Now that second graders can identify the differences between liquids and solids, we're off to comparing solids.  Even though each solid does not take the shape of a container it might fill, it is still distinguishable from the next solid it comes in contact with.  

Second graders are classifying various solids by their properties.  Properties describe an object based on our five senses.  We'll be classifying these solids in more ways than one!

Second graders are just beginning a new unit on matter.  We started class with a formative assessment tool called "What is a solid?"  This tool is giving me a better understanding of what students already know about solids.  Below you will see how some second graders identified a solid they knew of and something that was not a solid.  They had to give reasoning why each of those materials fit a category pertaining to solids.  We've got some work ahead of us...and that's perfectly okay!

Some students said that only the materials that were hard were solids.  Others disagreed and said solids could be soft.  Students also said that if a material could fall out of your hand, that it couldn't be a solid.  We surely had some interesting conversations regarding some misconceptions they have!