Grade 2 Teaching and Learning News 2022


 

What's been happening in Grade 2 in 2022?

 

 

Literacy 

 

2A read picture books with a partner focusing on practising reading with fluency. They then picked a section of the picture book, wrote a script and presented their script to the class.

 

 

In 2B we have written creative recounts about our personal experiences, but also spent time reflecting on what our holidays may be like in the form of an acrostic poem. Below are two examples of writing in the draft stages.

 

 

2C have been learning to read dialogue in Reader’s Theatre, with a focus on their fluency. Students have been practising reading aloud with fluency and phrasing; focusing on expression, punctuation, their rate and accuracy. Students practised reading their plays and then presented them at in front of the classroom. 2C Students did a fabulous job putting on special voices for their roles and flowing through the scripts at a steady pace. Students in the crowd did a great job at showing respect towards the group presenting, by listening carefully and paying attention. Everyone enjoyed the readers' theatre process.

 

 

Grade 2 Day Camp 

 

On Monday the 21st of November, Grade Two students became junior farmers when they visited Animal Land for a day camp experience. They milked Ellie the Cow, went on pony rides, rode ‘Tommy the Tractor’ to see alpacas, pigs and sheep, fed the ducks and cuddled baby animals. Enjoy the below photos of our day camp experience!

 

 

 

Student Voice and Agency

 

2A students worked together to find as many different shapes with a volume of 12 unifix cubes collaboratively. We also used unifix blocks and formal units to calculate the area of our Just Right texts.

 

 

2B On Wednesday the 9th of November Ms Carroll and Ms Kimpton came into 2B, as part of a peer observation, to teach 2B how to use open number lines when solving addition worded problems. Students had a go at showing how they worked out the problem using a number line on their whiteboards and then shared their thinking with a partner or group. There was fantastic student voice and agency in this warm up. Everyone tried a strategy on their whiteboards! We will continue exploring this skill in the near future.

 

 

2C recently completed information reports on an animal of their choice. They borrowed their own animal nonfiction book from the library and used the content to obtain information about different categories. Students had the opportunity to explore publishing their information reports using laptops.

 

 

Inquiry Learning 

 

As part of our inquiry unit Robot Buddies, 2A and 2B students have been thinking creatively to design a new and improved chair and list the materials needed to create their chair. Their design had to include a circle, triangle, square and a rectangle.

 

 

As part of the Grade 2 Inquiry Unit Robot Buddies, 2C have been practicing being creative in different ways. This week, students explored the concept of designing new objects, by combining the features of two existing objects. In pairs, students had to think of an appropriate name for their newly designed object and present their ideas, describing their new object's purpose and function.

 

 

Personal and Social Learning 

 

In Grade Two we refer to “being a learner, being responsible and being respectful” throughout school days. We have our school values up with student definitions and refer to the matrix and behaviour expectations daily. We have also been revising our knowledge of coping strategies. We have linked this into the Zones of Regulation by using a variety of strategies to support students in getting back into the green zone. Grades brainstormd help-seeking strategies and people they can go to for help. We check in with students’ and their zones daily and encourage the use of coping, problem and help seeking strategies in our daily context.

 

 

Numeracy highlights

 

Over the last few weeks 2A and 2C have learnt about concepts such as addition, division, multiplication, volume and capacity. They have worked collaboratively to solve problems and share their thinking with their peers.

 

 

Here are some examples of what 2B learnt in maths this week. We thought about, planned and solved some warm up questions on the Interactive Whiteboard, using our number talk! We also learnt about representing halves, thirds, quarters and eighths of shapes. We explored different shapes and the fractions in them. Then we had a fun class challenge!!! Christine – I learnt that halves could look different. It depends on the shape. Keira – I learnt about fractions and halves and how to write them. We tried finding the fractions of different shapes. Jenson – If you cut edges of a folded shape, it looks different once opened up! Steven – I like when we did the folding shape challenge. We had to guess what the shape would like when opened. I just saw the shape and learnt from the last challenge that there would be four sections.

 

 

 

Book Week 

 

During Book Week, 2A enjoyed reading the shortlisted book Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland. Students used the book as inspiration for persuading others whether the whales should stay on land or go back to the ocean.  They also compared the impact the whales had on the land and on the ocean using a Venn Diagram.

 

2A loved sharing a reading experience with 4C in the library. Students selected picture books from the library shelves and enjoyed reading for pleasure in our amazing library space.

 

During Book Week 2B celebrated and read shortlisted books and students’ reading and writing were based around these quality texts. We also engaged in a Book Week Parade dressed as our favourite book characters. Our Book Week writing was fantastic and our buddy reading experience was an absolutely brilliant way to share our love of reading! Inaya said, “I was so happy and joyful because we got to play imaginary games with our costumes during play times. Indigo was flying off the hill as an alicorn. I was giving her boost powers.”

 

 

 

In Week 8, 2C enjoyed reading the Book Week shortlisted book Jetty Jumping by Andrea Rowe and illustrated by Hannah Sommerville. The author used lots of verbs to describe the actions on and off the jetty. Students decorated their own graffiti walls with verbs from the story and from their own independent reading books. Students also completed Y Charts describing what the main character, Milla, might be able to see, feel and hear, from the jetty. 

During Book Week, 2C loved participating in the whole school Book Parade and had the best time engaging in shared partner reading in the library, with 4B students.

 

 

 

 

Science Week and Numeracy Highlights

 

This week Grade 2 students read the picture story book One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab. We identified all the numbers represented in the story (by legs) and practised representing numbers in different ways. Students were encouraged to think about patterns, for example, creating the teen numbers using one crab (10 legs). Students were encouraged to record their thinking and think about questions such as:

  • How will you know you’ve made all the numbers?
  • How will you keep track?
  • Can you make that number in a different way/s?

Students were also proud to share their Nude Food lunch boxes on Wednesday.

 

 

Thank you to Hayley, Zack and Elijah’s mum, for coming in to teach the Grade Two students a lesson about the writing process. Hayley also shared her experience in writing books with us.

 

 

 

 

Inquiry Learning  

 

Life on a Dairy Farm

On Wednesday the 3rd of August, Helen came and spoke to the Grade Two students about life on a dairy farm. Students were so engaged learning about how the dairy industry has changed over the years.

During our writing session this week, students practised writing questions for our presentations.  Many questions were asked both during and after Helen’s presentation, including:

  • How many cows did you milk a day?
  • How does the milk get from the farm to the shops?

How is butter made?

 

Music Incursion with Maxine Shell

The Grade Two students participated in an AMAZING music incursion on Thursday the 28th of July, run by Maxine Shell.

The students loved:

  • Hearing loud, quiet, fast, slow and spooky piano music
  • Singing the “Point to the ceiling and point to the floor” song
  • The piano duets
  • Learning storyline action songs
  • And chorusing to “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain!”. We’ll be replaying the videos in class and writing about our music incursion this week – as learning about Mrs Shell’s contributions to our community was so engaging and very relevant to our Places and Spaces Inquiry theme. 

 

Community Walk

On Friday the 29th of July, the Grade 2 Students completed a Community Walk around the Avondale Heights area. Students got to see different services, shops and workers in Avondale Heights and discussed their roles and contributions within our community. Along the way, we discussed road rules and safety and saw various construction sites and developments.

What did you think our favourite part was?

 

 

NAIDOC Week

 

The Grade 2 students read ‘Ceremonies’ written by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing and illustrated by David Hardy. Through reading this picture book students learnt about the importance of passing down knowledge from one generation to the next. They learnt words in Yura ngarwala language, the common term used for the Adnyamathanha people’s language, and when literally translated, it means ‘people speak’.

 

 

2C students looked at an Indigenous Language Group Map of Australia and located the Woiworung people’s territory in which we learn on. Students then completed word splashes displaying all the new things/words they learnt about NAIDOC Week and celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

 

 

Literacy and Numeracy Highlights

 

In Week 7, 2A began learning about fractions. We folded strips of paper into two equal parts, four equal parts and eight equal parts. We labelled each equal part on our paper strips, for example, 1 half. We also experimented with creating other fractions by folding a strip of paper. We used our fraction strips to explore equivalent fractions.

 

 

On Tuesday the 15th of June, the students in 2B built on their understanding of number lines in mathematics. Our success criteria included “I can order numbers on a number line” and “I can explain the placement of my number”. In the mini lesson, using a piece of string, number cards and pegs, students placed numbers on our number line, including 13, 23, 36, 52 and 73.

Masking Tape Number Lines

Students worked in pairs and placed a 0 and 100 on either end of their number lines. Students worked in partners, rolling dice, and creating 2 digit numbers. They then placed the rolled number on their masking tape number lines.

 

 

In 2C, students recently collected and analysed the rubbish collected from their snack and lunch. As a class, 2C categorised their rubbish into piles and labelled it with an appropriate name to classify the types of rubbish. The students in 2C then organised all their rubbish into a picture graph, using kinder squares to represent each different category. 2C worked together to label the x and y axes of their graph and made sure it had a title.

Following completion of the graph, students developed statements, as they interpreted the data collected, such as ‘plastic is the most common type of rubbish collected from 2C’s rubbish, with 12 pieces’ and that ‘2C collected 30 pieces of rubbish altogether’.

The lesson was based on the mathematics curriculum area referred to as ‘Statistics’, but also incorporated our Sustainability Inquiry theme. 

 

 

Inquiry Learning

 

Tip Toe Through Our World

This term the Grade 2s have been learning how to reduce, reuse and recycle as they consider the importance of sustainability.

We have been learning about how long things take to decompose.

At the beginning of the term, we planned rubbish from our lunch boxes including plastic, a biscuit wrapper, a banana peel and paper.

We have also started to conduct a Pumpkin Decomposition Experiment; comparing how long pumpkins take to decompose in the fridge, in the soil, in water and in the air.  See the photos attached from day 1 of our experiment.

 

 

School Wide Positive Behaviours (SWPBS)

 

This week, Grade 2A have been learning about how to be respectful, responsible and a learner when moving around our school. We brainstormed expected behaviours then went for a walk around our school. 2A showed respect for other learners in our school and for our school environment.

 

 

In Grade 2B we have been exploring the APS Matrix of Expectations. We are putting up posters around the school as a reminder of the positive behaviours and expectations. There are posters on bathroom doors and around our Learning Community space – you might notice them when you walk around!

 

In Week 4, 2C discussed ways to be responsible, respectful and a learner, when moving around the school. The students role played the expected behaviours, as well as created a whole class poster, displaying how we show the expected behaviours when moving around our school e.g. I will move around the school safely, I will be respectful of the personal space of others and I will respect the quiet areas of the school.

 

 

Commemorating ANZAC Day 

 

In Grade 2, we learnt about ANZAC day and why people take the time to remember and say thank you to the military men and women who fought for our country. During World War One, Anzac biscuits were baked by worried family members, packed in parcels and sent to the Australian soldiers. We also read picture story books, such as ‘Anzac Biscuits’ and ‘Here They Come - A Day to Remember’. Students also created wreaths and baked Anzac biscuits.

 

 

A spotlight on Literacy and Numeracy

 

Grade 2A have been loving annotating our Mentor Texts this term. The sample below shows annotations on a page of the text Izzy and Frank. We really enjoyed reading this book, if you would like to read it at home click on the link and listen to the story read on Story Box Library https://storyboxlibrary.com.au/stories/izzy-and-frank

When we annotate a text we have been underlining parts of speech in different colours and recording our connections and questions with arrows to illustrations and parts of the text.

 

 

Grade 2B - Izzy and Frank: Activity Time!

In Weeks Eight and Nine, we read two marvellous picture story books that were both about lighthouses! One of those books is titled, “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch”, the other is titled “Izzy and Frank.” In reading sessions, we made predictions about and connections to these texts. In writing, we re-told the stories including their beginnings (the orientations), the middles (the complications) and the ends (the resolutions). We then followed a procedure to make a paper pirate hat of our own, just like the one Izzy wore in the text, “Izzy and Frank” (refer to the picture above to see illustration)! Look at our photo of the 2B pirates below. Ahoy! From 2B.

 

 

Grade 2C have recently enjoyed immersing themselves in the learning of collecting, classifying and displaying data. We created this class graph displaying how many letters are in each of the 2C members' names. We then interpreted our display of data, discussing who has the largest and smallest number of letters in their names, and who has the same amount of letters as others in the class. We also used different strategies and skills to add the total amount of letters we have in all of 2C…116 letters altogether!!

This was a great introduction to the area of Statistics and Probability

 

 

National Day  of Action against Bullying and Violence

 

Harmony Day

 

Friday 18th March was National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. On this day 2A participated in the Kindness Paper Chain Challenge. This involved thinking of acts of kindness students have already done or can do for others. Students recorded these acts of kindness on coloured strips of paper. These strips of paper were joined to create a Kindness Paper Chain. On Monday we also celebrated Harmony Day by wearing orange.

 

 

On Monday the 21st of March, students in 2B sang three different songs about Australia, diversity and living in harmony. Our class favourite was “I am Australian”. Many children knew this song from an ad on the television. First we listened to the song. Then we highlighted key words and drew our visualisations. Finally we sang the song together in unison - it sounded amazing!!!

 

We are one, but we are many And from all the lands on earth we come. We'll share a dream and sing with one voice "I am, you are, we are Australian"

 

2C has enjoyed learning and celebrating Harmony Day this week, as it connects with our Inquiry unit of ‘Celebrating Differences’. To celebrate, 2C read the eBook ‘We Are All Different’ which highlighted that we are all unique, it also encouraged us to be respectful towards everyone and their traditions and cultures. 2C also discussed diversity and inclusion in the classroom. We celebrated everyone’s differences by publishing our own class book on how we are all different, yet we are all friends, which has been added to our classroom library for everyone to read and enjoy.

 

 

Respectful Relationships: Emotional Literacy

 

In Grade 2B we are building on our prior knowledge of emotions. We are learning to name some of the commonly experienced emotions. We are also learning to identify the ways in which emotions are shown in body language.

We played a fun game called Emotion Statues, then we created an Emotion Wall in our class. Our Emotion Wall includes photographs of the students in our class acting out a range of different emotions. Throughout the term we are going to add synonyms for the different emotions onto the posters, for example, angry, mad, furious.

Here are some pictures from our Emotion Wall.

Can you guess these four emotions? What helped you to make your guess?

 

In Grade 2C, we explored how we express and experience emotions. As a class, we brainstormed some of the emotions we experience on a regular basis and why we may feel this way. The class played an Emotion Statue game where we further explored what makes us feel certain emotions and how everyone’s body language and expressions are different.

Each student demonstrated how an emotion can be visually represented, getting their photo taken using facial expressions and body language. 2C created a Wall of Emotions in the classroom, which we will continue to use throughout the year. Students can refer to our Wall of Emotions when unable to explain or express their feelings. We have been brainstorming synonyms for each Emotion.

 

Inquiry Learning: Celebrating Differences

 

Students in 2A were introduced to some of the words they will be using during the Celebrating Differences Inquiry Unit. Each student created their own glossary with unit words and definitions. We will continue to practise using the new vocabulary and make conscious choices to use these new words throughout our unit on Celebrating Differences.

 

 

Grade 2B: Students have taken home a letter and paper bag and are encouraged to bring in photo prompts/ pictures that represent their heritage. Students are really excited about this line of inquiry and wrote what they are looking forward to learning.

 

 

This week, 2C have been exploring the different things we will be learning about during our Inquiry Unit, ‘Celebrating Differences’. Students created a folder with an illustration of themselves on the front cover. This folder will be used throughout the Unit, for the different activities surrounding our families' cultures.

 

 

 

Routines for Success

 

In 2A, we created a class motto statement. As a class we brainstormed what things are important to us. Students chose the two most important ideas to them and wrote them on sticky notes. Together we sorted these sticky notes and circled the ideas that appeared the most on our Affinity Diagram. Students worked in pairs to put these words into a Class Motto. It was lovely hearing them sing and share their motto ‘Learn, smile, games, happy and fun.’ with the class

We also brainstormed animals that we thought were happy, fun, liked learning and smiled. The students voted for the animal using tally marks and then hot dotted what they would like our mascot to be called. 

Our 2A Mascot is Cookie the Dog.

 

In 2B, we have enjoyed getting to know each other, our strengths and interests during Learning Through Play. We have also set up our learning environment together as a learning community, including our magnificent classroom library. We voted to select our classroom mascot, a terrific tiger, named Tiger-Tail.

 

 

In 2C, we have enjoyed getting to know our new classmates, exploring different relationships and families. We have worked together to produce our own classroom routines and expectations for our new learning centre. We have shared things we are proud of in many different ways, the importance of showing respect and treating others the way you wish to be treated.