Welcome to 2AO!

2AO Teaching Team

Amy ODonnell
Class Teacher
Ms. Charmea
Class Teaching Assistant
Miss Tehmina
SEN
Mr Duncan
EAL support

A Few Bits n Pieces

School Times
Drop off and pick up-8:10 we leave the hall so please
be on time-if not please go via the office. Lessons
start 8:15.
Please label all things sweaters, hats, H20 bottles.
P.E.
Dress in PE kit on days 1,3 and 5
Pickup & Drop-off
Pick up from classroom until weather cools
Food and parties
Allergies-parent contact information sheet please
return!
Sleep very important to be prepared for school
10-11 hours each night for students aged 7-12

Essential agreement

IN THIS CLASSROOM

We look and listen to the speaker.

We are caring and polite to everyone.
We concentrate and always try to do our best.
We keep our classroom clean, tidy and organised.
We follow instructions.
We are honest.
We walk inside.
We use indoor voices.

Class Dojo

Behaviour Self-Reflection

The children each have a superhero

which gets moved up when they have
done something good, down when they
havent been great. If there are any
behaviour issues then I will call you.
Otherwise if their peg moves up and
down please do not worry!

Dragon Shields
Dragon Shields are an
initiative from the SLT.
Children are awarded
Dragon Shield tickets
from all over the school for walking nicely,
being respectful etc. Two tickets per grade
level get pulled out during assembly and those
children win a prize.

Weebly!
Grade Weebly
http://msbeaict.weebly.com/

The Weebly is our MAIN form of communication. This

will be updated at least once a week where information
about your childs learning will be shared. There are
two pages to check; the main Grade 2 page and our
class home page. Please subscribe to the Grade 2 and
2AO pages.
For individual queries please do continue to contact me
on my email:
a.odonnell_gwa@gemsedu.com

The 2AO Timetable

This can be found on the Weebly page and in your childs diary. Please try and ensure
that your child is responsible for bringing his/her resources to school!

* Every Thursday School Finishes at 1.30 Islamic Studies: Day:3,5, 6

GWA Approach to Education

Focus on learning outcomes feedback,
feed forward
Inquiry based Leading my Learning
Challenged according to what students
are ready to learn next (developmental
approach)
Differentiation, activity based, small
group and individualized learning

How We Know What

Students Have Learned
Prior knowledge to drive inquiry
Assessment (authentic, projects, not
always paper and pencil, etc.)
Process oriented more often than
product (reflection of learning)
Portfolios
Student Led Conferences

Literacy
READING

Learning to Read
vs.Reading to Learn
Reading to, with, and
by
At home
At least 15 minutes
Choose a consistent
time and place
Be a part of it
Model it: Love it!

WRITING

Writing to, with and

by
Text type
Mechanics and
conventions
Process and content
Attitude and self
evaluation

Spelling
Cross grade groups- differentiation across
grade:3 : just right for the learner.
Words assigned Monday, quiz on Sunday
Groupings assessed throughout the year.
Weekly spelling practice activities in
Homework Book

Mathematics
Our math program will
Number modelling
Place value and review of addition and subtraction with
regrouping
Comparing, ordering, and rounding numbers
Recalling doubles and halves
Patterning in shapes and number
Symmetry and tessellation
Division and multiplication facts
2,5 and 10 times tables
focus on these areas:
Collecting, organizing, analyzing and graphing data
Units of measurement for length, weight, distance, and
capacity
Addition and subtraction to 3 digits
Understanding fractions

Our math program will also focus on strategy,

how we do things using the knowledge we have.

PYP Units of Inquiry

Sharing the Planet

Relationships and interactions within communities lead to conflict and peace.
How We Express Ourselves
Artists use elements of art to communicate and create visual works that an
audience may interpret
Where We Are In Place And Time
Present day societies help us to understand past civilizations.
How We Organise Ourselves
Understanding the processes that food goes through can help us make
informed decisions.
How The World Works
Understanding forces and energy helps create inventions that impact our
lives.
Who We Are
Choice of role models reflects the values individuals and societies.

Homework!
At GWA we believe that the child learns at school and whilst
consolidation of skills is important so is the value of play and
socialising with family.
Your child will be required to read 4 times a week minimum
if this is communicated in their Daily Diary they will get a
star. They can achieve a bronze, silver and gold award. The
gold is only achieved by reading four times a week all year
and the award will be a mad hatters tea party after school
to celebrate. So please encourage your child to read.
They will also get spellings which are
differentiated to their spelling level. These will
get handed out on a Sunday and tested on a
Thursday.

Supporting Learning at
Home
Homework expectations- Consistent agreement
across Grade 2
How parents can help talk, encourage, share
Give your child the space and opportunity to show
responsibility for their learning at home.
Develop routines and rituals in your family
to share and celebrate learning.

Communication
Many ways to be in touch including
student diaries, email, and meeting faceto-face.
a.odonnell_gwa@gemsedu.com
Ask questions as they come up, no need
to wait for official interview times.
Open door policy.

Our Wonderings as
parents
Please feel free to write down a wondering,
a question, a comment, an inquiry on a
post-it as you leave.
Warmest regards and I look forward to a
great learning partnership with you and
your child this year .