Elementary

Elementary Science Grade 2

1.0 Credit
36 weeks
Open

The Elementary Science at VLACS helps students develop a strong foundation in various sciences such as Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Students will learn through hands-on activities and will be encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, conduct experiments, analyze data, use technology and math skills, explain their findings, design solutions, and communicate their results. The courses are designed to engage students in learning and encourage them to explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate their understanding. This approach will help students gain a better understanding of the world around them by building on their own experiences and new ideas.

Please view the Elementary Parents Guide for Grades K-2 with guidance on helping your student transition to online learning and thrive at VLACS.

Major Topics and Concepts

Module 01: Properties Of Objects

  • 01.00 Module One Pretest
  • 01.01 Shape, Color, Size, And Texture
  • 01.02 Measuring Temperature
  • 01.03 Measuring Weight
  • 01.04 Floating Or Sinking
  • 01.05 Push And Pull
  • 01.06 Daily Temperatures
  • 01.07 Module One Review And Reflection
  • 01.08 Module One Assessment

Module 02: States Of Objects And Materials

  • 02.00 Module Two Pretest
  • 02.01 Solids, Liquids, And Gases
  • 02.02 Solids And Shape
  • 02.03 Liquids With Shape
  • 02.04 Trapping Gas
  • 02.05 States Of Water
  • 02.06 Disappearing Water
  • 02.07 Changing States
  • 02.08 Module Two Review And Discussion-Based Assessment
  • 02.09 Module Two Assessment

Module 03: Volume

  • 03.00 Module Three Pretest
  • 03.01 Volume Of A Substance
  • 03.02 Measuring Volume
  • 03.03 Comparing Volumes
  • 03.04 Module Three Review And Reflection
  • 03.05 Module Three Assessment

Module 04: Changes In Materials

  • 04.00 Module Four Pretest
  • 04.01 Changes In Materials
  • 04.02 Investigate Change
  • 04.03 Different materials, same changes?
  • 04.04 Module Four Review And Discussion-Based Assessment
  • 04.05 Module Four Assessment

Module 05: Weather Patterns

  • 05.00 Module Five Pretest
  • 05.01 What’s up with the weather?
  • 05.02 Measuring Weather
  • 05.03 Patterns in Nature
  • 05.04 Daily Weather
  • 05.05 Season To Season
  • 05.06 Find The Pattern
  • 05.07 Hot or cold?
  • 05.08 Investigating The Weather
  • 05.09 Module Five Review And Reflection
  • 05.10 Module Five Assessment

Module 06: Wind/Severe Weather

  • 06.00 Module Six Pretest
  • 06.01 Air is all around us!
  • 06.02 An air investigation!
  • 06.03 The Moving Air
  • 06.04 Strong And Light Wind
  • 06.05 The Power Of The Wind
  • 06.06 The Effects Of Wind
  • 06.07 What is severe weather?
  • 06.08 Beware Of Severe Weather
  • 06.09 Don’t be scared, prepare!
  • 06.10 Module Six Review And Discussion-Based Assessment
  • 06.11 Module Six Assessment

Module 07: Rocks/Soil

  • 07.00 Module Seven Pretest
  • 07.01 What’s that on the ground?
  • 07.02 Exploring Rocks
  • 07.03 Let’s compare rocks!
  • 07.04 Sizing Up Rocks
  • 07.05 Different Rocks, Different Looks
  • 07.06 Exploring Soil
  • 07.07 What makes soil?
  • 07.08 How is soil formed?
  • 07.09 Soil Here, Soil There
  • 07.10 A Rainbow Of Soil
  • 07.11 Investigating Soil
  • 07.12 Can it grow plants?
  • 07.13 The Mystery Soil
  • 07.14 Module Seven Review And Discussion-Based Assessment
  • 07.15 Module Seven Assessment

Module 08: Sun’s Energy

  • 08.00 Module Eight Pretest
  • 08.01 Sunlight And Heat
  • 08.02 Warmth And Sunlight
  • 08.03 Heating Earth
  • 08.04 Sunlight Around The World
  • 08.05 Module Eight Review And Reflection
  • 08.06 Module Eight Assessment

Module 09: Forms Of Energy

  • 09.00 Module Nine Pretest
  • 09.01 Electrifying Electricity
  • 09.02 Earth’s Natural Power
  • 09.03 There’s an energy for that!
  • 09.04 Module Nine Review And Discussion-Based Assessment
  • 09.05 Module Nine Assessment

Module 10: Forces And Changes In Motion

  • 10.00 Module Ten Pretest
  • 10.01 Welcome to Fizzworks Factory!
  • 10.02 Need A Push
  • 10.03 A push or pull?
  • 10.04 Force And Speed
  • 10.05 Big And Small Forces
  • 10.06 The Effects Of Force
  • 10.07 The Power Of Force
  • 10.08 Magnificent Magnets
  • 10.09 Do we have a problem?
  • 10.10 The Solution
  • 10.11 Module Ten Review And Discussion-Based Assessment
  • 10.12 Module Ten Assessment

Module 11: Human Body

  • 11.00 Module Eleven Pretest
  • 11.01 Exploring The Human Body
  • 11.02 Journey Inside The Body
  • 11.03 The Brain
  • 11.04 The Heart
  • 11.05 The Lungs
  • 11.06 The Stomach
  • 11.07 Mighty Muscles
  • 11.08 All About The Skeleton
  • 11.09 My body can do what?
  • 11.10 Module Eleven Review And Discussion-Based Assessment
  • 11.11 Module Eleven Assessment

Module 12: Basic Needs

  • 12.00 Module Twelve Pretest
  • 12.01 Basic World, Basic Needs
  • 12.02 Comparing Basic Needs
  • 12.03 Welcome To My Habitat
  • 12.04 Living With The Land
  • 12.05 The Habitats Of Earth
  • 12.06 Sunlight With A Side Of Water
  • 12.07 Module Twelve Review And Reflection
  • 12.08 Module Twelve Assessment

Module 13: Life Cycles

  • 13.00 Module Thirteen Pretest
  • 13.01 Seed To Bean
  • 13.02 Life Cycle Of Plants
  • 13.03 Egg To Butterfly
  • 13.04 Life Cycle Of Animals
  • 13.05 Let’s spread some seeds!
  • 13.06 Module Thirteen Review And Discussion-Based Assessment
  • 13.07 Module Thirteen Assessment

Course Materials

To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students and families are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers because, when teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.

Required Materials – Please view the list of materials before registering.

Competencies

Properties

I can describe objects using different properties. I can predict an object's buoyancy to float or sink. I can describe magnets’ effects on objects and other magnets. I can compare my inferences to my observations. I can compare data resulting from repeated tests.

States of Matter

I can identify an object's state of matter. I can describe solids as objects with a definite shape. I can describe liquids as materials that take the shape of their containers. I can describe a gas as a material that takes the shape of its container. I can compare water in each of its three states. I can summarize the process of water changing from one state to another.

Volume

I can explain volume. I can estimate if the volume is larger or smaller than a liter. I can select an appropriate tool to measure the volume of a liquid. I can explain the property of liquids remaining constant when poured into containers of different size and shape.

Changes in Materials

I can explain the process of changing the state of materials. I can compare materials’ reactions when exposed to a common change. I can identify important properties when making a new object.

Weather

I can describe patterns observable in nature. I can explain current weather conditions through observation and the use of tools. I can compare weather conditions over a period of time to identify patterns and trends. I can describe repeating weather patterns in nature.

Severe Weather

I can describe the effects of light and strong wind. I can describe severe weather and its harmful effects. I can identify landforms and structural designs that slow or prevent damage from severe weather. I can explain the importance of safety plans to prepare for severe weather.

Rocks and Soil

I can categorize rock properties. I can explain soil composition. I can explain soil formation. I can explain soil properties. I can evaluate soil types according to the properties.

Sun

I can describe the energy that comes from the sun. I can evaluate the effects of direct sunlight on water, land, and air by measuring temperature. I can evaluate the effects of indirect sunlight on water, land, and air by measuring temperature.

Electricity

I can identify the forms from which electricity can be generated. I can summarize the process for electricity to reach homes. I can identify uses of electricity.

Forces

I can compare the effects of large and small amounts of force applied to varying objects I can describe the impact of gravity on an object with and without support. I can explain the magnetic force ability to move objects without touching them. I can select a solution to a problem by evaluating options.

Human Bodies

I can describe the functions of external parts of the human body. I can identify the locations of external parts of the human body. I can describe the functions of internal parts of the human body. I can identify the locations of internal parts of the human body.

Basic Needs

I can identify the basic needs of living things. I can explain the importance of habitats that fulfill the needs of plants and animals. I can compare the process for plants and animals to meet basic needs.

Life Cycles

I can describe the stages in the life cycle of a plant. I can describe the stages in the life cycle of a butterfly. I can describe the stages in the life cycle of animals. I can explain the process by which animals help plants to spread seeds.