Yr2 Curriculum Update – 13/12/19
Working together to achieve success for every child
Greetings! – It’s our 8th edition!
We write a regular newsletter to keep you up-to-date and informed about your child’s learning. This will provide you with a good understanding of happenings in Year 2 and how you can support these learning experiences.
Let’s Inquire – Who We Are
Over the past few weeks, we revisited our inquiry into the Central Idea “Values and beliefs define individuals and communities”.
An inquiry into:
How a community functions successfully (function)
Roles and responsibilities of community members (responsibility)
The effects of people’s choices (causation)
In keeping with the upcoming holiday season, this week’s curriculum update has been written as a poem inspired by “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore.
‘Twas the Week Before Term Break
‘Twas the week before term break and all through Year 2
The neurons were firing as students’ minds grew.
The teachers, still smiling, encouraged each one,
While trying to guide them through challenges. Fun!
The inquiry focus (effects of a choice)
Led students to ponder, and then to give voice,
About how their decisions impact those around.
Actions have outcomes, some quite profound.
Whether playing in gardens or baking sweet treats,
Coding with Beebots, or constructing trees,
The students asked, “Who is important right here?”
“Let’s make some choices that help them,“ they cheered.
As minutes ticked by and the days moved along,
Wonderings of place value rang out like songs.
Which number is greater? Prove it to me.
Build it, explain it, please let us see.
3 tens and 5 ones…Can we try to rename?
2 tens, 15 ones…Are they really the same?
The math thinking blossomed as students agreed
To work through each challenge with care and not speed.
Their interest in reading soon became stirred
While they browsed through some sentences, noticing words.
Drawing the pictures that danced in their heads,
They showed understanding of what they had read.
As writing flew onto their pages of white,
Important reminders soon came to light:
When ending a thought, remember to choose
Punctuation that’s helpful and accurate to use.
Holidays loomed closer, exuberance swelled.
Celebrations, assemblies all ended quite well.
Then finally over the loudspeaker rang,
A delightful, well-timed and welcome refrain:
“Term 1 has ended! The day is now done.
Head home to your families and have lots of fun.
Be safe. Take a break. Fill your days with great cheer.
Season’s Greetings to all and a Happy New Year!”
Suggestions for supporting learning at home
*In the new year, we will begin a new unit of inquiry under the theme “How We Express Ourselves” which focuses on celebrations. Over the holidays, if your family celebrates something special (e.g. birthday, anniversary, Christmas, etc.), please take photos and send them to your class teacher. Also, if you are traveling and you observe interesting celebrations and traditions, please take pictures.
*If you are wrapping gifts, ask your children to use a centimeter ruler to measure the size of paper needed.
*Continue to play the math games that were sent home as part of November’s home learning.
•Write letters to friends and family during the holidays.
*Bake something. What math did you use?
Please remember if you have questions or concerns, contact your child’s teacher. We welcome feedback and look forward to working with you to achieve success for every child.
Kindest regards,
The Year 2 Team
