A Snapshot of Learning by Grade 2

Returning to school after a Lockdown can sometimes be difficult for some students. However, Level 2 celebrated the return to school by engaging students in pretend market stalls for the day! The other bonus of the ‘Market Day’ was the opportunity to engross students in real life mathematical thinking and reasoning! 

In the morning there was a buzz of busyness and squeals of excitement as the children created some beautiful objects to sell at their Market Day stalls. A common theme for each stall was selected and displayed on poster paper at the front of each group.

Later on in the day, the classrooms were transformed into market stalls where students displayed their home made artworks and creations for other students to view and add to their wish list. It was wonderful to see imaginations run wild and excellent team work as the children worked together to construct their items. 

Each item was carefully priced by the students and labels were made to show their customers how much each item would cost to buy. The Grade 2 students were immersed in the mathematical concepts relating to money (decimals) and addition as they added their totals up for their ‘wish list’ items. 

It was wonderful to witness first hand, the Grade 2 children engaged in mathematical thinking and reasoning in their play as they had sufficient knowledge about the materials they were using. Having a Market Day was motivating and a context that was familiar and comfortable to the Grade 2 students. The wonderful thing about Mathematics is the way that it can be seamlessly integrated with children’s ongoing play and activities in the classroom and at home.

A massive thank you to Ms Anna Mautone, Mrs Nicole O’Sullivan and Ms Tess Emerson-Jones for organising an amazing return to school “Market Day” and engaging our students in real life mathematical thinking and reasoning! 

Mrs Monica Rayner 

Teaching and Learning Leader