Canberra (Year 2)

Miss Gee

Class Teacher

Miss Griffin

Teaching Partner

Canberra's Topic for Term 1 is 'Fire', followed by an 'Ice' Topic in Term 2.

 

Early Morning Work

For the first half-an–hour of the day, Year Two practise and consolidate key skills in Maths and English.

Children will read individually, or in small groups, to the teacher during this time.  They will be heard at least once per fortnight.

Additionally, interventions will take place as part of Early Morning Work.

English

English is taught daily and every unit is designed to develop the children’s reading, writing and speaking and listening skills.

This term our units of study are:

  • Recounts (1 week)
  • Folk Tales: How Rabbit Stole The Fire (2 weeks)
  • Persuasive Letters: A letter to King Charles II about re-building London after the great fire of 1666 (2 weeks)
  • Instructions: How to train a dragon (1 week)
  • Writing conferencing (1 week)

To begin each English session, the children will participate in a Phonics session, which will include revision of Phase 3 to 5 sounds, as well as coverage of Phase 6 sounds and new spelling rules. 

Maths

Maths is taught daily, with the main focus of teaching being developing every child’s confidence and mental fluency when working with whole numbers, place value and when counting. Canberra Class will work with numerals, words and the four operations, including lots of practical resources. The school follows the White Rose scheme of work, as well as Number Sense to support mental fluency. This term, we will be focusing on:

  • Place Value (4 weeks)
  • Addition and Subtraction (2 weeks)

The children will also be introduced to their times tables during this term, and will have all received their own Times Tables Rock Stars account by the end of Term One. 

Science

During Science this term, the children will develop their scientific knowledge and understanding through our topic of Everyday Materials. Within this unit of work, they will:

  • Identify and name a range of materials and explore the properties of common materials.
  • Suggest why a material might or might not be used for a specific job.
  • Explore how shapes can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.
  • Perform a simple test to find out which materials are waterproof and which are absorbent.
  • Explore the importance of recycling plastic in order to look after the environment.

For their first Enrichment activity of this academic year, Canberra Class will participate in a Falconry session every Wednesday afternoon.

Computing

The children are taught computing skills throughout the week during different lessons as a way to help, develop and support their learning. This will include using a variety of programs on both the laptops and the iPads. The children follow the school's SMART rules to ensure that they always use the internet and ICT equipment sensibly and safely. This term, Canberra Class will be developing their understanding of and skills in:

  • Digital Art
  • Presenting information
  • Maths activities (introduction to Timestables Rockstars).

Religious Education

During, RE lessons the children learn about different religions and themes. RE is also supported during themed Collective Worship every day. This term the children will be exploring The Creation in greater depth through the question: 'Who made the world?'

History: London’s Burning, London’s Burning! How did a fire in 1666 change our lives today?

During Term 1, Canberra Class will develop their history skills through their study of the Great Fire of London. This will include finding out about the past from a range sources, as well as exploring why people did things, why events occurred and what happened as a result of these events. The children will also be exploring the concepts of adversity, courage and community in relation to this topic.

PSHE

During Term 1, the children in Canberra Class will be exploring relationships through a ‘VIPs’ unit. They will consider who their ‘VIPs’ are and their own relationships with friends and family. They will discuss strategies to help with falling out, how they can work together and the ways in which they can show that they care.

Physical Education

This term in PE, Canberra class will participate in a Yoga session every Monday, as well as a Balls Skills session every Tuesday afternoon. These sessions will build on the children's previous experience and will provide the children with opportunities to enhance their co-ordination, balance and teamwork skills. Please note that children will need to wear their PE kits into school on their PE days. Additionally, for all PE lessons, longer hair will need to be tied up and jewellery removed.

Art and Design

Working creatively to design and make products, the children will investigate materials, with a particular focus on weaving during Term 1, before moving on to sewing in Term 2. They will be exploring how they can use a combination of colour, texture, line, shape, space and form in the creation of their weaved products. Canberra Class will also be using watercolours to create their own dragon painting this term, linked to our ‘Fire’ topic.

Music

During Term 1, the children in Canberra Class will be learning how to play the ocarina. They will continue to copy and play simple rhythms in time with others and they will continue to interpret simple musical scores, including ‘London’s Burning’, which links to their History learning.