We are excited to start a second grade Einstein Club. Each month, there will be a creative project for students to complete at home. These projects will be optional, but if a student completes all nine, he/she will be introduced into the Einstein Club, invited to a party at the end of the year, and given the highly acclaimed Einstein t-shirt! Our hope is that students will be motivated to engage with their families on topics we are learning about in class, and extend themselves to do hard things. Projects will not have a due date, allowing students to “catch up” if they miss one. However, if the student completes that month's project by the end of the month, they will be invited to eat lunch with the teacher and other qualifying students at an Einstein lunch. We hope all the students will be motivated and excited to join the club!
April Challenge
Einstein Lunch: May 3
We just learned all about CHINA. The Chinese have invented many important objects that we still use today like paper, toothbrushes, fireworks, the abacus, the compass, and umbrellas. Your challenge this month is to create your own invention!
THE DESIGN PROCESS Here are your instructions:
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BRAINSTORM: As you dream up your invention, keep in mind that your invention must be functioning. We know you have creative ideas, but keep in mind that your invention needs to be something that you can actually create this month. Also, it must be an original idea. Don’t reinvent the wheel! Think of something that does not already exist.
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DESIGN: Draw up a sketch of your invention. What is its purpose? How will it work?
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BUILD: Make a list of all of the materials you plan to use. Where are you getting your supplies from? Try to use supplies that you already have on hand!
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TEST/EVALUATEàREDESIGN: What specific goal are you trying to achieve? How will you know if you have been successful? Remember, your invention must work! What modifications did you make? What were the different steps you had to do to get your project to work the way you wanted? If you had more time or resources, how could you improve your invention?
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SHARE: Name your invention. Try to think of something catchy and clever! Think of a way to present your invention to the class. It should look nice, and include a list of all of the steps of the design process.
Present your invention and plans to your class to qualify for this month’s Einstein lunch!
Good luck-—we can’t wait to see what you come up with!
March Challenge
Einstein Lunch: March 29
We are learning about Civil Rights and some of the great leaders who have brought about change in our country’s history. Kids can change the world, too! For your Einstein challenge this month, you will be designing and carrying out a service project that will help others in your community. Below is an example of a plan of action; you will need to choose and carry out your own idea. Please complete each of the following steps as you work towards your service goal. Parents- of course help where needed, but please empower your student to direct and complete the project.
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Choose an issue-based problem. ex: The Naturescape is dangerous and overgrown. It isn’t a very nice place for our school or the community.
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Think about solutions to that problem. Select a service experience that connects to it. What group of people will your project help? ex: I would like to organize a “Night in the Naturescape” where we weed, clean up, and plant new plants. This will make it better and easier for classes to use the space, and make it less dangerous and overgrown. It will benefit CRA students and the community.
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Research. Where would you look for information about how to address the issue? List businesses contacted, and any notes you have from your conversations. List websites you find useful. Detail your plan. I have used the internet to research plants that would do well in this climate. ex: I have used the phone to call around to places that may want to help donate plants and supplies. I have visited the Naturescape with my parents to make a plan for that evening.
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Build a team. Whose help will you need? Think big! ex: Other classes, the PTO, Canyon Rim Park (County Parks and Rec), Local Businesses like Smith’s, Rosewood Gardens, Home Depot, etc., Contact volunteers who have helped in the Naturescape in the past.
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Advertise. How will you let people know about the project? Choose several ways to get the word out. Outline all of the details. How will you distribute? Who do you contact, and what do they say? ex: School Newsletter, Local News stations, Teacher’s website, School website, Flyers.
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Raise money (if you need to). If there are supplies you need, find a way to raise the money to purchase them or have them donated. ex: Home Depot agreed to donate 5 flats of flowers. I am going to sell the flowers for $5 each at the Art Festival to earn money to purchase some new soil and other supplies. The county also donated $100, which my dad is helping me to use on Utah-based plants. I also wrote a letter to the mayor to see if he would like to help.
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Carry out your solution. List the steps you follow. ex: 1. I have advertised the Night In the Naturescape, and it will be taking place on March 29th at 5:30pm. 2. Have my parents help me pick up and organize the supplies. I have arranged for soil, plants, tools and little water bottles for all of the volunteers. 3. With the help of my Grandpa I have drawn out a diagram of where I want the plants to go. I need to make copies for all of the volunteers. 4. The PTO has offered to help with the volunteers. I have 5 groups each working on a different section of the Naturescape. 5. We will work for an hour and a half, and everyone gets their own water bottle! My teacher is setting up a sound system so we can listen to music while we work, and I can make announcements on a microphone if I need to.
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Evaluate, reflect and celebrate. How did it go? How would you have changed your plan? ex: I thought the service project went really well. We were able to clean it up and make it look nice. I am worried about students messing it up during recess. If I could change one thing it would be to have refreshments because I got really hungry. I also wanted KIDS to be helping with the weeding and planting, but a lot of kids just went to play on the playground. Next time I’ll have all of the parents be in charge of helping their kids. Miss Merry liked the project so much that she is letting us have a celebration in the Naturescape next month!
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Don’t give up. Can you see how to extend the experience to GLOBAL service? ex: There is a section of the Naturescape that would be good for a garden. If I could find someone to help me, I would love to grow some tomatoes and zucchini that we could sell some at the Farmer’s Market. We could then use the money to help kids in other places around the world by sponsoring micro loans. I would like to start a club at school to keep the momentum going!
You will need to present your project to your teacher to qualify for this month’s Einstein Lunch!
Please include all the steps and any pictures or resources you used. Let us know how we can help!
February Challenge
Einstein Lunch: Friday, March 1
This month we will be learning about the Civil War. One of the most influential and important people during that time was Abraham Lincoln. You will get to learn about him and memorize one of his most famous speeches!
Your challenge this month is to Memorize the Gettysburg Address. (See the speech below). It is one of Lincoln’s most famous speeches, but is very short—only 272 words. Talk with your parents about what the words mean. You can pass off the speech to your teacher anytime this month at recess, before school, or after school (just let her know when you’re ready). You can have as many tries as you need, so don’t give up!
THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863
Halfway Party & Make-Up Challenge
Wow! We are half-way through the school year! To be a member of the Einstein Club you must complete each month’s challenge. Even if the month has passed, you can still complete it. We know you can do it!
We will be celebrating those of you who have completed every challenge up until this
point—a total of FIVE challenges!
—at a PIZZA PARTY on Friday, February 16.
If there is one month that you got too busy or the challenge didn’t really interest you, you can complete a make-up challenge instead. The make-up challenges may take the place of one other month’s challenge. Didn’t research a signer of the Constitution? Didn’t pass off the 50 states? Do one of the make-up challenges!
You may complete ONLY ONE make-up challenge (either the Science and Engineering Fair OR the Math Lesson) to take the place of one regular month's challenge.
Good luck little Einsteins! We know you can do it!
OPTION 1: Canyon Rim Elementary Science and Engineering Fair
Did you ever want to create a device that desalinates water? Have you ever wondered whether patients who have lost their sense of taste or smell prefer certain flavors of food? Now is the time to solve an unsolved problem and answer a scientific question! Check out the ParentSquare post to find out more information.
Step 1. Choose a project
There are 2 types of Science Fair Projects:
1. Engineering: Design and construct a prototype that addresses a need or solves a problem; create a tri-fold poster to share your problem and solution
2. Science: Plan, conduct, and share results from your own independent investigation: pre-planning steps, conducting a science experiment, recording your data in a science notebook, analyzing your data, and creating a tri-fold poster to share your project
For project ideas, visit https://www.sciencebuddies.org/
Outline Packets:
To pass off the Science and Engineering Fair Make-Up Challenge simply show your submission to your teacher before turning it in to the PTO by Tuesday, January 25.
OPTION 2: Math Lesson Challenge
We have all become good mathematicians this year, but you know what they say… you only know something well if you can teach it! You are to teach one of your parents how to add or subtract three-digit numbers with regrouping using a strategy we have learned in class (not the algorithm). Choose one of the following strategies: "Too Much, Too Little", "That's Not Fair", "Switcheroo".
Your lesson should include 3 different parts:
1. “I DO”: You are teaching how to use the strategy. Do at least 5 problems and explain the steps you are doing. Write down all of the steps you need to take.
2. “WE DO”: You and your student are working together. This is a chance for your student to work with you there to help. Do at least 8 problems. Make sure they really understand!
3. “YOU DO”: It’s time for your student to work alone! Give him/her at least 4 problems to do using the new strategy learned.
***Parents*** Make sure your “teacher” explains well. Ask lots of questions throughout, and write down a couple of the things you asked. Get a couple of the problems incorrect, and see if the “teacher” can spot it and help you fix your mistakes. Help make this a real learning experience for both of you.
Turn in all three parts of your lesson to complete this make-up challenge.
January Challenge
Lunch: December 21
We are beginning to learn about Immigration. As we talk about families immigrating and starting a new life in the United States, it’s important to know that people are still immigrating today! This may also open a discussion about your family stories and history. Your January Einstein challenge is to:
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Interview a person who has immigrated to America. This could be a family member, neighbor, whomever! Find out about his/her life. When did he/she immigrate? Why? How? What cultural foods/traditions/clothing did he/she bring to the USA? Use the “Immigration Interview” questions to guide your discussion. Come up with your own questions and let the discussion flow! Write down the responses.
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Create a booklet about the country from which your interviewee immigrated. You can ask your interviewee for information about the country, as well. Use the following topics to guide your research. Some ideas might include:
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food
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popular sports
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music/dance
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holidays
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language/common greetings
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location/neighboring countries
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typical weather
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capital city/large cities
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money
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famous landmarks
Present your Immigrant interview and country booklet to qualify for this month’s Einstein!
December Challenge
Einstein Lunch: December 21
We will be studying geography and map skills this month, so December’s Einstein challenge is to learn the location of each of the fifty states. You will need to study the states and practice at home. To pass off this month’s challenge you will be given a blank map and will need to correctly label all fifty states in class. You will not need to worry about spelling- as long as I can read it, you will get credit! It will be best to practice each day and learn a few states at a time. This will help you learn and retain the information better. Don’t procrastinate this one! Start studying today!
The internet is a great resource and study tool. There are lots of fun “50 states” games online to help you study.
The first link below is to a song that helps you learn the states by location... Use that one for sure! Check out these sites:
EINSTEIN CLUB
We are excited to start a second grade Einstein Club. Each month, there will be a creative project for students to complete at home. These projects will be optional, but if a student completes all nine, he/she will be introduced into the Einstein Club, invited to a party at the end of the year, and given the highly acclaimed Einstein t-shirt! Our hope is that students will be motivated to engage with their families on topics we are learning about in class, and extend themselves to do hard things. Projects will not have a due date, allowing students to “catch up” if they miss one. However, if the student completes that month's project by the end of the month, they will be invited to eat lunch with the teacher and other qualifying students at an Einstein lunch. We hope all the students will be motivated and excited to join the club!
November Challenge
Einstein Lunch: December 1
This month, we will be learning about Westward Expansion in the United States. Very important to our history at this time were the American Indian tribes that lived all over the country. Many tribes lived in the area that would later become UTAH… where we live now!
(Parents: please let your students do his/her own work! That includes writing and creating! Please limit your role to help and guidance)
Part 1: RESARCH PROJECT: For your challenge this month, you will need to research an American Indian tribe that lived in the Utah area. Make sure you find out all of the following:
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The name of the tribe and what that name means
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The geography of the tribe—where in UT did they live?
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The types of homes they built and lived in
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What kinds of food they ate
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What they wore for everyday work and for special ceremonies
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PLUS, at least THREE more interesting facts that you discover through your research!
You will need to present your findings to the class, but you can decide how to share your information (booklet, poster, oral presentation, etc.).
Part 2: CREATIVE PROJECT: Because arts and crafts are an important part of American Indian culture, you will also need to create a 3D creative project to represent something about your tribe. Some ideas include (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO):
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Model of the kind of home your tribe lived in
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Musical instrument
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Clothing they wore
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Toy they may have played with
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Tool they would have used
*Please, no weapons (for obvious reasons)*
Be creative! See if you can use recycled objects, things from nature, or other supplies that you have on hand. Your project should be neat, colorful, and—of course—made by YOU.
Present your RESEARCH PROJECT and your CREATIVE PROJECT to your class to qualify for this month’s Einstein Lunch!
October Challenge
Einstein Lunch: October 27
This month we are learning about the human body! We will learn how the digestive system works and foods that help our bodies be healthy. Your Einstein Challenge this month is to create your own healthy food ad. Your ad may be filmed or performed live in class. Ads should be 30-90 seconds long.
Step 1: Pick a vitamin or mineral.
Step 2: Research the vitamin or mineral
a. How does this vitamin/mineral help your body? What does it do?
b. What foods contain lots of this vitamin/mineral?
Step 3: Make a storyboard for your ad.
Step 4: Gather supplies, props, actors, etc.
Step 5: Practice your ad.
Step 6: Film your ad or be ready to perform for the class.
*BONUS*: Edit your ad. iMovie, PowToon, FilmoraGo, The Photos app on Windows, etc. are all great, free tools for kids to use. Have fun with it!
Email your ad to your teacher or perform it for the class to qualify for this month’s Einstein Lunch!
*Parents, please only support as needed. This ad should be designed, run, edited, etc. by the student. Thanks!
September Challenge
Einstein Lunch: September 29
This month we will be learning about our nation's Constitution. We will study the Founding Fathers and their work at the Constitutional Convention. Your Einstein challenge this month is to choose one person who signed the Constitution, and research him.
You will then create a "Signer of the Week" poster highlighting interesting things you discover, hand-drawn pictures of him, and any other details about his life you would like to include. (Here are a few ideas: birthday, where they lived, family members, political beliefs, job, interests, physical features, role in the Constitutional Convention, etc.). When your poster is finished, bring it to school and share with the class the things you learned.
*Please don't type the captions for your poster. It should be handwritten and pictures should be drawn by YOU!*
