What's new in the world of second grade? Learning valuable lessons with the use of FOOD!
OPEN WIDE!!
The 8 year olds made their very own version of sedimentary rocks. You know, rocks that have been cemented together by layers of sediment (for the slow). How'd they do it?Layer 1: sand (graham crackers)
Layer 2: mud (marshmallow cream)
Layer 3: pebbles (chocolate chips)
Layer 4: more sand
A truly delightful combination!Yesterday they were introduced to igneous rocks (formed from heat or fire). The whole class took a "well-behaved" field trip to the TEACHER'S LOUNGE (kind of nerve-wracking being that it's a "NO KIDS ALLOWED ZONE")! Then we melted some chocolate chips in the microwave. After, we poured the chocolate into little rock forms and waited for them to cool and harden. 
Who knew boring, old rocks could be so interesting?
Who knew boring, old rocks could be so interesting?On Monday we'll do metamorphic rocks. The kids, however, will not be so delighted by this treat. It involves wheat and white bread being pressurized and heated...not so delicious, but it's edible and teaches the concept quite well.
***In other 2nd grade news...I posted a while back about my class pollinating their plants. Amazing, can I just say?! It totally worked! The plants grew the cutest little pods that were filled with even cuter baby seeds.
The few plants that we didn't pollinate...never produced fruits! I guess I'm slow, but I never really put two and two together to realize that in order for garden plants to grow fruits and veggies, they have to be pollinated! Turns out, bees are not so irritating; they actually serve a pretty big purpose!!! It's amazing the mounds of knowledge you learn from teaching second grade! Go ME! 
Can I just say that I wish you had been my elem. teacher?!?!? You do the cutest things that I bet really help kids learn a lot. I really wish our little Taylor was in your class...he is struggling in his classes and I think it's a lot to do with being bored...but I am not sure.
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