Grade 2 News
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Language Website
Unit of Inquiry
Where We are in place and time
April 4 - May 27
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
Math
Fractions
Fractions
Fractions
Digital Workshop
2b students learning to use Makey Makey
2b students learning to use Makey Makey
2b students learning to use Makey Makey
2d researching information for their connection chains
2d researching information for their connection chains
2d researching information for their connection chains
German
Unit
2b and 2c explored some of the major sights in Berlin (Berliner Dom, Siegessäule, Brandenburger Tor, Schloss Bellevue) and learned many historical facts. We started reading informational children's books/Sachbücher about Berlin. Students are looking at maps of Berlin and are also learning the districts/Bezirke.
Spelling
- unit words
- prefixes/Vorsilben
Ways to help at home
1. Find facts about Berlin while being out and about. Students may bring in artifacts/brochures (from a museum, park, theatre, etc.)
2. Create a collage using the Berlin unit words with www.wordclouds.com.
3. Read informational text about Berlin on Hamsterkiste: http://www.hamsterkiste.de/044/Berlin/berlin.html