Second Grade Science Content Guide NEXT GENERATION SECOND GRADE SCIENCE STANDARDS (NGSS) 2-PS1 Matter and its Interactions Plan and carry out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems Plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis to answer a question Analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if it works as intended Make observations (firsthand or from media) to construct an evidence-based account for natural phenomena Construct arguments to support a claim Different kinds of matter exist and many of them can be either solid or liquid depending on temperature. Matter can be described and classified by its observable properties. Different properties are suited to different purposes. A great variety of objects can be built up from a small set pf pieces. Heating or cooling a substance may cause changes that can be observed. Sometime these changes are reversible, and sometimes they are not. Patterns Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed Cause and Effect Events have causes that generate observable patterns Simple tests can be designed to gather evidence to support or refute student ideas about causes Energy and Matter Objects may break into smaller pieces and be put together in larger pieces, or change shapes 2-PS1-1 2-PS1-2 2-PS1-3 2-PS1-4 I can plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties. I can analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose. I can make observations to construct an evidence-based account of how an object made of a small set of pieces can be disassembled and made into a new object. I can construct an argument with evidence that some changes caused by heating or cooling can be reversed and some cannot.
2-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics Develop a simple model based on evidence to represent a proposed objects or tool Plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to answer a question. Make observations to collect data which can be used to make comparisons Plants depend on water and light to grow Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water Designs can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problem s solutions to other people. Cause and Effect Events have causes that generate observable patterns Structure and Function The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their function(s). 2-LS2-1 2-LS2-2 2-LS4-1 I can plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow. I can develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants. I can make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
2-ESS1 Earth s Systems: Processes that Shape the Earth Develop a model to represent patterns in the natural world Make observations from several sources to construct an evidencebased account for natural phenomena Compare multiple solutions to a problem Obtain information using various texts, texts features, and other media that will be useful in answering a scientific question 2-ESS1-1 2-ESS2-1 2-ESS2-2 2-ESS2-3 Some events happen very quickly; others occur very slowly, over a time period much longer than one can observe. Wind and water can change the shape of the land. Maps show where things are located. One can map the shapes and kinds of land and water in any area. Water is found in the ocean, river, lakes, and ponds. Water exists as solid ice and in liquid form Because there is always more than one possible solution to a problem, it is useful to compare and test designs. Patterns Patterns in the natural world can be observed. I can use information from several sources to provide evidence that Earth events can occur quickly or slowly. I can compare multiple solutions designed to show or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land. I can develop a model to represent the shapes and kinds of land and bodies of water in an area. I can obtain information to identify where water is found in Earth and that it can be solid or liquid. Stability and Change Things may change slowly or rapidly.
K-2 Engineering and Design Ask questions based on observations to find more information about the natural world and / or designed world. Define a simple problem that can be solved through development of a new or improved object or tool. Develop a simple model based on evidence to represent a proposed object or tool. Analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if it works as intended. A situation that people want to change or create can be approached as a problem to be solved through engineering. Asking questions, making observations, and gathering information are helpful in thinking about problems. Before beginning to design a solution, it is important to clearly understand the problem. Designs can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problem s solution to other people. Because there is always more than one possible solution to a problem, it is useful to compare and test designs. Structure and Function The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their functions. K-2ETS1-1 K-2ETS1-2 K-2ETS1-3 I can ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change or define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool. I can develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of a object helps its function as needed to solve a given problem. I can analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weakness of how each performs.
NEW MEXICO SECOND GRADE SCIENCE STANDARDS (NMSS) Strand Standard Benchmark Objectives Strand 1: Scientific Thinking and Practice Standard I: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of observing, experimenting, predicting and validating to think critically. Benchmark I: Use scientific methods to observe, collect, record, analyze, predict, interpret, and determine reasonableness of data. 1. Conduct simple investigations (e.g. measure the sizes of plants of the same kind that are grown in sunlight and in shade). 2. Use tools to provide information not directly available through only the senses (e.g., magnifiers, rulers, thermometers). 3. Make predictions based on observed patterns as opposed to random guessing. 4. Follow simple instructions for scientific investigation. Strand 1: Scientific Thinking and Practice Standard I: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of observing, experimenting, predicting and validating to think critically. Benchmark II: Use scientific thinking and knowledge and communicate findings. 1. Understand that in doing science it is often helpful to work with a team and share findings. 2. Make accurate observations and communicate findings about investigations. Strand 1: Scientific Thinking and Practice Standard I: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of observing, experimenting, predicting and validating to think critically. Benchmark III: Use mathematical skills and vocabulary to analyze data, understand patterns and relationships, and communicate findings. 1. Record observations on simple charts or diagrams. 2. Measure length, weight, and temperature with appropriate tools and express those measurements in accurate mathematical language. Standard I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy, and the interactions between matter and energy. Benchmark I: Recognize that matter has different forms and properties. 1. Observe that properties of substances can change when they are mixed, cooled, or heated (e.g., salt dissolves in water, ice melts). 2. Describe the changes that occur when substances are heated or cooled and change from one state of matter to another (i.e., solid, liquid, and gas).
Standard I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy, and the interactions between matter and energy. Benchmark II: Know that energy is needed to get things done and that energy has different forms. 1. Describe how heat can be produced (e.g., burning, rubbing, mixing some substances). 2. Know that heat moves more rapidly in thermal conductors (e.g., metal pan) than in insulators (e.g., plastic handle). 3. Describe the usefulness of some forms of energy (e.g., electricity, sunlight, wind, sound) and how energy (e.g., heat, light,) can affect common objects (e.g., sunlight warms dark objects, heat melts candles). 4. Observe that sound is made by vibrating objects and describe it by its pitch and loudness. 5. Recognize that moving objects carry energy (kinetic energy). Standard I (Physical Science): Understand the structure and properties of matter, the characteristics of energy, and the interactions between matter and energy. Benchmark III: Identify forces and describe the motion of objects. 1. Describe how the strength of a push or pull affects the change in an object s motion (e.g., how a big or small push affects how high a swing rises). 2. Observe that electrically charged materials and magnets attract and repel each other, and observe their effects on other kinds of materials. Standard II (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the interdependence of living things and their environments. Benchmark I: Know that living things have diverse forms, structures, functions, and habitats. 1. Observe that diversity exists among individuals within a population. 2. Observe and describe various shapes of fungi. 3. Know that bacteria and viruses are germs. Standard II (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the interdependence of living things and their environments. Benchmark II: Know that living things have similarities and differences and that living things change over time. 1. Explain that stages of the life cycle are different for different animals (e.g., mouse, cat, horse, butterfly, or frog). 2. Observe that many characteristics of the offspring of living organisms (e.g., plants or animals) are inherited from their parents. 3. Observe how the environment influences some characteristics of living things (e.g., amount of sunlight required for plant growth). Standard II (Life Science): Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the interdependence of living things and their environments. Benchmark III: Know the parts of the human body and their functions. 1. Identify a variety of human organs (e.g., lungs, heart, stomach, brain). 2. Know that various nutrients are required for specific parts and functions of the body (e.g., milk for bones and teeth, protein for muscles, sugar for energy). 3. Identify the functions of human systems (e.g., respiratory, circulatory, digestive). Standard III (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe, the interconnections among Benchmark I: Know the structure of the solar system and the objects in the universe. 1. Observe that the phase of the moon appears a little different every day but looks the same again after about four weeks. 2. Observe that some objects in the night sky are brighter than others. 3. Know that the sun is a star.
them, and the processes and interactions of Earth s systems. Standard III (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe, the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth s systems. Benchmark II: Know the structure and formation of Earth and its atmosphere and the processes that shape them. 1. Know that rocks have different shapes and sizes (e.g., boulders, pebbles, sand) and that smaller rocks result from the breaking and weathering of larger rocks. 2. Understand that rocks are made of materials with distinct properties. 3. Know that soil is made up of weathered rock and organic materials, and that soils differ in their capacity to support the growth of plants. 4. Recognize the characteristics of the seasons. Strand III: Science and Society Standard I: Understand how scientific discoveries, inventions, practices, and knowledge influence, and are influenced by, individuals and societies. Benchmark I: Describe how science influences decisions made by individuals and societies. 1. Describe ways to prevent the spread of germs (e.g., soap, bleach, cooking). 2. Know that science has ways to help living things avoid sickness or recover from sickness (e.g., vaccinations, medicine) and adult supervision is needed to administer them. 3. Know that some materials are better than others for making particular things (e.g., paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, fiberglass, wood). 4. Understand that everybody cando science, invent things, and formulate ideas. 5. Know that science has discovered many things about objects, events, and nature and that there are many more questions to be answered.