Walking Museum

All of our second graders three weeks of research culminated today with our Walking Museum of Science. Each one of the second grade classrooms were divided into dinosaurs, space, animals, and insects and bugs. Here is a look at the outside of our classroom door as you walk into Prehistoric Journey...

My kiddos made it look like you were walking into the mouth of a T-Rex dinosaur! There were even little steaks with my kiddos faces on them. The inside of our classroom was transformed into a dinosaur paradise. We had rain forest storm and bird music playing and various learning stations.

Our kiddos got to sort dinosaurs by carnivore or herbivore based on their physical characteristics.

My kiddos paleontologist  folder and research book.

Our trace imprint fossils

Our amber pieces

 

After setting up our room we got to walk to the other classrooms to see all of their hard work. Here is a look at two of the other classroom doors as we walked inside.

 The Space Room

The Animal Room

 

Our kiddos had so much fun getting to see what their friends ended up researching. Our first grade buddies even came to show their support. I think they are a little more excited to come to second grade now!

 







 



Dinosaur Fossils

We wrapped up our two weeks of dinosaur research by reading and learning about fossils. The kiddos learned that fossils do not always have to be dinosaur bones. SHOCKING! You should have seen my kiddos faces when they learned that fact.

After completing our What Are Fossils? anchor chart we decided to make trace fossils. The kiddos mixed salt, flour, coffee grounds, and coffee to make a dirt like dough. We then took little plastic dinosaurs, sticks, and leaves to make trace imprints. Once I baked them in my oven here's how they turned out...

We also discussed how amber was made. I could not believe how many of my kiddos shouted, "Ms. White! That orange stuff is from Jurassic Park. That is how they made dinosaurs." Oh, kiddos. They crack me up. We also made our own amber by melting glycerin soap bars in a crock pot and adding a little bit of orange food coloring (it made our room smell like a hospital). We then placed some butterfly beads into a little dinosaur ice cube tray I found at Dollar Tree and poured the soap into the tray. Here is what our "amber" looked like when it hardened...

My kiddos will use these as one area of our museum that we will set up on Friday. The other second grade classrooms and our first graders will come and visit our Prehistoric Journey room. 

 

 

Dinosaurs: Week One

My kiddos were so excited that they finally got to choose their dinosaur to begin researching next week today. I was excited that most of my kiddos picked some not well-known dinosaurs. We completed various activities this week to give my kiddos a chance to learn a little bit about various dinosaurs before they focus on just one. Monday my kiddos inferred what I had in my giant egg. I was surprised how many of them guessed a dinosaur without any clues. I guess I have found my second calling...egg painter??? Wednesday we read Dinosaur Hunters about paleontologists like Dinosaur Jim. After the story, my kiddos helped sort pictures that a paleontologist would need onto our "Pete the Paleontologist" anchor chart.

 

We then took dinosaur fact cards and sorted our dinosaurs by their sizes; less than 20 feet, 20-40 feet, and more than 40 feet.

 

Today my kiddos reviewed why research is important. We again used our dinosaur fact cards to practice taking notes and drawing the physical features of our selected dinosaur.

 

We ended today with making a dinosaur glyph. My kiddos LOVE glyphs! Here are just a few of my little artists in the making...

Next week we will begin our research reports on dinosaur physical features, habitat, and diet. We will also spend some more time talking about fossils. My kiddos will be so excited to get to make their own fossils and amber pieces. Pictures and updates to come soon!