2nd Grade Teachers

Students learn the importance of wetland ecosystems, investigate biotic and abiotic factors of the ecosystem and how they interact and learn how they can help protect this special place.

During the Explore Day at the Living Lab, students build belief that they can recognize and do science and math, as they explore our seasonal wetland in their local community canyon. Students use microscopes to uncover a hidden world of living and non-living things that make up wetland soil, they take walk in the canyon to explore how biotic and abiotic factors interact within this habitat and they perform an experiment to investigate what birds eat in the wetlands and how humans can impact the availability of the right kinds of food.

During Make a Difference Day in their classroom, students apply what they’ve learned about biotic and abiotic factors in the wetland to create a large wetland model that they can use to teach others why wetlands matter and how to protect them.

Throughout the program, students love becoming science leaders, using the tools of science, exploring the wetlands, and making a difference in the world!

NGSS Alignment: 

Performance Expectation 2-LS4-1: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• DCI LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans: There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. 
• DCI ETS1.B Developing Possible Solutions: Designs can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problem’s solutions to other people.

Cross-Cutting Concept: 

Systems and systems models – students understand that a system is a group of related parts that make up a whole and car carry out functions its individual parts cannot. They can also describe a system in terms of its components and their interactions.

Classroom Media:
2nd Grade Make a Difference PowerPoint

• Click on the link below
• Click on your school tab
• Find your grade level, names, & dates!
• Ocean Discovery School & Program Schedules

• • Wetland Information
    • What is a wetland? (NOAA National Ocean Service)
    • Coastal Wetlands (Monterey Bay Aquarium)
  • Lesson Plans and Activities
    • Post Program Reflection Sheets – Example 1 ;  Example 2
    • Climate Science Alliance Educator Resources – Explorer Backpacks, Book Club, Traveling Trunks & Digital Resources
      • Check out materials for your students on various topics, including: Oceans, Pollinators, Chemistry, Food Systems, Carnivores, & more!
    • Strange Animals and Engineering (Fleet Science Center)
      • Summary: Introduction to the diversity of life, using a picture book, informational text, and literacy activities. Lesson plan is best done over a week to encourage reflection, critical thinking, and accessing and building on prior knowledge.
        • Lesson Plan
        • Worksheet – Animal Armor
        • Worksheet – Animal Classifications
        • Animal Classification Cards
        • Worksheet – Egg Helmet
  • Free Field Trip Opportunity with Forever Balboa Park
    • Two 45-minute lesson plan options focused on connecting literacy with environmental literacy in an outside space at Balboa Park.
    • Interested? Contact Rose Do, rose.stem.ed@gmail.com. Book here!
  • Science Careers
    • Skype a Scientist