1. Welcome to the
Grade 2
Parent Information
Evening

2. Introductions
Catherine Roback
Lorna Paterson
Fran Hickey
Devorah Kaplan
Caroline Francois
Sarah Taylor

3. Grade 2 Tips
Label, label, label
Teaching commences at exactly 8:45
Encourage Indoor PE shoes used as Indoor
Classroom Shoes
Healthy snack and lunch/Water Bottle
Communication about curriculum and
important events will be blog
Communication to individual parents will be
via email

4. Literacy
 Reading – guided in small groups and independent
 Take-home reading books
 Writing – writing genres in Grade 2 include Writing to
Recount, Persuade, Describe (using informational
reports), Entertain, Explain and Instruct
 Speaking and Listening – oral presentations, active
listening
 Spelling – Word Study groups with word sorts,
journals, spelling phases, spelling strategies using
Words Their Way
 Handwriting – Nelson

5. Grade 2 Overview
We will be investigating Mathematical concepts and
skills focused on the following strands from the PYP
Mathematics Scope and Sequence:
Data Handling
Measurement
Shape and Space
Pattern and Function
Number (embedded throughout)

6. Inquiry-Based
Mathematics
Real-life problem-solving
Connecting mathematical concepts and applications to
learning
Concrete to abstract
Investigating, questioning, discussing, justifying and
recording
Variety of strategies for possible multiple solutions –
emphasis on process
Differentiated Learning
Summative and other relevant Math assessments are
sent home with student reflections
We inform parents what we teach in Math, how and why
for each Unit on the Blog.

8. Grade 2 Units of Inquiry
Inquiring into:
 How We Organize Ourselves- In a workplace, each person has a
job to do for it to run smoothly. Community Trips/Workplace Fair
 Where We Are In Place And Time- All places have special
features that make them unique. Walking tour of two contrasting
places in our area
 How The World Works- Each state of matter can be altered and
suits different needs. Science Experiments
 Sharing The Planet- All animals adapt to ensure survival in their
environment. Visit to Tierpark, Langnau
 How We Express Ourselves- People share folk tales to convey
messages. Showcase, Guest Readers
 Who We Are- Being healthy depends on the choices we make.
Healthy Living Day

9. PYP Learner Profile PYP Attitudes
 Inquirer  Appreciation
 Open-minded  Commitment
 Knowledgeable  Confidence
 Cooperation
 Risk-taker
 Creativity
 Thinker
 Curiosity
 Communicator
 Empathy
 Balanced  Enthusiasm
 Principled  Independence
 Caring  Integrity
 Reflective  Respect
 Tolerance

10. Home Learning at ZIS
Learning Logs - Designed to encourage creativity
and foster a love of learning
Inquiry-based
Can be Mathematics, Language, Unit of Inquiry,
Reading but not all at once
Reinforce and develop knowledge, understanding
and skill
Open-ended learning challenges – students choose
a style and approach that suits them eg. poster,
song, model, pictures, play, presentation, games,
puzzles, activities
Learning behaviours – continuation of approach in
classroom, building on learning during the day,
revision of work, effort…

11. Home Learning at ZIS
Learning challenges set Monday, returned
to school a week on Wednesday, shared in
class from Wednesday onwards – more time
for a more meaningful response
Time to share & value achievements in class
and at home

12. Language Acquisition
BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) :
from 2 – 3 years to acquire.
CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) :
from 5 – 8 or more years to acquire.
Developing literacy takes time.

13. Second Language Acquisition
“… the deeper a student’s level of L1 (first language)
cognitive and academic development, the faster that
student will progress in L2 (second language).”
(Thomas & Collier 1997)

14. More information?
Parent Information Session: Language
Acquisition and the EAL classes.
When? Friday, 31 August 2012
Where? The Learning Lounge
Please look on the EAL Blog:
http://blogs.zis.ch/lseal/

15. Please go now to your
child’s classroom for
more information
specific to the class
with time for
questions and answers.

16. PYP Transdisciplinary Skills
 Thinking Skills (acquisition of knowledge, comprehension,
application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, metacognition)
 Social Skills (accepting responsibility, respecting others,
cooperating, resolving conflict, group decision-making,
adopting a variety of roles)
 Communication Skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing,
viewing, presenting, non-verbal communication)
 Self-management Skills (gross motor skills, fine motor skills,
spatial awareness, organization, time management,
safety, healthy lifestyle, codes of behavior, informed
choices)
 Research Skills (formulating questions, observing, planning,
collecting data, recording data, organizing data,
interpreting data, presenting research findings)