You should have a stick in the ground (perpendicular) and then every few days take a "shadow" reading at the same time (be careful for daylight saving time as you must always be 24 hours apart).
After a period of time you will see the cycle of the sun. If you take the reading at "noon" (look up for actual noon at your location) then on :
June 21 the shadow is shortest:
Dec 21st shadow is longest
March 21st and Sept 21st the shadow will have same lengths (midpoint between the winter and summer solstice): You can also get latitude at this time but that is beyond most 2nd graders.
Also on March 21st and Sept21 the sun will rise DUE EAST and Set at DUE West.
Steve Bailey
The Gunnery
Science Chair
-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Anthony Lapinski
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 9:49 AM
To: tap-l@lists.ncsu.edu; phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
Subject: [Phys-l] astronomy activities
A colleague who teaches in our lower school is looking for astronomy
activities appropriate for 2nd graders. Does anyone know of ideas or
online resources?