{ Parent Resource Guide Lindsey Ofcansky Grade 2

Science Activities

Film Canister Rockets

 One empty 35mm plastic film canister and lid. (The clear Fuji film ones work the best!)  One fizzing antacid tablet (generic Alka Seltzer)  Water  Toilet paper tube  Shoe box  Scotch tape  Safety goggles What you will need…

 Take the bottom of the shoe box and tape the toilet paper tube to it.  Break the antacid tablets in half.  Simple so far, right? Optional (but FUN!) Set-up

 Go outdoors to do this experiment.  Put on your safety goggles before attempting to mix the antacid and water.  Open the film canister.  Put approximately 1 teaspoon of water in the canister.  Quickly drop the antacid tablet into the water and close the canister tightly.  Place the canister inside the toilet paper tube launch site.  Step away from the launch site.  In about 10 seconds, you should hear a POP! and you’ll see the container fly through the air! How to do it…

 Students that cannot move away from the film canister quickly should not place them on the ground or into the tube. The canister will become a projectile and could hurt the student.  Instead, allow the student to put the water into the canister and drop the tablet in. If they are able to get the lid on quickly, allow them to do that too.  An adult or another student can then put it where it needs to be. Accommodations for Physical Disabilities

Rubber Chicken Bone

 A large mason jar  A chicken bone (a leg bone works the best)  Vinegar What you will need…

 Clean the chicken bone (remove any meat and run it under water)  Have your child play with the bone. Have him/her try to bend it to check its density.  Place the bone into the mason jar and fill it with the vinegar.  Put the lid over the jar, and leave it sit for 3 days.  After that, take the bone out of the vinegar and rinse it off. It should feel like rubber! How to do it…

 If a student is unable to pour the vinegar into the jar alone, an adult should be there to help to either assist in holding the container or actually pouring it into the mason jar.  Allow the student place the chicken bone and hold the jar still while the vinegar is being poured. Accommodations for Physical Disabilities

Color Symphony

 A flat tray (cookie sheet, or cake tin to prevent spillage)  Whole milk (lowfat milk will not work for this experiment  Liquid dish soap  Food coloring What you will need…

 Pour the milk into the tray (just enough to cover the bottom)  Add the food coloring (6 – 8 drops per color)  Add about 5 drops of the liquid dish soap to the milk watch the colors fly! How to do it…

 Adults pour the milk and soap into a smaller container so that the student is able to pour it into the tray.  Give the student an eyedropper with the food coloring in it to better control the amount of color into the milk.  Adults should dispose of the colored milk after the experiment is over. Accommodations for Physical Disabilities

Health Activities

The Five Senses

 Sugar  Salt (in a shaker)  Cotton Balls  Chalk  Lifesavers Mints  Paper Plates What you will need…

 Place the objects on the paper plate.  Allow the students to explore with their five senses.  Ask them to look at each item, smell, shake them to see if they make a sound, touch them, and taste them (if applicable).  Have your child tell you what they observe about the items. How to do it…

 Be aware of allergies. If your child is allergic to one of the objects listed, substitute it for something they can tolerate.  If the child is unable to complete a part of the activity (i.e. cannot observe the objects are white because of a visual impairment), the adult may want to describe the objects to them. Accommodations for Physical Disabilities

Glitter Germs

 Hand lotion  Glitter  Running water  Hand soap  Paper towels What you will need…

 Have your child explain what they think a germ is and why they think it is important to wash their hands.  Put a small amount of lotion into their hands and have them rub in all over them.  Pour a small amount of glitter into their hands.  Give them a dry paper towel and have them see if they are able to get it off.  Have them try washing the glitter off using plain, cold water  Have then try washing the glitter off with warm, soapy water.  Have the child describe which method worked the best. How to do it…

 Make sure you use a hypo-allergenic hand soap and lotion.  Provide the child with a sink that he or she can reach. Accommodations for Physical Disabilities

What’s on your Plate?

 Paper plate  Styrofoam cup  Markers  Plastic wrap  Tape or glue  Types of food that fit the groups (bread, bananas, carrots, milk or yogurt, chicken are good examples) What you will need…

 Have your child color the paper plate and the Styrofoam cup to match the one on the website choosemyplate.gov.  Cover the plate in the plastic wrap so that the markers do not get on the food.  Glue the plate to the placemat size paper.  Have the food items ready and ask your child to place them where they go.  Have the child explain why they think they go in the places they go.  Allow the student to eat the portions after they are done.  Allow the student to eat the portions after they are done. How to do it…

 You may provide colored construction paper to be glued onto the paper plate.  An adult may want to help the child cover the plate with the plastic wrap.  If a special diet is to be considered (i.e. gluten or lactose), allow for the plan to be altered. Accommodations for Physical Disabilities