Childer Thornton Primary School
Willow Class - Year 2
Our topic for this term is ‘Destination: Outer Space’ and wherever possible the
children’s learning will be centred around this. We will be looking at the lives of
significant individuals such as Neil Armstrong, Helen Sharman and Tim Peake.
English
In English we will be looking at stories by the author Mini Grey: ‘Toys in
Space’ and ‘Traction Man’. We will look at the grammar, punctuation and
spelling patterns used in these books and then focus on using adventurous
vocabulary and varying our sentence types. As always, we will incorporate
the use of drama, speaking and listening opportunities and collaborative
group work.
We will also study non-fiction texts about space and the children will
produce some different non-fiction pieces of writing including
instructions and explanation texts. The children will read different pieces
of poetry linked to space and use them to inspire their own poetry writing.
Your child will continue to read with me as part of a guided reading session once a week but I
urge you to read as often as possible with them at home even if you feel they are fluent
readers. In year 2 we focus on their comprehension skills and expect them to show a real
understanding of the text. They will develop their skills of using the text to retrieve answers to
questions, along with ‘reading between the lines’ and inferring meaning from what they have
read. We will also enjoy reading a few pages each day of a class novel. This term it will be The
Twits by Roald Dahl.
Maths
In maths we will begin the term by looking at 2D and 3D shapes. The
children will identify and describe the properties of 2-D shapes, including
the number of sides and line symmetry in a vertical line; compare and sort
common 2-D shapes, 3D shapes and everyday objects; order and arrange
combinations of mathematical objects in patterns and sequences; identify
and describe the properties of 3-D shapes, including the number of edges,
vertices and faces; and identify 2-D shapes on the surface of 3-D shapes,
for example, a circle on a cylinder and a triangle on a pyramid.
We will move on to recognising the value of coins and working on problems involving money. The
children will learn to recognise and use symbols for pounds (£) and pence (p); combine amounts
to make a particular value and find different combinations of coins that equal the same amounts
of money. They will then be able to solve simple problems in a practical context involving
addition and subtraction of money of the same unit, including giving change.
The children will work on various areas of measurement including length, mass and time. They
will learn to Choose and use appropriate standard units to estimate and measure length/height
in any direction (m/cm) to the nearest appropriate unit, using rulers; Choose and use appropriate
standard units to estimate and measure mass (kg/g) to the nearest appropriate unit, using
scales; Compare and order lengths and record the results using >, < and =
When learning about time the children will be taught to compare and sequence intervals of time;
Tell and write the time to five minutes, including quarter past/to the hour and draw the hands
on a clock face to show these times; and know the number of minutes in an hour and the number
of hours in a day.
It would really help your child if you could practise the skill of telling the time with them at
home. Discussing the order of your day and what time certain things happen, will help them
become more familiar and confident with this area.
Later on in the term we will be revisiting our work on using and recalling multiplication and
division facts, including recognising odd and even numbers, with a particular focus on the 2, 5
and 10 times tables. They will then solve problems involving multiplication and division.
Following this we will build upon the children’s prior knowledge of fractions. They will recognise,
find and name fractions e.g. 1/3, ¼, 2/4,and ¾ of a length, shape, set of objects or quantity and
write simple fractions for example, ½ of 6 = 3
They will also recognise the equivalence of 2/4 and ½
Throughout all areas of mathematics we will continue to work on the children’s ability to solve
problems and their mathematical reasoning.
Science
This term the children will look closely at living things and their habitats.
As part of this we will:
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Explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things
that have never been alive.
Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how
different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants,
and how they depend on each other.
Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats.
Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a
simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food.
Throughout this they will be encouraged to work scientifically and develop their investigative
skills. We will think about how to record science data that we gather and begin to use simple
graphs and charts to show our findings.
Our science work will be supported by the Forest School sessions on Tuesday afternoons.
Computing
In computing the children will learn about coding using Discovery Education Coding. With this
they will understand what algorithms are and that programs execute by following a sequence of
instructions. They will be able to write and test simple programs and use logical reasoning to
predict the behaviour of simple programs.
They will also continue to think about the importance of E safety and how to keep themselves
safe when using ICT.
PE
P.E. lessons will be on a Monday and a Friday and will be delivered by Premier Sports. P.E. kits
should be brought into school on a Monday morning and remain in school until the Friday.
Art and DT
This term the children will be taught to use a range of materials creatively to design and make
products. They will use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas,
experiences and imagination. We will continue to develop their range of art and design
techniques in using colour, pattern and texture. We will look at the work of Giuseppe Arcimboldo
who created portraits using fruit, vegetables and flowers.
The children will also design and make a vehicle with wheels and axles on their visit to West
Wirral Works.
History/Geography
We will be learning about significant people such as Neil Armstrong and Helen
Sharman. We will think about the view of Earth from outer space and use this, along
with world maps, atlases and globes, to name and locate the world’s continents and
oceans, the UK and its countries and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in
relation to the equator.
Music
The children will be encouraged to listen with concentration and understanding to a
range of high-quality live and recorded music and express their thoughts and
opinions about it. We will listen to The Planets by Gustav Holst and discuss which
piece we think was inspired by which planet and why.
The children will experiment with, create, select and combine sounds to create
their own pieces of music. They will continue be taught to use their voices
expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes
throughout the term.
RE
This term the children will be studying the Easter story and celebrating life events.
PHSE
Much of the children’s PSHE work this term will be done using the book ‘Something
Else’ by Kathryn Cave. The children will think about the choices we make and how
they affect others. We will be celebrating our similarities and differences and how
we are all unique. We will also be looking at the unit ‘Going for goals.’
Homework
Along with as much reading as possible, homework will be sent out as follows:
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Learning Logs will be sent out on a Friday. Children have two weeks to complete the set
task. Please encourage them to be as imaginative and creative as they can be with the
presentation of their work. This is a lovely opportunity for them to showcase their
personalities and individual flair.
Spellings will be sent out on a Monday to be returned on the Friday of that week. This
will be in the form of a spelling investigation e.g. children will be given a spelling pattern
such as –dge and they then find as many words with that pattern as they can (edge,
dodge, badge etc.) and try to use the words in a sentence.
Mathletics will be set on a Friday for children to complete within a week.
Useful Websites
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/
http://www.counton.org/
http://www.nrich.maths.org/public/monthindex.php
http://www.ictgames.com/resources.html
I have really enjoyed getting to know your children last term and I’m looking forward to the
exciting things we have in store this term. As always, if you have any questions or wish to
discuss any aspect of your child’s development or learning then please don’t hesitate to get in
touch.
Thank you,
Mrs McManus