described in steps 3 7. This time, however, multiply the answer by two. Tree Rings You can tell a tree s age by counting the rings in its trunk. Wood is made of cells called xylem, which carry water from the tree s roots up to its leaves. In summer, when it is warm and water is plentiful, xylem cells are light-colored. In the fall, when temperatures cool and water becomes scarce, xylem cells look darker. Together, the band of light and dark wood makes up one annual ring, or one year s growth. Find pictures of cut tree trunks and stumps in nature books. Point out and count the tree rings with children. 7 McGraw-Hill School Specialty Children s Publishing Activities for Science Centers

7 Part I: Life Science 1 Name Date Let s Experiment: Measuring Trees 1. Work with a partner. Pick two trees of different heights. 2. Use a measuring tape. Measure from the base of the first tree to a spot 25 feet away. 3. Stand in that spot. Hold the yardstick in front of you. 4. Hold out the yardstick so the zero is at the base of the tree. 5. Look at the top of the tree. Just move your eyes, not your head. Look at the yardstick. 6. Tell your partner how many inches it is to the top of the tree. Your partner will write it on the record sheet. 7. Change places with your partner. Follow steps 2 6 to measure the second tree. 8. Fill in the rest of your record sheet. 8 School McGraw-Hill Specialty Children s Publishing Activities for Science Centers

8 Name Date Measuring Trees: Record Sheet Tree #1 I am standing feet from Tree #1. Type of Tree: Height of Tree: Draw a picture of what you see. Part I: Life Science 1 Tree #2 I am standing feet from Tree #1. Type of Tree: Height of Tree: Draw a picture of what you see. Answer these questions. 1. Are trees living things? 2. How do you know? 9 McGraw-Hill School Specialty Children s Publishing Activities for Science Centers