Welcome back Year 2!

I hope that you had a lovely Summer and that you are all looking forward to an exciting year of learning!

Our Topic for this term is 'Fire, Fire!'.

Please download and view the topic web at the bottom of the page for more information.

Showbie

Showbie is a program which allows children to upload, save and share their work in class and at home whilst also receiving interactive feedback from their teacher.  Everyone will be given a Showbie username and password and it is available on iPads, tablets and computers.  We will be using this regularly within lessons and for homework each week.

Showbie has proven to be a valuable communication tool during the enforced school closure in order for children, parents/carers and teachers to keep in touch.  The Showbie App includes a range of features which have been utilisied by all:

• Messaging communication
• Sharing / Uploading work
• Instant feedback
• Voice Notes
• Video Uploads
• Class Discussions (Key Stage 2)

From September, Walford will continue to use Showbie as a clear channel of communication between home and school.

I will continue to set and mark homework via the Showbie App on a weekly basis.  Extra (optional) learning activities will be provided where appropriate in order to consolidate learning in school.  Showbie will be used as the new home-school link for reading.  Every child will have a reading folder in their assignments where all reading and comments can be recorded on a nightly basis.

There will also be a general communication folder where any important messages can be shared with class teachers.  Class teachers will endeavour to respond to these messages as soon as possible.  It is important to remember that children will also be able to see this, so anything of a sensitive nature should be dealt with via telephone or email.

As a result of these changes, your child will no longer bring home a Communication Green Book (KS1).  

Showbie will be used for you to record any learning that you complete at home, including:

• reading
• spelling practise
• Education City
• Oxford Owl eBooks / MyOn

I will check Showbie every day to see what you have been doing.  Our aim is to be paperless, therefore most written communication will be via Showbie or the school email system.  

Reading books:
Reading books will be changed weekly. Please could you aim to read with your child every day, even for just 5 to 10 minutes! Every little bit of reading practise will help your child develop their reading skills- not just word recognition or sound blending techniques, but their comprehension of the text they are reading. The children will be given a level for their comprehension skills so, as well as hearing them read every day, asking questions to check their understanding of the text is really helpful too! The children will be heard read weekly in their guided reading groups with Miss Weyman or their RWI group leader, as well as individually. Some information about early-reading is available at the bottom of the page.

Empowering English - RWI / Grammar Hammer / Big Write:
In Year 2, RWI phonics sessions will run alongside English lessons where children will be taught about different text types and genres as well as spelling and grammar rules.

Children will also be introduced to the Write Stuff approaches developed by Jane Considine.  In English, this term, we will explore a range of quality texts - both fiction and non-fiction. 

Marvellous Maths:
In Maths this term we will be focusing on place value to 100. We will be identifying the value of each digit and apply our knowledge of this when comparing, adding and subtracting numbers. The children will be using representations such as the part, part whole model and bar model when recording. We will also be working on our rapid recall of number facts and consolidating our number formation as well as problem solving to continue to build our Maths Mastery knowledge.

Sensational Science:
In the Autumn term, we will cover the topic ‘animals including humans’ and we will begin our work on animal life cycles and basic needs for survival.

Pacey PE:
This term we will be working on multi-skills, basic movements and team games. 
 

Hair-Raising History:

This term, we will be exploring event beyond living memory. Children will be learning about The Great Fire of London, examining artefacts and building a timeline of events. We will also be considering how this historical event helped to shape London into the city that we know today.

Globe-Trotting Geography:

In Geography, we will be working on our locational knowledge. We will be thinking about the countries that make up the United Kingdom, identifying them on a map and recalling their capital cities.

We will also be looking globally, learning about the seven continents and five oceans.

Helpful Homework:
Homework will be set each week. This will be set via Showbie on Thursday every week and should be completed by following Monday morning.  Paper copies will be provided where necessary and a pack containing useful resources such as a sound chart, number line and word mats with be given to your child at the start of the year for use at home.

For photographs of class and school activities, please click on 'CHILDREN' and then 'GALLERY'. There are also lots of videos on Walford TV.  Also, remember to keep checking Twitter: @WalfordSchool for regular updates too.

Please feel free to come and see me about anything you may need help with. I am happy to meet with you and discuss any comments, questions or concerns you may have about our topic, the work covered in class or your child's progress. Please let the office know if you are not receiving updates from the website and would like them. Email updates and newsletters will remind you of useful information and future events such as class assemblies, trips and parents’ evenings etc. if you provide your email address.

Best wishes,
Miss Hale