Dear Parents,
This week we begin our last Unit of Inquiry for the year, 'How we organise ourselves'. Parents may have noticed that the entrance to Year 2 has been decorated in the medieval theme.
Some information to assist at home is included below.
Central Idea
Communities are organised into systems and structures to meet the needs of the people.
What lines of inquiry will define the scope of the inquiry into the central idea?
Questions that will drive this inquiry
What do people need?
What is a community?
How is our community organised?
How was a medieval community organised?
What has changed in communities over time?
The children are preparing their summative assessment task to present their knowledge, skills and understanding of the unit. This unit is opportunistic in that it allows for initiated action by the children to identify an environmental problem either in the school, locally or globally and to act upon it.
Many children are preparing posters, PowerPoints, glogsters, writing letters to newsletters or the Principal in the hope of making change in the world.
Here is a sample of some of these actions.
SPCA project 2CO
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presentations from
A Glogster prepared by Arkie in 2RY demonstrating his action to help the environment
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Another action initiated earlier in the year by 2HO is presented below
2HO Action Project Filipino org, betans
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presentations from
Transition to Year 3
The children began the transition process to Year 3 last week and most children have had the chance to meet a Year 3 Buddy to show them around the Primary School.
Hi Year 2 students and parents,
I promised that I would give some feedback to you following the Read-a-thon. I went to KaisKids in the holidays and had an incredible time meeting all the orphans, seeing the facilities and talking to the staff and Director of KaisKids. My family helped out with other AIS families there to support the Marsden Swim School to teach all the kids to swim and learn water safety. You should have seen the looks of delight on their faces. They loved it and it was such a treat for them to be in a swimming pool and also participate in some arts/crafts and play activities we organised. Their sense of fun for everything was easy to see! I attended assembly today and showed my journey on a PowerPoint.
I passed on a number of your letters to the Director and she was so impressed with your caring messages and wishes as well as all the reading you did. She was blown away by how much money you raised. We spoke a lot about how it could be spent. It seemed like their main needs were in trying to develop a long term food source so restoring the chicken coop and getting chickens in for supply of food and eggs was a possibility, hiring a farmer to help develop the garden and buying more rice and other nutritional food, was the priority.
Finally I must thank you. I finished my personal project on time thanks to all the teachers and YOU getting organised to complete the booklets and hand the money in on time. I know it was a rush for some. I was thrilled with my mark and guess what? I won the Year 10 Personal Project Prize! Also Smiggle have indicated that they want to be involved again so I hope to do the same again now that we have set it up.
Sophie Aitken
Year 10
House Leaders
The long awaited results for the athletics carnival are below! Go Derwent!
| 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH |
| 1287 | 1269 | 1251 | 1175 |
| DERWENT | FITZROY | MURRAY | LACHLAN |
The updated house points are now
| | | |
| 1689 | 1618 | 1750 | 1505 |
| DERWENT | FITZROY | MURRAY | LACHLAN |
Meet the Staff - Ms Kristen Harris
5 Facts about me
1. I have a gorgeous baby girl. Mikayla Krista-Lily Harris is her name.
2. I love travelling back to WA, where I lived for 5 years, to spend time with my aunts and cousins.
3. I love Christmas and look forward to it every day of the year. (Especially on the 26th of December!)
4. I’m currently studying for my ordinary levels (O’levels) which will enable me to do my Diploma in early childhood and education.
5. Listening to music after a long day at work and diaper changing is a great way to relax!
Meet the Staff - Ms Nazreen Mohamed
5 Facts about me
1. I love to cook and bake. My husband is getting fatter each day eating all my yummy cakes!
2. I enjoy playing Wii with my family.
3. I love kids and this is why I love my job. They never fail to make me laugh. They allow us to explore things that we tend to forget as we grow into adulthood.
4. I'm close to my sister who is 10 years younger than me. We will miss each other if we don't talk on the phone for a day!
5. I enjoy swimming and eating.
Specialists in the Spotlight - Music
Our Year 2 Music classes have been exploring the musical concept of Pitch. Pitch in music refers to how high or low music sounds.
Our Yr Two students now have a good understanding of reading, writing, singing and playing the pitches So and Mi.
Over the coming weeks our students will be making conscious the pitch La. La is one step higher than So and on our 2 line staff is represented above the line.
Ask your Yr 2 student to sing and hand sign this So-Mi-La pattern for you.
Can they make their own one?
Specialists in the Spotlight - Library
Library News
Star Author
Mo Willems
The children in Junior School have been fascinated with our latest Star Author - Mo Willems.
Mo Willems, the son of Dutch immigrant parents grew up in New Orleans. He began his career as a writer and animator of ‘Sesame Street’ where he earned 6 Emmy Awards for his work. His debut book, ‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus’ became a New York Times Bestseller and won a Caldecott Honor in 2004. His ‘Knuffle Bunny’ and ‘Elephant & Piggy’ series have also won numerous awards. Mo’s books have been translated into a myriad of languages and birthed Carnegie Medal winning animated shorts and theatrical musical productions.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
Many children have made connections with their Unit of Inquiry and have also taken action by making their own books in response to what they have learnt - with Mo Willem’s inspiration.
Mo Willems links below.
Specialists in the Spotlight - PE
Year 2’s have been involved with a unit on Gymnastics since the beginning of term. They have used the big trampoline for bouncing and body shapes, the mini tramp for vaulting, the small floor mats for static shapes and strengthening activities, the beam for balance activities and the long floor mat for floor routines, rolling and cart wheels. They will finish the unit with a sequence of moves on the floor that show form and balance. Year 2 will finish the year with a unit on Netball.
The children have been busy putting together their scrapbooking albums using photos of their family, pets, friends and holidays. They are having a lot of fun being creative and they are doing a super job. They share their ideas with their friends and help each other along the way.
Ms Su-Lin Marshall
Year Two CCA News - Craft
Sixteen Year 2 Craft CCA students have been enthusiastically making some wonderful creations using needle and thread, scissors, felt material, ribbon, glue, cushion filler, beads and buttons this semester.
Several have even been inspired to make some of their own great creations at home!
The girls’ level of ability, creativity, productivity and patience have been amazing and they have worked so well together by regularly inspiring and assisting each other.
Ms Mel Bailey
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| Friday, 25 November | Final Gross Motor sessions for 2011 |
| Friday, 2 December | Year 2 lunchtime CCAs conclude |
| Wednesday, 7 December | Year 2 Medieval Day |
| Wednesday, 14 December | Presentation Day Concert 9am - 10am
Class Parties 10.30 – 11.30am
Semester 2 reports distributed |
Parent Education -
Lia Gould -Junior Counsellor
Managing your worries lessons kicked off last week with 2HA, 2RT, 2TU, 2CO and 2RY. The other Year classes completed this program last term. All the classes enthusiastically discussed the top ten list of things that kids worry about; including dogs, the dark, mum and dad fighting, and natural disasters. Lots of anecdotes and stories were exchanged as students decorated their Worry Folders. These folders will hold all the work that we do and will come home at the end of the 5 week course.
In Week 4 we start discussing how to stand up to your worries by answering back to the Worry Bully and not letting him push you around. Each student will make a Worry Bully to bring home which will hopefully stimulate conversation in the family about the different strategies you use to reduce worries.
If you would like to pursue more information about children and anxiety, check out the following resources.
· What to to do when you worry too much, by Dawn Huebner.
· What to do when you dread your bed by Dawn Huebner.
· Helping your anxious child, by Ron Rapee.
· Website for Macquarie University’s Child Psychology Clinic:
Ms Elle Ryan and the Year 2 Teaching Team.
