Red Run Reminder

Aarav kindly reminded us with his outfit choice today that the Red Run is fast approaching on Friday May 3, 2013.  Don’t forget to try and get as many sponsors as possible - all money will go towards the Red Cross Zurich “Mitten Unter Uns” program which helps to integrate immigrant children into Swiss society through language classes, play programs, and host family visits.

 

Please have your child dress appropriately for a morning outside (hopefully) in the sun and wear as much red clothing as possible.

 

Kind regards,

 

Ms. Christine Aberley

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

This week Grade 2 discussed their dreams jobs and the class had some diverse answers to the commonly asked question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  Jobs mentioned for the future included French teacher (Matt), professional tennis player (Tristan - maybe Canada’s next Roger Federer?), video game creator (Aarav) and teacher (Annika).  To help them navigate the myriad of professions available to them, Grade 2 learned that certain jobs are best for people with different personal interests.  For example, if you enjoy doing Science projects, collecting rocks and minerals, and solving math problems you are best suited to investigative jobs such as doctor, engineer, pharmacist, psychologist and dietician.  The class then completed an adapted version of a careers test to find out the best jobs for them.  Below is a photo of the class with their favorite job based on the results of their individual test.  Looks like we have a lot of future scientists in Grade 2!

Aarav - doctor, Annika - biologist, Tristan - biologist, Haseeb - biologist and Matt - Engineer

 

Kind regards,

 Ms.  Christine Aberley

Welcome Mr. Crown

Grade 2 would like to give a warm welcome to Mr. Graham Crown.  He will be working with the class for the next three weeks, fulling requirements for his teaching degree.  Mr. Crown will be teaching individual lessons and helping out with day to day activities. 

 

Hello from Mr. Crown

 

My name is Mr. Graham Crown.  I come from Northern Ireland.  I am studying at university there, and hope to become a primary school teacher through doing so.  Currently, I am carrying out my studies in Switzerland as part of the Erasmus Programme.  For the next three weeks, I will be completing my teaching placement at International School Winterthur.  I have been placed with the 2^nd grade class and I am greatly looking forward to working with them over the coming weeks!

 

Job Hunt

With an ever expanding vocabulary, Grade 2 looked through magazines to find photographs of people doing different jobs.  From farmers to professional athletes to surgeons, each member of the class found a variety of jobs.  The photographs are now on display in our classroom and serve as a visual reminder of the endless career possibilities available to the class in the future.

 

Later in the week, Grade 2 watched a BrainPop Jr video on different community jobs - including the responsibilities of police officers, dentists, and teachers.  To solidify their understanding, they wrote POLICE and TEACHER acrostics and the class certainly rose to the challenge.  Grade 2 thought about the roles and responsibilities associated with each job, adding their own insights along the way.

 

 

Request for Parent Guest Speakers

Do you have a job that you are passionate about?  Grade 2 would love to hear about it!  One of the highlights of our current POI is having the chance to hear from different adults about their jobs.  Last year we had visits from an investment banker, CFO, sales director and French language teacher. 

Please contact me via email to if you would like to speak with the class or simply drop by the Grade 2 classroom.  

 

Kind regards,

 

Ms. Christine Aberley

Workplaces

This week Grade 2 began a new POI, titled “Workplaces”.  To begin, we brainstormed different workplaces we were familiar with on chart paper and then added the different jobs that can be done in each one on sticky notes.  For example, at a hospital you can find doctors, nurses and surgeons.  This activity was especially helpful because it gave the class a basic set of vocabulary to work with for the rest of the POI.  Little did they know, Grade 2 was also practicing their spelling too!

Kind regards,

 

Ms. Christine Aberley

Are You Smarter Than a 2nd Grader?

This Monday was a big day for Grade 2.  After careful preparation and a lot of rehearsing, the class presented their POI work at the Spring PYP assembly.  Highlights of the assembly included a rap song about the 7 continents, postcards from Europe and a short mock quiz show.  We would like to give a big thank you to the teachers that volunteered to compete and attempt to answer some very challenging questions about Europe!

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Ms. Christine Aberley

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Grade 2 has spent the last two weeks finishing POI work and getting ready for our rescheduled assembly.  This was quite a big project!  First we read an abridged version of Heidi by Swiss author Johanna Spyri and learned to identify the characters, setting and plot of a story.  Next, we looked more closely at the opposing settings in Heidi and wrote detailed descriptions of the Swiss Alps and nineteenth century Frankfurt.  To help us, we focused on the four senses (sight, smell, sound, and feelings) and the details that everyone came up with were outstanding!  From bright blue alpine flowers to noisy carriage filled streets, we were certainly transported into the story.  Accompanying the written work are two large paintings done in pairs.  The project will soon be on display in our classroom, so please feel free to come in and have a look.

 

 

 

 

School Supplies - Quick Reminder

 

Please ensure your child brings a well stocked pencil case/kit to school every day.  Alternatively, it can be left in the classroom for the remainder of the school year. 

 

Kind regards,

 

Ms. Christine Aberley