Water, Water, Everywhere

Exploration of water and waterways builds research, math and engineering skills in second grade.

“My favorite part was when I built the houses.”

“At first it was just us learning about water. Now the wall outside our class shows it's like our projects are growing with us!”

Throughout the fall, Advent Second Graders have been learning about water in and around Boston, as well as water scarcity in our country and in other parts of the world. Guided by co-teachers Molly Bacigalupo and Jaz Nettrour, student curiosity and questions helped shape the direction of our inquiry. 

Recently, Second Graders brought to life their studies of the Swift River, the Quabbin Reservoir, and the Charles River past and present. Students created information booklets, as well as designed and built models showcasing the topic they felt most inspired to research further, using a wide range of materials and creative problem-solving strategies.

Their writing work was deeply connected to project time, as a major component of the R&I projects was the creation of informative books.

Students practiced research skills by taking notes from their reading and synthesizing information into their own words.

In reading, students spent lots of time exploring articles, studies, and books related to their topics, while also continuing to enjoy books from the 2B classroom library and the Advent School library.

Math learning was meaningfully integrated into this Research & Investigation (R&I) project time. As students built their models, they used rulers to practice measuring, engaged in thoughtful problem solving as challenges arose, planned and revised blueprints, and wrote detailed lists of needed materials. This hands-on, integrated learning allowed students to see math as a useful tool within authentic, real-world contexts.

Their study culminated in a classroom share, during which families were invited to explore the different projects and hear directly from students on what they learned. The students have worked incredibly hard and are so proud of their finished products! 

After presenting to their families, students gathered together to share what they enjoyed the most, and to recognize and congratulate their fellow classmates on their work, fostering an environment of empathy and inclusion. 

Learn more about Advent’s approach to Thematic and Project-Based Learning.