Grade II Lesson Plan Introduction to Science and Observation Skills

Lesson Plan: Introduction to Science and Observation Skills

Grade Level: Grade 2

Subject: Environmental Studies (EVS) with Integrated English/Hindi

Duration: 2 Weeks (10 class periods, 40 minutes each)

CBSE Alignment:

  • Textbook Reference: NCERT Class 2 (e.g., "Marigold" Unit 3: "The Wind and the Sun," "Rimjhim" Unit 1: "Bandar Bhaag") for nature observation themes.
  • Learning Outcomes: Explore the world through senses, observe living and non-living things, ask simple questions about surroundings.

Objectives:

By the end of the two weeks, students will be able to:

  1. Define science as exploring the world around them using senses (see, hear, touch, smell).
  2. Use senses to observe and describe objects, plants, and animals (e.g., "soft," "loud").
  3. Distinguish between living and non-living things with basic examples.
  4. Ask simple "what" and "why" questions about observations (e.g., "Why do leaves fall?").
  5. Record observations through drawings and simple words.
  6. Participate in basic experiments to notice changes (e.g., seed growth, water drying).

Materials Needed:

  • Everyday objects (e.g., leaf, stone, feather, bell)
  • Pictures/flashcards of plants (e.g., flower), animals (e.g., bird), and non-living things (e.g., chair)
  • Paper cups, soil, water, and seeds (e.g., moong) for planting
  • Crayons, paper, and pencils for drawing
  • Whiteboard/markers or blackboard/chalk
  • Worksheets with drawing and labeling tasks
  • "Marigold" or "Rimjhim" textbook for stories
  • Optional: magnifying glasses, audio of nature sounds

Week 1: Exploring Science and Using Senses

Day 1: What is Science?

Objective: Understand science as exploring the world.
Activities:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min): Ask: "What do you see outside?" List responses (e.g., trees, sky).
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "Science is finding out about things around us—like plants, animals, and the sun!"
    • Show a leaf: "What can we learn about this?" (e.g., green, soft). Link to "The Wind and the Sun" (Marigold).
  3. Activity (15 min): Mystery Bag
    • Put objects (e.g., stone, feather) in a bag. Students feel and guess: "It’s hard!" Discuss: "How did you know?"
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What do you want to find out about?"
    Homework: Draw one thing you see daily (e.g., "tree").

Day 2: Observing with Sight

Objective: Use eyes to observe and describe.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review: "What is science?" Show homework drawings.
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "We use our eyes to see colors, shapes, and sizes."
    • Show a flower: "What do you see?" (e.g., "red, round"). Link to "Bandar Bhaag" (Rimjhim – monkey sees bananas).
  3. Activity (15 min): I Spy
    • Play "I Spy": "I spy something green and tall." Students guess (e.g., tree).
    • Draw one thing they see in class (e.g., "blackboard").
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What color is your favorite thing?"
    Homework: Find 2 things outside and write their colors (e.g., "green leaf").

Day 3: Observing with Touch

Objective: Use touch to explore textures.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review sight: "What did you see outside?"
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "Our hands feel if something is soft, hard, or rough."
    • Pass a feather, stone: "How does it feel?" (e.g., "soft," "hard").
  3. Activity (15 min): Touch Hunt
    • Students touch objects (e.g., desk, cloth) and say: "It’s smooth!"
    • Draw one thing: "soft pillow."
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What feels rough in your bag?"
    Homework: Touch 2 things at home and write how they feel (e.g., "soft blanket").

Day 4: Observing with Sound

Objective: Use ears to listen and describe sounds.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review touch: "What did you feel?"
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "Our ears hear loud or soft sounds."
    • Make sounds (e.g., clap, tap): "Is it loud or soft?" Link to "The Wind and the Sun" (wind sound).
  3. Activity (15 min): Sound Walk
    • Go outside (or in class). Listen for 1 minute. List sounds (e.g., "bird chirping").
    • Draw one sound (e.g., "bell").
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What’s a sound you like?"
    Homework: Write 2 sounds you hear at home (e.g., "fan whirring").

Day 5: Observing with Smell

Objective: Use smell to explore the world.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review sound: "What did you hear?"
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "Our nose smells nice or strong things."
    • Show safe items (e.g., flower, fruit): "What does it smell like?" (e.g., "sweet").
  3. Activity (15 min): Smell Guess
    • Students smell items (e.g., leaf, orange peel) and guess: "It’s a flower!"
    • Draw one smell: "sweet mango."
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What’s a smell you like?"
    Homework: Write 1 smell from home (e.g., "rice cooking").

Week 2: Living vs. Non-Living and Simple Experiments

Day 6: Living and Non-Living Things

Objective: Distinguish between living and non-living things.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review senses: "What did you smell?"
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "Living things grow and move. Non-living things don’t."
    • Show: Living (plant, bird), Non-living (stone, chair). Link to "The Magic Garden" (plants grow).
  3. Activity (15 min): Sort It
    • Students sort pictures (e.g., dog, rock) into "Living" and "Non-Living." Say: "A dog is living because it moves."
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "Is a tree living? Why?"
    Homework: Draw 1 living and 1 non-living thing (e.g., "cat, table").

Day 7: Observing Plants

Objective: Observe plants as living things.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review: "What’s living?" Show homework.
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "Plants are living—they grow and need water!"
    • Show a plant: "What do you see?" (e.g., "green leaves"). Link to "Rimjhim" (nature themes).
  3. Activity (15 min): Plant Watch
    • Students observe a plant outside (or in class). Draw: "tall plant" with leaves.
    • Say: "It grows!"
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What does a plant need?"
    Homework: Write 2 things about a plant (e.g., "It has leaves").

Day 8: Observing Animals

Objective: Observe animals as living things.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review plants: "What did you see on the plant?"
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "Animals are living—they move and eat!"
    • Show a bird picture: "What does it do?" (e.g., "flies"). Link to "Bandar Bhaag" (monkey moves).
  3. Activity (15 min): Animal Look
    • Students observe an animal (e.g., ant outside). Draw: "small ant" and say: "It crawls."
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What animal do you see at home?"
    Homework: Write 2 things about an animal (e.g., "The dog runs").

Day 9: Asking Questions and Experiments

Objective: Ask questions and observe changes.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review: "What does an ant do?"
  2. Direct Instruction (15 min):
    • Say: "Science means asking ‘what’ and ‘why’—like ‘Why do plants grow?’"
    • Show a seed: "What will happen if we plant it?"
  3. Activity (15 min): Seed Planting
    • Students plant seeds in cups with soil and water. Predict: "Will it grow?"
    • Draw: "Day 1 – seed."
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What do you think will happen tomorrow?"
    Homework: Check seed and draw "Day 2" (e.g., "no change").

Day 10: Review and Sharing Observations

Objective: Summarize observations and share learning.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Check seeds: "What do you see?"
  2. Review (15 min): Observation Show
    • Students show drawings (plant, animal, seed). Say: "I saw a bird. It flies."
    • Classify: "Living or non-living?"
  3. Activity (15 min): Science Book
    • Students make a 3-page book:
      • Page 1: Living thing (e.g., "cat – moves").
      • Page 2: Non-living thing (e.g., "stone – hard").
      • Page 3: Seed (e.g., "seed – grows").
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What did you learn about science?" Celebrate with a cheer.
    Homework: Tell family one thing you observed (e.g., "Plants need water").

Assessment:

  • Formative: Participation in activities, verbal descriptions (e.g., "soft leaf"), and homework accuracy.
  • Summative: Day 10 book (scored out of 6: 2 per page for drawing and description).
  • Observation: Ability to use senses and ask questions during tasks.

Extensions:

  • Story: Read "The Wind and the Sun" (Marigold) and observe wind effects outside.
  • Game: Play "Sense Guess" (e.g., guess object by touch alone).
  • Field Trip: Short walk to observe plants/animals in school yard.

Notes for Teachers:

  • Link to "Marigold" and "Rimjhim" for familiar context (e.g., garden, animals).
  • Use simple words and repeat key ideas (e.g., "living grows").
  • Encourage all answers to build confidence.
  • Ensure safety with objects (e.g., no tasting unless safe).