Year 2 Specialist News - Term 3

Art

Transdisciplinary Theme:  

Sharing the planet  

Central Idea: 

The beauty and diversity of insects inspire artistic creativity.

Lines of Inquiry:   

• The various and diverse artistic representation of insects 
• How the natural world influences artistic expression 
• Different materials and creative ways of representing insects in our own artwork   

Key Concepts: 

perspective and connection  

Learner Profile Attributes:

  open-minded and caring    

Students Will Create: 

• Prior knowledge drawing to create an imaginative insect
• Observational drawing, capturing the intricate and accurate detail of one or more insects 
• Temporary nature sculptures using found natural objects to construct a mini beast. Inspired by the work of Andy Goldsworthy and Raku Inoue 
• Insect trail rubbings, painting, collage and print. Inspired by Australian artist John Wolseley 
• Imaginative ceramic insect. Using clay modelling skills to capture detail and form of an insect of their own creation  
• Cardboard construction of a moth, capturing shape, pattern and decorative detail 

Music

Transdisciplinary Theme: 

sharing the planet 

Central Idea: 

People can explore change through music. 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Expressing change through music  
• Exploring forms of music 

Key Concepts: 

connection, change 

Learner Profile Attributes:

 inquirer 

Students Will: 

• Learn songs related to ‘Sharing the Planet’ e.g., Shoo Fly, Fireflies and Cockroach Rap  
• Listen and explore related classical pieces, for example: ‘Flight of the Bumble Bee’ by Rimsky Korsakov 
• Revise writing simple melodies using learnt notes on the staff
• Create ostinato patterns to accompany music or use them in small group performances
• Explore unusual ways of playing instruments so students can start thinking about texture and tone colour and how to use these elements wisely in compositions
• Recognise ‘AB form’ and demonstrate this using instruments and movement  
• Use the song ‘Fireflies’ as inspiration for a class composition project. This may involve such elements as movement, graphic notation and playing of classroom instruments but with a particular focus on the concept of Change
• Write more complex rhythms and work in teams to perform compositions 
• Enjoying playing bucket drums to music, to showcase their rhythm skills  

Japanese

Transdisciplinary Theme: 

Sharing the planet

Central Idea:  

Understanding minibeasts helps us appreciate the interconnectedness of nature and fosters our language development.

Lines of Inquiry:  

• Common features of minibeasts  
• The way minibeasts influence the life of Japanese children  

Key Concepts: 

form, causation, perspective

Learner Profile Attributes:

 reflective, inquirer, knowledgeable 

Language Focus (Japanese language): 

Counting numbers, sentence orders in Japanese 

Students Will: 

• Learn and pronounce the names of minibeasts like grasshoppers and butterflies
• Practice saying and spelling the names of body parts of minibeasts in Japanese. 
• Create a mini book where you write the names of minibeasts in Japanese
• Count the number of legs and arms of minibeasts using Japanese numbers. 
• Sing a song about minibeasts in Japanese
• Watch Japanese manga about minibeasts and discuss how Japanese children interact with minibeasts in their daily lives
• Make an origami ladybird

Physical Education

Transdisciplinary Theme: 

How we organise ourselves 

Central Idea: 

Sport and communities bring people together.  

Lines of Inquiry: 

• The importance of fair play and sportsmanship and personal development in athletic type skills
• The role of the Olympic games in our community and culture and how we all come together  

Key Concepts:  

connection and change 

Learner Profile Attributes:   

inquirer and principled 

Students Will:  

• Be involved in athletic type activities incorporating running, vertical jump, leaping and throwing. They will use these skills in races, relays and minor games  
• Participate in a whole school Mini Olympics/Athletics carnival where students interact across all year levels to compete in a variety of events 
• Master their fundamental motor skills in organized games and revise the basic skills of throwing, catching, bouncing and kicking
• Through interactive game play develop awareness and skill in different activities   

Library

Transdisciplinary Theme: 

Sharing the planet 

Central Idea:

 Living things go through a process of change. 

Lines of Inquiry: 

• Recognising common features of minibeasts 
• Life cycles 
• How living things changes over their life time 
• The relationship between living things. 
• How do stories illustrate the evolution and growth of living beings    

Key Concepts: 

change and connection  

Learner Profile Attributes: 

thinker and inquirer  

Students Will: 

• Practice using computers to search the library catalogue
• Review the distinction between a "keyword" and "subject" search 
• Explore the non-fiction section and learn where to locate books on specific subjects 
• Discuss the features of non-fiction texts and strategies for efficient use, including the contents, glossary, and index 
• Read books related to the unit of inquiry, "Living things go through a process of change' 
• Explore and utilise literature and resources in the school library to investigate topics 
• Books to be explored include: 
• "Heads and Tails Insects" by Jonty Canty 
• "Naturopolis" by Deborah Frenkel 
• "Whadayamean" by John Birmingham 
• "Just One Bee" by Margrete Lamond 
• "Your Birthday Was the Best!" by Maggie Hutchings 
• "Where Are All the Christmas Beetles?" by Suzanne Houghton 
• "Tasmanian Devil" by Claire Saxby