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Project Time
Project Time embraces in-depth multidisciplinary
units of study in the
sciences, and in cultural and social studies. In all of the units the
approach is one of "hands on" learning and the goal is that of experiential
understanding. There are many activities for each unit, providing
opportunities for each child to explore a wide range of concepts while
developing skills ranging from observation, experimentation,  model-building,
and report-writing. Project Time units take place in seven to eight week
blocks to allow for in-depth experiences. Project Time units in second grade
include: Cooperation & Community-Building, Simple Machines & Inventions,
China, Birds, and the Earth.
Social and Cultural Studies Units
Cooperation & Community (September)
The first project time's objective is to create an environment of safety and
cooperation in the classroom. The students are involved from the start in
understanding how rules help us develop civil behavior, personal
responsibility, empathy, and community. Students brainstorm, devise, and
write about the classroom rules that they agree to follow. Students also
learn and practice a protocol for conflict resolution to use when resolving
differences with a classmate.
China (January - mid-February)
By exploring aspects of Chinese history, language, folklore, and traditions,
students gain an appreciation for this complex and ancient culture. They
study the workings of the Chinese zodiac and learn some customs of the Lunar
New Year. They hear folk tales, learn calligraphy, learn to speak a little
of the language, learn about the Great Wall, and many other rich
experiences. As a culmination, the class holds a big Chinese New Year
celebration. Parents and other elementary students are invited to attend as
second graders teach and share the crafts and customs they have learned
during their China study.
Science Units
Simple Machines and Inventions (November - December)
Second graders will explore the mechanics of simple machines: how they
operate and how they are used to do work. They identify many everyday tools
and machines that use simple machines as their main structure. Each second
grader constructs a working model of each type of simple machine from found
materials. Using the elements and principles of simple machines, the
students design and build original inventions in class. Students are
exposed to great inventors and their inventions through books and other
materials.
Birds (February - March)
To introduce their study of birds, students learn about the animal
classification system and specifically the characteristics differentiating
mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Focusing then on birds,
students will explore how animals use specialization and adaptation to
thrive in the natural world. Scientific explorations such as dissecting owl
pellets and hatching and caring for live chicks bring the lessons of this
unit to life.
Students also choose an animal of their own to research in
depth and produce a written report about this animal.
Earth (April - May)
Second graders journey to the center of the Earth! Students begin by
exploring rocks: their colors, sizes, shapes, and other features. They also
learn about the composition of the earth's layers and make a model of the
earth's structure. They make discoveries about the movement of the earth's
plates and the causes of earthquakes. Finally, they build model volcanoes
and try out different formulas for lava eruptions.
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