Dunchurch Infant School & Nursery

Welcome to year 2

During the year the children are taught through these topics in a cross-curricular way.

Our 6 topics for the year are:

Explorers

Children will find out about the life of Neil Armstrong and Christopher Columbus and make a comparison.

They will learn about the weather: Comparing weather patterns in the UK to hot and cold areas and the North and South Poles of the world in relation to the equator.

They will learn to name and locate the world’s 7 continents and 5 oceans

They will compare locations - understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country

Victorians

The children will learn about this time period and Queen Victoria.

In Art the children will study Picasso and consider form, drawing, colour making, shapes. They will create a collage using different materials and draw portraits. They will also be taught how to make clay pot linked to the festival of Diwali.

Significant Event- History of cars

The children will be taught about the development of the motor car and the changes within living memory.

In D.T. the children will learn about wheels, axels and cogs. They will build structures exploring how they can be made stronger. They will explore and use mechanisms. They will learn about inventors linked to vehicles.

In science, the children will identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses. They will find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.

Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch- This theme is linked to the story book by David Armitage

In Geography, the children will learn compass directions and location and directional language. They will devise a map of their school with routes and a basic key .

In D.T. the children will learn cooking skills, so that they can make savory scones. They will learn how to keep/store ingredients and about Food hygiene.

Growing/Traditional Tales

In science, children will explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive. They will 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. They will identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including micro habitats. They will 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. They will visit Coombe Abbey linked to this.

Growing

In science, children will learn that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults. They will find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air). They will describe the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene.

The children will observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants. They will find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy ( through marigold investigation)

English

In year 2, the children will read these class texts:

Here we are- Oliver Jeffers, The Great Explorer- Chris Judge, Grandad's Island- Benji Davies, Diwali poetry, Audrey the Amazing Inventor- Rachel Valentine, Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch- David and Ronda Armitage, Poetry linked to the sea, Little Red Riding Hood, Three Little Pigs, Victorian Diary of Jane Pinny, Kenning poetry and non-fiction texts about wolves.

Individual Reading

Children have 3 books at a time
Children are able to change one, two or even all three books each day if they need to
When children read to an adult, individually, comments will be made and possible advice given. If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to write them in the diary
Children will have two guided reading sessions per week.

Phonics/SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar)

In Year 2, children work at Phase 6 in their phonics. This involves re-capping the graphemes involved in Phase 5, the introduction of prefixes and suffixes, and grammar work. The children continue to work on applying their knowledge of phonics when reading and spelling out words.

Writing

The children will be applying the above skills in their day-to-day writing, based on our topics.

Maths

The children will build upon the basic skills learned in Reception and Year 1. They learn how to solve questions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, using a variety of methods. Work is also carried out in relation to fractions, space, shape, measures and data handling. The children also take part in problem solving activities where they can demonstrate their understanding of maths skills.

P.E. (Physical Education)

The children have two sessions of PE a week. This year the children will have their lessons on a Thursday and Friday. The school uses "Real P.E." which develops : personal, social, cognitive, creative, applying physical and health and fitness elements.

Please ensure that your child has a named PE bag on their peg containing a PE kit consisting of a white t-shirt, dark coloured shorts and pumps. We often complete PE sessions outside and the children can bring in a jumper, jogging bottoms and trainers to wear in these sessions if they wish to do so. Please ensure that earrings are either removed or covered up on PE days.

R.E. (Religious Education)

R.E. is taught by Mrs. Maguire. The units taught in year 2 are: How should we care for others in the world?, How and why do we celebrate special and sacred times?(Harvest Festival and Christmas), Who is Hindu an how do they live?, Who is Jewish and what do they believe?, Who is Sikh and how do they live?, Who is Muslim and what do they believe?, What can we learn from the life of Buddha?

Music

Music is taught by Sarah Morgan

P.S.H.E. (Personal, Social, Health Education)

We use the scheme "Jigsaw" to deliver P.S.H.E. lessons. The units covered are: Being me in my World, Celebrating Differences, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships and Changing Me.

S.A.T.S.

Children take their S.A.T.S. in the Summer Term of Year 2. These are statutory and must be taken by every child. The children really enjoy the S.A.T.S. and they are presented to them as a special task.

Transition

For the children transitioning to Dunchurch Junior School we begin the process in the Summer Term. All children visit the school and carry out fun and exciting activities with their new Year 3 teachers.

Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions or concerns. Our doors are always open!