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Grade 2

TEKS ELA Standard: 2.13.A

generate questions for formal and informal inquiry

Recursive Island
Recursive Island
Vulcan Point Island is an island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island
A Full-Size Lego Car
A Full-Size Lego Car
It’s a car made out of Lego with a working engine.
Dinosaur Optical Illusion
Dinosaur Optical Illusion
Why does this dinosaur keep looking at me…
Notice, Wonder: Fountain
Notice, Wonder: Fountain
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Dazzle
Notice, Wonder: Dazzle
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Burton Island
Notice, Wonder: Burton Island
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Tenzing
Notice, Wonder: Tenzing
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Order to Chaos: Dominoes or Dam?
Order to Chaos: Dominoes or Dam?
Sometimes outside forces turn order into chaos. But sometimes chaos comes from within.
Gr 2-8
Order and Chaos Hide Inside Each Other
Order and Chaos Hide Inside Each Other
Chaos can contain order. Order can contain chaos! Is chaos ever truly random?
Gr 2-8
Who has more power: the Queen Bee or the Hive?
Who has more power: the Queen Bee or the Hive?
Sometimes power is concentrated in one place. Other times it is spread out.
Gr 2-8
Indirect Power – Lighthouse vs Magnetism
Indirect Power – Lighthouse vs Magnetism
Students explore the idea of indirect power – which can be both visible (a lighthouse) or invisible (magnetism).
Gr 2-8
Power – Blue Whale vs Krill
Power – Blue Whale vs Krill
Sure, a Blue Whale is huge. But does a tiny krill have more power?
Gr 2-8
Two Animals Switch Biomes
Two Animals Switch Biomes
What if a capybara and a kangaroo rat switched homes? Would their adaptations be helpful at all?
Gr 1-8
Lego Paper Shredder
Lego Paper Shredder
Can you shred paper using just Lego?
Tournament of Not-So-Famous Inventors
Tournament of Not-So-Famous Inventors
Which inventor and invention will win the tournament?
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: 19th Century Presidents
Not Like The Others: 19th Century Presidents
Four 19th century presidents. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: 20th Century Presidents – Group B
Not Like The Others: 20th Century Presidents – Group B
Four 20th century presidents. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: 20th Century Presidents – Group A
Not Like The Others: 20th Century Presidents – Group A
Four 20th century presidents. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Ball vs Book
What’s In My Brain: Ball vs Book
Let’s look at Kinetic vs Potential Energy!
Gr 2-8
Slow Motion Popcorn
Slow Motion Popcorn
What surprises can you spot when a kernel pops in super slow-mo?
Gr 2-8
Changing Baby Names
Changing Baby Names
You won’t believe how fascinating it is to watch a map of the most popular baby names by US state.
Frozen Bubble
Frozen Bubble
What happens when you blow a bubble in below-freezing temperatures?
Notice, Wonder: Sombrero
Notice, Wonder: Sombrero
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Create A Civ: Capital City
Create A Civ: Capital City
Every great capital is part geography, part human design. Research real ones, then build your own from scratch.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Silver Torch
Notice, Wonder: Silver Torch
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Barringer
Notice, Wonder: Barringer
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Rosetta
Notice, Wonder: Rosetta
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: African Nations
Not Like The Others: African Nations
Four African nations. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: US National Parks
Not Like The Others: US National Parks
Four US national parks. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Critter
Notice, Wonder: Critter
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: A House
Notice, Wonder: A House
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: SLS Test
Notice, Wonder: SLS Test
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Microstates of Europe
Not Like The Others: Microstates of Europe
Four of the tiniest countries in Europe. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Butterball
Notice, Wonder: Butterball
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Craters
Notice, Wonder: Craters
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Bloom
Notice, Wonder: Bloom
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Skylight
Notice, Wonder: Skylight
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Tournament: 8 Wonders of the Solar System
Tournament: 8 Wonders of the Solar System
Which location is the most wondrous place in the solar system?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Krzywy Las
Notice, Wonder: Krzywy Las
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Scales
Notice, Wonder: Scales
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Vortices
Notice, Wonder: Vortices
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
The 8th Wonder of the World Tournament
The 8th Wonder of the World Tournament
Which of these eight wonders deserves to become the Eighth Wonder of the World!?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Swirls
Notice, Wonder: Swirls
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Precipitation Tournament
Precipitation Tournament
Eight types of precipitation battle it out in this tournament.
Gr 2-8
Tournament of Ancient Inventions
Tournament of Ancient Inventions
Which of these inventions of the ancient world is most influential? Least useful today? Most taken-for-granted?
Gr 2-8
Habitable Planets and Moons Tournament
Habitable Planets and Moons Tournament
Which object in the solar system is most habitable?
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Types of Rocks
Not Like The Others: Types of Rocks
Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic — and one that doesn’t fit. But which one? Depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Branches of the US Government
Not Like The Others: Branches of the US Government
How is each part of the United States Government not like the other parts?
Gr 2-8
Looping Grid Art
Looping Grid Art
Pick a few numbers, draw some corresponding lines on grid paper, and you’ll end up with some interesting, looping math-y art!
Gr 1-8
What’s In My Brain: Owl vs Eagle
What’s In My Brain: Owl vs Eagle
Some of these animals are nocturnal and some are diurnal.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Green Circles
Notice, Wonder: Green Circles
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: An Orange Thing
Notice, Wonder: An Orange Thing
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Paradox: Rebuilding A Ship
Paradox: Rebuilding A Ship
What if we completely rebuild something slowly? What if we completely rebuild it all at once? Is it still the same thing?
Gr 1-8
The Pros and Cons of Producers and Consumers
The Pros and Cons of Producers and Consumers
Sure, students might know the difference between a producer and a consumer… but have they considered how they feel about each other? What, in a producer’s opinion, are the pros and cons of a consumer?
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Natural Disasters
Not Like The Others: Natural Disasters
Four natural disasters. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Kuiseb
Notice, Wonder: Kuiseb
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: States of Matter
Not Like The Others: States of Matter
How is each of the states of matter not like the others?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: A Long Line
Notice, Wonder: A Long Line
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Order Can Be Natural or Constructed
Order Can Be Natural or Constructed
When is order natural and when is it designed by people?
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: US Presidents
Not Like The Others: US Presidents
Four US presidents. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 2-8
Not Like The Others: Planets
Not Like The Others: Planets
Which of these planets is not like others? Well, it sure looks simple at first. But each option could be the one that doesn’t fit in.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Forest
Notice, Wonder: Forest
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Akron
Notice, Wonder: Akron
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
The Tournament of Biomes
The Tournament of Biomes
Want to move beyond memorizing the characteristics of biomes? In this lesson, students work through a Tournament of Biomes, explaining which biome wins in each round (based on criteria you choose). In the end, they crown a 👑 Champion Biome!
Gr 2-8
Notice Wonder: Turbine
Notice Wonder: Turbine
Your students will be surprised by the size of this turbine… and by what’s hanging from it!
Gr 2-8
Notice Wonder: Z-Machine
Notice Wonder: Z-Machine
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: A River
Notice, Wonder: A River
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: The Cliff
Notice, Wonder: The Cliff
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Michael
Notice, Wonder: Michael
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Etna
Notice, Wonder: Etna
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Game: Order and Chaos
Game: Order and Chaos
Imagine Tic-Tac-Toe if both players could play as both Xs and Os!
Gr 1-8
Bulls and Cows
Bulls and Cows
How quickly can you break the numeric code?
Gr 1-8
Upgrade Research Questions With Depth and Complexity
Upgrade Research Questions With Depth and Complexity
Ever ask students to create research questions? Were their ideas a bit… blah? My own students had a very hard time writing questions they didn’t already know the answer to! This video is how I solved that problem: upgrade research questions with depth and complexity.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Plateau
Notice, Wonder: Plateau
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: A Ship
Notice, Wonder: A Ship
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain – The Park vs The Museum
What’s In My Brain – The Park vs The Museum
We’re looking at the past progressive tense and the simple past tense.
Gr 2-8
Student Introductions with Complexity and Frames
Student Introductions with Complexity and Frames
How have you changed over time? Students introduce themselves through the lens of change — and learn a Depth and Complexity tool in the process.
Gr 2-8
Paradox: Crocodile Dilemma
Paradox: Crocodile Dilemma
A crocodile makes a deal. But the deal creates a paradox. Can your students untangle a 2,000-year-old logic puzzle?
Gr 1-8
Paradox: The Liar’s Paradox
Paradox: The Liar’s Paradox
Nothing like a paradox to get your kids brains exploding 🤯! This one starts with five simple words: “This statement is a lie.”
Gr 3-8
Developing Extension Questions: Zooming In
Developing Extension Questions: Zooming In
Every topic has details that get glossed over in a sentence. Zoom in on one and you’ve got an entire unit hiding inside a paragraph.
Gr 1-8
Developing Extension Questions: Panning
Developing Extension Questions: Panning
Your textbook covers a topic in one paragraph. But what’s next door? Pan the camera and you’ve got a question worth exploring for weeks.
Gr 1-8
Content Imperatives: Paradox
Content Imperatives: Paradox
How can one idea pull in opposite directions, being both true and false or right and wrong at the same time? It’s time to explore Paradoxes!
Gr 1-8
Content Imperatives: Contribuition
Content Imperatives: Contribuition
Pull on one thread and watch the whole topic move. Contribution asks: what single factor is quietly shaping everything else?
Gr 1-8
Content Imperatives: Origin
Content Imperatives: Origin
Take students back to the beginning by using the Content Imperative ⏺️ Origin.
Gr 1-8
Using Creativity Tools To Develop A Learning Exploration: Step Three
Using Creativity Tools To Develop A Learning Exploration: Step Three
How do you turn “go research something” into a structured, creative learning exploration? Kathryn Haydon walks through it step by step.
Gr 1-8
Depth and Complexity: ❓ Unanswered Questions
Depth and Complexity: ❓ Unanswered Questions
This underutilized tool focuses students on what we don’t yet know and even what we can’t know.
Gr 1-8
Using Creativity Tools To Develop A Learning Exploration: Step Two
Using Creativity Tools To Develop A Learning Exploration: Step Two
How do you turn “go research something” into a structured, creative learning exploration? Kathryn Haydon walks through it step by step.
Gr 1-8
Depth and Complexity: ⏳ Change Over Time
Depth and Complexity: ⏳ Change Over Time
Want to get students thinking about how a topic has changed or might change in the future? The ⏳ Change Over Time thinking tool is just what you need!
Gr 2-8
Creating A Realistic Flower and Pollinator
Creating A Realistic Flower and Pollinator
Your students will create a new flower, designed to attract a specific pollinator.
Gr 2-8
Disneyland Parking Tram Math Project
Disneyland Parking Tram Math Project
A full parking structure. Thousands of people. Trams that hold a few dozen. How many trips? Real math with a place kids actually care about.
Gr 1-8