A Story from Grade 2.

Our class was asked 'what is a story?'. A note was sent home asking if you knew an author or an illustrator who would come and work with our class. I didn't know anyone, but I had a look at Alison Lester's website, and I decided to email her. Alison Lester writes really good books, like 'Are we there yet?' and the 'Bonnie and Sam' series. I sent an email asking if she could come to visit our school. I was nervous doing this, but also excited. On Wednesday Alison Lester contacted Rita, to arrange to visit out school. I told my learning neighbourhood about how I had sent the email to Alison Lester. Everyone is excited, and I can't wait to meet her.

Bethany Jackson

Grade 2

Alison Lester will be visiting the neighbourhood on Thursday 23rd June.

Inquiry: Telling Stories

This term the Grade 2 Neighbourhood are exploring stories and the different ways in which stories can be told. As part of the first learning agreement some children chose to tell a story through images. The children planned their story and drew sketches in their inquiry books before drawing with felt tip pens and painting in watercolours. We all interpret stories differently, what story do you think the children are telling though their paintings?

We invite all parents to come in and have a look at what the children have been creating.

In the drama space the children were given the opportunity to tell a story through either a play or a puppet show. The children had to write a script and then practise their performance before presenting to the teachers, a small group and/or the whole class.

Natural World Video - A desert ecosystem

Interdependence

CLICK HERE TO SEE A VIDEO ABOUT INTERDEPENDENCE

Natural World - Video 1 "Volcanoes"

Asha's talk

This morning, Asha presented her home learning to the neighbourhood.

Do we control the natural world?

My answer is yes because we can control some things in the natural world. We control our pets, we control lights, we control electricity, we control where our cars go. We control where to build our houses or where to plant our plants. But we can't control things like when the water smashes on the sand or when it rains, or when the wind blows. We can't control when lightening strikes. We also can't control our death.

Do we control space?

My answer is no because space isn't part of the natural world. This is because it's in the sky and we can't reach it. And also the sun is too hot to go near. We aslo don't control when the planets move or when the sun shines. Or when the moon and the stars come out at night.

Thanks
Asha 7 1/2 years old


Our next question for home discussion:

Is food part of the natural world?

Note: If you want to add anything to this post, click on the comment link at the bottom of this post.

Our Inquiries

Here is a list of the Play and Inquiry projects the students in the Grade 2 Neighbourhood have chosen:

Dinosaurs, Germs, Bugs and Insects, Stamps, Sound, Egypt, Robots Tim's Homegroup
Magic, Crystals and Gems, The Red Baron, Cities, Sea Creatures, Chameleons, Puppet Plays, Dinosaurs Kevin's Homegroup
Origami, butterflies, amber jewellry, cyclones/tornadoes, Sweden & Australia, Crystals and special rocks, plants, Snake Island Rita's Homegroup

If you have any resources to share or would like to come in assist with any of these projects, please see myself, Kevin or Rita

I will provide a list of relevent links on the blog as well to assist students in their research.

Fantastic First Day and Rita's Amber Inquiry

What a great first day back at school with the grade 2s! We would like to congratulate all the students for their positive attitude to the new learning environment (and teachers!).

We would like to extend an invitation to all the parents and friends of our neighbourhood to come in and have a 'tour' of the learning spaces - you are all very welcome!

Things we are interested in

On Friday, Rita talked about her interest in Amber. She brought in some pieces that were precious to her and spoke to the whole neighbourhood about how amber is formed.

If you would like to know more about amber, here are some websites that will help:

The ABC show, Catalyst, has a great video about the discovery of amber in Australia.

Amber on Wikipedia

More information about Amber

We would like the children to bring in something that they are interested in to share with neighbourhood and to encourage further inquiry!