Year 2

Reading: This term in Reading, the Grade 2 students will be learning about a range of different nonfiction texts; including information reports, explanations, procedures, persuasive texts and poetry. The students will be learning to use the structure and features of these texts to be able to identify the text type, in order to understand how to read it. Whilst learning about text structures and features this term, the students will also be applying comprehension strategies such as, visualising, determining importance, summarising and making connections with the range of texts we read. They will also learn to identify important topic specific vocabulary used for each of the text types. 

Writing:

This term in Writing, students will be creating information reports. We will start by looking at the structure and unpacking different types of information reports, as well as their different features. By the end of the unit, students will have been exposed to planning and researching a topic, then creating and publishing several information reports on different class topics. 

Our next unit will be around poetry. Students will look at the structure and general guiding rules of different poems. By the end of the unit, students will have created a number of poems about topics that are important to them. 

Maths: 

This term in Mathematics, the Grade 2 students will be learning about length by measuring and comparing different objects. The students will also be learning addition and subtraction and a range of strategies to help them solve problems. Some of the strategies include counting on, counting back, make to ten and fact families.To finish off the term, the students will be learning about 2D shapes and their transformations, including how the shape transforms when flipped, turned or when it slides.

Inquiry: In inquiry learning this term students will be exploring a unit titled ‘Lean on Me’, where we will focus on identity and self-expression and how these commonalities help us maintain healthy relationships. By the end of this inquiry students will be able to identify that positive relationships enrich our lives and foster positive community. Students will also be able to identify different relationships in their lives and develop positive coping strategies for resolving conflict. The key questions guiding our inquiry are: How do we develop and keep positive relationships? What type of relationships can we have? How do we resolve conflict in positive and respectful ways?

Further to this, through thinking routines ‘see, think, wonder’ and ‘hexagonal thinking’ students will continue their good work in making thinking visible and developing critical and creative thinking skills. Not only do these routines support meta-cognition but they also encourage curiosity and wonder as students engage in the learning experiences.

I am looking forward to engaging and creative term ahead. 

ART: It is so exciting to be back in the art room with the Year 2 students this term! We will begin the term with observational drawing, exploring how different styles of line can be used in artworks. From there we will move into activities that give us the opportunity to apply a variety of line techniques to our artworks, specifically looking at methods employed by The Surrealists and The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. The mediums we will explore include oil pastels, inks, markers and paints. We will also make sure to revisit and consolidate our knowledge of colour theory from Term 1, weaving this into our projects. I have been so impressed by the students’ capacity to jump into activities and take risks when making. I know the students are looking forward to bringing home more of their fabulous works from the semester!

LOTE: Welcome back to a new term! In term two, the grade ones and twos will be learning basic language skills in Chinese Mandarin, including listening and speaking, recognising sounds and pronunciation. They will learn about some Chinese festivals such as the Tomb Sweeping Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. They will also learn Chinese words and phrases about clothing and action words. This term, students will learn about the Terra Cotta Warriors. They will also engage in actions games, songs, books, arts and crafts throughout the term.

Science: Our focus in Science for term 2 is the Earth and Space strand of Science.  Students will be exploring observable changes in the landscapes and sky, and identifying natural and man-made changes all around us.

With a focus on the local environment, students will investigate changes that occur through natural events, such as seasons, and through changes made by humans, such as the creation of new buildings and roads. Students will explore the suns position at different times of the day, and the eight phases of the moon which occur during the month.  Students will investigate how environmental changes can affect animals, and how seasonal changes influence hibernation.  Students will have the opportunity to learn through individual activities, information technology and through group work.

PE: Welcome back all students to Term 2. This term in grades 1 & 2 we will be having a major focus on athletics towards the later end of the term where all students will be building up their knowledge on certain athletics events along with the importance of keeping active! We will also be developing our skipping technique based on rhythm and pursue our soccer kick this term. Students have continually been gaining more and more independence through Physical Education classes and we will continue to do this throughout by implementing small groups and having students try to run the groups themselves. Looking forward to another fantastic term of PE!