Year 2 w/b 6th September 2021
Date: 10th Sep 2021 @ 4:04pm
What a busy week of learning we have had in Year 2. This started with an unusual discovery: some tiny, muddy footprints leading across our tables and up our windows. We noticed that the footprints led to our pond area, where we found some unusual signs. One was pointing to ‘Bluebell Wood’ and another read ‘Do not enter unless you can keep a secret…’. We made some predictions about the creature who may have left these footprints, using ‘because’ to explain our thinking. On Tuesday, we received a description of the creature. We used our inference skills to draw a picture of what we thought the creature may look like, based on this description. On Wednesday, the creature was finally revealed. It was a…Bog Baby! As the pictures below show, we discovered lots of evidence that the Bog Baby had visited our forest school area. To end our forest school session, we enjoyed reading the story for the first time. On Thursday, we explored some of the new vocabulary in the story, finding out definitions and then using these words in some sentences. Today, we have been working on adding the suffix ‘-ful’ to create adjectives, such as colourful and peaceful. We have then used these words in some sentences to describe the beautiful Bog Baby setting, Bluebell Wood.
In maths this week, we have been recapping some of our Year One learning. We have particularly focused on: addition and subtraction; finding numbers on a 100 square; finding 1 more/less and 10 more/less than a number; partitioning numbers into tens and ones; greater/less than; and counting in 2s, 5s and 10s. We have used maths equipment for some practical learning which has then helped us to answer some questions to practise these concepts. All of the children have worked very hard and we are now feeling confident to start our Year 2 maths learning on Monday.
On Monday, we had our first gymnastics lesson. We talked about the different types of balances and tried some 3-point, 2-point and 1-point balances. The children were then able to work together in groups to create a sequence of balances. To improve our sequences, we thought about how we would transition between each balance. How would a gymnast stand up? How would a gymnast end a sequence? To make our sequences more complex, we added some spins. The children suggested that we may spin on our feet, stomachs, bottoms or backs. Mrs Warren and I enjoyed watching the children perform their final sequences in their groups. What super gymnasts!
In RE, we began to think about Jesus as the ‘bringer of good news’ for Christians. To help us to consider how Jesus makes us feel better on the inside and the outside, we were introduced to a story from the New Testament – Miracle: Healing of Jairus’ daughter Mark 5:21-23; 35-43. After learning this Bible story, we enjoyed acting it out to consolidate our understanding. Please see the photos below.
On Wednesday, we began our DT unit. The children were able to recognise the stages in the DT process and then put them into the correct order: research, design, make and evaluate. This helped us to recognise that, this week, we would be researching. The children were able to look at different types of fabric puppets, as well as referring to books about puppets, to collect some information. They added post-it notes to a group sheet, describing what that puppet may be used for, the materials it is made from, the joining techniques that have been used, and how details have been added. This helped us to explain what we liked and disliked about each type of puppet and therefore decide which type of puppet we should make. We decided to make hand puppets, as they will be large enough for us to sew easily and add lots of detail.
In our geography learning, we were introduced to plan view maps. We enjoyed making comparisons between an aerial photograph of Brereton and a map of Brereton. I was very impressed with the skill and teamwork that children demonstrated when creating plan view maps of the classroom. Our Year 2 geographers created very accurate maps.
Earlier today, we started our science unit looking first at the different stages of life from foetus to old age, before identifying the three things required to survive (food, water and oxygen). In future weeks we'll be looking at how to remain healthy, and how animals need similar things to humans in order to survive and stay healthy.
In our PSHE HeartSmart lesson, we talked about choices that hurt or help our own hearts and the hearts of others. Some of the choices to help hearts that children identified were: giving your friends words of encouragement; helping somebody who needs it; looking out for somebody who is on their own and inviting them to play; giving praise and compliments; listening to your friend when they need somebody to talk to. We are encouraging the children to make these heart-helping choices at playtimes and share acts of kindness that they have experienced. Our PSHE learning linked to our collective worship focus for this week. During our reflection time, we thought about something kind or some words of encouragement that we could say to our friends. As the photos below show, children partnered up, shook hands and then shared their kind words with each other. This was wonderful to see.
In our first handwriting sessions of the year, we have been focusing on our number formation. It would be wonderful if children could continue to practise this at home. There is no homework to be completed this week. I will send Showbie and MyMaths details on a separate message in preparation for next week.
You will also see some photos of our exciting cycling playtimes this week. Mrs Warren and I were very impressed with our skilful, sensible Year 2 cyclists. It was wonderful to see so many smiley faces as children enjoyed riding their bikes and scooters or playing with our games equipment.
Have a lovely weekend and, as ever, if you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to ask via email, Dojo or through a note in reading diaries.
Miss Witham
