Differentiated Learning in SDS Grade 2

Did you know an iguana can run 21 miles per hour? Or that a blue morpho actually spends most of its time on the rainforest floor? Those are just a couple of the awesome facts Mrs. Brooks’ second graders learned in their recent project based upon the Magic Tree House novel Afternoon on the Amazon. For the project, which blends language arts and science, each boy chose a rainforest animal to research and present to the class.

While this is not a new project for the 2^nd grade, Mrs. Brooks took a new approach with her class this year. Rather than assigning one type of presentation, the boys were given choices--they could build a shoebox diorama, draw a poster, or create an Adobe Spark presentation.

“I like giving my students options in exploring the best way that they learn. I find that when you give students opportunities to make it personalized, they can make something quite creative and wonderful! Offering them options really gives them ownership of the project,” explained Mrs. Brooks.

Second grade student JP shared, “I liked choosing what we wanted to do. I am really good at crafts so I thought the shoebox project would be really cool to do."

His classmate Noah chose the poster project. He explained, “My favorite thing is to draw, and I really wanted to draw the iguana.”

Fellow second grader Flynn chose the Adobe Spark project because “I think I am really good with technology. I knew I could find really cool pictures to use for the project.”

In additional to learning facts about rainforest animals, the students learned research skills, the difference between reliable and unreliable sources, and presentation skills. When asked if she was happy with the finished projects, Mrs. Brooks shared, “I am very pleased! While I did provide a rubric for guidance, I feel that each project is different and very personalized.” 

Employing instructional methods that are responsive to the learning styles of boys supports our curriculum, rooted in both tradition and innovation. Projects like this blend the skills of creativity, critical thinking, and communication while considering our boys’ developmental needs and interests. There is also a lesson we can all learn here: You are never too young (or too old!) to learn your personal strengths!

Click the links below to view a few of the Adobe Spark projects created by our second graders.

Chameleons-Cash

https://app.seesaw.me/#/item/item.b10f223b-d4a5-4a5e-aad6-57c76d97a344/share/vVG_BIfCQoqjGH9TuQBsVQ

Poison Dart Frog-John

https://app.seesaw.me/#/item/item.640bb7ee-acf3-4cda-982e-3fdf16b84842/share/t9lfbTclTWeVBoeJe9XhuQ

Blue Morpho-Flynn

https://app.seesaw.me/#/item/item.21b2580f-a5c5-452f-b84d-89f9e2630224/share/lUulQMtjS6-n3-UcdZBHOA