Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
GRADE 2 SCIENCE
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has established the following Science standards based on the most
current teachings which are aligned to Ohio New Learning Science Standards. In addition, these
Standards are infused with Catholic Identity and Catholic values. This curriculum gives parents,
students, and teachers the knowledge, understanding, and skill set students need to acquire and satisfy
the Archdiocesan Science Standards for Grade 2.
SCIENCE APPLICATION
Grade 2 students are expected to meet each year’s grade-specific standards. Students retain and master skills
learned in the preceding grades, and will further develop their skills to gain exposure to a range of texts and
tasks. Rigor is infused throughout this Graded Course of Study (GCS) along with relevance to further foster
the values of Catholic teaching.
Science for Grade 2 is divided into four standards:
Science Inquiry and Application (SIA)
Earth and Space Science (ESS)
Life Science (LS)
Physical Science (PS)
SIA – During the years of PreK-4, all students must become proficient in the use of the following scientific
processes, with appropriate laboratory safety techniques, to construct their knowledge and understanding in
all science content areas:
Observe and ask questions about the natural environment;
Plan and conduct simple investigations;
Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses;
Use appropriate mathematics with data to construct reasonable explanations;
Communicate about observations, investigations and explanations;
Review and ask questions about the observations and explanations of others.
ESS – Grade 2 students focus on the atmosphere, particularly on air and water as they relate to weather and
weather changes that can be observed and measured:
Atmosphere is made up of air
Water is present in the air
Long and short-term weather changes occur due to changes in energy.
LS – Grade 2 students focus on how ecosystems work by observations of simple interactions between the
biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem. Just as living things impact the environment, the environment also
impacts living things:
Living things cause changes on Earth
Some kinds of living things that once lived on Earth have completely disappeared, while similar
species are still alive today.
PS – Grade 2 students focus in on observing the relationship between forces and motion:
Forces change the motion of an object.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
SUMMARY – SCIENCE GRADE 2
Students in grade 2 have learned that all forms of life were created by the design of God. Third grade
students continue to increase their knowledge with their science skills through inquiry and investigations.
In addition 2nd
grade Science standards can be connected to The Catechism of the Catholic Church for
reference for topics, issues, and/or questions that may arise in Science class. The following may be used:
Topic Section
Science and Faith 159
The Natural Moral Law 1954-1960
Abortion 2270-2275
Suicide 2280-2283
Respect for the person and scientific research 2292-2296
Research aimed at reducing human sterility 2375-2379
Care for Creation and Ethical Use 2415
Scientific experiments using animals 2417-2418
Evolution 279-289
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati stipulates the following exiting skills in the four standards of second
grade Science.
SIA – Science Inquiry and Application
Students in grade 2 must develop the ability in SIA to:
1. Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
2. Design and conduct a simple scientific investigation.
3. Use appropriate mathematics, tools and techniques to conduct a scientific investigation, analyze and
interpret data, and to gather scientific information.
4. Think critically and logically to connect evidence and explanations.
5. Recognize and analyze explanations and predictions.
6. Communicate about observations and investigations with peers both verbally and in writing.
7. Ask questions about explanations.
8. Keep neat, current and accurate information and data in a science notebook.
ESS – Earth and Space Science
Students in Grade 2 must develop the ability in Earth and Space Science to:
1. Know and understand that God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and all Celestial bodies.
2. Explain the different kinds of weather.
3. The atmosphere is made up of air.
4. Water is present in the air
5. Long and short-term weather changes occur due to changes in energy.
6. Keep neat, current and accurate information regarding ESS in a scientific notebook.
LS – Life Science
Students in Grade 2 must develop the skills in Life Science to:
1. Explain how living things can cause changes on Earth.
2. Explain how living things that once lived on Earth have completely disappeared while similar species
are still alive today.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
3. Keep neat, current and accurate scientific information and data for Life Science in a scientific
notebook.
PS – Physical Science
Students in Grade 2 will develop the ability in Physical Science to:
1. Be able to explain the relationship between force and motion.
2. Explain how forces change the motion of an object.
3. Explain how different forms of energy can change the states of matter.
4. Keep neat, current and accurate scientific information and data for Physical Science in a scientific
notebook.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Inquiry Based Science One of the biggest differences between this Graded Course of Study (GCS) and previous Science Graded
Courses of Study (GCS) is the focus on inquiry based learning. Inquiry based learning is based on the philosophy of
constructivist learning. That is the idea that students must be able to create their own understanding of concepts.
There are several levels to inquiry based learning. These range from no inquiry to open inquiry.
When there is no inquiry, teachers tell the students the facts and expected to repeat these facts to prove their
knowledge. In open inquiry, students are given the materials to learn. The students are expected to create their
own knowledge. This will lead them to a greater understanding and long-term retention of the material.
Think of a time when you learned something new or wanted to understand something in greater depth. It
is rare that the learning process is a linear one. Often, you will be intrigued by something you see. Imagine trying to
figure out why ice melts in the sun. In trying to understand this, you make judgments based on both previous
knowledge and personal experiences. You begin to inquire about why does this happen. You explore and this
becomes less of a mystery. Through this process, you know that the sun and melting ice fit together, but you are
not exactly sure how that happens. Sometimes, it does not fit together nicely and old ideas must be broken down
and reconstructed. (The ice still melted at night; why?) It is through these experiences that understandings are
extended. An idea is tested and if it does not work, we go back and retest it. If we go back to the ice example, you
realize that the ice will melt on a warm night just as it will during a warm day. You realize that it is not the sun by
itself that melts the ice. Instead, it is the heat that causes ice to melt.
Though this entire process, you have gained much more knowledge than heat causes matter to change
form. You have learned how to take your previous knowledge and apply it in a specific situation. You have made
observations, tested your ideas, reflected on what did not work, and gathered additional information. Learning is
not a linear process. Learning is a continuous and individual process. As a student, you facilitated your own
learning. This is exactly what inquiry based learning is. It is taking old skills and knowledge and applying them in
new situations. It is learning by doing.
No Inquiry
•The teacher lectures to the class about electricity and circuits.
Direct Inquiry
•The teacher has the students follow a step- by-step lab to create a circuit and light a bulb.
Guided Inquiry
•The teacher gives the students wire, batteries, and a light bulb. The students are told to create a circuit to light the bulb.
Open Inquiry
•The teacher gives the students wire, batteries, and a light bulb. The students are left to create something on their own.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
The teacher still has a very important role in all of this. While students are naturally curious about the world
around them, it is still important for the teacher to lay the groundwork for the class. A question or a problem can
get the students engaged in the instructional task. If we think about marketing, a company needs your attention
before you will buy their product. It does not matter if it is the best product in the world. If you do not know it
exists, you will not purchase it.
When students explore, they are directly involved with the material. This is where they develop the
experiences to build their knowledge. The classroom teacher is necessary at this point to provide the materials
and guided focus.
After the students have completed their explorations, it is time for them to explain what they have
learned. During the explanation process, teachers have a vital role of correcting misconceptions or introducing
formal vocabulary. A student who learned that a ball will continue rolling until friction and gravity act upon it will
have something concrete to think of when Newton’s First Law of Motion is mentioned.
The teacher is also essential in elaboration of the topic. The teacher can raise questions that were not
brought up in the exploration stage. If the students were working with the laws of motion, they can be asked
about which balls will go further on a given surface. It is not possible to explore every situation, but the knowledge
the students gained during the exploration stage will help them in these areas.
Finally, there is the assessment piece. This should be an on-going piece throughout this entire process.
This will allow the teacher to determine whether the student understands the material. Some tools to help you
with this are rubrics, observations, checklists, interviews, and portfolios. Assessment must guide future lesson
planning and may even be cause for modification in the future. For example, if you notice there is a misconception
with many students, you can revisit the concept. If you notice great student interest in a specific area, the class
can be refocused to take advantage of this high level of interest.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic School’s Office Philosophy of Assessment
Based on educational research, the following is a set of grading practices organized into guidelines. These
guidelines should provide a framework of effective grading practices. The goal is to support student learning
and encourage student success.
It is important to be aware that the qualities of any grading guidelines are directly dependent on the quality of
diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments used in the classroom. They are not meant to be so specific
when a teacher is not afforded flexibility in the classroom. Instead, these are suggestions and explanations of
grading techniques that have been proven to increase the level of student achievement.
Relate grades to the achievement based on the standards.
The Ohio New Learning Science Standards are aligned to the Archdiocesan Graded Course of Study. Standards are
the basis of determining grades. Specific learning targets should be used to figure grades.
Use performance standards as reference points when determining grades.
Whether symbols, letters, or numbers are used, the students’ scores should reflect whether or not the students
have mastered the standard.
Separate achievement from other non-academic items such as effort, behavior, and
participation.
Grades should only indicate what a student knows, understands, and can do. Effort, behavior, participation should
be reported separately from achievement. Individual achievement, not group achievement should be the basis for
the grade.
Sample student performance. Don’t score everything, and don’t include all scores in grades.
Everything does not need to be scored and include in a grade. Formative assessments are tools to guide future
instruction. You can assess these with rubrics, checklists, scoring guides and a variety of other methods. Scores at
the end of the grading period, after the learning has taken place, should be the determining factor when figuring
grades.
Use quality assessments and accurately record evidence of achievement.
Assessments should match what the student is expected to learn, this is called relevant learning. There are many
tools (e.g. portfolios, rubrics, interviews) other than the standard paper and pencil tests to assess a student’s
understanding of the material.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Discuss and involve students in the assessment and grading processes throughout the
learning cycle.
One method that has continued to increase student achievement is involving them in the assessment process.
Students should be involved in all steps of this process. At the most basic level, students can simply understand
how their grades will be determined. As assessment becomes more student- centered, the students can develop
rubrics, maintain their own assessment records, self- assess, and communicate their achievement to others
(student-led conferences).
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Reading Standards for 2nd Grade Science Key Ideas and Details: 1. Ask and answer scientific questions to demonstrate understanding of key scientific terms. 2. Describe the connection between scientific ideas or concepts in a text. Craft and Structure: 3. Determine the meaning of scientific words and symbols and other domain-specific words. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 4. Use information gained from illustrations and words in a text or digital text to demonstrate
understanding of scientific happenings. 5. Compare/contrast two or more scientific points and details in a scientific topic. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity: 6. By the end of second grade year, read and comprehend science texts proficiently with scaffolding as
needed.
Writing Standard for 2nd Grade Science Text Types and Purposes: 1. Write informative/explanatory texts in which a scientific topic is introduced and facts and definitions
to develop points and provide concluding statements. Production and Distribution of Writing: 2. With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish a science
writing including collaboration with peers. Research to Build and Present Knowledge: 3. Participate in shared science research and science writing projects to produce a report or record
science observations in a scientific notebook.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
SCIENCE GRADE 2
STANDARD – SCIENCE INQUIRY AND APPLICATION
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
SIA 2.1
Observe and ask questions about the natural environment.
SIA 2.1.1
Compare and contrast things you see in the natural environment.
SIA 2.1.2
Construct a visual of reported observations.
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
SIA 2.2
Plan and conduct simple investigations.
SIA 2.2.1
Make a chronological list of conducting a good scientific investigation.
SIA 2.2.2
Describe different ways to record and report investigations.
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
SIA 2.3
Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses in a
scientific investigation.
SIA 2.3.1
List and describe science tools for collecting and analyzing information.
SIA 2.3.2
Compare/contrast a scientific observation to a scientific investigation.
SIA 2.3.3
Explain the importance of being accurate when reporting data.
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
SIA 2.4
Use appropriate mathematics with data to construct reasonable explanations.
SIA 2.4.1
Explain the meaning of data.
SIA 2.4.2
Explain why gathering data is important.
SIA 2.4.3
Explain the importance of using correct mathematical methods when recording data.
SIA 2.4.4
Describe ways to display data for explanations.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
SIA 2.5
Communicate about observations, investigations and explanations.
SIA 2.5.1
Explain different ways to conduct observations, investigations and explanations and
why it is important for accurate results.
SIA 2.5.2
Explain why Scientists like to focus on the natural world.
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
SIA 2.6
Review and ask questions about the observations and explanation of others.
SIA 2.6.1
Explain how you can draw conclusions using others observations and explanations.
SIA 2.6.2
Explain empirical evidence.
SIA 2.6.3
Explain how empirical evidence can be used to show a supported hypothesis.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
SCIENCE GRADE 2
STANDARD – EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
STANDARD
STANDARD DESCRIPTION
ESS 2.1
The Atmosphere is made up of air.
ESS 2.1.1
Explain how air can be measured.
ESS 2.1.2
Describe how air can be observed.
ESS 2.1.3
Explain the term atmosphere.
STANDARD
STANDARD DESCRIPTION
ESS 2.2
Water is present in the air.
ESS 2.2.1
Describe what happens when air heats up, or cools down.
ESS 2.2.2
Explain how air takes up space (mass).
ESS 2.2.3
List tools used to measure the amount of water and wind in the air.
ESS 2.2.4
Describe the following terms: vapor, condensation, evaporation, precipitation.
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
ESS 2.3
Long and short-term weather changes occur due to changes in energy.
ESS 2.3.1
Describe the term weather.
ESS 2.3.2
List weather events and patterns and their causes.
ESS 2.3.3
Explain how different regions (deserts, oceans, plains) may cause severe weather.
ESS 2.3.4
Describe and explain how technology can help monitor weather.
ESS 2.3.5
List the benefits of evaluating and communicating the data of wind patterns.
ESS 2.3.6
Describe the connection between weather and energy.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
SCIENCE GRADE 2
STANDARD – LIFE SCIENCE
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
LS 2.1
Living things cause changes on Earth.
LS 2.1.2
Explain the term environment.
LS 2.1.3
Describe the interaction between living and non-living components in the environment.
LS 2.1.4
Describe and list how interactions can cause changes in groups of living things and the
physical environment.
LS 2.1.5
Explain how technology can investigate the results of changes on Earth.
LS 2.1.6
Communicate the importance of studying data from investigations.
STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
LS 2.2
Some kinds of individuals that once lived on Earth have completely disappeared,
although they were something like others that are alive today.
LS 2.2.1
Explain the meaning of: fossils, extinct, traces, dying out/last member.
LS 2.2.2
Explain why extinction occurs.
LS 2.2.3
Explain how some kinds of living things that once lived are similar to living things of
today.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
SCIENCE GRADE 2
STANDARD – PHYSICAL SCIENCE STANDARD STANDARD DESCRIPTION
PS 2.1
Forces change the motion of an object.
PS 2.1.1
Describe some examples of forces.
PS 2.1.2
Explain how objects may interact when in contact with force.
PS 2.1.3
List some forces that have no contact with objects.
PS 2.1.4
Describe the terms: gravity, static electricity, attraction, repulsion, magnet.
PS 2.1.5
Describe how technology can measure forces.
Grade 2 Science - 2016, The Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Science Comparative Analysis
Content that is new to 2nd
Grade Content that is still included at 2nd Grade, but may be modified at a greater depth
Content that is no longer a focus at 2nd Grade
Earth and Space Sciences:
Long and short term
weather changes occur due
to changes in energy
(formerly introduced in
Kindergarten and at
greater depth in 4th grade)
Earth and Space Sciences:
The atmosphere is made
up of air and water is
present in the air (formerly
in 4th grade)
Life Science: Living things
interact with their physical
environment.
Physical Science: Forces
change the motion of an
object; contact and
noncontact, including:
gravity, magnets, and static
electricity (formerly in 3rd
grade).
Life Science: Plants and animals live in distinct environments.
Life Science: Some kinds of individuals that once lived on Earth have completely disappeared although they were something like others that are alive today.
Earth and Space Sciences: The moon and sun are observed in different positions in the sky throughout the day/night. The lit portion of the moon is different throughout the month (now in Kindergarten).
Earth and Space
Sciences: Weather can be measured and has seasonal patterns (now in Kindergarten).
Life Science: Living
things can only survive in environments that can support their needs (now in 1st grade).
Physical Science: Some
objects and materials can be made to vibrate and produce sound (now in Kindergarten).
Physical Science: Light
travels in a straight line until it strikes an object (now in 5th grade).