Welcome to Year 2!

Your teachers are Miss Edmondson (Monday-Thursday) and Miss Cook (Friday). The other team members are Mrs Breen and Mrs Pitman.

Useful information:

• Reading books are changed on Monday and Thursday, but please bring  reading folder to school everyday.
• Homework sent hone on a Tuesday, to be returned by the following Monday. Spelling test will be on a Friday.
• PE is on Tuesday and Thursday morning. Please wear PE kit to school on these days.

***Thursday 11th  September is our open evening, where parents are invited into the classroom to see the learning space, to ask questions and to find out more about what we will be doing in Year 2. 

Curriculum Map

Summer Term

Over this next half term we have a lot to look forward to. As you will see there is a strong coastal theme to much of our learning. Please read below for more details for each of our subjects, including helpful links to support learning at home. 

English

Summer 1

At the start of this term, we will be reading 'The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch' by Ronda and David Armitage. This dilemma story will provide us with lots of rich opportunities for drama and writing in role. We will then move into writing a set of instructions on how to stop a seagull from stealing our lunch! Maybe you can think of some imaginative ideas at home of how to achieve this?

Below is a link to the story, should you wish to listen to it at home.

After this book, we will study the poem 'The sea is a hungry dog' by James Reeves. This poem, rich in descriptive language, will help the children build their vocabulary and understand certain poetic devices, like repetition, rhyme and alliteration. 

In SPAG we will be learning:

- adverbs

- word classes

- coordination

- apostrophes for possession

- past and present tense

Here is the overview of the spellings for this half term:

 For the first half of the summer term we will be learning about fractions.  The children will learn to:

• Recognise, find, name, and write fractions 1/3, 1/4, 2/4, and 3/4 of a shape, object, or quantity.
• Understand that fractions are equal parts of a whole.
• Begin to understand the concept of equivalence, such as recognising that 2/4 is the same as 1/2.
• Use concrete objects, visual aids (like fraction circles or bar models), and pictorial representations to help understand fractions.

The focus is on building a strong, practical understanding of fractions through hands-on activities and everyday contexts.

Here are some examples of what we will be learning about fractions:

Here is a link to some fraction games:

BBC Bitesize fraction games

Science

Summer 1

In our topic 'Changing Materials', the children will learn to find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching. We will answer the following questions:

• How can I change the shape of an object?

Materials have properties which may include being: flexible, rigid, stretchy, squashy, elastic, stiff. Squashing, bending, stretching and twisting can change the shape of some materials.

• What properties allow a material to be changed?

Objects can be tested and sorted according to the properties of the materials from which they are made. Different properties allow the shapes of materials to be changed in different ways.

• Which material is fit for purpose?

Objects are made from materials with properties that make them fit for purpose.

• What can pushes and pulls do?

Different actions, such as a push or a pull, can be used to change the shape of a material and/or an object.

Here is a useful website to explore more at home:

BBC bitesize materials KS1

RE

Summer 1

Our big question is 'How do Muslims show commitment to God (Allah)?'

Children understand the significance of commitment in religious life and how Muslims express their faith through daily actions and rituals. One of the key aspects of learning is an introduction to the Five Pillars of Islam:

• Shahadah (Faith): The declaration of faith, stating that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.
• Salah (Prayer): Performing ritual prayers five times a day.
• Zakah (Charity): Giving to those in need, reflecting the belief that all wealth belongs to Allah.
• Sawm (Fasting): Abstaining from food and drink during the month of Ramadan to develop self-discipline and empathy for the less fortunate.
• Hajj (Pilgrimage): Undertaking a journey to the holy city of Makkah, if possible, as an act of devotion.

Here is a link to one of the videos that we will be watching to support our learning:

BBC BItesize Islam KS1

History and Geography

In our topic of Historical Holidays, the children will be learning about the differences between seaside holidays 100 years ago, 50 years ago and today, such as entertainment and clothing. This links well to our geography topic, Investigating the Coast, where we learn about the human and physical features of our coastline.

We will be drawing on our own experiences of being by the sea, so should you be visiting the beach over the coming weeks, feel free to bring in any coastal artefacts, natural resources, photos or postcards. Thank you!

Art

Summer 1

This term we have the chance to get our hands dirty, with modelling clay! We will be taking inspiration from famous sculptors and learning about different clay techniques. Here are some techniques we might try:

 We look forward to sharing our creations with you...

 

Spring Term

This term, we have a variety of engaging new topics to explore. Please read below for detailed information on each subject area, as well as some useful links to aid your learning at home.

English

Spring 2

In Year 2 English, we will be exploring Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett. The children will follow Sunny the meerkat on his journey around the world and will be writing postcards and letters inspired by the story. Through this book, pupils will develop their descriptive writing skills, punctuation and understanding of how stories can be told through letters, while using their imagination to explore different places and animals.

In SPAG we will be learning:

• expanded noun phrases
• homophones
• the suffixes -ful and -less
• different types of sentences (command, question and statement)

Here is the overview of spellings for this half term:

Spring 1

This half term our learning is based around the genre of adventure stories. We will start by reading the wonderful story ‘Traction Man is Here’ by Mini Grey. We will be learning about character development, familiar settings and plot through this rich text, which is packed full of carefully crafted, fun images. The story will provide a model for writing our own adventure stories and a context for branching out into writing information texts.

In SPAG we will be learning:

• Adjectives
• Compound Words
• Adjectives with -er and -est
• Subordination Statements
• Exclamations

Here is the overview for our spellings for this half term:

Maths

Spring 2

In maths this half term, the children will be learning about measurement through length and height, mass, capacity and temperature. They will develop the following skills:

• Measure and compare lengths and heights using standard units (metres and centimetres)

• Measure and compare mass using standard units (kilograms and grams)

• Measure and compare capacity and volume using standard units (litres and millilitres)

• Compare and describe temperatures using appropriate language

• Choose and use suitable measuring equipment

• Solve practical problems involving measurement in everyday contexts

Here are some investigations that you can do at home...

 

 Spring 1

We start of this term by learning about money. The following chart provides an overview of the sequence of lessons. We will count money in pence and then pounds, choose notes and coins to make a given amount and compare amounts of money. Links will be made to our previous learning about addition when we add amounts together to make a total. Here is a useful website to help with recognising coins and making amounts:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/money/toy-shop-money

The following unit of work is multiplication and division. As well as learning our 2x, 5x and 10 x tables, here is a flavour of some other aspects of the topic:

   

 

        

      

RE

Spring 2

In RE this half term, Year 2 will be learning about the core Christian concept of Salvation through the unit “How do the symbols of Easter help us to understand the meaning of Easter for Christians?”  Children will learn to retell the Easter story and develop their understanding of why Easter is important to Christians.

The main focus of the unit will be on key events including The Last Supper and The Crucifixion, helping children understand how these events link to Christian beliefs. Pupils will also explore important Easter symbols and learn how bread, wine and the cross help Christians remember the meaning of Easter.

Spring 1

Our learning in RE will be on Judaism, answering the question ‘How are Jewish festivals celebrated and remembered?' Through this unit we will be looking at the celebrations of Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah and Yom Kippur. The link below is to a BBC short video clip about Hanukkah.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/z47wxyc

 

Science

Spring 2

Our topic is 'Growing seeds and bulbs'. We will look at how plants grow and change over time, the difference between seeds and bulbs and what seeds need to germinate. Towards half term will germinate some seeds, ready for planting towards spring. Below is some of the core knowledge that we will be learning:

What are seeds? Seeds are made up of a fleshy inner part covered in a tougher seed coat. The fleshy part contains the food store which is used for growth, and the immature stems, roots and leaves. Under specific conditions the seed will germinate and grow into a new plant.

What are bulbs? A bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves which act as a food store. A new plant will sprout and grow from it. When the plant dies at the end of the summer or autumn, the bulb remains in the soil over the winter and will grow again the following spring.

What is germination? Under the right conditions the seed absorbs water which causes the fleshy inner part to swell and split the seed coat. The immature stems and roots start to grow.

What are the conditions required for the germination of seeds and the sprouting of bulbs? Seeds and bulbs both need water to germinate/sprout, but most do not need light. This is because most seeds and bulbs are found under the ground where there is no light. Some seeds need warmth to germinate (such as cress and mustard seeds), some need cold and some need a period of cold followed by warmth.

History

We will be looking at two inspirational women in our topic of ‘People of Change’ – Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale. We will explore how both women helped soldiers during the Crimean War by caring for the sick and injured, showing kindness, bravery, and determination. We will compare their lives and differing experiences of nursing, lastly we will discuss how their actions made a lasting difference to healthcare today.

We will be visiting the National Army  in Chelsea for a workshop about Nightingale and Seacole. More details to follow soon. 

Geography

This term we will be learning about 'The Caribbean', as a contrasting locality to the UK. We will locate it on a map, revising names of continents and oceans in the process of doing so. We will  build a sense of place, through studying the climate, landscape and culture of the islands. The topic links to the EDI learning in school, through making links with the Windrush generation, furthermore links will be made to learning about Mary Seacole's Caribbean heritage.

Art

Spring 2

In Year 2 art this half term, we will be studying the work of William Morris. We will learn about his ideas and beliefs about living and how these influenced his artwork and designs. The children will explore Morris’s use of pattern and nature, creating their own designs through detailed line drawings. They will then develop their work further by recreating patterns using lino printing, learning basic printing techniques and experimenting with repeated designs.

We also have Arts Week to look forward to!

Spring 1

We will be looking at portraits by famous artists and learning the skills to draw our own portrait. Watch this space for some examples of our work!

Do you know who painted these famous portraits? 

Computing

Spring 2

In our unit 'We are safe researchers', the children will retrieve digital content from the Internet for a particular purpose and use mind mapping software to organise their questions and answers about a topic. They will then use presentation software to present their findings to an audience.

Spring 1

This half term our unit is called 'We are photographers', wherein we will be taking, selecting and editing digital images. We will understand what
makes a good photo, learn how to use a digital camera, practise taking and reviewing effective photos and finally using selective editing tools. 

Autumn Term

1. place value

• read, write and recognise numbers to 20
• count objects to 100
• recognise 10s and 1s
• partition numbers to 100
• estimate and compare amounts
• order objects and numbers
• count in 2s,. 5s and 10s

• know number bonds to 10 and 100
• recall fact families (related calculations)
• add and subtract 1s and 10s
• add three 1-digit numbers
• add and subtract across a 10 
• add two 2-digit numbers
• missing number problems

3. shape

• recognise 2D and 3D shapes
• count sides and vertices on a shape
• draw 2 D shapes
• find lines of symmetry on shapes
• count faces, edges and vertices on 3D shapes
• sort shapes
• make patterns with shapes

 There are lots of practical ways in which you can support at home. Building your child's confidence with counting, ordering, reading and writing numbers to 100 is a great place to start. It can be as simple as playing a game of snakes and ladders or counting out collections of objects like buttons. There are activities that you can complete on Mathletics. Below is a weblink with some ideas about how to support learning place value at home. https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/advice-for-parents/learning-at-home-videos/parent-how-to-videos/how-to-help-with-place-value-videos/