Learning Hub

Year 2

Spring term

AUTUMN TERM

English

 

Autumn 1

This term, we have been reading the story of Pig the Pug. This story has provided us with so many writing opportunities, including writing character descriptions, retelling the story using story language and even creating our own versions of the story. We have been using lots of exciting adjectives to make our writing interesting, and have been working on using conjunctions to extend our sentences. A big focus this term has been on saying our sentences before we start writing, consistently using capital letters, finger spaces and full stops, and then reading our work back afterwards to check it.

Autumn 2

This term, we have been reading The Great Fire of London by Emma Adams. We have used this book to write comparisons between London in 1666 and London today; letters of advice; and diary entries retelling the events. Our focus this term has been using exciting adjectives and writing in the past tense.

Spring 1

This term we are reading the story The Bear and the Piano. So far, the children have made predictions about what they think will happen, described the main character's feelings at different parts of story, and ordered the events in preparation for retelling the story. There is so much rich language in this book and the children are beginning to use some of the phrases from the book in their own writing.

Maths

 

Autumn 1

This term, we are focusing on Place Value followed by Addition and Subtraction. We have been using lots of concrete resources, like counters, ten frames, part whole models and base 10 to represent numbers to 100 in many different ways. We have learnt strategies for finding multiple ways of partitioning 2-digit numbers and shown this using resources and number sentences. In each lesson, we are encouraged to give reasons as to how we know an answer in order to prove or deepen our understanding. Every week we have been practising our times tables too!

 

Autumn 2

This term, we are focusing on addition and subtraction with numbers up to 100. We have learnt how fact families and number bonds to 100 can help us to work out number problems more efficiently! We have been using base 10, place value charts, 100 squares, and number lines to support us in our lessons. We continue to be encouraged to give our reasoning for answers in order to deepen our understanding. 

Spring 1

We have been learning about 2D and 3D shapes. The children have learnt about the different properties of shapes, how to sort shapes based on their properties, and how to draw 2D shapes on a grid using a ruler. Following this unit, the children will move onto Money, where they will learn the value of the different coins and notes, how to make different amounts, and how to work out 'change' given.

Geography

 

Autumn 1

This term, Year 2's geography topic is Continents and Oceans. To support them in their learning, the children came to school dressed as pirates for Pirate Day and imagined that they were pirates traveling around the globe in search of treasure! They took part in lots of fun activities throughout the day, including reading maps, using compass points to follow a route, beating the clock in a geography Kahoot quiz, and even traveling around the school on a treasure hunt!

Spring 1

This term, the children are learning about Kenya. They will learn to locate Kenya on a world map, as well as discussing its human and physical features, and how these compare to those of the UK. They will find out about the traditions of the Maasai Tribe, the animals found in Kenya's national parks and even get a chance to cook a traditional East African dish!

History

 

Autumn 2

This term, our history topic is the Great Fire of London. Our big question this term is: ‘To what extent the Great Fire of London changed London.’ To answer this question, we have been learning about what London was like in the 17th century as well as the key events and significant people connected to the Great Fire. We have ordered events on a timeline, compared sources and even created our own news report!

Computing

 

Autumn 1

This term, we have been learning about digital photography. We have used cameras and tablets to take photos, discussed when to use portrait or landscape, and identified what makes a good photograph (e.g. lighting, focus, framing and effects).

 

Autumn 2

This term, our focus is 'IT all around us'. We are learning how different life could be at school without IT and thinking of different ways we use technology to help us everyday. We are becoming more familiar with the different components of a computer, developing keyboard and mouse skills, and also starting to consider how to use technology responsibly.

Spring 1

This term, the children have been learning the importance of effective data collection and considered the benefits of different data collection methods, e.g. why, for example, we would use a pictogram to display the data. They have been collecting data to create a tally chart and used this to make pictograms on a computer.

Science

 

Autumn 1

We are currently learning about Animals Including Humans in Science. We have been learning about animals and their offspring, what happens as animals grow, the life cycle of different animals, and what animals need to survive and be healthy. 

Autumn 2

This term, we are learning all about Materials. We have found the properties of different materials, and sorted objects based on these properties. We are also carrying out experiments to test these properties, creating hypothesis and recording our findings. 

RE

 

Autumn 1

This term in RE, we are learning about the Creation Stories of different religions. We have learnt what people of different religions believe and have sequenced the key events of these stories to show our understanding.

Autumn 2

This term, we are learning about the holy books of different religions. We have been discussing what makes each book special to that religion, and the similarities and differences between them. 

PSHE

 

Autumn 1

We have been talking about what it means to be healthy. We've learnt about the importance of regular exercise, a balanced diet and emotional wellbeing for being healthy. We've had opportunities to share our experiences, thoughts and feelings with each other, as well as to listen to one another.

Autumn 2

This term, we have been learning how to keep ourselves and each other safe and healthy. Our learning has included when first aid should be administered and by who; how and when to call emergency services; and which household products are safe for us to use. 

Summer term