Year 2 Celebration Newsletter
Welcome to our Grade 2 curriculum celebration newsletter! Term One has been a whirlwind of exploration, growth, and mind-blowing learning experiences for our Grade 2 superstars! We can't wait to give you a sneak peek into the incredible journey they've embarked on over the past couple of months.
Reading
In reading, students continued to develop their skills in solving words by using letters and sounds, including graphs, digraphs, trigraphs, and blends. They also kept expanding their vocabulary, especially with unfamiliar words introduced through mentor texts. We placed a strong emphasis on improving fluency, as fluent readers have an easier time understanding and grasping the meaning of the text.
As our reading continues to become more fluent, we are able to dedicate more attention to finding meaning from the words, resulting in a deeper understanding of the content. Our approach to comprehension involved making connections (text to self) and visualising, which helped students deepen their understanding of the books they read.
Writing
In writing, students explored two genres. They dived into the recount genre, skillfully retelling ideas and events through diary entries and engaging language experiences. Additionally, they explored the instructive/procedural genre, crafting detailed lists, providing game directions, and immersing themselves in language-rich activities such as how to play basketball or make smiley face biscuits.
With a focus on detail, we emphasised the importance of punctuation, ensuring every sentence ended a full stop and began with a capital letter. Students also continued to refine their handwriting skills, mastering proper sitting posture, paper position, pencil grip, and the correct use of uppercase and lowercase letters. Throughout these sessions, we placed a strong emphasis on enhancing writing fluency and achieving legible handwriting with consistent sizing, ensuring that students can easily read back from their own writing.
(students followed a procedural text to make yummy smiley-face biscuits)
Maths
In our mathematics curriculum, we explored two key areas: measurement and place value. Our students eagerly learnt how to measure different quantities and understand the principles of place value, crucial for building a strong mathematical foundation. Through hands-on activities such as place value games, finding numbers outside, using manipulatives such as MAB and interactive exercises, they were able to explore this mathematical concept.
Inquiry
In Inquiry, students became time travelers - exploring the past and celebrating cultural connections. They delved into historical exploration, understanding how things had changed over time. A huge highlight was exploring Sunbury’s historical sites on our walking excursion.
Japanese
This term in Japanese, the Grade 2 students learned the importance of the Japanese New Year. They learnt that this year’s Japanese Zodiac animal is the dragon by making their own ‘Ema’ (a wooden plaque used in Japan to write goals or wishes on). They began a unit about body parts where they learnt to read and say a variety of body parts in Japanese. They also learnt to write some of the body parts in Hiragana and Kanji (Japanese alphabets). Students had the opportunity to apply the body part vocabulary into sentences. Students also continue to develop their vocabulary through various games and small group activities.
Performing Arts
Throughout Term One in Performing Arts, Grade Two students enjoyed using masks to explore character development and had fun learning how their voice and body language can convey emotions. They practiced their conversational skills when introducing their masks to their peers and developed confidence when performing to a small audience. Through a variety of improvisations and role-plays, students experimented with changing their body language and voice to demonstrate character intention and motivation.
PE
In Term 1 Grade 2 PE classes, students continued to build on their fundamental movement skills through fun and interactive activities. They engaged in more structured games and sports, learning basic rules and teamwork. Students also explored concepts like spatial awareness and developed social skills through cooperative play.
Visual Arts
This term students investigated the tools of drawing, creating artworks using pencils, markers, crayons and oil pastels. Students continued to discover the elements of art – line, shape, and colour. Students used lines to create drawings and they identified different types of lines and patterns in their art works. When exploring colour, students named primary colours as red, yellow and blue. These colours were combined to make secondary colours: orange, green and purple. Students created works of art that are displayed for others to enjoy and appreciate.
