Year 2

Welcome to Year 2’s homepage. Year 2 is going to be a jam-packed year of exciting learning, trips and performances. In Year 2 we build upon our love of learning and grow to become more independent – ready for the Juniors! We follow our varied interests and develop our many talents. This year our topics will include: ‘History of Camden Canals,’ a theatrical exploration of a Shakespearean play and ‘Little People, Big Dreams,’ where we will learn about significant people who have changed the course of history, such as Emily Davison and Rosa Parks. We will also explore the theme of ‘Windrush Journeys’ during Black History Month and the Global Goals through inspiring texts. On our class blog, you will find photos of all our trips, fun workshops and learning as well as exciting events.

Year 2 Team!

Class Teacher: Miss Woolway

Teaching Assistant: Mrs Kabir

Timetable

Summer 2

This term our topic is inspired by the Global Goal for sustainable development: Clean Water and Sanitation. We will explore this through the beautiful picture book, Lila and the Secret of Rain by David Conway. We will begin the topic by familiarising ourselves with the story. This will help us understand and explore questions such as; What is drought and Why do we need water? In writing we will retell and write persuasive letters to characters within it. This will then inspire us to move onto writing rain-inspired shape and spine poems and rhythmic rain songs complete with movements! We will then write letters to Ms Dolan and informative reports about drought so that we can share we have learnt with the school and our wider community.

In science we will make rain gauges, record weather patterns, make water filters and mini-water cycle models as well as observe the properties of water and explore what hygiene means in lots of  practical tasks. In geography we will measure rainfall and create our own weather reports using iMovie. We will also explore the geography of Lila’s home, Kenya, and compare it with our own environment.

In maths we will revise lots of what we have already learnt this year, applying our understanding of concepts and methods to complete weekly projects such as designing dream houses. We will also work on our problem solving skills and practise difficult concepts such as telling the time.

In art we will use single-use plastics to make sculptures inspired by sea animals and create amazing sand sculptures inspired by Lila’s dry weather. In character and wellbeing we will explore the theme of caring through circle time and discussions. This term we will also learn about medicinal drugs, relationships and our bodies through our ‘All About Me’ topic.

Here’s to the last term as amazing team Year 2!

Summer 1

This term we will be learning about Civil Rights Movements through finding out about Rosa Parks and key suffragettes such as Emily Davison and Emmeline Pankhurst. We will write recounts of key moments in Rosa Park’s life, newspaper reports from the perspective of campaigners witnessing the famous ‘I have a Dream’ speech of Martin Luther King and descriptions of early 20th century London. We will also hold our our elections when exploring the topic of democracy; eventually making campaign videos for our own parties. We will also look forward to holding a Victorian day: watch this space!

In maths, we will continue to explore measure and shape and revisit some of the topics we have already covered. In science, we will be learning about animals and their habitats and will be going on a trip as part of this.

In RE we will be learning about the parables of Jesus and then moving onto a topic about Judaism and in Character and Wellbeing we will be exploring the theme of ‘Caring.’

We look forward to another wonderful term in Year 2!

Spring

This half term we will begin with a three week science topic investigating the themes of ‘Everyday Materials’ and then ‘Plants.’ We explore the properties of materials through investigations where we will plan, predict, record results and write conclusions. For example we will investigate how to waterproof materials and how long it takes for materials to absorb water. We will use stop frame animation to represent the life-cycle of plants and watch and record our own plants grow in the classroom. In writing we will write instructions for experiments, Haikus about the properties of materials and explanations of how to grow vegetables for green-fingered friends . In art we will investigate the properties of materials through collaborative printing and by exploring materials to make our own paint.

After three weeks of our science topic, we will begin our much-awaited topic of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ We will design escape maps through Athens, wanted posters for the missing lovers and symmetrical fairy wings using e-design programmes such as PurpleMash. We will compare real historical accounts of fairies throughout history, and look at life in Ancient Athens using artefacts. In computing we will design menus for the festival of Theseus and Hippolyta and in cooking we will make bread for the joyous occasion! In writing we will describe the forest, creating adverts for holidays with the meddling sprites there. We will write tabloid newspaper reports about the wedding of the year and include wanted posters for the defiant Hermia.

In Maths, we will begin units on money, multiplication and division and fractions.

In RE, we will be learning about promises before God in Christianity through exploring the themes of Baptism and the Christian wedding service.

In Character and Wellbeing we will be exploring the theme of Courage.

Important dates for Year 2 in Spring

Tuesday 15th January – CLC trip

Friday 18th January –  Year 2 Class Assembly

Wednesday 30th January – KS1 Parent Maths Workshop

Autumn

This half term, Year 2’s topic is ‘History of Camden Canals’. We will visit the Canal and find relics of the past on a scavenger hunt as well as explore London Canal Museum and even ride on a real narrow boat. We will use drama and related picture books to explore the history of our local canals and inspire our writing.

In Maths, we will revisit our number facts and place value knowledge; exploring numbers up to 100, comparing them and using our understanding of tens and ones to solve problems. We will then develop our mental and written methods for addition and subtraction including mental addition with 20 and 100 and addition and subtraction of 2-digit numbers.

In Science, our focus will be ‘Living Things and Their Habitats’ and we will be finding out about plants and animals in various habitats as well as their food chains.

In Art, we will be exploring the works of artist Georgia O’Keeffe using watercolours and drawing inks. During Black History Weeks, we will be looking at the Windrush generation and discussing what this generation left behind compared to what they saw when they arrived in the UK.

In RE, we will be learning about the Sikhism and Christianity and the children will be able to explain their beliefs as well as learn about the ideas of others.

Important dates for Year 2 in Autumn

Tuesday 18th September: Canal Walk

Wednesday 19th September: London Canal Museum

Friday 28th September: Y2 Class Assembly

w/c 8th October: Parent drop-in sessions

Wednesday 3rd October: Woodberry Wetlands