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Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions

Year 2 English

This course develops foundational literacy skills through the exploration of diverse texts and creative expression. Students engage in deep comprehension of narratives, informative writing for specific audiences, and the mastery of language conventions to become confident communicators.

6 units·48 topics·Ages 7-8

01Narrative Journeys and Character Secrets

8 topics·Term 1

Exploring how authors build characters and settings to engage readers in imaginative worlds.

Character Traits and Motivations

Analyzing how characters behave and why they make certain choices within a story.

Hot SeatRole PlayThink-Pair-Share
Setting the Scene with Descriptive Language

Investigating how descriptive language creates a vivid sense of place and mood.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Plot Structures: Beginning, Middle, End

Understanding the beginning, middle, and end structure of traditional and modern tales.

Role PlayThink-Pair-Share
Identifying Main Idea in Narratives

Students will learn to identify the central message or main idea of a simple narrative.

Think-Pair-ShareConcept Mapping
Making Predictions in Stories

Developing skills to make logical predictions about what will happen next in a story based on clues.

Think-Pair-ShareHuman Barometer
Understanding Author's Purpose in Narratives

Exploring why authors write stories and the different purposes they might have.

Four CornersThink-Pair-Share
Retelling Stories with Key Details

Practicing retelling familiar stories, including important characters, settings, and events.

Role PlayPeer Teaching
Exploring Different Narrative Forms

Introducing students to various narrative forms like fables, fairy tales, and personal recounts.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share

02Fact Finders and Information Reports

8 topics·Term 1

Developing the skills to extract information from non fiction texts and organize it for others.

Navigating Non-Fiction Features

Learning how to use headings, glossaries, and indexes to find specific information quickly.

Think-Pair-ShareJigsaw
Classifying Facts and Opinions

Distinguishing between verifiable information and personal viewpoints in informative texts.

Four CornersThink-Pair-Share
Drafting Informative Reports

Organizing researched facts into logical categories to teach an audience about a topic.

Concept MappingPeer Teaching
Identifying Key Information in Non-Fiction

Practicing strategies to locate and extract the most important information from non-fiction texts.

Think-Pair-ShareJigsaw
Summarizing Informational Texts

Learning to condense main ideas and key details from non-fiction into a concise summary.

Think-Pair-ShareRound Robin
Using Graphic Organizers for Information

Employing graphic organizers like KWL charts and mind maps to structure research and reports.

Concept MappingThink-Pair-Share
Writing Explanations and Procedures

Crafting simple explanations of how things work or step-by-step instructions for a process.

Peer TeachingThink-Pair-Share
Comparing Informational Texts

Analyzing different non-fiction texts on the same topic to compare information and presentation.

Think-Pair-ShareJigsaw

03The Magic of Poetry and Wordplay

8 topics·Term 2

Exploring rhythm, rhyme, and imagery to understand how language can evoke emotion.

Rhythm and Rhyme Patterns

Identifying and creating auditory patterns in various forms of poetry.

Role PlayThink-Pair-Share
Imagery and Onomatopoeia

Using words that mimic sounds and create mental pictures for the reader.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Creating Personal Poems

Writing original verses that use poetic devices to express a personal experience.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Exploring Similes and Metaphors

Introducing basic figurative language: comparing two unlike things using 'like' or 'as' (simile) or directly (metaphor).

Carousel BrainstormThink-Pair-Share
Alliteration and Assonance

Identifying and experimenting with the repetition of initial consonant sounds (alliteration) and vowel sounds (assonance).

Stations RotationRound Robin
Sensory Language in Poetry

Focusing on words that appeal to the five senses to make poems more immersive.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Reading Poems Aloud with Expression

Practicing reading poetry with appropriate rhythm, tone, and emphasis to convey meaning.

Role PlayThink-Pair-Share
Exploring Different Types of Poems

Introducing students to various poetic forms such as haikus, limericks, and free verse.

Stations RotationThink-Pair-Share

04Persuasive Voices and Opinions

8 topics·Term 2

Learning how to express a point of view and convince others through logical reasoning.

The Art of Argument

Identifying the difference between a simple statement and a persuasive argument.

Think-Pair-ShareFour Corners
Persuasive Devices in Advertising

Analyzing how posters and commercials use color, font, and words to sell products.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Presenting a Point of View

Preparing and delivering a short speech to persuade classmates on a school issue.

Role PlayThink-Pair-Share
Identifying Audience and Purpose

Understanding that persuasive messages are tailored to specific audiences and purposes.

Think-Pair-ShareRole Play
Using Evidence to Support Opinions

Learning to provide simple facts or examples to back up a personal opinion.

Think-Pair-ShareFour Corners
Writing Persuasive Sentences

Crafting clear and concise sentences that express a point of view and a reason.

Think-Pair-SharePeer Teaching
Responding to Persuasive Texts

Analyzing how to identify the main argument in a persuasive text and form a response.

Four CornersThink-Pair-Share
Creating Persuasive Posters

Designing simple posters to persuade an audience about a school rule or event.

Project-Based LearningGallery Walk

05Language Mechanics and Sentence Building

8 topics·Term 3

Mastering the building blocks of English to create clear and grammatically correct sentences.

Punctuation Power: Full Stops & Capitals

Using capital letters and full stops effectively to mark the beginning and end of sentences.

Think-Pair-SharePeer Teaching
Question Marks and Exclamation Marks

Learning to use question marks for inquiries and exclamation marks for strong feelings.

Think-Pair-ShareStations Rotation
Nouns: Naming Words

Identifying common and proper nouns and understanding their role in sentences.

Stations RotationThink-Pair-Share
Verbs: Action Words

Recognizing verbs as action words and understanding how they drive sentences.

Trading CardsThink-Pair-Share
Adjectives: Describing Nouns

Using adjectives to add detail and make nouns more specific and interesting.

Gallery WalkThink-Pair-Share
Pronouns and Antecedents

Understanding how pronouns replace nouns and refer back to their antecedents.

Think-Pair-ShareTrading Cards
Adverbs: Describing Verbs

Introducing adverbs as words that describe verbs, telling how, when, or where an action happens.

Stations RotationThink-Pair-Share
Prepositions: Showing Position

Learning about prepositions and how they show the relationship between words, often indicating position or direction.

Think-Pair-ShareStations Rotation

06The Art of the Oral Story

8 topics·Term 3

Developing speaking and listening skills through performance, retelling, and active listening.

Active Listening Strategies

Learning how to listen for main ideas and ask clarifying questions.

Fishbowl DiscussionThink-Pair-Share
Retelling with Expression

Using vocal variety and facial expressions to retell a known story to an audience.

Role PlayThink-Pair-Share
Collaborative Discussions

Participating in group conversations by contributing ideas and building on the comments of others.

Round RobinThink-Pair-Share
Telling Personal Anecdotes

Practicing sharing short personal stories or experiences with classmates.

Think-Pair-ShareWorld Café
Using Appropriate Volume and Pace

Adjusting speaking volume and pace for different audiences and purposes.

Role PlayThink-Pair-Share
Asking and Answering Questions

Developing skills in asking relevant questions and providing clear, concise answers.

Think-Pair-ShareFishbowl Discussion
Giving and Receiving Feedback

Learning to offer constructive feedback and accept it gracefully in oral presentations.

Peer TeachingThink-Pair-Share
Using Visuals in Oral Presentations

Incorporating simple visual aids to enhance oral storytelling or presentations.

Museum ExhibitGallery Walk