Grade 2 News
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Upcoming Events:
During our German class times we will welcome Frau Murati-Laebe, the author of the children's book "Emse aus Berlin."
German author visit:
27.05. at 13:30 2a
27.05. at 14:15 2d
10.06. at 11:00 2c
10.06. at 11:45 2b
Useful research resources:
password: berlin2016
Unit of Inquiry
Where We are in place and time
April 4 - June 3 (extended by a week)
Transdisciplinary Theme: Where we are in place and time
Central Idea: The Earth's physical geography has an impact on human interactions and settlements
Lines of Inquiry:
· Variability of physical geography around the world
· The relationship between location and settlement
· Impact of human interaction on the physical environment
Concepts: causation, connection, form
Attention! We will be looking at maps and different areas of the world. Feel free to bring in an atlas, map or special photos of interesting landscape or physical features.
During this unit, we will be developing the following English concepts:
· Writing to inform and describe
· Continue to develop editing skills
· Using articles (a\an), rhyming words and possessives (Try this brainpop jr. video on possessive nouns for more practice : https://jr.brainpop.com/readingandwriting/word/possessivenouns/)
· Parts of non-fiction texts (glossary, index, table of contents)
During this unit, we will be developing the following mathematical concepts
- Location and mapping skills (Cardinal directions, follow multiple-step directions)
- Area (non-standard units of measurement)
- Repeated addition and repeated subtraction
- Introduction to basic fractions
- Graphs
- Interpreting word problems
During this unit, we will develop the following science and social studies knowledge and skills:
- Explain why humans choose to live in certain locations
- Describe natural features in different world environments
- Look at the impact human settlements can have on the physical environment
- Use maps and globes
During this unit, the German team will:
- Focus on Berlin and its urban features
- Inquire into the different districts and compare Berlin to other German cities and focus on presenting our knowledge
If you have any ideas or expertise you would like to share with our classes during this unit, please contact your child’s teacher. Expertise such as architects, city planners, builders etc. would be welcome. You may connect to the classroom or German teacher. Thank you!
Unit of Inquiry Website
We highly recommend using Oddizzi for our current unit. Under "Explore the World", the children can easily search countries, capital cities and physical land features. Each class has a username and password for home access:
2a Oddizzi
username: bms2a
password: hills23
2b Oddizzi
username: bms2b
password: rock71
2c Oddizzi
username: bms2c
password: stream33
2d Oddizzi
username: bms2d
password: stone22
Learning in Action!
Making Instruments
Makey Makey
Making Music
2d working on their Makey Makey at Digital Workshop
2d working on their Makey Makey at Digital Workshop
2d working on their Makey Makey at Digital Workshop
2b students using the ipads to do some unit research
2b students using the ipads to do some unit research
2b students using the ipads to do some unit research
Library
Research
German
Dear Parents,
Our second graders have been studiously researching and answering questions about Berlin and its famous sights. We watched a video about the Brandenburger Tor and, as our research continues, we will start to prepare for the final project, which will be the replica and in-depth analysis of one sight in Berlin that the students picked out individually. We are very much looking forward to seeing their creativity and acquired knowledge in action.
In the past weeks our language focus has been on prefixes, especially –vor and –ver.
Thank you for supporting us during this Unit of Inquiry by helping the students with their homework and providing them with shoe boxes for their final project.
For some of the places the students picked out it might be difficult to find information. Please support your child by helping her/him with the research and gathering of information. Thank you.
We would also like to thank Ms. Murati-Laebe, the author of the children´s book “Emse aus Berlin” for her upcoming visits to our German classes.
Kind regards,
Frau Ginzel, Frau Woodall and Frau Lucic