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 Autumn term:

Maths:

Number and place value; addition and subtraction; properties of shape

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 circular narrative and a letter based on the book ‘A River’ by Marc Martin. We will then look closely at ‘The Night Gardener’ by The Fan Brothers to inspire our writing of a setting narrative and a diary.

In addition, we will have regular ’Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar’ sessions and we will have weekly Guided Reading and Handwriting sessions following the ‘twinkl’ scheme of ‘continuous cursive’. Everyone will also have a daily 20-minute phonics lesson. 

Science:

Uses of Everyday Materials

The children will learn about the uses of everyday materials including wood, plastic, metal, glass, brick, paper and cardboard. They will then go on to compare the suitability of different everyday materials for different purposes. They will explore how objects made of some everyday materials can change shape and how the recycling process is able to reuse some everyday materials numerous times. Furthermore, the children will learn about new discoveries which have been made over time with a specific focus on John McAdam.

Biodiversity - Minibeasts

The children will learn about the importance of biodiversity and what an ecosystem is. The unit focuses on minibeasts and habitats found in the UK. The children will learn about different types of minibeasts, their microhabitats, what they need from their habitat and how living things depend on each other in order to survive. They will also learn about the benefits of minibeasts for the planet and the important roles they play, including pollination. Part of the aim of this unit is to eliminate fear and misconceptions surrounding minibeasts in order to build a better understanding and appreciation of their importance for the planet and how they impact daily life.

History:

The Gunpowder Plot

The children will develop their knowledge and understanding of this significant event in British history: The Gunpowder Plot. They will increase their awareness of the past by finding out about Guy Fawkes and other significant individuals involved in the plot, such as Robert Catesby and Thomas Percy. The children will deepen their understanding of the events of the Gunpowder Plot through several speaking and listening activities, such as hot seating and role play, as well as sequencing events and designing posters. They will also explore how bonfire night has been celebrated in Britain since the 1930s in order to consolidate their knowledge of changes within living memory.

Geography:

What a Wonderful World

This unit will teach the class the about the location of countries, continents and oceans of the world in relation to the position of the United Kingdom and children’s own locality. The children will develop global awareness by looking in detail at the position of the seven continents and five oceans of the world, understanding that the world is spherical and creating their own journeys across the world. The children will continue to build on their map skills developed in Year 1 using atlases, world maps and globes more widely, along with using aerial photographs to recognise human and physical features including landmarks.

Computing:

Technology Around us

In this unit about Technology Around Us, the children begin by learning about a range of technology in familiar settings, such as school and the home, before being introduced to technology in the wider world. They will learn the difference between technology and information technology and will begin to understand the benefits of using information technology. The children will also consider safety implications of using information technology, linking to online safety. They will have the opportunity to learn about the history of information technology and be introduced to significant individuals involved in computing. Finally, the children will use their knowledge of technology creatively to design some technology of the future.

Preparing for Turtle Logo

This unit has two main aims: to enable children to create, test and debug algorithms, and preparing children to use the language of Turtle Logo. The children begin by giving and following instructions to move forward and make quarter turns, followed by walking different rectilinear shapes. The language is extended to use the main Turtle Logo commands. The children will create, text and debug algorithms for shapes and routes around school in preparation for using the commands in online programs such as Turtle Logo/Logo Interpreter or MSWLogo.

Art:

Landscapes and Cityscapes

Turquoise Class will learn about the bright colours and bold brushstrokes used by the Impressionists, and other artists, when painting landscapes and cityscapes. They will be introduced to the work of Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Jean Metzinger. They will think about the similarities and differences between the work of the different artists, looking at the colours, painting styles, settings, and times of day. They will make paintings, drawings, and mosaic art, inspired by the three artists.

Design and Technology:

Fabric Bunting

The children will learn about working with fabric. They will start by evaluating a range of existing bunting with a theme around counting. The children will then be set a design criterion. They will learn how to use a graphics program to create a design and template for their bunting. Working with felt, the children will cut out a bunting shape and use a simple running stitch. The children will be given the chance to explore different fabrics that they could use to enhance their designs. Using techniques such as sewing, stapling and gluing, the children will decorate their felt flag. Finally, they will evaluate their product.

Religious Education:

Christianity – What did Jesus teach?

The children will explore the concept of kindness, particularly through re-telling the story of The Good Samaritan. They will discuss how this makes Christians behave towards other people.

Christianity – Christmas: Jesus as a gift from God

The children will learn to reflect on the Christmas story and the reasons for Jesus’ birth.

Music:

Through the use of Music Express, the children will cover the topics: Ourselves, Toys, Our Land, Our bodies.

They will explore vocal sounds, play to a steady beat, explore timbre and texture, and play rhythm patterns on body percussion and instruments.

P.S.H.E.:

Relationships – Be Yourself

The children will learn that having confidence to ‘be yourself’ can have a positive impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing. They will learn to recognise their positive qualities and appreciate their individuality. The children will be encouraged to recognise different emotions and explore different strategies to help them manage any uncomfortable feelings they experience. They will learn about how big life changes impact on feelings and emotions and explore the importance of sharing their thoughts and feelings.

Living in the Wider World – One World

The children will be inspired by the idea that we can benefit from learning about people living in different places to us and their ways of life. They will explore their own family life, home and school and compare these to children’s family life, homes and school from around the world which are different from their own. The children will also learn about the relationship between people and their environment and how this affects their way of life. They will learn about how people use the earth’s resources and the importance of protecting the earth for ourselves and future generations and how we can work together to do this.

Physical Education:

The children will have two P.E. sessions. Indoor PE will be taught on a Thursday. In Autumn term children will be working to improve their dance and gymnastics skills. Outdoor PE will be taught on a Friday. Lessons will include developing throwing and catching skills, and taking part in invasion games.

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. Later on in Year 2, 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 even more crucial this term, due to the protracted absence from school. Children will be provided with quality texts appropriate for their age and ability.