Sixteen 2nd graders at Macdonough School became Junior Geologists this week by attending a new Recess Plus club called “GeoKids, An Earth Science Club.” One day a week, students will join Miss Chaelyn in the Family Resource Center during recess and lunch to learn about the earth’s layers, types of rocks, volcanoes, tornados, earthquakes and more.
GeoKids: Session 1
The GeoKids, in 2nd grade, began their geology club with a very simple and delicious activity. By using a hard-boiled egg as a model, the students were able to compare their eggs’ layers to the Earth’s layers.
First we discussed that the thin shell of the egg is similar to the thinnest layer of the Earth, the crust. Then after gently cracking the “crust” to resemble the Earth’s tectonic plates, we peeled off the “crust” and discussed what causes an earthquake.
Next, the students cut their Eggy-Earth through the center with a plastic knife. They were able to decide if they wanted to make a horizontal or a vertical cross-section. The children were able to identify the yolk as the “core” and the thick egg white layer as the “mantle.” Before leaving, the student ate their Eggy-Earths for a tasty treat.
GeoKids: Session 2
Natural disasters were the topic of discussion during the second GeoKids: Recess Plus Club. We revisited our discussion about earthquakes and worked together to create a list of other natural disasters that we know about. We listed hurricanes, tidal waves, and volcanoes to name a few. We learned all about volcanic mountains. Then using some play-dough and acid/base chemistry, we created (and erupted) our very own volcanic mountain models.
GeoKids -Session 3
During their third session, the GeoKids had a chance to discover rocks. First we learned about the three types of rock; sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. We learned about their characteristics and where you can find them. Then we played an active game where we “acted” like the different types of rock. Following the active game, we used our USA maps and a special rock set. Using the compass rose and directional terms, we found the states that each of our rock samples came from. Then we used magnifying glasses to examine other really cool rock samples. We looked at granite, slate, shale, and a layered sedimentary rock sample, to name a few.
GeoKids: Session 4
We learned even more about Sedimentary Rock. Using colored sands and baby soda bottle test tubes, we created some beautiful sand art. We made multi-colored layers out of art sand and were sure not to disturb any of our strata by shaking up the tubes. We discussed the process of erosion and that rain and wind have an effect sedimentary rock. So we decided to simulate erosion in our test tubes. First we simulated wind. We rolled our tubes horizontally. We flipped our tubes. We observed the effect of the “wind” we created. Then we simulated rain by using long wooden skewers. We pushed the skewers slowly into the tube and then gently slid the skewers back out. We observed the effect of this “rain.” Before leaving, we discussed the three types of rocks again. We talked about which types of rocks we learned about. Igneous Rock was discussed when we created volcanoes. This sand art explained Sedimentary Rock. Next session, we will learn about Metamorphic Rock by creating Metamorphic Cookie Bars.
