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UNIT ENRICHMENT: INTERESTING ANIMALS
Suggested Book List
This book list contains links to bookshop.org, an outside site.
Don’t Call Me Pig! A Javelina Story by Conrad J. Storad
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
Jane Goodall: A Champion of Chimpanzees by Sarah Albee
The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto by Natalie Standiford
Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look The Way They Do by Steve Jenkins
Outside Links
Me . . . Jane tells the true story of Dr. Jane Goodall, who has devoted her life to studying chimpanzees and helping educate people about the environment. Learn More about Dr. Goodall and her work with these links:
Watch Jane Goodall’s message for children: https://youtu.be/skAbsyRkCLg
Learn about Roots and Shoots, the organization Jane Goodall started to get kids involved with conservation: https://www.rootsandshoots.org
Learn some interesting facts about chimpanzees: https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/animals/general-animals/10-chimpanzee-facts/
Play fun online games about chimpanzees and see recommendations for additional reading: https://chimphaven.org/education/games-for-kids-reading-list/
Balto was a very brave dog. To see the famous statue of Balto in Central Park, visit: https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-do/attractions/balto/
Discover fun facts about Alaska: https://youtu.be/5782rSMO5Ns
Learn about the Arctic: https://youtu.be/_kA-_aro3lI
Project: Creature Features, The Animal Book, and Actual Size
Research Report Ask your student to pick their favorite animal from one of the books in the Interesting Animals unit. They will learn more about the animal by going to the library and taking out books and also doing internet research. They should write a 4-5 paragraph essay with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. They can illustrate their essay with hand drawn pictures of their animal. If you have a more ambitious student they can also make a poster board presentation about the animal to share with your family. Of course, your second grader probably hasn’t had such a big writing project in the past, so you will have to give them a lot of guidance. For ideas on how to help your student with their research report visit: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/genia-connell/step-step-research-reports-young-writers/
Unit Enrichment: Charles Darwin
Book List
This book list contains links to bookshop.org, an outside site.
Who Was Charles Darwing? by Deborah Hopkinson
Where Are the Galapagos Islands by Megan Stine
Pollen: Darwin’s 130 Year Prediction by Darcy Pattison
Outside Links
Learn some myths and misconceptions about evolution: https://youtu.be/mZt1Gn0R22Q
This cartoon by Elesapiens explains Charles Darwin’s work: https://youtu.be/urSNtaQKOAk
Here’s a music video by Dr.. Evans about evolution: https://youtu.be/KEh65ckUvD4
Celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday with SciShow Kids: https://youtu.be/JnvjRj7aOYg
Project
Happy Birthday Charles Darwin! Did you know that people all over the world celebrate Darwin Day on February 12th in honor of Charles Darwin’s birth on February 12th, 1809? If you are learning about Charles Darwin in February then celebrate his birthday on the 12th. If you’re doing this unit during another month, don’t worry - any time is the right time for a party! Simply celebrate a little early or late. After all, this is a second grade party, so the main point is to have fun. Have a party complete with cake decorated with an animal theme. Eat animal crackers. Dance to Dr. Evans’ music video. Enjoy!
To learn more about Darwin Day, visit: https://archive.darwinday.org/about/
Unit Enrichment: Discover Famous Scientists
Book List
This book list contains links to bookshop.org, an outside site.
Grace Hopper Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark
Clang! Ernst Chladni’s Sound Experiments by Darcy Pattison
Burn: Michael Faraday’s Candle by Darcy Pattison
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne
Who Was Galileo? by Patricia Brennan Demuth
Who Was Isaac Newton? by Janet B. Pascal
Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil Degrasse Tyson by Kathleen Krull
Outside Links
It can be a fun project to make a homemade telescope: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/nature/make-a-telescope/
Watch this video to learn more about Galileo’s life and work: https://youtu.be/REUdlA44vuY
Learn what Galileo saw with his telescope: https://youtu.be/bCIEYUeXll8
Watch a music video starring Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein: https://youtu.be/lMejLv7l32A
Learn how Newton invented the color wheel: https://youtu.be/3ButdiKfJLU
Learn more about color and the color wheel with videos and activities: https://www.mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/introduction-to-color/
Watch a music video about Einstein from The Who Was? Show: https://youtu.be/gLjlYKfjcD8
Watch an interview about Einstein with physics professor Michio Kaku: https://youtu.be/uV9i04r53yY
Watch a video for kids explaining the theory of relativity: https://youtu.be/EfkVDlvoNfw