Year Two Information Term Two, 2017 Dear Parents and Carers, Welcome to Term Two, I am thrilled to be teaching Year Two. The term has begun smoothly, with the students slowly adjusting to a change in teacher; they have enjoyed telling me all about their regular routines and where I can find everything we need. I am looking forward to a term filled with discovery and learning while we grow together in our friendships. Special Events for Junior School Term Two:‐  Co‐curricular activities commences Week 2  Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two AFL Skills Day – Tuesday, 2 May  Winter Uniform Monday, 8 May  Mother’s Day activities (1.20pm) and JS Chapel (2.10pm)‐ Wednesday, 10 May  Mother’s Day stall ‐ Thursday, 11 May and Friday, 12 May  College Photo Day – Friday, 12 May  Biggest Morning Tea – Tuesday 16 May  Kindergarten 2018 Open Day – Thursday, 18 May  STEM Day – Thursday, June 1  Kindergarten 2018 Playgroup sessions – Thursday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 27  College Production Week 10  West African Drumming & Dance Performance Thursday, 29 June  Semester One Reports ‐ Week 10. Chapel and Junior School Assemblies are on alternate Wednesdays at 2.10pm in the Languages Centre, all are welcome to join us. Weekly Timetable P.E Tuesday Library Wednesday Music Thursday Languages Thursday Sport Friday Following is a summary of the learning experiences Year Two will be engaged in over the course of the term. English Students will read, view and create imaginative texts. Students will explore and identify different ways in which texts differ according to purpose, audience and subject. The theme of the unit is one of Belonging and the key concept is Imagery. Students will view a variety of pictures and texts including Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson, Burnett Black Fella by Neil Murray and The Little Refugee by Anh Do. Spelling will focus on learning common spelling rules and conventions as well as developing an understanding of how to add prefixes and suffixes. Guided Reading will be implemented as a key strategy for developing student’s word attack, fluency and comprehension skills. Mathematics In Mathematics this term we will focus on developing a deep conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts, and the ability to recognise connections and represent concepts in multiple ways. We will focus on our understanding of numbers up to and beyond 100 as well as operations with numbers through practical hands‐on lessons. We will continue to develop our understanding of time, length and area. 2D and 3D shapes will be explored. HSIE – Geography This term we will develop our geographical inquiry skills; acquiring, processing and communicating geographical information as we examine a range of towns and cities on a local, national and global scale. Students will reflect on their personal connections to places and analyse what factors affect peoples’ access to our favourite places. As a class we will look for our street and homes using Google maps and we will use this tool to plan a trip to Perth, looking at the terrain and the townships en‐route. This unit will culminate in students giving a PowerPoint presentation to the class telling us about where their favourite place in all of Australia is and why they like to visit it. Science In Science, we will investigate Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago alongside other fantastic prehistoric animals like giant insects, armoured fish and huge amphibians. By comparing the fossilised remains of dinosaurs to those of living animals, palaeontologists can make claims about how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and even how they behaved. This will be an exciting unit of study. PDHPE Improving Moving In the first half of this unit, students improve their ball handling and simple game play through modified AFL games. In the second half of this unit students continue to practise pre‐athletic locomotor and non‐locomotor skills including running, jumping (vertical in preparation for High Jump and horizontal in preparation for Long Jump) and manipulating different shaped and weighted equipment for throwing (in preparation for Shot Put, Discus and Turbojav). This unit will be taught by Mrs Cat Johnston. Christian Living & Chapel In Christian Living lessons, students will hear the stories of Jesus and relate the teaching in these stories to their own lives. We will focus on how Jesus taught us to treat one another and to forgive when we have been hurt. Chapel services will be held every second Wednesday. Languages – Japanese Language acquisition covered basic greetings, animal names and sounds, talking about pets, counting and writing numbers in Kanji. Students learnt new vocabulary through various songs and activities. Cultural studies focused on Japanese festivals that celebrate the arrival of spring and special days for girls and boys. Creative & Practical Art Music & Drama lessons will be taught by Ms Emma Davies each week. Students will continue their work on learning notation and applying this skill when playing instruments individually and as a whole class. In Visual Arts this term we will be learning about pattern and texture. We look at famous artworks that are well known for these particular elements. Our own skills will be applied to a monster clay sculpture. ICT Skill Development As part of Library lessons each week, Mr Martin Staker will be teaching Year Two how to create and save a PowerPoint presentation. These lessons will build upon the excellent foundations Ms Danielle Phillips laid last year. Homework Homework will be set on a Monday and will be due back on the next Monday. Home reading and some simple maths revision will be the main focus. Towards the end of the term, student will be given a Power Point project to work on at home and then present in class. Details will come home at a later date. Uniform Please ensure that your child comes to school in the uniform designated in the school diary. The uniform is checked regularly by the classroom teachers and we ask that students maintain a high standard of personal appearance. Sport uniform is worn two days a week for PE and SPORT. It is also worn on carnival days or special days indicated by the College. If your child is unable to wear the College uniform for any particular reason, please write a note in the student’s diary. Sun Smart Policy: The NSW Cancer Council recommends that hats are worn outside. St Peter’s recognises this is not compulsory during Terms Two and Three, yet encourages sun protection. I am looking forward to seeing your child grow in confidence as they continue to become more and more independent and self‐managed learners. If you at any time wish to contact me please feel free to make contact via the diary and we can make a time to meet or talk over the telephone. Yours sincerely, Mrs Paula Wicks Year 2 Teacher Head of Junior School Friday, 28 April 2017