Budding Pilots

In our inquiry we have been investigating how transport has changed over time and the impact it has on people's lives.

Earlier this week we boarded a flight and flew to New York. Luckily it was a very smooth flight with no turbulence.

Yesterday we excitedly explored a real pilot's uniform. We were amazed at how heavy the boots were and eagerly tried the uniforms on. 

What other forms of transport requires special clothes?

Blast from the Past

It has been fantastic to have so many children bringing in a huge range of items from the past. For the teachers these items have sparked some nostalgia, whilst the students have mostly been curious! It has been wonderful seeing peers teaching one another about 'strange' items they haven't seen before and the discussions and questions have supported the quality learning that has taken place in our history inquiry.

This week for inquiry we have started taking a closer look at the invention of the wheel and how that has influenced the introduction of the motor vehicle. Students have delved into the past and compared it to what we know now through a series of activities and questions. We have included a slideshow for you to view with pictures and links to videos if you and your child would like to explore further at home.

History of Cars

Over the next few weeks we will explore some other forms of transport, looking at how they have changed and what impact that has had on daily lives.

Term 3 Overview of Learning Programs

Upcoming Events:

21 August - Book Week Dress Up Day

26-29 August - Student Led Conferences

Friday 30 August - Fathers’ Day Breakfast

9-20 September - Aquasafe Swimming Lessons

13-14 September - Art Show

Readers’ Workshop: Students will continue to engage in daily reading activities where they will learn and utilise decoding and comprehension strategies. Some strategies that we will be focusing on in greater detail include analysing pictures to gain more meaning from texts, making connections and chunking. 

Work on Writing: This term we will continue to develop our literacy practices by exploring and creating texts with a range of features. During regular writing opportunities students will continue to use the writing process to ‘bump up’ their writing, with an emphasis on self correcting and editing to improve writing pieces. This term students will have opportunities to create non fiction texts and poetry. 

Word Work: Spelling is integrated into all English lessons and is a particular focus during Word Work sessions.

Talk Time: Students will have fortnightly opportunities to deliver their Talk Time presentations to the class. Further information regarding the topics and structure of Talk Time this term will be sent home during week 1. Talk Time will begin Monday of week 2.

Mathematics will continue to be structured into Mighty Maths and Maths Extra lessons to cover numeracy content three times a week and other Mathematics topics twice a week. 

Mighty Maths - Students will engage in explicit teaching, games and mental computation activities regarding fractions, skip counting, addition and subtraction and place value. 

Maths Extra - This term we will cover the concepts of 

• Time - reading calendars and identifying months of the relevant seasons and reading time on analogue and digital clocks to the quarter hour. 
• Money - learning to recognise the value of coins and identify the sum of a collection coins. 
• 3D objects - Students will  explore the features of three dimensional objects. They will have opportunities to identify pyramids and prisms and describe the faces, corners and edges of familiar 3D objects.

Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) - We will focus on the following skills throughout the semester:

• Running
• Catching
• Jumping

These skills are specifically taught and practised through a variety of games and activities.

SEL - Our Social and Emotional Lessons this term will focus on Social Awareness. Students will discuss the importance of friends, skills that assist in being a good friend, asking to play, meeting new people and strategies to deal with friendship problems. 

History Inquiry - Starting this week we will begin our new Inquiry 'Transportation'. Through this inquiry students will develop their knowledge of how transport has changed over time and the impact this has on our lives. Students will practise sequencing different forms of transport into time order of when it was first used. Students will then be encouraged to identify how and why changes may have occurred. 

Science Inquiry - In the second half of the term students will be completing a science unit called 'Water Works’. During this inquiry students will be provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of, and appreciation for, a precious natural resource. Through investigations, students will explore how water is used, where water comes from and how to use it responsibly.

Wonderful Wednesdays - a range of other skills and content is addressed during our Wednesday rotations with specialist teachers. Our rotations include:

• FMS
• Library (remember Library bags for borrowing)
• Japanese
• Performing Arts

Word Mania

The students have been enjoying logging onto Word Mania over the past month.  Passwords have been sent home if students would like to continue their learning at home too. Click below to go to the website.

Above is an example of a game.  Students drag letters from the game board to the answer box down the bottom to create as many words as they can before their time is up. 

What is the trickiest word you can make using the above game?

Technology Tuesday

Tuesday was amazing!!!! We had so much fun

There were many attempts to perfect our dog treat feeding machines.

 What is a simple machine that you use?

Beeswax Wraps

In the last few weeks we have made our own

to use in our lunchboxes.

In class we have been learning about how to reduce waste as a way to prevent damage to the environment. 

Did you know that beeswax wraps are reusable, washable and they are a sustainable alternative to cling wrap or ziplock bags. Beeswax also has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that help keep food fresh.

Year 2 has made this wrap using 100% cotton, pure beeswax, pine rosin and jojoba oil. It’s great for wrapping breads, fruits, vegetables and cheeses but not suitable for meats and liquids. 

To keep it clean just wash it in cold water with mild soap and a sponge. The wax may melt in warm water. If the wrap starts to look a bit worn out  (in around 6-12 months) just pop me in the oven at 200 degrees and the wax will melt and recover the cotton to be used again or you can add some more beeswax if it there is no longer enough to cover the fabric.

Machine Makers!

This week year 2 began their marvellous new Science inquiry called, Machine Makers!

Based on the idea of a Rube Goldberg Machine we attempted to make the Dog Feeder machine as pictured above. We learnt from our unsuccessful attempts and made many modifications.

 

 

One day we may be create our own machine. View "Princess Machine"then comment what type of machine you could invent and how would it make your life easier.