Spotlight on Learning

Dear Families,

This week, Year 2 students have continued learning with enthusiasm across all areas of the curriculum. In Religious Education, students explored the Rosary and reflected on how prayer helps people connect with God and Mary. In English, students began persuasive writing by sharing ideas about how we can care for Country and encourage others to do the same. In Mathematics, students strengthened their addition and subtraction strategies using empty number lines and practised explaining their thinking using VLS (Visuals, Language and Symbols). Students also explored seasonal changes and Aboriginal understandings of seasons while continuing to build confidence using Auslan signs and short phrases. 

It has been wonderful to see students showing curiosity, confidence and persistence in their learning.

Learning for the Week Ahead

Religious Education:

Students will continue learning about the Rosary by exploring the Mysteries of the Rosary and how they connect to important stories from Jesus’ life. They will identify some of the mysteries, discuss what they teach us, and create visual representations to show their understanding. Students will also make their own Rosary keychain as a special way to remember and connect with prayer.

English:

Students will continue learning about the Curiosity Mars Rover through a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. They will strengthen their editing skills by using CUPS (capital letters, understanding, punctuation and spelling) to improve and refine their writing, while also learning about the features of factual texts. In phonics, students will explore different spelling patterns that make the /ear/ sound and practise reading, spelling and using new words in their writing.

Mathematics:

Students will begin exploring mass by comparing how heavy different objects are and learning how balance scales can be used to measure and compare mass. They will use informal units, such as pegs, to measure objects, compare results and order items from lightest to heaviest while developing their mathematical vocabulary and reasoning skills.

Integrated Curriculum:

Students will continue learning about seasons by exploring how First Nations peoples use signs in nature to understand seasonal changes. They will compare the Kulin Nation seasons with the European four-season model and learn how Aboriginal peoples have cared for Country by observing plants, animals and weather patterns over thousands of years.

Image sourged from: https://biikbundjil.com/heritage

Auslan:

Students will continue building their Auslan communication skills by learning how pointing can be used to refer to people and objects when signing. They will practise useful classroom phrases, participate in interactive games and activities, and develop confidence using both new and familiar signs. Students will also learn more about how Deaf people use Auslan to communicate information about the world around them, including sounds and events in their environment.

Social & Emotional Learning:

Students will learn about anger and explore positive ways to manage strong emotions. Through discussions, stories and activities, they will identify situations that can make people feel angry, recognise how anger can feel in the body, and practise safe strategies for expressing and managing emotions.

What you can do at home

• Read together each night and talk about the story. Ask your child to retell the beginning, middle and end of the story, or describe how a character solved a problem. Disucc interesting facts that can be learnt from reading stories as well as non fiction texts. 

   

• Practise maths in everyday life bycomparing the mass of household objects. Ask questions such as, "Which object is heavier?" or "What could we use to measure this?" and encourage your child to explain their thinking.

   

• Talk and share signs together by asking your child to teach you an Auslan sign or facial expression they have learned at school. Practising together helps build confidence and communication skills.

Important Reminders

• Please ensure that you are labelling your child's belongings.

• Please remind your child to change their reading books when they need to. 

Enjoy your weekend,

The Damascus Team

Contact Us @Damascus

damascus@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au  (all teachers) or