Turquoise 2022 - 2023

Welcome to Turquoise Class

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

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 ‘continuous 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:

Kings and Queens

The children will learn about the significant British monarchs in history. This will include a more in-depth study of Richard III as well as asking the children to draw comparisons between Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria. The children's awareness of the past and significant individuals will be consolidated through using timelines and making comparisons between various periods in history.

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:

Preparing for Turtle Logo

The children will explore creating, testing and debugging algorithms, as well as being encouraged to use the language of Turtle Logo. They will begin by giving and following instructions to move forward and make quarter turns, followed by walking different rectilinear shapes. The language will then be extended to use the main Turtle Logo commands. The children will create, test and debug algorithms for shapes and routes around school in preparation for using the commands in online programs such as Turtle Logo.

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.

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: bread, 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 eatwell plate and they will be able to explain the importance of eating a healthy and varied diet.

Religious Education:

Christianity – Jesus as a friend

The children will learn to identify when it is easy and difficult to show friendship. They will explore different stories from the Bible and look at times when Jesus may have found it difficult to be friends with people.

Christianity – Easter: Palm Sunday

The children will learn to know that Jesus is special to Christians and how His welcome on Palm Sunday shows this.

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 Net and Wall game skills. Indoor PE will be taught on a Tuesday. Lessons will include target games and movement skills.

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. All long hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed.

P.S.H.E.:

Health and Wellbeing – Think Positive

The children will be encouraged to recognise, talk about and accept their feelings, both positive and negative, as well as how to manage certain emotions. The lessons support themes of thinking positively and calmly, making good decisions and developing resilience. They will also be encouraged to explore the positive feelings associated with being thankful, grateful and mindful.

Relationships – Digital Wellbeing

The children will be encouraged to consider how we can use the Internet in a safe and responsible way. They will discuss how the Internet can be useful in our everyday lives and how we can balance time online with doing other activities to keep our mind and body healthy. The children will consider what risks there are online and how we can make sure we stay safe, including how important it is to not share any personal information over the Internet. They will also explore the importance of communicating online in a way that shows kindness and respect and discuss whether or not we can believe everything we see on the Internet.

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. Furthermore, Bug Club will regularly be updated with ebooks and accompanying comprehension tasks to help extend learning and reading skills further.