Turquoise 2023 - 2024

Mrs Mckenzie

Welcome to Turquoise Class

 

We are a Year 2 class who are taught by Mrs Mckenzie and Mrs Loveland, supported by Mrs Lister and Mrs Mitchell.

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

Maths:

Money

Counting money (pounds and pence); Choosing notes and coins; Making the same amount; Comparing amounts of money; Calculating with money; Making a pound; Finding change.

 Multiplication and Division

Recognise, make and add equal groups; Multiplication sentences; Use arrays; Make equal groups by grouping and sharing; The 2 times-table; Divide by 2; Doubling and halving; Odd and even numbers; The 10 times-table; Divide by 10; The 5 times-table; Divide by 5.

Length and Height

Measure in centimetres and metres; Compare and order lengths and heights.

Mass, capacity and temperature

Compare mass; Measure in grams and kilograms; Compare volume and capacity; Measure in millilitres and litres.

 

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 finding narrative and instructions based on the book ‘The Bog Baby’ by Jeanne Willis. We will then look closely at ‘Grandad’s Island’ by Benji Davies to inspire our writing of a return narrative and information sentences.

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 ‘cursive’. Everyone will also have a daily 20-minute phonics lesson.

 

Science:

Scientists and Inventors

The children will learn about famous scientists and inventors linked to the Year 2 science curriculum. They will learn about the invention of the waterproof coat, and will explore other waterproof materials by carrying out simple tests. The children will find out about the work of doctors, and will learn about Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first woman doctor in Britain. They will have the opportunity to create their own greenhouse based on the invention of the biomes at the Eden Project, and use their greenhouse to compare the growth of plants. The children will learn about how germs are spread, looking at the work of Louis Pasteur and carrying out a fun experiment to prove how far germs can spread in a few minutes. They will set up a small world to show the effects of water pollution, as discovered by Rachel Carson during her research on ocean habitats. Finally, the children will learn about the development of wind turbines and how this invention is used to generate power.

Plants

The children will learn what plants need to stay healthy. They will have the opportunity to carry out their own investigations into what plants need to grow well. The children will also closely observe the inside of a seed and learn about the life cycle of a plant. They will also learn how plants look when they don’t get the things they need. Furthermore, the children will learn how plants have adapted to live in different environments around the world.

 

History:

Travel and Transport

The children will learn about the development of travel and transport throughout history. Alongside consolidating the children's understanding of chronology through using timelines and making comparisons between old and new forms of transport, the children will explore early travel methods of the Vikings, through to the invention of cars, trains and aeroplanes. They will look at the significant individuals George Stephenson and the Wright brothers.

 

Geography:

What a Wonderful World

Turquoise Class will learn about the location of countries, continents and oceans of the world in relation to the position of the United Kingdom and the children’s own locality. They 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 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:

Programming Turtle Logo and Scratch

The children will learn to create and debug algorithms. Following on from the earlier Year 2 unit on Preparing for Turtle Logo, the children use the basic commands in Logo to move and draw using the turtle on screen, and then further develop algorithms using the “repeat” command. These skills are then developed by teaching the children to create algorithms in Scratch using a selection of blocks.

Using the Internet

The children will be introduced to using the Internet safely and with a purpose. They will be shown how to search the Internet using one word; how to make sense of the returned results; how to use “for kids” to return more suitable results; how to follow links and return to the search results. The children will be encouraged to use a range of search engines, including Google, Bing and Yahoo, and some more child-friendly engines like Kidrex. The children then learn to blog safely and responsibly.

 

Art:

Let’s Sculpt

Turquoise Class will be introduced to six sculptors: Marc Quinn, Michelle Reader, Barbara Hepworth, Jill Townsley, Brendan Jamison, and Eva Rothschild. The children will make their own sculptures using a range of unusual materials: recycled materials, boxes, plastic spoons, sugar cubes, and marshmallows. They will learn about figurative and abstract sculptures, and think about shapes and materials.

 

Design and Technology:

Dips and Dippers

The children will learn about good food hygiene rules and using kitchen equipment to prepare food safely. They will apply these skills when making and evaluating a healthy dip and dippers. The children will develop in their understanding of the ‘eat well’ plate and they will be able to explain the importance of eating a healthy and varied diet.

 

Religious Education:

Judaism – Passover

The children will learn to understand how celebrating Passover helps Jews show God they value their special relationship with him.

Christianity – Easter: Resurrection

The children will learn to re-tell the Easter story and understand what Jesus’ resurrection means for Christians.

 

Music:

Through the use of Music Express, the children will cover the topics: Animals, Number, Storytime and Seasons.

They will develop their understanding of pitch through movement, songs and listening games, as well as their recognition of changing pitch. The children will also explore steady beat and rhythm patterns and they will be introduced to famous pieces of music to stimulate composition.   

 

Physical Education:

The children will have two P.E. sessions. Outdoor PE will be taught on a Monday. In Spring term children will be working to improve their attacking and defending skills and their multi-skills of using a bat and ball. Indoor PE will be taught on a Tuesday. Lessons will include circuit training 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.

 

P.S.H.E.:

Health and Wellbeing – Safety First

The children will learn about everyday dangers, in the home and outside, and how they can keep themselves safe. They will also learn rules to keep themselves safe around strangers, both in real life and online. The children will be taught about The Underwear Rule, which includes information about appropriate and inappropriate touching and knowing that what is inside their underwear is private. They will also learn about people who help them and how to get help when needed, as well as their growing responsibility for their own safety.

Relationships – VIPs

The children will be encouraged to consider the Very Important Persons (VIPs) in their lives and the ways in which they can develop positive relationships with them. They will identify what makes someone a special person in their life and who these are. The children are also encouraged to explore why families and friendships are important and understand that although these units are different for everyone, there are things they can do to resolve differences and build healthy and positive relationships within them. The children will also be taught the importance of cooperation and how to show the special people in their lives that they care and the positive impact of doing this.

 

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. 

 

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