2010 2011 Curriculum Grade 2 Handbook for Parents Government of Alberta Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/curriculumhandb2201albe_1 Curriculum Handbook for Parents 2010-2011 This Curriculum Handbook provides parents with information about the Grade 2 c urriculum. It includes: • selected learning outcomes for each subject area from the provincial curriculum • links to the Alberta Education Web site where more information can be found • a q uestionnaire. Alberta Education This document, along with most Alberta Education documents, can be found on the Web site at http://education.alberta.ca. Parent documents referenced in this handbook, along with most Alberta Education documents, are available for purchase from: Learning Resources Centre 12360- 142 Street Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5L 4X9 Telephone: 780-427-2767 T oil-free : 3 1 0-0000 (i nside Alberta) Fax: 780-422-9750 Internet: http://lrc.education.gov.ab.ca/pro/default.html Telephone numbers referred to in this handbook can be reached, toll-free inside Alberta, by dialling 310-0000. Arts, Communications and Citizenship French Language Education Services Telephone: 780-427-2984 Telephone: 780^27-2940 Fax: 780-422-3745 Fax: 780^22-1947 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Digital Design and Resource Authorization Learner Assessment Telephone: 780-427-2984 Telephone: 780^27-0010 Fax: 780-422-3745 Fax: 780^22-4200 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Distributed Learning Mathematics and Science Telephone: 780-674-5350 Telephone: 780^27-2984 Fax: 780-674-6561 Fax: 780^22-3745 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Early Learning Branch Special Education Branch Telephone: 780^22-9423 Telephone: 780-422-6326 Fax: 780-643-1188 Fax: 780-422-2039 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: Special. [email protected] First Nations, Metis and Inuit Services Telephone: 780-415-9300 Fax: 780^15-9306 E-mail: [email protected] ISSN 1483-1686 Copyright © 2 010, the Crown in Right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Education. Alberta Education, 10044 - 108 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 5E6. Permission is g iven by the copyright owner to reproduce this handbook for educational purposes and on a nonprofit basis. TABLE OF CONTENTS iv Message from the Minister of Education 1 Introduction 1 Finding Information 2 Helping Your Child at Home 3 Information Regarding the Alberta Human Rights Act 4 Grade 2 4 Overview 5 Information and Communication Technology 6 First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education 6 English Language Learners 7 Required Subject Areas 7 English Language Arts 10 Mathematics 12 Science 14 Social Studies 1 7 Physical Education 20 Health and Life Skills 22 Art and Music 24 Optional Subject Areas 24 Drama 25 Languages 31 Commonly Accessed Web Links 33 Questionnaire Curriculum Handbook for Parents; Grade 2 Message from the Minister of Education As we look forward with excitement to the possibilities and opportunities of another school year, it is important to take some time to review what our students will be learning, and to make sure that all of us are prepared to ensure every child can find their passion and fulfill their potential. Through our community engagement initiatives, such as Inspiring Education and Speak Out, I h ave spoken with thousands of Albertans in our communities about education, its role in our lives and what we want it to do for children and youth, now and in the future. It’s quite clear that Albertans value their education system and understand that it is the foundation for the future economic prosperity of our province. However, we must continue to build on our tradition of excellence. To do that, we need a n ew approach to education. We need transformative change. Just as you are looking at what your child will be learning over the next year, we are examining how we teach our children and what they will learn. Now, more than ever, we are able to take a b ig-picture, long-term view of what education needs to be. We are looking at how we can improve learning outcomes rather than simply using the same curricula in a d ifferent way. We are transforming our education system to embrace optimism, passion, talent, curiosity, creativity and intelligence. Parents play an integral role as agents of change in their children’s education by providing them with the encouragement and support they need to succeed academically. It is clear that students benefit when parents are actively engaged in their children’s learning because together, both have a solid understanding of the tasks, challenges and rewards offered through our programs of study. I h ope you will also look at the many other learning opportunities that are available for your child outside of their schooling. Libraries, community and recreation centres, service organizations and mentors all enrich young peoples’ learning and build on the lessons they learn at school. This curriculum overview is a valuable resource that will answer many questions you may have about what your child is learning. I a lso hope this publication will create an opportunity for open dialogue between you, your child and his or her teacher regarding curriculum outcomes and expectations. I e ncourage you to take the time to read through this resource. I w ish you and your child every success this school year. Dave Hancock, Q.C. Minister, Alberta Education □ I ntroduction Students learn in a variety of environments — in their homes, Web site links for ftirther information sehools and communities. Parents, teachers and community are provided throughout the handbook. members form a p artnership to assist this learning. When parents know what children are studying at school, they can provide better home support for their children’s learning. The Curriculum Handbooks for Parents are designed to assist parents in participating in their child’s education by fostering an understanding of what students learn at each grade level. Finding Information Parents can find information about the curriculum and learning resources in a number of ways: • Contact teachers or school administrators. http://education.alberta.ca/parents/reso Curriculum Handbooks contain selected outcomes for each urces/handbook.aspx subject area from the Alberta programs of study. They provide a more detailed picture of each year. This Curriculum Handbook is one of a set from Kindergarten to senior high school produced in general and Catholic versions and in French. They are available on the Alberta Education Web site or for purchase from the Learning Resources Centre (LRC). http://education.alberta.ca/parents/reso Curriculum Summaries for each grade level provide a b rief urces/summaries.aspx overview of each year. The summaries are available on the Alberta Education Web site. http://education.alberta.ca/parents/resources/ Curriculum Express for Kindergarten to Grade 3 i s a series express. aspx of handbooks, developed to provide a short explanation of the curriculum for parents who are English language learners. ©Alberta Education, 2010 Curriculum Handbook for Parents: Grade 2 http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/pro • In Alberta, the provincial curriculum is organized into qram.aspx Programs of Study. They contain learning outcomes for each subject area from Kindergarten to Grade 12. They are legal documents that outline why the educational program is offered, what students are expected to learn and the basic principles about how students are to achieve the required knowledge, skills and attitudes. School authorities use the Programs of Study to ensure that students meet provincial standards of achievement. However, they have flexibility to decide how to teach the curriculum and the order in which it is taught. They are available on the Alberta Education Web site or for purchase from the Learning Resources Centre (LRC). http://education.alberta.ca/apps/lrdb • The Authorized Resources Database on the Alberta Education Web site lists Alberta authorized student and teacher resources, most of which are available for purchase from the LRC. http://education.alberta.ca • The Alberta Education Web site contains information on learning from the early years to adulthood. Helping Your Child at Home Here are some important pointers for you to help your child learn. • Be positive and encouraging in y our approach to learning. It will help your child feel confident and enthusiastic about success. • Talk to your child about schoolwork and help with homework when you can. • Help your child set realistic goals and discuss progress in an encouraging way. • Connect your child’s schoolwork with everyday life and use these opportunities for problem solving in everyday situations. • Keep in touch with teachers about your child’s progress, including successes and achievements, not just concerns. The following resources may help you. Check your child’s school for availability. This resource is available for purchase from the Learning Resources Centre • The Parent Advantage: Helping Children Become More (LRC). Order online Successful Learners at Home and School, Grades 1-9 — at http://lrc.education.qov.ab.ca/pro/default Strategies parents can use to help their child improve .html organizational, reading, writing, spelling, mathematical, test taking and project skills at the grades 1-9 levels. httD://learnalberta.ca • LearnAlberta.ca Web site — Online multimedia learning resources that directly relate to the Alberta programs of study. httD://www.2learn.ca • TELUS 2Learn Web site — An education/business partnership that provides Internet in-service, support and information for Alberta teachers, students and parents. Information Regarding the Alberta Human Rights Act On September 1, 2 010, section 11.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act comes into force. This section requires boards (including charter schools) to provide parents with notice where “courses of study, educational programs or instructional materials, or instruction or exercises ... include subject matter that deals primarily and explicitly with religion, human sexuality or sexual orientation.” Where a p arent makes a written request, teachers shall exempt the student, without academic penalty, from such instruction, course of study, educational program or use of instructional material. These requirements do not apply to incidental or indirect references to religion, religious themes, human sexuality or sexual orientation. For more information, refer to the Guide to Education: ECS to Grade 12. ©Alberta Education, 2010 Curriculum Handbook for Parents: Grade 2 r “ In Grade 2, students study required subjeet areas. Optional subject * G RADE areas may be available at the local school. Students have access to a minimum of 950 hours of instruction each school year. Overview The Grade 2 A lberta program of studies for each subject area sets out general outcomes or topics that provide an overview of the important learnings students accomplish. Specific outcomes are included for each general outcome or topic and state in detail the knowledge, skills and attitudes students are working towards achieving. View the programs of study at This handbook contains: http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/pro qram.aspx • the general outcomes or topics for each subject area • selected specific outcomes for most subject areas. Purchase programs of study from the The programs of study, which include all the general and specific Learning Resources Centre (LRC). outcomes, are available on the Alberta Education Web site or for Order online at purchase from the Learning Resources Centre (LRC). http://lrc.education.qov.ab.ca/pro/defau It.html ' Art and Music ' English • Mathematics ♦ Science f Social Studies ► Physical < ' Health and ' Language Arts Education Life Skills 1 11 - Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is infused ] throughout English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social i 1 Studies. I ^ ^ ^ OPTIONAL i i I Students in bilingual programs take English language arts as well as language arts in the target language. Students in French immersion programs may take English language arts. English language arts for these students is mandatory in Grade 3.