Grades 2 to 3
Welcome to Pear Tree School’s Grade 2-3 Primary Years Program
At Pear Tree School, the journey through the primary years is an adventure of growth, discovery, and joy. Building upon the solid foundations laid in the early years, our Grade 2-3 Program is designed to deepen knowledge, enhance skills, and inspire a lifelong passion for learning. In this pivotal phase, we marry the joy and wonder characteristic of this age with a rigorous academic framework, all while adhering to the BC Curriculum.
Our Grade 2-3 students thrive in 2 x dedicated classes (16 students per class; 32 students total), benefiting from the unique advantages of a combined grade setting, small classroom sizes, and many potential friends. This environment fosters a close-knit community where students support and inspire one another, guided by our M.Ed-educated teachers who expertly facilitate this dynamic learning journey.
The Pear Tree Method shines in our Primary Years Program, integrating:
- Academic Rigor with the BC Curriculum: Ensuring a comprehensive educational experience that meets and exceeds provincial standards.
- Personalized Learning: Tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs and aspirations of each child, fostering an environment where every student feels valued and understood.
- Strengths-Based Assessments: Celebrating each child’s achievements and providing constructive feedback aimed at continuous improvement and self-confidence.
- Holistic Development: Balancing intellectual growth with social, emotional, and physical well-being, preparing students for the complexities of the world with empathy, resilience, and ethical responsibility.
Grade 2-3 Program Overview
At Pear Tree School, we believe education should be an exciting journey of discovery. Our Grade 2-3 program builds upon the strong foundation of early learning, fostering greater independence, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Through our theme-based and project-based learning approach, students engage in hands-on experiences that make education meaningful and relevant. Whether investigating science concepts, tackling real-world math problems, or expressing creativity through the arts, students develop a deeper understanding of core subjects in a way that sparks curiosity and enthusiasm.
As children grow, so do their social and emotional skills. Our program nurtures confidence, resilience, and teamwork, helping students develop essential life skills while building strong friendships. With small class sizes and highly qualified teachers, we provide personalized support that allows every child to thrive academically, socially, and physically.
By making learning dynamic and engaging, our Grade 2-3 program prepares students for future success while keeping their love for learning alive.
Key Benefits / Outcomes
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Cultivating analytical minds ready to tackle challenges with creativity and confidence.
- Collaboration and Leadership: Encouraging teamwork and leadership opportunities that build social skills and community awareness.
- Global Awareness and Responsibility: Developing an understanding of global issues and a commitment to positive action.
- Lifelong Wellness: Promoting habits of physical health and mental well-being that last a lifetime.
Curriculum Overview
At Pear Tree School, we take learning beyond textbooks by integrating subjects into real-world themes. This theme-based learning approach makes education more engaging, meaningful, and practical for students in Grades 2-3, fostering curiosity and deeper understanding.
Over a two-year cycle, students explore 14 diverse themes, each combining core subjects such as:
📖 Literacy – Strengthening reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through real-world applications.
🔢 Mathematics – Applying numbers, patterns, measurement, and problem-solving to hands-on, practical scenarios.
🌍 Science & Social Studies – Investigating the world through experiments, projects, and discussions about people, places, and the environment.
🎨 ADST & The Arts – Encouraging creativity, innovation, and design thinking through artistic and hands-on projects.
🏃♂️ Physical Education – Developing movement, coordination, and teamwork skills to support overall health and well-being.
By connecting learning across multiple subjects, students not only gain knowledge but also learn how to apply it to real-life situations. This holistic, interdisciplinary approach helps students think critically, collaborate effectively, and develop a lifelong love for learning.
Term 1 Themes (Year 1 of 2)
Identity
Who am I? How do my experiences, family, and culture shape who I am? In this theme, students explore the concept of personal identity, recognizing that identity evolves as we grow and interact with the world.
Through storytelling, self-reflection, and creative expression, students learn to celebrate their uniqueness while building connections with others. They practice writing personal narratives, engage in social-emotional learning activities, and explore identity through art and mindfulness exercises.
Key Learning Highlights:
- Exploring personal identity through storytelling and self-expression
- Understanding family roles and cultural traditions
- Developing emotional awareness and communication skills
- Creating nature-based self-portraits to visually express identity
Theme in Action
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Extreme Environments
How do animals and people survive in the world’s harshest places? In this theme, students investigate deep-sea, Arctic, and mountain environments, exploring the incredible adaptations that allow life to thrive.
Students engaged in hands-on experiments to test ocean pressure and temperature, designed their own deep-sea creatures, and visited Grouse Mountain to study alpine survival. They also explored Inuit innovations and researched kelp forests as a key part of the ocean ecosystem.
Key Learning Highlights:
- Investigating deep-sea adaptations and Arctic survival skills
- Exploring how animals and humans thrive in extreme conditions
- Understanding Indigenous knowledge and survival strategies
- Researching the importance of kelp forests in global sustainability
Theme in Action
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Superfoods
What makes a food “super”? In this theme, students discover how nutrition fuels our bodies and how the foods we eat impact both personal health and the environment.
Students taste-tested and analyzed different superfoods, designed their own Superfood Superhero cards, and applied math and cooking skills to create recipes like a colorful superfood potato salad. They also visited local grocery stores and farms to learn about food sources and sustainability.
Key Learning Highlights:
- Understanding the benefits of superfoods and their nutrients
- Exploring local and global food sources
- Applying math and science skills to create superfood recipes
- Researching kelp forests and their role in ocean ecosystems
Theme in Action
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Sample Grade 2-3 Schedule
A soft start eases students into the school day, reducing stress and fostering a calm, focused environment for learning.
A 1-hour P.E. session with our own P.E. teacher at Connaught Park.
These ukulele classes are led by our dedicated music teacher.
All students take part in our Healthy Hot Lunch Program. Our menu for this month is, as follows:
Monday: Creamy potato and veggies soup with bacon and cheese
Tuesday: Chickpea and spinach soup with bread
Wednesday: Salmon curry pasta
Thursday: Jambalaya with rice
Friday: Dan Dan noodles
Students take a 45-minute break at Connaught Park, rain or shine.
There, they have access to the playground, as well as the sport fields.
There is a 10-minute walk there and back, which the students do every day.
A soft end to the day provides parents with a broader window of time to find parking, meet with other parents, and meet with teachers.
Beyond Academics
Daily Physical Education
Grade 2-3 students at Pear Tree move and play every day in our daily one-hour P.E. program, setting the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Developmentally-Appropriate Activities: Students build essential gross motor skills (jumping, running, balancing) through activities like gymnastics, obstacle courses, and ball games.
- Fun, Confidence, and Teamwork: Through structured games and play-based exercises, children develop self-confidence, coordination, and cooperation.
- Multi-Sport Exposure: Young students get an introduction to yoga, ice skating, and other physical activities, helping them discover what they love.
- Whole-Child Benefits: P.E. is about more than movement—it improves focus, behavior, and self-regulation in the classroom, too!
Hot Lunch Program
At Pear Tree School, even our youngest learners benefit from our Healthy Hot Lunch Program, ensuring they get the nutrition they need to focus, play, and grow.
- Kid-Friendly, Nutrient-Rich Meals: Our lunches are thoughtfully crafted with balanced, seasonal, and local ingredients, designed in collaboration with a holistic nutritionist and prepared by our in-house Red Seal chef.
- Introducing Healthy Eating Habits: We encourage grade 2-3 students to try new foods and learn the importance of a balanced diet, making mealtime a learning experience.
- Catering to Dietary Needs: Whether your child requires gluten-free, vegetarian, or other special accommodations, our program ensures allergies and dietary preferences are met safely.
- Connection to Learning: Food is integrated into theme-based learning, where students explore cooking, nutrition, and food science in ways that make sense for their age.
Co-Curriculars (optional)
For our grade 2-3 learners, after-school programs aren’t just extra—they’re essential to exploring interests and developing new skills!
- Designed for Early Learners: Co-curriculars introduce creativity, movement, and problem-solving through activities like storytelling, music, art, building, and STEM games.
- Social-Emotional Learning: Activities are designed to boost confidence, patience, and teamwork, helping students make friends and feel part of a community.
- Rotating Options: Choices change each term, but may include LEGO building, performing arts, nature discovery, basic coding, cooking, and beginner martial arts.
- Exploration without Pressure: Grade 2-3 co-curriculars are about having fun, trying new things, and growing in a supportive space.
Before & After School Care
Pear Tree School offers a supervised, fee-based Before and After School Care Program to support parents with busy schedules. This program is available to all students, with flexible registration options for any combination of days.
Before School Care
🕢 7:30 – 8:00 am | $10 per day
- A calm, supervised environment to ease into the school day.
After School Care
🕞 3:30 – 5:00 pm | $25 per day
What Parents Say About Us
“Pear Tree School is a forefront leader in childhood education.”
Vanja
“Pear Tree School provides an environment where children are welcomed and supported.”
Katherine
“Pear Tree School is what 21st century education should be.”
Ivy
“Pear Tree School fosters children's love for learning and helps them grow as confident, responsible and kind people.”
Irina
“Pear Tree students are learning to think deeply and critically about the big issues of our day.”
Kate
“Pear Tree's project-based learning approach is practical and impactful.”
Zahra
Embark on a Learning Adventure
Discover the vibrant, nurturing world of Pear Tree School’s Grade 2-3 Program. Explore our approach, meet our dedicated educators, and see how we inspire every child to love learning and grow into confident, capable individuals.
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Contact Us
Main Campus (West Broadway)
215-2678 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C. V6K 2G3
Yaletown Campus (Opening Sept 2025)
1035 Cambie St
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2E2
