Learning About Grammar – CONJUNCTIONS!

Grade 2 students love using conjunctions in order to get their point across. As a matter of fact, grade 2 students love conjunctions so much that they keep their sentences going on, and on, and on, and on…

We are focusing on how to use conjunctions (or joining words) the right way – to connect words, phrases and clauses ( and not to make run-on sentences).

To introduce conjunctions we watched Conjunction Junction – from School House Rock:

Learn More About Conjunctions!
Try playing the BBC Bitesize Ballon Joining Word Game to practice using and learning more about conjunctions.

Game of the Month – Wallace and Gromit Invention Suspension

This month’s IST Grade 2 Game of the Month Wallace and Gromit’s “Invention Suspension” has to do with our current PYP unit of Simple Machines.

As you may know, Wallace is a brilliant but bumbling inventor who often makes mistakes. Gromit, his clever dog and best friend, is always there to help Wallace out when he gets into trouble. In this game, Wallace is working on a top-secret new contraption, but it needs a few finishing touches. Can you help Gromit collect the missing pieces and complete their latest work of genius?

As we study about Simple Machines, Force – Push/Pull, you will have to use what you know about Force and Simple Machines to help Gromit complete his tasks.

Good luck, have fun and… Steady on, Gromit!

We Like To Move It, Move It… Exploring Simple Machines

As we begin our next PYP Unit of Inquiry, we investigate the realm of Simple Machines.

Central Idea
Each PYP Unit has a core or central idea. Our central idea for Simple Machines:
“Simple machines are used to move objects in different ways and influence our daily lives.”

Key Concepts
The ideas and concepts to help students gain a better understanding. Our key concepts for Simple Machines:
Form: What is a simple machine?
Function: How do simple machines work? What happens when they work together?
Connection: How do simple machines affect our daily lives?
Reflection: What evidence have we collected to support this idea?

IST Grade 2 teachers have put together a list of Internet resources and games for students to explore.

Here are just a few resources for you to try.

Simple Machines – Resources and Games

Levers
Levers – Investigate how levers work in this interactive mobile

Problem Solving with Push/Pull Physics and Simple Machines
Magic Pen – Draw items and use simple machines to solve problems
Fantastic Contraption – Design and build your own compound machine
Roller Coaster Designer – Use gravity’s pull to create your coaster

Learn About Simple and Compound Machines
EdHead Simple Machine – Learn about simple machines
EdHead Compound Machine – Learn about compound machines
Simple Machines – Identify the different ways simple machines are used

Additional resources and games cane be found on the IST Grade 2 STUDENT page under the sub-heading Simple Machines.

Have fun exploring!

Practice Your Typing Skills

Practice your typing and have fun playing Super Hyper Spider Typer!

Hungry lizards with words on their backs are after Berry the hairy spider!

Save Berry from these colorful, wacky creatures by typing words quickly as they appear on their backs and help her from becoming someone’s lunch!

Type in the letters or words you see on the lizard’s backs as soon as they appear on the screen to clear them away. Some words will be harder than others so type really fast to win!

Play other fun educational games from FunSchool Kaboose listed on the IST Grade 2 STUDENT resource page.

Game of the Month!

Here is our game pick of the month. The game is called Math Popper.

The object of the game is to add two numbers together as fast as you can to find the sum. Once you have the sum in mind, then you have to find and pop the balloon with that number.

We have been playing this game in class on our interactive SMARTboard to practice our mental maths skills. We invite you to give it a try.

You can find this game and other curriculum related games on our STUDENT page. Have fun learning!!!