Elementary schoolers examine the uses of rulers, scales, and measuring cups. They determine the criteria for the use of each tool and visit different areas of school to find items that can be measured with these tools. Everyone takes...

Second graders sped the day exploring about balance by playing with and making balancing toys. They discover how varying the amount and position of mass affects the toys' balance. Pupils explore gravity and balance while playing with the...

Students use an appropriate unit of measure to measure an item in the classroom. They create a PowerPoint to demonstrate the measurement process. Pupils are divided into pairs. Students use a concept map to discuss the terms for...

Students estimate the measurement in centimeters for common classroom objects. They check their estimations, discuss the differences and write a paragraph summarizing the activity.

Augment your math curriculum with posters detailing several concepts important to second grade math. Each poster features one math term from geometry, measurement, probability and statistics, computation and estimation, numbers and...

Students describe and classify rocks that they have chosen. They estimate and find the mass of their rocks.

Here is a lesson that rocks! Young scientists choose a rock and list words that describe it. They estimate the mass of their rocks and rank them within a group. They measure their rocks for volume and write a story that somehow includes...

Students complete five center activities that in order to determine the attributes of length and area. They study the vocabulary associated with measurement of length and area. They use blocks, play dough, wrapping paper, and footprints...

Students compare estimated lengths with actual lengths.

Students investigate how water goes from a solid to a liquid then back again.  In this experimental lesson students conduct their own experiment and see how water changes form. 

Students compare a globe and a two-dimensional world map and explore how they both represent the planet Earth. They locate the Hawaiian Islands on the globe or the world map and describe how the geographical position is unique.

Each student plants two lima beans in a plastic cup with a paper towel so they can be observed growing. The beans are misted with a spray bottle, and placed in a warm sunny area. Students view the beans each day for the next two weeks,...

Second graders identify the attributes of various shapes and estimate the weight of the objects. In this geometry instructional activity, 2nd graders identify the attributes of concrete objects and use a pan balance to weight them.

Second graders view milkweed plants (or pictures). The describe the plant and discuss ways some butterflies use it as a food source. Students view four pictures of different phases of a milkweed plant's life cycle. They discuss the...

Second graders investigate the life cycle of the caterpillar. They create a caterpillar habitat and care for it. Students make daily observations that are recorded in a writing journal. During the process of observation the students...

Students observe what happens to water as it goes from a solid to a liquid.  In this exploratory instructional activity students gain an understanding for the water cycle while working in groups observing what happens to water as it...