Year 2
Busy Bees - Miss Askham
Butterflies - Mrs Evans
Welcome to Year 2
We are really looking forward to getting to know your children and learning alongside them. We hope that they will settle quickly and embrace the challenges that Year 2 will bring using their resilience and perseverance skills to help them be the best they can be. We have got an exciting year ahead of us, with many interesting and challenging topics, which we know the children will enjoy.
Topic – Term 1
Wriggle and Crawl
We begin by looking at life cycles of a variety of animals, learning about the changes they go through. We think about the importance of healthy eating and exercise and make sandwiches to help us with our writing. In computing we will learn about the different parts of a computer and their functions. We also visit St Mary’s Church as we begin to build on our knowledge of Christianity.
Topic - Term 2
Marvellous Materials
In this topic the children explore colour mixing and use this within their artwork when they learn about Kandinsky. The children learn about the properties of a range of materials and put their investigative skills to the test when they carry out a range of experiments. This is also the term where the children demonstrate their singing and acting talents as they prepare to perform the Christmas Nativity. The children get into the Christmas spirit where they make a range of Christmas crafts as well as practise their sewing skills by designing and making their own bookmarks.
Topic – Term 3
Land Ahoy!
In this term we take to the seas! The children explore the travels of Captain Cook and look at the importance of the RNLI. We learn about the oceans of the world and create our own treasure map. We have an exciting ‘Pirate Day’ where the children are encouraged to dress up to raise money for the RNLI charity. In music, we learn some traditional sea shanties just as sailors would have sung. We take a trip to Bishopstone Beach where we look at habitats as part of our science learning. RE is an integral part of our Curriculum and we build upon our Christian values by exploring Bible stories.
Topic – Term 4
Street Detectives
This topic allows us to learn about the world around us by comparing town life to life in the country. In this term we visit Manor House forest school where the children take part in a range of activities linked to our story ‘Town Mouse, Country Mouse’. We take part in a traffic survey outside of school and use the data we collect to help us with our maths learning. In DT we design and make our own balloon powered cars and test to see how far they travel. Photography is our area of art that we explore this term, using the artist Slinkachu’s work to inspire us.
Topic - Term 5
Towers, Tunnels and Turrets
In this topic we look at great towers around the world as well as towers and tunnels in our local area. We journey to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean as we learn about Brazil, comparing the differences to where we live. We end this term on a Royal note learning about the lives of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth ii. It is also in this term where we begin to learn about Islam for the first time.
Topic - Term 6
Movers and Shakers
This is where the children discover influential times and people. We explore ‘The Great Fire of London’, as an historical event and learn about the lives of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole and the challenges they faced. We continue our learning about Islam where we look at the Muslim way of life through a multitude of experiences including art, craft and cooking. This culminates into our World Faith Day celebration. The children get busy coding in computing using the program ScratchJr to create their own animation.
P.E
Busy Bees have PE on a Wednesday and Friday so please make sure your child is wearing the correct kit, suitable for the weather. The children will need a tracksuit and trainers for outdoor P.E. Please make sure that EVERYTHING is named.
In Term 1 we have swimming on a Wednesday please send your child into school with their swimming costume and towel in a named bag rather than sending them in to school in their PE kit (Normal uniform to be worn on swimming days).
Earrings must not be worn for PE so please can your child take them out for PE days. Thank you.
Reading at home
There is a continued expectation in Year 2 that children read at least 5 times a week to an adult, regardless of their ability or stage. We ask that once you have heard your child read you sign their reading diary, noting the page read up to. We also encourage wider reading than just school books, please encourage them to read any text that interests them. Going to the library together is a fun way to share new books with your child. In school we will be using Accelerated Reader and the children will have an opportunity to visit the library and change their books once they have completed their quizzes.
Star Reader
We expect children to read every day. This helps the children to practise their reading skills, enabling them to read through the scheme to build more confidence and develop their comprehension through fluent reading. We award bronze, silver and gold badges to ‘Star Reader of the Week’ in school Celebration Worship.
Spelling Shed
We use spelling shed to help the children learn weekly spellings. This is a fun, interactive game that can be accessed via a paid app or free on their website. The children all have individual passwords to login.
Homework
In addition to reading every day, children will have access to ‘Emile’ an online home learning site. Challenges will be set for your children to complete at home.
Year 2 no longer undertake SATs however for children to meet the expected standard at the end of Key Stage 1 they will need to be able to demonstrate good reading comprehension and a sound understanding of maths arithmetic and reasoning. We will be using SATs papers to inform our teacher assessment but in a non-statutory way.
Children who did not meet the required standard for the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1 will be expected to re-take this check in June next year. It is important children have a good grasp of phonics to support them with their reading.
We are looking forward to a busy but fun year with your children! If you have any questions I am always happy to speak to you at the end of the day or you can contact the Office to arrange a time to speak with me.
Many thanks!
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| Miss Askham | Mrs Evans |
