Leaders and Dreamers

The Year 2 team would like to start by saying a big welcome back to you all. We hope you enjoyed your break and had a good time celebrating Christmas and New Year. Spring term is an important one, as this term we consolidate some of the things we were working on during the Autumn term. In year 2, the theme for this half term is “Leaders and Dreamers”.

English

In English, this half term, Year 2 is reading a range of fairy tales including “Don’t Read This Book” and “Maximus and the Beanstalk”.

Don’t Read This Book follows the story of a king who is about to star in a brand new story but - wait a minute! What's this? The story has disappeared! We will see the King frantically galloping through Storyland to piece together the fragments of his story, with some very unlikely interventions (and help) and some very familiar faces doing some very unfamiliar things.

"Maximus and the Beanstalk" follows the story of Maximus, who is a good boy and always helps his parents. Everyone is very happy until one day a huge beanstalk crashes through their cottage! But that’s not Maximus’s biggest problem, oh no! Something keeps stealing his favourite things, but no one believes him. There’s only one thing for it - Maximus must take a trip down the creepy beanstalk and solve the mystery himself…

Using these texts, Year 2 will be creating their own writing, including a character description, a comparative piece, and a narrative with an alternative ending

Maths

With a focus on all pupils achieving mastery in mathematics, the first few weeks will cover multiplication in the context of skip counting, equal groups, times tables, multiplication sentences, and scaling problems. Children will be introduced to the division sign (÷). They will learn the importance of equal groups when dividing and how to distinguish between the number of equal groups and the number in one group.

We will then move on to the properties of 2D and 3D shapes. Children will learn to describe and sort shapes based on the shapes’ mathematical properties, using the correct terminology.

Humanities: History

In history, Year 2 will learn about the Wright brothers and the flight of the first powered aeroplane. Additionally, children will research and learn about the first female pilots such as Bessie Coleman, Harriet Quimby, and Wang Zheng, exploring their achievements and contributions to aviation history.

Science

In science, pupils will embark on an exciting exploration of everyday materials, learning to identify and compare their suitability for various uses. From wood to metal, plastic to glass, and even brick, rock, paper, and cardboard, we will investigate the unique properties of each material and discover which ones are best suited for specific purposes.

Moreover, we will delve into the fascinating world of shapes and solids, discovering how the form of objects made from certain materials can be altered through simple actions like squashing, bending, twisting, and stretching. Through hands-on experiments and engaging discussions, we will uncover the transformative potential of these materials and gain a deeper understanding of how they shape our world. 

DT

In DT, pupils will focus on structures and mechanisms, delving into the concepts of levers and sliders. They start by exploring these mechanisms, then move on to designing and creating a moving scene or pop-up book. Throughout the process, they will utilise levers and sliders to animate their designs, engaging in hands-on exploration and experimentation. Finally, they will assess and reflect on their completed projects to consolidate their learning and identify areas for improvement.

PSHE

During this half-term, pupils will focus on setting and achieving realistic goals, identifying and exploring their learning strengths, understanding the value of collaboration, and practising cooperative problem-solving. They will engage in group challenges, reflect on their teamwork experiences, and celebrate their achievements together. Through these activities, they will develop essential skills for personal growth and academic success while fostering a supportive learning environment.