Welcome to Year 2!
Meet the team!
Mrs Paige 2P Miss Bryssau 2B (class teachers)
Mr Wotton and Mrs Lumsden (teaching assistants)
Mrs Mitchell & Mr Cuzner (PPA/cover teachers)
General Information.
Book Bag:
All children require a book bag in which to store and transport reading books, spelling books, home-school liaison books and letters.
Water bottle:
A clear, medium-sized water bottle with a sports-flip lid
(in order to avoid spillage,please do not carry water bottles inside book bags)
Fruit & Snack:
ALL children in Year 2 continue to be provided with one piece of fruit per day.
However, children are invited to bring a healthy snack (clearly named) for their morning playtime snack.
PE Days:
Indoor PE : Fridays
Outdoor Games: Mondays
PE Kit : Black shorts & white T-shirt, trainers or plimsolls
No need for a tracksuit as we still get outside in Winter with coats on.
Children can come to school in PE kit on the days that they have PE.
Please make sure ALL PE kit and Uniform is clearly NAMED
Dates for diaries:
Curriculum
Topics Covered Throughout the Year
Autumn Term : Sailing the Seven seas!
Spring Term : Near, Far, Wherever you are.
Summer Term : Here, There and Everywhere!
Our Topic this term is: Here, There, Everywhere
Subjects for website
English- We will be looking at Grace Darling linked to our history topic and write a newspaper reports about her daring rescue and how she became famous.
We will use our imaginative writing when looking at ‘The Journey’ and describe scenes and settings using descriptive language.
Then we look at various Lighthouse keeper stories and write character descriptions.
Maths- We will focus on different types of measurement and choose and use appropriate standard units to estimate and measure length/height in any direction (m/cm); mass (kg/g); temperature (°C); capacity
(litres/ml) to the nearest appropriate unit, using rulers, scales, thermometers and measuring vessels.
We will then use mathematical vocabulary to describe position, direction and movement including movement in a straight line and distinguishing between rotation as a turn and in terms of right angles for quarter, half and three-quarter turns (clockwise and anti-clockwise).
Science – We will continue to look at different methods of seed dispersal and look at what seeds need to grow. We will plants seeds and beans in different ways using hydroponics and record the changes in growth that we see.
ICT – We will introduce ROAMER/ BEEBOT and how to give instructions and then enter & record a sequence of instructions for it to follow. We will use different programmes to create our own algorithms for movement.
Art – We will look at different artists and focus on Andy Goldsworthy before creating our own nature sculptures using resources from our outdoor woodland area.
DT – We will be asking the children to plan, design and make a lighthouse using junk modelling from looking at the different lighthouses from History in Plymouth.
PE – We will continue to work on our gymnastic skills through the unit ‘Ball, tall and wall’ where we will explore body shape at different levels on the floor and apparatus. In outdoor PE, we will develop our agility, balance and coordination through different games ensuring we focus on pace and speed.
RE will focus on Christianity and consider the question ‘What is the ‘good news’ Christians believe Jesus brings?’ In this topic, we will read parables and think about forgiveness
Geography – In Geography, we will be looking at different types of maps , looking at the symbols used to represent places. We will look at different landmarks and human and physical features of different areas- including our school grounds.
History We will use artefacts, pictures, stories, online sources and databases to find out about the past- focussing on Grace Darling. We link this topic very closely to our English unit.
PSHE – In Jigsaw, the topic is ‘Relationships’. We look at different family units, physical contact, keeping safe, problem solving, telling secrets and trust.
English
Please see the attached files below which outline the WRITING and READING objectives that we will be covering in Year 2.
Reading
Children in Year 2 will read with and adult at least once every week and will be given a 'reading day'. However, all children will also be involved in 'guided or group' reading activities throught each week.
Our main focus in Year 2 reading is on COMPREHENSION. Children will be required to use their skills of prediction, deduction and inference to discuss the text. Lots of practice at home will really help with this.
Please find time to read and discuss your books at least 4 or 5 times each week.
Writing
Children in Year 2 are expected to do a little more writing than they were used to in Year 1. They will be learning to join their letters together so any chance they get to practise their writing at home is of great benefit. We will be (hopefully) enriching our writing with lots of describing words and phrases, which again, can be practised orally at home.
Children will be getting used to editing and improving their own writing with 'purple-polishing pens'!
There will be considerable emphasis on GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION & SPELLING so be prepared for some new terminology!!
Spelling
In Year 2 most children have 10 individual spelling to learn each week. These will be assessed in the first 2 weeks of term and then given out on a Thursday and tested the following Thursday.
These will include the First 100 High Frequency Words
As well as learning their spellings in list form, children are expected to correctly use their newly-learnt spellings in their writing.
Please find time to practise your spellings at least 4 or five times each week.
MATHEMATICS
Please see the attached document below which outlines the National Curriculum Year 2 maths objectives.
The children will be learning in a variety of ways with lots of mental/oral work, group/collaborative work, partner work and of course some important written recording. They will begin to look for ways to correct their own work and extend their learning with next steps.
Here in Year 2 we will continue to build on the skills and knowledge that they acquired in Year 1. Initially, we will be working hard on place value (hundreds, tens and units,) and number bonds to 20
eg. 11 +9 =20 9 + 11 = 20 8 + 7 = 15 7 + 8 = 15
This will include knowing these facts by heart as well as being able to swap the sum over and apply these facts to practical problem solving.
We will also begin to learn our 2X, 5X and 10X tables and relate this to sharing/dividing too.
Lots of practical and fun measuring activities have been planned too so watch this space!
Whilst it is important for the children to regularly practise their reading and spelling, it is equally important to boost confidence in maths. Short, daily practice with addition/subtraction facts and times tables is therefore also recommended.
RE
At Manadon Vale, RE is taught to give every child the opportunity to explore the big questions about life, to find out what people believe and what difference this makes to their lives. Pupils gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief and to reflect on their own ideas and ways of living.
In Key Stage 1 and 2, we follow the Plymouth Agreed Syllabus for RE. The principal religions and non-religious worldviews represented in the UK are covered taught through 'Key Questions'. These key questions are explored through the study of sacred texts, through creative arts, with visiting speakers and visits to places of worship and with lively discussion and debate.
In Year 2 the key questions are:
What do Christians believe God is like?
Who is a Muslim and how do they live?
Why does Christmas matter to Christians (Incarnation.)
What is the ‘good news’ Christians believe Jesus brings?
Why does Easter matter to Christians?
Useful websites to support your learning
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
(To practise those times tables!)
http://www.spellingframe.co.uk
http://www.spellingplay.co.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/literacy/spelling/play/
https://www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/
https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/mayflower-museum-p928703
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/maths/