Dear 2nd Grade Makers,
​Last week we worked with clothespins, a kind of lever, to create a little creature with an opening/closing mouth. This week we are going to continue using clothespins to make animated creatures. This time we are going to look at how we can make bodies or body parts move.

​Please watch the intro video below.

There are interesting examples of clothespin automata floating around the internet.

This one inspired my "girl petting cat" clothespin. It use materials that I could not send home with you, but if someone in your house has a drill and small saw you could give it a try.

​This T-Rex is awesome. I haven't tried making one like this, but I want to!

​Here's one we could easy make work the materials I gave you (and perhaps a bit of tape).

Play around and see what you come up with. Remember good automata show a simple action: eating, reaching, jumping, etc.

I would love to see what you come up with. Please send me a short video by email at [email protected] or, if your adult(s) wants to, you could post your creation to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #sfbrandeismakes.

'Til Next Week!
​Mrs. Bisson

Hello Second Graders! 

We will take a little break from the projects we've been working on at school and try something a little different. I sent home a selection of supplies, these are for you to use for our projects this week and next. You are also welcome to add in any supplies you might have at home.

Hold on to the marble, it's for a later project.

​Please watch the short intro video below for directions for this week's activity.

I'd love to see what you come up with. You can a take picture or make a short video and email it to me [email protected] or, if your adult is comfortable, we can share our projects on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtags #sfbrandeismakes.

​Please save extra materials for next week.

We've been taking on the cranky contraptions challenge in second grade. Students have been most challenged by the the paperclip bending. I gave them a template, but this was a great lesson in perseverance. I decided not to worry about it if students decided to give up and accept a paperclip bent in a way that clearly would not work. I figured that as they worked through the steps they would come back and re-do it. This gamble paid off and on the second go around they seemed to have a better understanding of why the shape of the paperclip was so important. There are some things only experience can teach.

​The testing and iterating with this project have come really naturally. The end result it so whimsical and wonderful that students want to get it right. This is definitely a keeper.

Our recycled cars are complete and we had a blast racing theme. We talked about how a push car is a great example of linear motion but that the wheel/axle is a classic example of rotary motion. We then played with these gear sets and examined other ways rotary motion can be used.

​The understanding of a crank and gear is integral to our next making adventure - cranky contraptions! So excited!

We've been continuing work on our recycled cars. 2nd graders began by using their journals to sketch ideas and then moved on to constructing the car body from cardboard and masking tape.

Next step is assembling the wheel/axel components. I've had a group of faculty, staff, and parents diligently collecting plastic bottle caps for me. It turns out that these caps, with holes drilled into the center and connected with a skewer, make great wheels. We also discovered that if we put a thin straw over the skewer axel we get a nice smooth roll.

2nd graders are finishing up their construction and are adding some decorative touches. They are getting excited for a little friendly car racing.

We are continuing our linear motion study by designing and building cars from recycled materials. Our goals are greatest distance, rolling in in straight line, and speed. Finished cars will be tested in all of these categories. 

We've begun with sketching designs and considering size of shape. Their has been debate about balance, weight, and aerodynamics. We are excited to start building.