Dear Grade 2 Families,
Welcome back from what we hope has been an enjoyable and restful holiday. As we settle back into classroom routines, we would like to take a moment to update you on various aspects of the Grade 2 curriculum for this first part of Term 3.
As is the IST policy, all Grade 2 students will be receiving homework two times a week. These activities are meant to be a review of what has been done in class and your child should be able to complete the homework independently. The purpose of homework for Grade 2 is not only to give extra practice but also to instill a sense of responsibility in students and prepare them for upper grades.
Maths
Your child is beginning to explore 3-D and 2-D shapes. Studying geometry helps develop spatial sense and the ability to represent and describe the world. Students will consider five basic kinds of 3-dimensional shapes: prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres. To sort the shapes, students will explore similarities and differences among them. They will become familiar with both the names of shapes and the terms for parts of shapes.
Students will also explore line symmetry as they experiment with matching two halves of an object and, when given half of a shape, will draw the missing half.
I Like to Move It, Move It
As we begin our next PYP unit of inquiry, we investigate the realm of Simple Machines. Each PYP unit has a core or central idea. Our central idea for Simple Machines states: “Simple machines are used to move objects in different ways and influence our daily lives.” Key concepts are ideas and concepts to help students gain a better understanding of the central idea. Our key concepts are: 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?
On this website under ‘Students‘ there is a list of internet games and resources that allow your child to further explore Simple Machines.
Literacy
In conjunction with this scientific, experiment-filled unit, we will be focusing on procedural writing. This includes making lists of materials and equipment, focusing directions in a chronological order of steps, numbering each step, using action words to start each short sentence, and using diagrams or illustrations for clarity.
Your child will continue to bring a book home from the classroom daily. Please ensure that your child has been written in the Link Book each day and reads for at least 15 minutes each night.
Spelling
Sitton Spelling proves to be a valuable resource to IST for several reasons. It gives additional structure and purpose to our ever developing language curriculum as well as, and more importantly, makes connections between spelling, writing and reading.
Occasionally we will send home Sitton Spelling letters to parents that explain a concept we are learning in class, followed by an activity to do with your child that allows for further practice. Unless otherwise noted, these activities are not required homework and do not need be returned to school, however, its completion is encouraged.
Grade 2 will have a great unit full of action and exploration. Please ask your child what is being done at school and read updates here on IST Grade 2.
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments. We are looking forward to another great term!
With Enthusiasm,
The Grade 2 Team
Posted by clane850 
In the elementary years of school students spend time learning about “silent e” words. They’re the words in which the “silent e” transforms or changes the vowel sound in the middle. When “silent e” is placed at the end of a word, it changes the vowel to its “long” vowel sound or makes the vowel say its name. Some examples of “silent e” at work; “can” changes to “cane” or “van” into “vane”. 
