Spring 1

English

This term in English, we have been reading the book, ‘The Journey Home.’ It is all about endangered animals trying to find a home that suits their needs. We created wanted posters to find and catch poachers, we wrote letters to Professor White asking question all about dodos and even received a response. He replied by giving us information about them. As well as that, we have written diary entries from the perspective of one of the animals in the story. We used first person, past tense and not forgetting to use the correct punctuation. Finally, we tried wrote our own versions of the story by changing the characters and their habitats.

maths

In maths, we started the term by learning how to multiply and divide using groups and sharing. We used concrete resources to help us identify how to effectively share objects into equal groups, as well as arrays to help us identify rows and columns with an equal amount in each. We have also been learning how to double and half, while looking at the relationship between numbers. We have investigated that when we double an odd number we always get an even number.

science

Recently, we have been studying habitats. We looked at various types that exist around the world in different climates that suit the needs of different animals. We researched a variety of habitats and thought about the animals living there. We discovered that an animal’s habitat is suited to them so that they can survive. We also discussed why some animals might have become extinct and what could have prevented it. Together, we went to the nature garden to search for micro habitats and the creatures that live within.   

art

In Art, we have been studying artists such as Denis Maguri and Martin Bulinya. We have been making lots of different patterns as well as experimenting with our hands and fingers. We used lino to carve pictures inspired by nature. We then used a roller with ink to make them come to life and create repeated patterns.

gEOGRAPHY

This term in Geography, we identified Kenya on the map. We found that Kenya is located in East Africa and its capital city is Nairobi. We compared Kenya to England and thought about its differences in weather, temperature and how climate change has had an impact. We considered the animals that live in Kenya and looked at several nature parks that protect them.   We had fun creating our own maps of nature reserves and thought carefully about where to put them.

re

This term in RE, we have been learning about Easter and Lent. During lent, people give up their favourite food and don’t eat it for 40 days. We also learned about Ash Wednesday is a time when Christians repent their sins, by having a priest draw an ash cross from the palms of Palm Sunday on their foreheads. On Maundy Thursday, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples before his last supper. It is a sad day but it reminds Christians of the importance of humility, selflessness, and service to others.

computing

In Computing, we have been learning how to create algorithms by giving instructions to beebots. This is also known as coding. We always know if our codes are correct, because it will follow them accurately. However, if we make a mistake, then the beebot will crash or go the wrong way. We created our own instructions to give the beebots, while learning how to debug along the way. We tested our codes multiple times and even created our own floor maps.

pshe

In PSHE, we have been discussing scenarios of when it is ok to keep a secret and when it isn’t. Though secrets can be fun and innocent at times, they can also be harmful and musn’t be kept from a trusted adult. We have also discussed when surprises are ok and when they aren’t. In addition, we studied the risks of being in water and the dangers that can surround us especially when we are unaware. We looked at what can keep us safe and how to be behave.

Autumn 2

English

In English, We have been writing about The Great Fire of London. We have been able to include lots on interesting facts in our non-fiction writing because we this has been our focus topic in history lessons this term. We have been learning to include contractions in our writing, as well as extending our sentences using conjunctions. Our final piece of writing was an informative leaflet about how the fire started, how it was put out and the changes to the city as a result of the fire.

We have also enjoyed reading Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield. This gave us great opportunities to expand our vocabulary and we have started to use expanded noun phrases in our own writing. We have been inspired by the bear's courage to give us confidence for our own Winter performance in front of an audience. 

maths

This term, we have been learning different methods to help us with our addition and subtraction. We have used our knowledge of our number bonds to 10, to help us find number bonds to 20 and 100. We have also learnt how to add and subtract 1s and 10s as well as 2 digit numbers to 2digit numbers. We have been using manipulatives to support us as well as number lines and place value columns. As well as adding and subtracting, we have also been learning about geometry. We identified 2D and 3D shapes as well as their edges, vertices and faces.  Once we did this, we found lines of symmetry within shapes and we even made some interesting patterns.

science

Recently, we have been learning about materials and their properties, understanding that certain materials have their purposes. Within our learning we have been identifying and experimenting which materials are waterproof, absorbent, transparent, translucent and opaque. We then used our learning to create PE kits from different materials, such as paper, foil, fabric, cling film and cardboard. After, we tested them on our jungle gym to see  which material is the most suitable. We had lots of fun.

history

Recently, we have been learning about materials and their properties, understanding that certain materials have their purposes. Within our learning we have been identifying and experimenting which materials are waterproof, absorbent, transparent, translucent and opaque. We then used our learning to create PE kits from different materials, such as paper, foil, fabric, cling film and cardboard. After, we tested them on our jungle gym to see  which material is the most suitable. We had lots of fun.

RE

We have been learning about special books from different religions. First, we thought about what books are special to us and why, then we looked at holy books and what they mean to people from that religion. We saw many similarities and differences between the Bible, the Torah, the Qur’an and the Bhavagavad Gita. We learned about how these holy books are treated carefully and how they teach people to live good lives. It inspired us to come up with our own rules to live good lives.

computing

This term, we tried our hand at photography. We used digital cameras to try and learn new skills such as, focusing the lens, finding the right orientation for our photographs, exploring the right lighting and even trying to use Pixlr to help us edit images. We had a lot of fun capturing pictures of different items.

pe

We have been using our topic of The Great Fire of London to inspire us through dance. We thought about how we could move our bodies to represent the strong winds that blew, the fierce flames that caused destruction, the mucky water and the houses that collapsed. We rehearsed dance moves in pairs and groups, then performed our dances in front of each other.

PSHE

In PSHE, we have been learning what we should and should not do in safe or unsafe situations, as well as identifying hazards. This lead us to think about safety rules we should always consider. We also learned how to call the emergency services and the difference between them. We were also lucky enough to learn basic first aid and even treated our poorly teddies. Lastly, we thought about our hygiene and learned the proper way to wash our hands to stop spreading germs.

dt

This term, we have been looking at how to make bread rolls. We first started by tasting different kinds of bread. We then designed our own rolls thinking about how we wanted them to look and taste. After that, we thought about the ingredients we need and how to safely and hygienically handle the dough, as well as consider the safety rules around the hot oven. When we were all ready with our final designs, we finally got to make the dough. We had to make sure we let the dough stay in a warm place for the proofing time to work its magic, then we baked the bread. The rolls were delicious!

Autumn 1

English

We started our writing based around the texts Pug by Aaron Blabley and How To Be A Dog by Jo Williamson. We created our own booklets on How To Be A Dog which provided useful advise for any dog owners! We then moved onto 'The Pirate Cruncher by Jonny Duddle. We loved getting into character as 'the Fiddler' and 'Captain Purplebeard'.

Maths

We started the term looking at place value and will move on to addition and subtraction. We use lots of concrete resources such as dienes, counters and numicon to represent numbers up to 100. 

Reading

Every child is read with in school at least once a week. Remember to read at home each day and sign your diary so you can earn stickers and certificates!

Science

Our science topic is 'Animals Including Humans'. In this unit we learn all about keeping ourselves healthy. Definitely don't try to eat any of the food on our Science wall - it is all mouldy, stale or turned to mush!

 Geography

Our geography topic is pirates. We launched this unit with a pirate day in Year 2 - we sang sea shanties, designed treasure maps and had a treasure hunt in the nature garden. Over the half-term we have looked at the continents and oceans as well as locational and directional language.

Computing

Our computing topic is computing systems and networks. We have also considered the benefits of the internet and designed a top tips poster for how to stay safe online.

Art

We started off the year with our whole school art project- portraits. We completed some abstract self-portraits in the style of Picasso. For the remainder of the term, we have practised different drawing techniques. 

PSHE

In these lessons, we looked at what keeps humans healthy and growing and changing. We also 

PE

Our indoor PE topic is gymnastics. We will look at balances, jumps, rolls and travelling then create simple routines using our movements. Our outdoor topic is multi-skills where we focus on running, jumping and agility.