Year Two
Our Year Two students have been busy diving into an exciting Unit of Inquiry all about understanding the place in which we live - and how this helps us connect with and care for it.
Throughout the unit, students explored important ideas about place, space, interconnection, and Country. They explored our school map, as well as maps of local places and significant places using Google Maps and Google Earth. Through this exploration students learned that places have special features and meanings, and that we can describe locations using landmarks and maps. They also discovered that different people connect with places in different ways. Students reflected on why certain places matter and how we can care for them.
A key focus of our learning has been developing an appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, particularly the deep and enduring connections to Country. Students explored how places across Australia, such as Uluru, hold cultural and spiritual significance, and how many places have traditional names alongside the English names we commonly use.
To bring their learning to life, students participated in a walking excursion around our local community. This hands-on experience allowed students to observe, question, and connect with familiar places in new ways, and share these connections with their peers. We counted our steps and we walked over 5000 steps that day - a massive achievement for our students!
Back in the classroom, as a creative celebration of their learning, each student designed and built a diorama of a local place they feel connected to. These wonderful creations were proudly shared during a mini exhibition, where students presented their work and explained the significance of their chosen place to their peers in other Year Two classes. We were also lucky enough to have some special visitors from the Executive Team share in our exhibition.
Throughout this unit, our Year Two learners have shown themselves to be observant, respectful, curious, and connected individuals. They have asked thoughtful questions such as:
Why do people feel connected to some places?
What makes a place important?
How can we care for the places around us?
We are so proud of the way our students have engaged with this learning - developing not only their knowledge of geography, but also a deeper respect for the world around them and the people who care for it. 🌏
The Year Two Team
Skye Bailey, Fiona O’Reilly, Molly Todd and Nicola Veneris