Grade 2

Classroom Teachers for 2024
2F – Lisa Fitt
2K/P – Hayley Kellow & Karen Plain
2S – Vicki Schavoni
2H/Y – Chelsea Harvey & Emma Young
What’s on in our week
Monday –
Tuesday – Art
Wednesday – Environmental Science, Library
Thursday – Phys Ed, Performing Arts, Chinese, Environmental Science
Friday – Assembly
*Please check with class teachers for more specific timetable information.

Grade 2 Curriculum

Literacy

Reading

In Grade 2 students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. They still have a focus on phonetic awareness, accuracy and fluency and begin to further their skills in expanding their vocabulary and deepening their comprehension strategies using both fiction and non-fiction texts.

Spelling

In Spelling they learn and apply different spelling patterns and rules.
We also continue to use Secret Stories to help children remember the rules for digraphs (2 letter sounds) and trigraphs (3 letter sounds).

Writing

In Writing, we continue to focus on using the starting points and formation of upper and lower case letters, writing on dotted third lines.
Throughout the year, students in Grade 2 aim to build fluency and stamina in writing. They learn the expand on their knowledge of writing a Recount, a Response, an Information Report, and a Narrative. They are introduced to the new genres of Procedure and Persuasive. Students also explore Poetry.
Each week we will focus on specific grammar that is applicable to their Writing focus.

Arrow Reading Intervention

The ARROW Program offers further support to our reading program for targeted students.

Numeracy

Mathematics

In Grade 2, learning in Mathematics builds on each student’s prior learning and experiences. Students engage in a range of approaches to develop their understanding of and fluency with concepts, procedures and processes by making connections, reasoning, problem-solving and practice. They employ mathematical strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently as they:

recognise that mathematics can be used to investigate things they are curious about, to solve practical problems and to model everyday situations, describing their thinking and reasoning using familiar mathematical language
partition and combine numbers flexibly, recognising and describing the relationship between addition and subtraction
use number sentences to formulate additive situations and represent simple multiplicative situations using equal groups and arrays
use mathematical modelling to solve practical problems using physical and virtual materials, diagrams, and using different calculation strategies to find solutions
recognise types of patterns in different contexts
partition collections, shapes and objects into equal parts and build a sense of fractions as a measure, connecting this to measures of turn and representations of time
measure, compare and discuss the attributes of shapes and objects, and the duration of events
describe spatial relationships such as the position of objects represented within a two-dimensional space
build the foundations for statistical inquiry by choosing questions based on their interests as they collect, represent and interpret data, and recognise features of different representations
develop a sense of equivalence, chance and variability when they engage in play-based and practical activities.

Integrated Studies

Grade 2 begins with exploring the world, learning about its geography and about Australia’s place in the world. They explore Australian native animals, their features and habitats. Students explore history through looking at change at a community and social level. They identify important places in the community and our connections to these.

Extra-Curricular Highlights

There are many special events for our Grade 2 students to look forward to during the year, not least their first camp experience, the Grade 2 Sleepover. They enjoy a major excursion as part of their investigation into Australian Animals. Students undertake a visit by train to Echuca to build on Science concepts taught.
On the sporting calendar, the House Athletics and Cross Country are a great opportunity for students to get involved in House spirit. On the performing arts stage, we can’t go past the Easter Hat Parade or the Middle School Concert.

Wellbeing

At Maiden Gully Primary School, we believe that Wellbeing begins with relationships and getting to know each other both individually and as members of a group.
Students participate in three wellbeing programs, The Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program, Play is the way program and the Smiling Minds program.
The RRRR learning materials are designed to develop students’ social, emotional and positive relationship skills.
Play is the way is a practical methodology for teaching social and emotional skills using guided play, classroom activities and an empowering language. It is a process that gives students a way to develop, improve and entrench the personal and social capabilities. Smiling Minds is a life-long, evidence-based tool to deliver the essential mental fitness skills needed to underpin good mental health and resilience from an early age.

Home Partnership

Daily Home Reading

Students are expected to read 20 minutes per night for at least 5 nights each week and fill in the yellow diary for each night they read. The yellow diary must be kept in the reader bag and brought to school each day. Focus on accuracy and fluency when reading and then ask your child questions about important facts in their book, this will assist your child to develop their Non Fiction comprehension.

Communication

The Compass Parent Portal is one of our major communication methods between Teachers and Parent/Carers. Please check your child’s profile regularly for any updates.

Numeracy at Home

The parents role in helping to explore maths in everyday life is crucial to learners seeing themselves as capable mathematicians. How can you help?

Play board, card and strategy games together, particularly games that involve addition and subtraction.
Involve your child in measuring activities e.g. pouring drinks, ordering objects according to their length, when cooking, comparing size/weight.
Encourage them to tell the time and use calendars.

Estimating, then counting (and checking) objects and identifying number patterns eg how many grapes will fill your cup?
Reading numbers in the environment, eg road signs, catalogues…

If you are shopping talking about money. Use spending money and determine cost and change.

Playing addition games like car cricket when travelling.