2nd Grade Explores Sharing the Planet

In order to understand the central idea living things share natural resources, students in 2nd grade began by examining what natural resources are and how they are used.  They listed resources like air, water, soil, trees, minerals and plants. They then had to consider the ways in which people use those resources and list those. Next students explored what animals need to live. They were then able to see how many of the resources we use every day are also important for the survival of plants and animals around us. To evaluate these connects students were asked to choose an animal that is endangered and look at which resource is causing it to struggle and how and why that resources are being compromised. Through this research students connected this new knowledge in a web to show the interconnectedness of all living things and examine the responsibilities we all have to preserve these resources.

Students are seeing the value in taking responsibility for their actions and growing their idea of the world around them. This is building on their knowledge while also providing them an opportunity to explore the concepts of causation, connection, and responsibility through life and earth science, world geography, and economics. Check out their amazing webs!