Spotlight On Learning Year 2
English - Writing
In year 2 this semester we have been learning about writing to entertain. We are focusing on small moment writing inspired by our lives. We have been learning about how we can make our writing interesting by showing, not telling emotions, using action, sound and dialogue and stretching out the most important moment in slow motion.
English - Reading
Students have been enjoying reading their chosen good fit books. We have been learning that a good fit book is a book that is not too easy or too hard for us to read and is interesting. They have been borrowing from the library for our classroom book boxes and reading a range of fiction and non-fiction books. Throughout the term, the students have been using their books to learn about text connections between their own lives and the events, and characters or the setting of the stories they have read. Other reading strategies students have been taught include the making inferences strategy, which involves students thinking about the author’s intended meaning that is implied in the text.
Maths - Multiplication
Students have begun learning about multiplication. In the upcoming weeks they will be focusing on the different strategies they can use to help them solve simple multiplication equations. They will learn to use strategies such as, repeated addition, arrays and partitioning. This week they have been learning how to use equal groups to help them begin to understand multiplication. They even took their learning outdoors and used natural materials such as, sticks and pebbles to represent their equal groups.
Maths - Measurement
Year 2 students have been learning how to measure items using informal measurements. We have measured the length of objects using objects from around the room, and began learning how to use a ruler. We have used the hefting method when measuring the mass of objects to compare lightest and heaviest objects.
HASS
This term in HASS, the focus is on the word ‘significant’. Students have been exploring places that hold special meaning to them and their families. They have been sharing why these places are important and drawing and writing about them. Students have been engaging in sustained and shared conversations on the cultural celebrations they participate in as well as writing their wonderings about other cultures. Students have been devoting much of their time researching places that are special to our First Nations People and that are significant to our Canberra community. They have been using their findings in creating an informative poster.
Science
During Science, we have been learning about the difference between a substance and a mixture. We have been creating our own mixtures and making messes with kitchen ingredients. Students have put their lab coats on and have been working collaboratively to make slime, lava lamps and observed the reactions that occur when two substances are mixed together. Students have put their understanding of procedure reports to the test by creating scientific questions and identifying the materials and methods used to conduct the experiments.
