What's on in the Year Two / Three
Mathematics
We are revising and completing work on numbers 1 – 1000. Each is completed as a unit of work, which is then assessed, to enable the teacher to better help and extend those children who need it.
As part of the Mathematics programme we also have a Mathematics Box. In this box are a variety of activities to engage and extend their knowledge. Rainforestmaths.com is also used as a consolidation and extension activity.
Science
In Science we have been looking at the properties of water.In the first week we experimented with Floating. First we put an egg in warm water; it sat on the bottom of the container. Then we carefully added salt and stirred. At first nothing happened then slowly with each new spoon of salt, the egg began to rise until it was floating up half out of the water. We found out that boats need to be careful if they are going from salty to fresh water. If they have too much cargo they just might sink. In the next activity we wanted to know if polar bears could eat the ice at the North Pole. Was it salty or fresh? Using ice cube trays we put fresh water into half of the tray and salty water into the other half. We coloured the fresh water so we could tell which was which. We had a bit of trouble trying to make sure they didn’t mix. After a whole night in the freezer, we could see that the salty water had not frozen at all, while the fresh water had. Polar bears can eat the ice because it is probably not salty.Our next two projects will be making salt crystals by evaporating salty water and growing our own Crystals. The children could try these at home to show you.
Sport
We were very lucky to participate in AusKick. Cameron Walker from the Fremantle Dockers and Demons came to give the whole class fun activities to introduce them to AusKick. AusKick is a great way for girls and boys to get out there and get fit.
Language
In Story Writing we have been writing stories about our holidays and about ourselves. Sometimes the teacher chooses the topic, sometimes the children choose. Each story has been typed by Mrs Mathews J and published into our Story Books. These books go onto the big bookshelf so we can read each other’s stories. We plan, talk about, write, edit (CHIMP), illustrate and publish our stories.ReadingThis term the class will be examining reading through the Metacognitive approach. This means that we look carefully at words and learn techniques to better understand language. We will also be undertaking activities from the Language Box, which contains a variety of activities. Each group of four children do an activity together and rotate around until they have experienced each activity. Some activities are independent and others will be working with the teachers. Working with just four children at a time enables us to more effectively help at the point of need and to undertake more complicated activities. Spelling.This year we have a New Wave Spelling Book. Each List covers a different sound of the English Language. From Year two to seven each class would be doing the same sound. For example, the c/k sound covers words like cat, kitten, duck, school, queen. The exercises in each book are different but the whole class can focus on that sound for the week. The words go into their Homework book to learn five words each night.
Society and Environment
This term we are looking at Communities how they work and how people work together. As part of these studies we have invited parents to come in to talk about their work experiences. You will have seen a note in their Diaries, if you are able to come to talk to the class please let us know and we can make a time. No job too small or uninteresting.
