Welcome to 2nd Grade

Background: Welcome to the 1st week of 2nd grade! Today in class we read the story My
First Day of School by Michelle Adams. In this book we saw Sam go throughout his first day of
school and noticed how he had some many different supplies that helped him along the way! All
of you have supplies that are making your first week of school easy and will continue to help you
all year. BUT… You have too many supplies to carry on your own so, each of you will have the
chance to make your own pencil case today that will make your time in 2nd grade that much
better.

Challenge: You will build a pencil case made from 100% recycled materials. You will be
able to keep it and use it so make sure it is within the size criteria so you can carry it around! Be
sure it can hold all your essential supplies.

Criteria:
 Must be between 2 and 6 inches TALL
 Must be between 6 inches and 12 inches WIDE
 Have an element that keeps it shut
 Hold 3 pencils, 2 pen, and 1 glue stick
 Has a picture of what you’re most looking forward to learning this year!

Materials:
 Any recycled materials you bring into class or are provided by the teacher
 Markers
 Colored pencils
 Crayons
 Construction paper

Tools:
 Hot glue gun
 Scissors
 Glue
 Staplers
 14 inches of tape
 Any other tools provided by the teacher

Group size: Individual

Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Micaela Powers 11/29/17 2nd grade SOL’s: Math: Estimate and measure length to the
nearest centimeter and inch Scientific Investigation: Length and volume are measured in standard English
units using the proper tools STL: 5a; 8a,b,c; 11a,b,d
INTRODUCTION

Topic/context
Today in class I read the story My First Day of School by Michelle Adams to the students. In this
book they saw Sam go throughout his first day of school and noticed how he had some many
different supplies that helped him along the way. They also have school supplies and that need to
somewhere to be kept. The students will build a pencil case made from 100% recycled materials.
They will be able to keep it and use it to hold all of their supplies for the year.
Skills needed
To complete this activity, the students need to use the necessary tools for example: scissors, hot
glue guns, and other tools permitted. They will also need to be able to measure using a ruler to
make their case the correct length.
Goal of activity
The goals of this activity are to introduce the idea of building with supplies that can be recycled
and help the students remember how to correctly use measuring tools.
Time frame
The students will have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete this acticity because it will happen
over the span of 3 days during the first week of school. We will first read the book and complete
the portfolio. Then spend two days building and presenting the final products.
Group size
This will be an individual project because each student will be able to keep and use their pencil
case, so if the students worked in groups it would cause fights over who got to keep and use the
final product.
Materials and tools
 Any recycled materials brought into class or are provided by the teacher
 Markers
 Colored pencils
 Crayons
 Construction paper
 Hot glue gun
 Scissors
 Glue
 Staplers
 14 inches of tape
 Any other tools provided by the teacher
Safety considerations
Safety to consider during the project is that every student must use the tools as they were taught.
When using hot glue, they must be careful not to touch the metal or the glue immediately. They
must also use caution when using the scissors and stapler.

Related literature
Micaela Powers 11/29/17 2nd grade SOL’s: Math: Estimate and measure length to the
nearest centimeter and inch Scientific Investigation: Length and volume are measured in standard English
units using the proper tools STL: 5a; 8a,b,c; 11a,b,d
We will be reading My First Day of School by Michelle Adams.
Classroom arrangements
Each student will do this activity at their respective desks and we will not more desks around for
this project. All supplies provided by the teacher will be at the front table.
State standards
Measurement
2.11 The student will estimate and measure
a) length to the nearest centimeter and inch
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic
2.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning, logic, and the nature
of science by planning and conducting investigations in which
e) length, volume, mass, and temperature are measured in metric units and standard
English units using the proper tools
STL
5a. Some materials can be reused or recycled
8a. Everyone can design solutions to a problem
8b. Design is a creative process
8c. The design process is a purposeful method of planning practical solutions to problems
11a. Brainstorm people’s needs and wants and pick some problems that can be solved through
the design process
11b. Build or construct an object using the design process
11d. Identify and collect information about everyday problems that can be solved by technology,
and generate ideas and requirements of solving a problem

Micaela Powers 11/29/17 2nd grade SOL’s: Math: Estimate and measure length to the
nearest centimeter and inch Scientific Investigation: Length and volume are measured in standard English
units using the proper tools STL: 5a; 8a,b,c; 11a,b,d
 Welcome to 2nd Grade Portfolio

Name: _______________________

1. Restate the problem / challenge in your own words:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. Sketch at least 2 ideas

3. What are you most excited to learn this year and how will you draw it?

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Micaela Powers 11/29/17 2nd grade SOL’s: Math: Estimate and measure length to the
nearest centimeter and inch Scientific Investigation: Length and volume are measured in standard English
units using the proper tools STL: 5a; 8a,b,c; 11a,b,d
 ________________________________

________________________________

4. CHECKLIST:

o Is between 2 and 6 inches TALL

o Is between 6 inches and 12 inches WIDE

o Has an element that keeps it shut

o Can hold 3 pencils, 2 pen, and 1 glue stick

o Has a picture of what you’re looking forward to learning this year

5. Be prepared to share with the class … How will you describe your
completed challenge to the class?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

AND THINK …

Did you use the best solutions to solve the problem?

Did you accomplish all of the criteria necessary?

Micaela Powers 11/29/17 2nd grade SOL’s: Math: Estimate and measure length to the
nearest centimeter and inch Scientific Investigation: Length and volume are measured in standard English
units using the proper tools STL: 5a; 8a,b,c; 11a,b,d
 Are you prepared to present your creation to the class?

Micaela Powers 11/29/17 2nd grade SOL’s: Math: Estimate and measure length to the
nearest centimeter and inch Scientific Investigation: Length and volume are measured in standard English
units using the proper tools STL: 5a; 8a,b,c; 11a,b,d