Welcome back Year 2! Our topic will be ‘Fire, Fire!’. Below is a little bit about the things that we are going to learn.

New Routines

Please read the Year 2 Move Up Booklet (attached at the bottom of this page) to familiarise yourself with new routines and procedures. 

As a result of current guidelines regarding the Corona Virus pandemic, parents and carers must utilise the revised school procedures for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up for Year 2.  School staff will assist you by meeting and greeting the children from the family car, outside the main school building.  We politely ask that you are prompt and make every effort to avoid being late.  Please be assured that your child(ren) will be safely guided to the Year 2 classroom.  

If your child(ren) are going to be collected by someone other than a parent or carer, please inform the class teacher or the school office beforehand.  

Please note, for your convenience, siblings may be dropped off together.

Access the following link to watch a video showing you our new procedures in school:  https://www.walfordprimaryschool.co.uk/re-opening-of-schools/

Empowering English

In English, we will be focusing on the short film ‘Feast’ from the Walt Disney Animation studios.  We will be working on the craft of constructing sentences to create our own fictional narrative based on the story.

After half term, we will be looking at non-chronological reports about pirates.  Children will conduct their own research on pirates, before analysing information texts to gather further facts.  Children will then analyse the features of a non-chronological report, before creating their own, using subheadings and topic information that they have gathered.

We will also be focusing on reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Our English Targets for the term will be:

• I can use a capital letter for proper nouns
• I can use full stops at the end of my sentence
• I can use a question mark at the end of a question sentence
• I can identify and use adjectives in my independent writing 

Marvellous Maths

In Maths, we will be focusing on place value to 100.  We will be thinking about how we can partition a 2-digit number into tens and ones and how we can represent it using a range of mathematical equipment.  We will then be thinking about how we can use our knowledge of place value to help us to problem solve.

After half term, we will move on to addition.  Children will be using their understanding of place value to add 2 digit numbers and practise using written methods to show their working.

Our Maths Targets for the term will be:

• I can read, write, order and compare numbers to 100
• I can identify how many tens or ones there are in a 2-digit number
• I can partition numbers to 100 using tens and ones
• I can count forwards or backwards in steps of 10 from any number
• I can add 2 digit numbers to 100

Sensational Science 

In Science, our first topic will look at animals and humans.  We will be thinking about animals and their babies and learning about how offspring grows into adults.  We will also be learning about the basic needs of animals and exploring what they need in order to survive.  As a class, we will research the importance of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene.

Together we will plan and carry out investigations to see whether children get faster as they grow older!

Hair-Raising History

The Great Fire of London

This term, we will be learning about The Great Fire of London.  We will investigate the timeline of The Great Fire, and investigate where, how and why the fire started and spread so quickly.  We will also be looking at artefacts from the past and think about how the objects have changed over time.  We will also compare how the city of London has changed since 1666, identifying difference between the buildings, transport and daily life.  We will also learn all about Samuel Pepys, and discuss how his diaries have helped us to learn more about the past.

In English sessions, we will be thinking about creating our own diary entries, particularly focussing on our sense and how we would have felt during The Great Fire.  We will also be reading some non-fiction books to identify key facts.

In Art, we will be looking at colour mixing and creating warm and cool pallets.  We will use our knowledge of colour mixing to create our own fire of London scenes.

In DT, we will create our own traditional house from 1666, thinking carefully about how to join a range of materials and tools to create our own traditional London street.

We will also be building shoebox fire engines, looking at how we can use axels and wheels to make a moving vehicle.

Globe-Trotting Geography

In Geography, we will be working on our locational knowledge.  We will be exploring the world and focusing on naming and locating the seven continents and 5 oceans.  Together, we will use maps, atlases and globes to look at each of the continents to identify keys facts about the countries, population and famous landmarks.

Pacey PE

There will be plenty of opportunities for sport during the week, so PE kits should be brought to school on a Monday and remain here until Friday each week.

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 be continuing 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

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.  

Helpful Homework

Homework is set on a Thursday and should be submitted by Monday.  Homework will be linked to the work that we are covering in class.  Remember homework will be set and uploaded to Showbie.  Paper copies can also be provided if required.  

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

• reading
• spelling practise
• Education City
• Numbots

Talk Homework will help you to prepare for your Big Write each week.  This can be found on Showbie too.  Please spend 5-10 minutes chatting with a family member at home in order to feel more confident about your written task the following day.

IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday, 3rd September 2020:  Back to school

Thursday, 3rd September and Friday, 4th September:  'Meet the Teacher' at 3.15pm on the school field

Monday, 26th – Friday, 30th October 2020: Half Term

Monday, 2nd November 2020:  Back to school

Friday, 18th December 2020: Last day of Autumn Term

For photographs of class and school activities, please see below or click on ‘CHILDREN’ and then ‘GALLERY’ or 'WALFORD TV'.  Also, remember to keep checking Twitter: @WalfordSchool for regular updates too.

All letters and class reminders will be sent via emails.  Please ensure that the school office have your preferred email address.  Let us know if you think you are not receiving any updates.

My door is always open and I am happy to chat with parents about our topics and any work that we are covering in class. Please don’t hesitate to come and find me if you wish to discuss anything!

Many thanks!

Miss Hale