Year 2

Year 2 @ Mount Street Primary

Welcome to the Autumn Term in Year 2!

English 

This term we will continue to develop our phonics and early reading skills. Reading is a priority our school and so we will practise reading every day so that we become fluent, confident readers.  At the start of term, all children will continue to advance their phonic skills further through our Read Write Inc program.  We will begin to answer questions by learning about the 6 reading comprehension skills. We remember them by saying VIPERS: Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explaining, Retrieval, Sequencing.  In writing, we will consolidate and build new grammar skills. We will learn how to write stories that will engage the reader with exciting detail and fantastic word choices as well as developing our ability to write non-fiction texts and poetry.

Maths

In maths, we will continue to develop our mental arithmetic skills.  We will secure our understanding of place value and use a variety of apparatus and jottings to represent tens and ones within numbers. We will also broaden our understanding of addition and subtraction and a variety of apparatus will be available to support the children with their learning. We will also continue to use Numbots and will begin to use Times Table Rockstars later in the term. 

Science

In Science, we will learn about animals (including humans) and living things and their habitats.  We will learn about humans as babies, considering different stages and how babies change overtime. We will develop our understanding of what makes a balanced diet and the importance of keeping clean and healthy.  We will learn that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other.

Art

This term starts with an exploration into pattern and colour. We will be using technology to explore repeating patterns and make links to maths. In the second half term, We will be learning all about POP Art from the USA. Looking at some famous pieces of art from Warhol to some of his fellow artists of the time. 

Computing

In Computing, we will learn that computers are made of different parts and recognise that buttons cause effects.  We will learn how to take photographs and continue to develop our word processing skills.  We will also develop our coding skills by decomposing games to predict the algorithms used.  We will learn how to use loops and will then write simple programmes which we will test and debug.

Geography

This term's geography will begin with learning about the UK, where we are and the 4 countries that make up the UK. and the seas around the UK.  We will explore Plymouth's coast and moor to understand what physical and human features are and to understand our climate. We will build on our history learning to investigate how Plymouth's land used has changed over time. 

History 

We will learn about the history of Plymouth. Throughout this learning we will investigate how the city and its population has grown over time.  We will compare Elizabethan, Victorian and modern buildings in the city. We will learn facts about important historical events, including the Spanish Armada, the Victorian development of the dockyard and building of Royal Albert Bridge as well as the impact of World War 2 on the city. We will finish by looking and modern developments and reflecting on what life is like in Plymouth today.

Music

In our Music lessons, we will be exploring how music relates to friendships and how this idea is rooted in our culture and history.  We will be learning about all the Foundational Elements of Music with a focus on simple patterns.  Later in the term we will learn about tempo and dynamics where we will work on the application of dynamics and tempo within listening, creating and performing.

PE

In PE, we will continue to develop our fundamental skills, where we will link simple movements to travel in a variety of ways including running and jumping and at different levels.  We will learn and practise a variety of skills, including rolls, jumps and balances, developing our control, agility and coordination.  We will also develop our own gymnastic sequences, both individually and with a partner.

PHSE

For the first half of term we will focus on relationships as well as mental health and appreciation and respect and after half term, we will focus on how our bodies are changing and identifying features of our bodies.

RE

In RE, we will begin by asking the question ‘Who is Muslim and how do they live?’.  We will Identify some of the key Muslim beliefs about God found in the Shahadah and the 99 names of Allah.  We will explore examples of how stories about the Prophet show what Muslims believe about Muhammad and how Muslims use stories about the Prophet to guide their beliefs and actions.  Later in the term, we will ask ‘Why does Christmas matter to Christians?’ and explore the account of Jesus’ birth, recognising how Christians use the story to guide their beliefs and actions at Christmas time.

Useful Information 

Home learning

This will be set at the following times:

Homework will be given out on a Friday and will be due in on the following  Thursday.   Homework will bet set either using Teams or using a prepared Maths and English workbook - covering all aspects of our year 2 curriculum.  Your child can log on and complete the Home learning on screen or in the book. 

Reading – 10 minutes reading daily. We ask that an adult signs the reading diary and it is brought into school every day.  The children will bring home Read Write Inc books that match their phonics group and reading levels. They will be able to decode these independently to you. We encourage them to read the same RWI book 3 times - by the final read their confidence and expression with astound! 

Numbots - an exciting way for your child to practice their maths skills daily at home. I Can't wait to see your child's weekly score! 

Spellings - Spelling checks will be on a Friday.

Games and PE

Children will need their PE kit in school all week as children  MUST have P.E. kit to take part for health and safety reasons.  

Kit:        Trainers, white shirt, blue/black shorts, football/trainer socks.

In colder weather, a plain tracksuit may be worn outdoors for games.

Please ensure that all items of clothing are named. A small named bag containing your PE kit is all that is necessary as cloakroom space is limited.  Please keep your PE kit in school and we will ensure that it is sent home each half term for washing.