Puffins 2024 - 2025

Welcome to Puffins Class

We are a Year 2 class who are taught by Miss Griffiths.

This is what we will be learning about in the Summer term:

Maths:

Statistics

Key knowledge: Make tally charts; Tables; Block diagrams; Draw pictograms; Interpret pictograms

 Number – fractions

Key knowledge: Introducing parts and wholes; Equal and unequal parts; Recognise a half; Find a half; Recognise a quarter; Find a quarter; Thirds; Find the whole; Unit and non‐unit fractions; Recognise the equivalence of a half and 2 quarters; Recognise three quarters; Count in fractions up to a whole

 Geometry – position and direction

Key knowledge: Language of position; Describe movement; Describe turns; Describe movement and turns; Shape patterns with turns

 Measurement – Time

Key knowledge: O'clock and half past; Quarter past and quarter to; Tell the time to 5 minutes; Minutes in an hour; Hours in a day

 Number – addition and subtraction

Key knowledge: Using number facts; Using a 100 square; Missing numbers; Mental addition and subtraction; Efficient subtraction; Solving problems – addition and subtraction; Solving problems – multiplication and division; Solving problems – using the four operations

English:

We will develop our reading and writing skills across a range of genres and text types using high quality texts.

The children will write a ‘mistake’ narrative and an information text based on the book ‘The King Who Banned The Dark’ by Emily Haworth-Booth. We will then look closely at ‘Rosie Revere’ by Andrea Beaty to inspire our writing of an ‘invention’ narrative and an explanation for how a machine works.

In addition, we will have regular ’Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar’ sessions and we will have weekly Guided Reading and Handwriting sessions. Everyone will also have a daily 20-minute phonics lesson.

Science:

Living Things and their Habitats

The children will learn about a variety of habitats and the plants and animals that live there. They will learn to tell the difference between things that are living, dead and things that have never been alive, and apply this in a range of contexts. The children will make observations of a local habitat and the creatures that live there, investigating conditions in local microhabitats and how they affect the minibeasts found within them. They will research a range of global habitats and how the living things that live there are suited to their environments.

Animals including Humans

The children will begin by looking at animal young and comparing them to their adults. They will look at how animals change as they grow up and be introduced to the life cycles of several varied common animals, including humans. The children will look in detail at how humans change as they grow older, drawing on their own observations. They are introduced to the three basic needs of animals for survival (water, food and air). They will apply this knowledge, alongside research from secondary sources, to suggest ways to look after pets. The children will look at healthy lifestyles, including the importance of exercise, healthy eating and hygiene.

History:

The Great Fire of London

The children will learn about the key events of the Great Fire of London and develop an understanding of the ways in which we can find out about the past. The children will have the opportunity to increase their awareness of the past by learning about what London was like in the 17^th century. They will compare life in the 17^th century to the present day and consider how some problems, such as the lack of an organised fire brigade and the type of buildings, caused the fire to spread. The children will then focus on how and why some things changed as a result of the fire, in order to be safer. They will begin to learn how historical sources can tell us about what happened in the past and how some sources are more useful than others.

Geography:

Let’s go to China

The children will learn about the geography of China through focusing on the main human and physical features of the country, extending children’s knowledge of the world. The children will learn about the geographical similarities and differences between China and the United Kingdom. The children continue to build on their map skills using atlases, world maps and globes more widely, along with using webcams, online mapping programmes and interpreting a range of information.

Computing:

Presentation Skills

The children will learn about important computer skills needed for safe and effective computer use. They will be introduced to some further skills concerning the use of folders, searching for files and printing.  The children will be introduced to presentations and taught the skills needed to create a simple presentation.

Using and Applying

The children will be able to ractice skills taught throughout the year. They are given the opportunity to use their skills in a new context and apply them within software they are familiar with in order to complete a final project. 

Art:

Fashion Designer

The children will be learning what a fashion designer is and about some different fashion designers: Laura Ashley, Stella McCartney and Matthew Williamson. The children will design their own pattern swatch and create their own bold patterns. They will create a fascinator headband which is inspired by nature.

Design and Technology:

Pirate Paddy’s Packed Lunch Problems

The Pirate Paddy's Packed Lunch Problems unit gives children the opportunity to develop their understanding of structures. The exploration of different types of lunch boxes gives children the experience and information to draw on when developing their own ideas. The children will create their ideas following the design criteria, given at the beginning of the project, and go on to create models from reclaimed materials. They will gain a basic understanding about how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable. Finally, the children will test their product and suggest further improvements.

Religious Education:

Judaism – The Covenant

The children will learn to understand the special relationship between Jews and God and the promises they make to each other. They will explain why agreements are important and why they should be kept. They will be able to retell a story about Abraham or Moses and say why one of these men is important to Jews today. They will begin to learn the significance of one thing Jews do and say how it shows their special relationship with God.

Judaism – Rites of Passage and good works

The children will learn how Jews show their commitment to God and why this might be important. They will explain why they could do certain things at certain ages. They will consider what they are committed to in their own life.

Music:

Through the use of Music Express, the children will cover the topics: Weather, Pattern, Water and Travel.

They will have opportunities to create descriptive sounds and word rhythms, including a class composition using voices and instruments. The children will use simple notations to play, create and combine mini-beast rhythms using body percussion and instruments. They will sing and play a variety of pitch shapes, using movement. The children will also learn a Tanzanian game song and accompany a travelling song using voices and instruments.  

P.S.H.E.:

Living in the Wider World – Aiming High

The children will learn about having high aspirations. They will start by discussing positive views of themselves and will then identify how having a positive learning attitude can help them tackle and achieve new learning challenges and improve learning outcomes. Opportunities will also be provided for children to share aspirations for the future, with regard to employment and personal goals. Through this learning, different jobs and roles will be considered. In doing this, some of the difficulties faced by stereotyping will be explored. The children will also have the opportunity to discuss what they are looking forward to about their learning next year.

 Health and Wellbeing – Growing Up

This topic is an introduction to how we grow and change, both physically and emotionally. The children will learn about their own and others’ bodies, gender stereotypes and different types of families. They will also learn about respecting their own and others’ bodies, keeping their bodies safe and sharing their feelings in response to life experiences.

Physical Education:

The children will have two P.E. sessions. Outdoor PE will be taught on a Wednesday. In the Summer term, the children will be practising the skills and races for Sports Day, as well as working to improve their skills in target games. Indoor PE will be taught on a Thursday. Lessons will include gymnastics and dance.

On these days, the children will need to come to school dressed in their P.E. uniform: navy shorts and light blue t-shirt; navy tracksuit and light blue t-shirt. No logos or football kits. Trainers should be plain black or plain white. All long hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed.

Homework:

Maths: Maths homework will be set via Class DoJo on a Thursday to be completed by the following Wednesday. We ask for all children to continue to access Numbots online. The children will also access TTRockstars to practice and improve instant recall of key multiplication facts.

English: English homework includes reading and spellings. The children’s books will be changed every Thursday and we ask that the children engage frequently with Spelling Shed to practise their spellings.

Reading: At Weston, we encourage children to develop a lifelong love for reading. We ask for children to read regularly at home to adults and to themselves. Reading is fundamental to the wider academic and personal development of children and the need for children to read widely from a broad and challenging range of texts is crucial. Children will be able to select from or will be provided with quality texts appropriate for their age and ability.