Welcome to Year 2

Miss Duffy, Mrs Maddocks, Mrs Murray, Miss Agacy, Mrs Gould, Miss Calvert and Mrs Lekal would like to welcome you

all to our Year 2 web page.

Year 2 Autumn Term - September 2020

The children have settled back into school life and have enjoyed seeing all of their friends again.

Literacy

 This term the focus is on three areas:

• Recovery Curriculum – focus on PSHE – feelings and emotions
• Stories with Familiar Settings 
• Poetry 

Reading books will be changed and returned every Monday. We therefore require your child’s book bag to be brought into school every Friday, in order to quarantine books for 72 hours. Due to current regulations, we ask that you do not bring your child’s book bag into school on any other day. During this time, you can access books suitable for your child online via BugClub. A copy of the log in details are located on a sticker in your child’s reading diary. We will continue to send spellings home every Monday via our online learning platform ClassDojo. Please practise these at home; the children will participate in a spelling quiz every Friday.

Mathematics

This term the focus will be:

• Place Value
• Number work including addition, subtraction, division & multiplication
• Problem solving and reasoning

Each week on our ‘Learning Together’ sheet we will provide details of the maths work undertaken in class. and set weekly homework using ‘My Maths’ our online Maths resource.

If you require any support with Bug Club or My Maths please speak to your child’s class teacher.

Science

In science our Focus will be ‘Plants’, how they grow and their basic needs.

We will look at a variety of plants, seeds and bulbs and identify different types.  We will use scientific vocabulary to describe our investigations.

Geography & History

In Geography (first half term) we will be describing and comparing different places in the U.K.

We will look at capital cities, familiar landmarks and the seas that surround the U.K. In History (second half term) we are finding out about a famous historical event the  ‘Great Fire of London’. We will also learn about Samuel Pepys and his part in history.

Computing

Computing is taught throughout each subject as children use a variety of resources (iPad, 

computers, cameras, and internet) to find and produce information. This term we focus on 

writing computer code.

Online Safety runs through all of our lessons, focusing on what we do if we see something we don't like when using a range of technologies and who we can talk to about it. Each half term there is a focused Online Safety lesson.

Art & Design Technology

This term we use the chalk and pastels to create pictures. We also Design and make Christmas cards and stockings.

Music

This term we will be using percussion instrument to accompany music and learning about beat and tempo. A variety of songs are taught in preparation for Christmas concerts.

PE

Children will enjoy a range of outdoor and indoor sports activities, with a professional sports coach, alongside movement and dance.

PHSE 
Throughout the curriculum there is a strong focus on PHSE (Personal Health, Social and Emotional) learning. This term our topics are ‘Being Me In My World’ and ‘Celebrating Differences’.

RE

We cover all the main world religions, this term we are looking Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. 

Throughout the year we will keep you up to date with all of our learning and share any news and wonderful achievements with you.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the curriculum please speak to your child’s class teacher. 

Things to bring to school

• Gilmour School book bag
• A water-proof raincoat
• Water bottle (no screw tops please)
• Gilmour School P.E. Kit in a school P.E. bag, including black pumps and outdoor trainers 
• Wellington Boots

*ALL CLOTHING AND BELONGINGS MUST BE CLEARLY LABELLED 

Things to practise at home

• Formation of letters/numbers and handwriting
• Weekly comprehension homework
• MyMaths homework and Times Table Rockstars
• Understanding of reading (school reader/library book/reading for pleasure)
• Question children about specific vocabulary pointed out on the 'Learning Together' sheet
• Tying shoelaces independently

Our Classroom doors are always open if you need any help, guidance or support.

Miss Duffy, Mrs Maddocks, Miss Agacy, Miss Calvert and the Year 2 Team

Home Learning 

Firstly, we would like to say that we hope that you are all safe and well and we send our best wishes to all of our lovely families! We will be updating our page with ideas of activities to do whilst spending time at home.

We would love to see what you have been up to - tweet pictures to @gilmourinfants 

Last Friday we spent time in class painting rainbows for our windows. Tweet the pictures of your rainbows with the hashtag #rainbowsinwindows - don't forget to count how many you can see if you go for a walk! 

Reading

In Year 2 we love to read! We encourage children to choose their own texts to read for pleasure. We encourage children to think and answer questions about the texts that they read such as: Is your book fiction/non-fiction and how can you tell? How do you think the character is feeling in your book? What do you think might happen next? Does the story remind you of any other books that you have read? Would you recommend the book to a friend and why? How could we change the book to make it more interesting? Why do you think the author has chosen certain words? Can you re-tell the story in your own words? Perhaps you could write your own questions about the book for a friend, create a story map, make a character profile, make a wanted poster for the bad characters in your story.

BugClub

In addition to reading texts at home, why not visit BugClub? Your child's individual log in can be found on a sticker in their Reading Journal. Teachers will keep the children's books updated as regularly as possible. 

There are also online alternatives to BugClub such as: www.getepic.com, www.oxfordowl.co.uk and www.teachyourmonstertoread.com

Alternatively, why not enjoy listening to a variety of different books on www.storylineonline.net?

Writing

Our year 2 children are fantastic writers! When it comes to writing, the possibilities are endless! Over the past few weeks, we have been reading books by Carol Ann Duffy. Why not make a storyboard of your favourite book, create puppets of the characters, write alternative endings to the stories, write a character description of the Tear Thief using similes, design your own Underwater Farmyard or create your own Lost Happy Endings?

If you love to construct, why not write a set of instructions on how to build a super model, create a character using LEGO and write about their adventures or write an explanation about a model that you have made?

Signs of Spring! Why not look in your garden and search for signs of spring? You could make a non-fiction book about springtime.

Log on to www.Pobble365.com where you can find a new interesting image daily to inspire writers. 

Miss your family and friends? Why not write them a special letter to tell them about your day? 

Be just like Samuel Pepys - write a special diary to keep a log of all of the things your have done each day!

Watch an animation on www.literacyshed.com and write a story based on what you have watched.

Love to bake? Why not write a recipe for your family to follow? 

Maths

Maths is all around us! From number, to time to shape and measure, there are many activities which you can practise around the home. Our calculation policy can be found on the website to help with any written calculations at home. 

Feeling creative? Why not build a tower and count the bricks/blocks? Would 10 more/less be? What would 100 more/less be? How many would we have if we halved or doubled the amount?

Why not practise telling the time by making yourself a timetable for the day? Can you match the times on the clock to your timetable? 

Get outdoors. Why not set up an obstacle course in the garden - how long does it take you to complete the course? Can you beat your own time? 

What shapes can you  find around your home. can you sort them into 2D/3D shapes? Can you talk about their properties?

You may also find a selection of helpful activities and daily challenges aimed at Year 2 children on the WhiteRoseHub -This is the scheme which is followed in school so children will be familiar with the format https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/

Other things to do together

*Origami challenge - can you follow a set of origami instructions - who is most successful?

*Play a board game 

*Cook or bake together

*Plant seeds in the garden

*Paint a family picture

*Collect junk modelling (boxes, milk cartons, youghurt pots, tin foil) and see what you can create

*Make Easter Cards or Easter baskets

*Write clues and complete a family treasure hunt

*Make rainbows for your windows

*Learn a new skill such as sewing, knitting, weaving, calligraphy

Please find below the link to My Maths. Once logged into My Maths you will have access to homework that has been set by your class teacher, practice lesson activities and a range of games for your child to play. A reminder that if all homework has been completed, all previous lesson activities can be revisited and it will generate a new set of questions to consolidate learning each time. Maths games can be played and support your child to apply their maths skills.

Useful websites

Real PE: Over 250 activities and 1000s of challenges to keep the whole family active https://home.jasmineactive.com/login

Bug Club: A range of reading books can be accessed and enjoyed together at https://www.activelearnprimary.co.uk

White Rose Maths: Maths teaching videos and associated worksheets can be found at https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/year-2/

My Maths: A range of Maths games, homework and related lesson activities can be found at https://login.mymaths.co.uk

Topmarks: You can find many interactive learning activities for a range of subjects at https://www.topmarks.co.uk/

Phonics Play: A fantastic resource to keep practising your phonics can be found at https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/

Oxford Owl: Free ebooks and activities https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/

Oliver Jeffers World: Activities related to the books about Oliver Jeffers http://www.oliverjeffersworld.com/#home

Joe Wicks Daily PE: On Joe Wicks' YouTube channel he will be live streaming PE lessons aimed at children Monday-Friday starting at 9am https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ

Booktrust: A range of free reading books, games and quizzes https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/#!?q=&sortOption=AtoZ&pageNo=1

The Reading Realm: Free reading and comprehensive activities https://thereadingrealm.co.uk/

Mr T Does History: A history site with activities based around historical enquiry https://www.mrtdoeshistory.com/home-learning-packs

Art and Culture: Lots of virtual museums to look around https://artsandculture.google.com/partner

Drawing with Jarrett Lerner: Lots of comic book and drawing activities from Jarrett Lerner https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/

Drawing with Rob Biddulph: Drawing activities from Rob Biddulph http://www.robbiddulph.com/downloads

Draw along-a-Lenton: YouTube videos giving step-by-step instructions on how to draw characters from Steven Lenton books https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpwB792UfmrY9JeQ2nk5Iw/featured

Scratch Jr: A free downloadable app to learn and explore making games through coding https://www.scratchjr.org/

World Geography games: Games about continents and countries of the world https://world-geography-games.com/index.html

DK Find out and Explore: A website for children to explore and find out interesting facts https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/

Year 2 Spring Term - January 2020

This is an overview of some of the exciting work Year 2 children will be enjoying in our second term. As always the ‘learning together’ sheet will be sent home every week beginning next Friday.

Literacy                                                                                                       

 This term the focus is on four areas:

• Stories in a familiar setting
• Information Texts
• Different stories by the same author 
• Explanations

The children will continue with their reading books and we will send spellings home on a Monday for your children to practice. Don’t forget to login to our ‘Bug’ Club online.

Mathematics                                                                                                  

This term the focus will be:

• Money
• Fractions
• Measure
• Time

Each week on our ‘learning together’ sheet we will provide details of the math work undertaken in class

and set weekly homework using ‘My Maths’ our on line Maths resource.

If you require any support with Bug Club or My Maths please speak to your child’s class teacher.

Science                                                                                                 

In science our Focus will be ‘Animals including Humans.’

We will look at a variety of animals from families across the animal kingdom. We will discover what different animals need to survive as well as their life cycles and habitats with a focus on kangaroos. 

We will use scientific enquiry and vocabulary to describe our investigations into features of humans.

Geography & History                                                                                            

In Geography (first half term) we will compare and contrast an area of Liverpool with an area in

a non-European country. We will use key geographical vocabulary to effectively distinguish the

features of the two locations. 

In History (second half term) we will be learning about the life of Edith Cavell. A nurse from World War I who saved the lives of many soldiers. 

Computing

Computing is taught throughout each subject as children use a variety of resources (iPad, 

computers, cameras, and internet) to find and produce information. This term our topics are: 

• We are programmers (iPads) - Using programming apps such as Scratch.
• We are presenters (laptops) - Using Microsoft PowerPoint to present information.

Online Safety runs through all of our lessons, focusing on what we do if we see something we don't like when using a range of technologies and who we can talk to about it. Each half term there is a focused Online Safety lesson.

Art & Design Technology

This term we look at sculpture and making our own models using a variety of materials.

Music

We are learning a variety of songs and playing percussion instruments.                  

We also use our tuned Glockenspiels within lessons. 

PE

Children will enjoy a range of outdoor and indoor sports activities, with a professional sports coach, alongside movement and dance.

PHSE 
Throughout the curriculum there is a strong focus on PHSE (Personal Health, Social and Emotional)cthrough our Jigsaw programme. This term our topic is ‘Dreams and Goals’.

RE

We cover all the main world religions, this term we are looking at special books from a range of different faiths. 

Throughout the year we will keep you up to date with all of our learning and share any news and wonderful achievements with you.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the curriculum please speak to your child’s class teacher.