This term in Personal and Social Learning, our Grade Two students have been exploring the importance of building positive relationships and understanding how to treat others with respect and care. We’ve been learning what it means to be a good friend—like using kind words, listening to others, sharing, and including everyone in games and group activities. The students have had lots of opportunities to practise these skills during classroom discussions, role-plays, and teamwork challenges. We’ve also talked about fairness and equity. The children are beginning to understand that being fair doesn't always mean giving everyone the same—it means giving everyone what they need to succeed. We are so proud of how they are growing into kind and caring classmates! During Cyber Safety lessons we’ve been learning about how to keep our identity safe and what to do if we get a heavy feeling. Students have learnt to use the STOP strategy when feeling unsafe online. Let’s keep encouraging these conversations at home—ask your child what being a good friend means to them or what they can do if they get a heavy feeling online!
The Grade Two students have been exploring important topics around wellbeing and online responsibility. Through a fun and interactive self-control game, students worked together to understand the value of quiet time and how it can support them in managing challenges. These activities led to thoughtful discussions about stress — what it is, how it feels in the body and what kinds of experiences might cause it. Students also practised simple relaxation techniques they can use when they feel overwhelmed. In addition, we’ve been learning how to make responsible and respectful choices online. Our focus has been on showing integrity in digital spaces, and understanding how our actions online can impact ourselves and others. We’re proud of the thoughtful, caring and collaborative way students are engaging with these important life skills
As part of our current inquiry unit, our Grade 2 students had the opportunity to attend an excursion to Tiny Chef, where they participated in a hands-on cooking experience. They had a fantastic time making their own pizza, muffin and milkshake completely from scratch. Throughout the day, students proudly demonstrated our school values of learning, responsibility and respect through following instructions, working independently and supporting their classmates. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to apply their learning in a fun and engaging way.
In Mathematics this week the Grade 2s have been focusing on Additive Thinking. We have explored different strategies for addition such as ‘counting on’, ‘near doubles’, ‘bridging to ten’ and ‘partitioning’. Students engaged in a variety of hands on learning experiences to build their number sense and develop an understanding of numbers and their relationships.
In Grade Two, we learnt about the history of ANZAC Day through our mentor text ‘Anzac Biscuits’. We spoke about the significance of Anzac Biscuits and how they were baked to send to loved ones in the war. The Grade Two students had the opportunity to help bake some ANZAC Biscuits and take one home to try. We incorporated these learning experiences into reading and writing and built on our prior knowledge of Anzac Day. We also made red poppies as a symbol to remember the sacrifice and resilience of the soldiers during the war.
In Grade 2, we have been deepening our understanding of place value by creating 2, 3 and 4 digit numbers using concrete materials then comparing and sequencing these on number lines. We have also been exploring length, using informal units of measure, such as paddle pop sticks, matchsticks and unifix cubes to measure and compare different objects around the classroom. We created our names using matchsticks and discussed the length of our names and ways matchsticks could be used to accurately measure length. Ensuring the sticks are the same size, not overlapped, aligned in a straight line and don’t have gaps in between were some of the suggested ways to minimise error. The Grade 2 students loved making a paper aeroplane and estimating and measuring how far their plane would travel when thrown. Additionally, we have been learning about maps which included learning about compass directions, following and giving directions as well as our favourite activity, using a school map to find clues to crack a code. The Grade 2 teachers are very proud of all the hard work our mathematicians have done this term!
Literacy in Term 1 has been jam packed in Grade Two, setting up our classroom libraries, beginning our home reading program, focusing on extending our knowledge of spelling patterns and lots of writing! Students are becoming proficient writers, following the writing process of planning, drafting, revising, editing and finally, publishing. We continue to work on writing interesting sentences, adding details to extend our sentences, editing our writing to check for spelling and punctuation and ensuring we write with our best handwriting. Students are collating their published writing pieces into a portfolio to showcase their growth over the year! Check out these superstar writers :)
On Thursday students celebrated Harmony Day, wearing cultural or orange coloured, celebrating diversity and inclusivity. Such a great day!
This week, Grade 2 students have been exploring different emotions and strategies that help them to manage these emotions. They also identified their personal strengths and set goals for strengths that they would like to develop.
In Grade 2, we have been revising the Zones of Regulation, strategies to manage our emotions and feelings and how a persons’ body language demonstrates what emotions they may be feeling. We have created a display together and have a check in station where each student is able to move their photo to show what zone they are in. Additionally, we have started our STOMP dancing classes and have shown our school values, crossing the road safely and listening to the instructors.
In Grade 2, we have set up our Routines for Success for the different curriculum areas, including Reading, Writing and Maths. We have also spoken about our classroom expectations and have come up with some rules we will follow for the rest of the year. Students have learnt lots about one another and have made some new connections through talking about our holidays, getting to know you games and all about me activities. We have learnt about having a growth mindset and a can do attitude rather than having a fixed mindset.
Grade 2 Learning News 2024
