Explorers of the World Around Us

As we conclude the first half of our second grade year, Ms. Harrington's students are also concluding their social studies unit for the trimester, "Explorers of the World Around Us". The children chose their own explorer to research independently, with peers, teachers, and fourth grade reading buddies. They drew portraits, studied their explorer's travel routes on maps, sorted out the information they learned on graphic organizers, and wrote reports. Here is some of their work:

Charles Lindbergh

by Emily

Charles was a curious person. He was curious about learning to fly. He wanted to explore learning to fly, but it wasn't always easy. That's because the airplanes always brode down and they always needed more and more fuel. So he made lighter planes that didn't break down. Even though it was hard, Charles persisted. Eventually, he flew across the Atlantic Ocean. I think we can learn a lot from Charles, like how to use our brains to solve problems.

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James Cook

by Blake

James Cook was a curious person. He was curious about the South Pole. He wanted to explore the coasts of the world. There was a big storm. Even though it was hard, James persisted. Eventually, he sailed around the world. I think we can learn a lot from James, like how to sail and keep trying when things are hard.

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Jane Goodall

by Elizabeth

Jane Goodall was a curious person. She was curious about chimps. She wanted to explore animals in Africa, but it wasn't always easy. That's because Jane's mom said that she had to go to secretary school. Even though it was hard, Jane persisted. Eventually, she made it to Africa. I think we can learn a lot from Jane, like how to save wildlife.

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Vasco da Gama

by Tristan

Vasco da Gama was a curious person. He was curious about finding different spices at India and goods, too. He wanted to explore a new trading route, but it wasn't always easy. That's because it was very hard to find a ship and the seas were very dangerous, too. Even though it was hard, Vasco da Gama persisted. Eventually, he found a new trade route. I think we can learn a lot from Vasco da Gama, like how to follow your dreams.

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Leif Erikkson

by Gracie

Leif was a curious person. He was curious about discovering new lands. He wanted to explore new lands, but it wasn't always easy. That's becuase he had to travel a long way until he came to the first coast of land in North America. Even though it was hard, Leif persisted. Eventually, he came to the first coast. I think we can learn a lot from Leif Erikkson, like how to discover new lands.

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Robert Fulton

by Reid

Robert Fulton was a curious person. He was curious about how to build machines. He built a submarine and steamboats. He was creative.

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Marco Polo

by Skye

Marco Polo was a curious person. He was curious about sea monsters, but he was brave and found out and he wanted to explore and sail on the ocean, but it wasn't always easy.That's because he was afraid of sea monsters, but he was brave and did it anyways and it was cool. Even though it was hard, he did it and persisted. Eventually he was brave. I think we can learn a lot from him, like how to be creative and impressive. I like this explorer because he is spectacular to me and I think this is a great time to me and I learned a lot from him. He is a good explorer for me, because I like the ocean.

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Amelia Earhart

by Dylan

Amelia Earhart was curious about being the first woman to fly over the Atlantic Ocean. She wanted to explore the Atlantic Ocea, but even thought it was hard, Amelia persisted. Eventually she did it because she believed in herself. I think we can learn a lot from Amelia. I learned from Amelia that I should keep on trying, don't give up, and believe in myself. And also, I think that Amelia shouldn't listen to other people and what they say. She should care what she thinks. 

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Benjamin Banneker

by Jaeden

Benjamin Banneker was a curious person. He was curious about the stars. He wanted to explore the stars, but it wasn't always easy. That's because he struggled, because the people said he was a black man and so he couldn't make maps of the stars. Even thought it was hard, Benjamin persisted. Eventually, he wrote to the president to say that he could do it. I think we can learn a lot from Benjamin like how to make maps of the stars. 

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Ponce de Leon

by Nick

Ponce de Leon was a curious person. He was curious about discovering new lands. He wanted to explore new lands, but it wasn't always easy. That's because he had to travel through storms. Even thought it was hard, Ponce de Leon persisted. Eventually, he risked to go through a storm. I think we can learn a lot from him, like how to go to a new land and just keep going, even if it's hard.

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Jaques Cousteau

by Sydney

Jacques was a curious person. He was curious about the ocean. He wanted to explore the ocean, but it was not always easy. That's because he could only hold his breath for a minute. But he persisted in his work. He invented he airtank. Then he made movies about the ocean. After Jacques spent most of his life making movies about the sea, he saw something happening. Something shocking. Plants that used to be alive and healthy were dying. Jaques saw that people, without realizing it, were slowly killing the sea and it's creatures by dumping garbage and poisonous chemicals into the ocean he loved so much. He knew what he had to do. He had to make more movies. Movies to warn people. Movies to save the sea. Jacques spoke to the presidents, to kings and queens, to people. I think we can learn a lot about Jaques. I studied him because he loved the ocean. He is adventurous. I like the ocean. It is cool. I would like to go scuba diving.

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Eratosthenes

by Bryce

Eratosthenes was a curious person. He was curious about the Earth. He wanted to know the size of the Earth, but it wasn't easy. Even though it was hard, he learned to measure the size of the Earth using math. I think we can learn a lot from Eratosthenes about math.

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Bessie Coleman

by Naomi

Bessie Coleman was a curious person. She was curious about how to fly. She wanted to learn to fly, but it wasn't easy. That's because people said that she could not do it because she was a black woman. Even though it was hard, Bessie persisted. Eventually, she did it! She went to school in France and learned how to be a pilot. I think we can learn a lot from Bessie, like how to fly and do it even if someone said you could not.

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Sir Francis Drake

by Sammy

Sir Francis Drake was a curious person. He was curious about gold, silver, and even spices. He wanted to explore the world, but it wasn't always easy. That's because the Spanish sailors and Drake fought a lot. Even thought it was hard, Drake persisted. Eventually, he sailed around the world. I think we can learn a lot from Sir Francis Drake, like how to find treasure.

Nice job, second graders! After the holiday, Mrs. Mankowsky's class will begin their "Explorers" unit, as well. For now, here's wishing you peace, love, and happiness this holiday season!