Year 2
Term 2 Reflections
Inquiry
Students have thoroughly enjoyed this term’s Inquiry unit on Community, where they explored the question: What makes a community? Throughout the term, students developed their understanding of the people, places and services that help communities work together and support one another.
As part of their learning, the Grade 1 and 2 students participated in a Community Walk excursion along Charman Road. Students visited a variety of local businesses, including the bakery, pharmacy, fruit shop and Op Shop, where they learnt about the important roles people play in helping our community every day. We would like to thank all of the local businesses for warmly welcoming our students and sharing their knowledge and experiences with us.
Students also enjoyed a visit to our local library, where they were given a tour of the library space and listened to some engaging stories. During the visit, students learnt about the many ways the library supports our community, including children’s holiday programs and the variety of services the library provides beyond simply borrowing books.
STEAM
Over the last few weeks, students have worked incredibly hard on their STEAM Community Project. They designed and built their own model communities, thinking carefully about the different places and features needed in a community. As part of this project, students also explored coding by programming Bee-Bots to navigate through their model communities. Students were very excited to share their creativity, problem-solving and learning with families during the STEAM Expo.
Literacy
This term in English, students’ literacy learning was strongly connected to our Inquiry unit on Community. Students explored informative texts about communities and the people who help them function and thrive. We also shared mentor texts including A Map of Me and A Bus Called Heaven, which helped students develop their understanding of belonging, identity, place and the important roles individuals play within a community.
Students also explored persuasive writing this term by creating their own persuasive pieces about why families should send their child to Cheltenham Primary School. Throughout the unit, students learnt about the key features of persuasive texts and experimented with a range of persuasive techniques, including exaggeration, using modal verbs, rhetorical questions and using facts to help strengthen their arguments and make their writing more convincing.
Mathematics
This term in Mathematics, students explored a range of addition and subtraction strategies using hands-on materials such as Unifix cubes and their growing understanding of place value to support their learning. Students practised a variety of addition strategies including doubles, near doubles and “add 9”. They also enjoyed playing many engaging maths games that helped strengthen their understanding of the jump strategy.
Throughout the term, students investigated measurement using informal units and explored the language of direction and position through map activities. These skills were also applied during our ongoing STEAM project. Students additionally learnt about shape and length, further developing their understanding of measurement and spatial awareness.
Kitchen
Grade 2 students have been thoroughly enjoying their cooking sessions in the kitchen. During these sessions, students work collaboratively to prepare simple and delicious recipes that they could easily recreate at home for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.
The students have loved participating in the cooking program and developing their teamwork and kitchen skills while creating tasty recipes. Some of the dishes students have made this term include tuna boats, fried rice and ANZAC biscuits.
We have had a wonderful and productive Term 2 and have loved seeing the growth shown by all students throughout the term. Thank you to all of our families for your ongoing support. We hope everyone has a safe, restful and enjoyable break, and we look forward to another exciting term ahead!
Year 2 Team
Emma Rae (2A), Rebecca Taylor (2B Mon-Wed) & Carly Toister (2B Wed-Fri)
Important Dates:
Monday 13th July: First day of Term 3
Dates TBC: Parent Teacher Interviews
Tuesday 21st July: Mini Commonwealth Games
Thursday 6th August: Moonlit Sanctuary Excursion
Dates TBC: Upcoming Book Week Events in August
Week of Monday 7th and Monday 14th September: School Swimming
Friday 18th September: End of Term 3