Year 2

Year 2 @ Mount Street Primary

Welcome to the Spring 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. We begin the term looking at stories in a familiar setting and then we progress to descriptive, fire poetry and explanation texts! We are learning all about the Great Fire of London, so we will be diary writing and reading recounts of the Great Fire. 

Maths

In maths, we will continue to develop our mental arithmetic skills.  This term we will learn about multiplication and division and then we will explore statistics and geometry and the properties of shape. This term we will also learn about fractions and measure (length). We will continue to 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 materials and their properties.  We will develop our understanding of what properties different materials possess and why those properties make materials good for different purposes. We will also consider how materials change .  We will learn about the history of the development of a range of materials over time, including some key discoveries. Our science skills will include conduction experiments for a range of purposes, carrying out a fair test and how to measure and present our findings. 

Art

This term starts with an exploration into colour mixing and using a range of painting skills and techniques to create texture and effect. The work of Rita Greer will be studied and we will be making our own fire pictures. We will explore line and shape to create an interesting and varied foreground and use collage skills to layer up our final painting. 

Computing

In Computing, we will learn that computers are used to communicate and that they keyboard can be used to create documents.  We will learn about word processing and how to stay safe online as well developing touch typing skills.  We will learn and use important keyboard shortcuts, as well as simple editing tools within a word processor including: bold, italics, underline and font colour as well as how to import images.  Later in the term  we will explore what ‘blocks’ do, using the app ‘ScratchJr,’ by carrying out an informative cycle of predict > test > review, programme a familiar story and an animation of an animal, make their own musical instrument by creating buttons and recording sounds and follow an algorithm to record a joke.

Geography

This term's geography will begin with revising and revisiting the countries of the  UK, where we are and the 4 countries that make up the UK. and the seas around the UK.  We will then explore the continents, oceans and seas of the world. 

History 

We will learn about the history of the Great Fire of London. We will learn about life at the time of the Great Fire and how it compares to today. We will consider the reasons the fire began, how it spread far and wide and how it was extinguished. We will learn about how this changed London and how homes are built today, not to mention fire safety. Later in the term we will have a visit from the Local fire service too! We will also learn about how we find out about history, how we know about the fire and what sources are reliable and most informative.   

Music

In our Music lessons, we will be exploring how we can layer sounds to create a soundscape. 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. We will begin to play Instruments and use body percussion with or without Notation . We will also begin to improvise, using our voices and instruments. 

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 ball skills, including rolling, throwing and catching, developing our control, agility and coordination.  We will also develop our dance sequences, both individually and with a partner, responding to beat, rhythm and a theme to express ourselves and a story.

PHSE

For the first half of term we will focus on dreams and goals , and working with others. After half term, we will focus on how to be healthy, including relaxation, making healthy choices, medicines, eating and lifestyle. A happy, healthy me! 

RE

In RE, we will begin by asking the question ‘Who is Muslim and how do they live?’.  We will build upon some of the key Muslim beliefs about God found in the Shahadah and the 99 names of Allah from last term. We will learn about a range of Muslim stories and the teachings of Muhammad PBUH.  We will explore examples of how stories about the Prophet show what Muslims believe about Muhammad PBUH and how Muslims use stories about the Prophet to guide their beliefs and actions.  Later in the term, we will ask ‘Why does Easter matter to Christians?’ and explore the account of Jesus’ life and death, recognising how Christians use the story to guide their beliefs and actions.

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.