Class 2 (Y1&Y2)

Welcome back Class 2.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break. Does anyone have any Easter chocolate left? We have another exciting term of learning ahead of us, including the Yr 1 Phonics Screening Check, swimming lessons and sports day later in the term.

In all that we do, we aim to build Relationships, be Respectful, be Resilient, be Resourceful and be Reflective; these values are also reflected in all areas of our learning and we regularly refer back to them.

 

Curriculum:

We carefully plan the curriculum to suit the learning needs of all our pupils and make them excited to learn. Where possible, the curriculum areas are linked to provide context to their learning and allow them to delve deeper into the topic.

Throughout the term, in Maths, we will look at the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and fractions, time and statistics. There will be some variation in coverage for each year group. Times tables (2, 5 and 10) and recalling number bonds are fundamental skills that supports learning in all areas. Please support your children by regularly practising their times tables, and pairs to 10, 20 and 100. This will of course vary according to each year group.

 

“Reading is the gateway for children that makes all other learning possible” – Barack Obama. A sentiment we share across the Federation and one we want to nurture in our children.

The pupils will have daily opportunities to read through Read Write Inc and have access to our ‘Reading Garden’ where the children can explore a wide variety of genres.

For children who are no longer on the Read Write Inc programme, the children will have daily opportunities to read and develop their comprehension skills; we use VIPERS (Vocabulary, Inference, Predict, Explain, Retrieve and Summarise). Please support your children’s learning by regularly engaging with stories and books at home; this can be listening to them read, reading to them or discussing what they have read.

 

In English, we will begin by looking at the story of ‘Augustus and his Smile’, followed by ‘The Train Ride’ where various writing outcomes will be generated such as story writing, character descriptions, poetry and letter writing. Throughout the term, we will explore other texts to develop our writing skills and encourage pupils to apply the various grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting content taught.

 

‘Plants’ and ’Seasonal Changes’, make up our topics in Science this term. Pupils will start by exploring the life-cycle of plants.

 

In our History topic we will be learning about the history of transport. In particular will be exploring, the history of Halwill Junction and the old railway considering the effect it had on locals when the railway closed.

 

In Design Technology we will be looking at the different food groups and nutrition. This will then be used to support the children in planning and creating different recipes.

 

In Geography, we will be learning about Zambia and comparing it to the UK. Within the topic we will be exploring what it is like to live in Zambia and will be writing letters to another school in Zambia to learn more about it.

Our Art work will focus on textiles and printing. We will be taking inspiration from our Geography topic exploring textiles and prints from Zambia.

 

For Computing, the children will be exploring and learning about programming including moving a robot and making animations.

In Music, each unit adapts an integrated approach where games, elements of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch etc.), singing and playing instruments are all linked.

Madam Clark will continue to teach the children French on a Thursday afternoon where links are made to class topics and texts as well as basic French words and phrases.

 

 

In our Religion World Views, we continue to follow units within the Devon Agreed Syllabus. The units: ‘How should we care for others and for the world and why does it matter? And ‘Who is Jewish and how do they live?’ will be taught and explored. Within RSE (relationships and sex education) will be exploring health and wellbeing focusing on healthy eating. These topics will be taught through the Coram Life Education SCARF resources, who have a useful family page on their website if you would like to know more. Both RWV and RSE this term will be taught by Mrs Matthews on a Thursday afternoon.

 

PE is planned for a Tuesday afternoon. However, it is always useful if the children have their PE Kits in school for the whole week.

For the second half term, Class 2 will have WildTribe. – dates will follow in the school newsletter. Please can children bring in:
-Waterproofs to go over school uniform. If they don’t have waterproofs, please bring in a long sleeve top and trousers (not jeans).
– Wellie boots (in a carrier bag in case they get muddy)
– A coat (separate to normal coat if possible as they often get wet and or muddy).
You might also like to pack hat, scarf, gloves and perhaps spare socks in case theirs get wet but this is not a requirement.

 

Homework:

Homework will be posted on Class Dojo on Tuesdays. This will include:

• Maths challenges through Mathseeds for both year 1 and 2, this will usually be linked to the work we have covered in our maths lessons that week. Once the children have completed the tasks set they have the opportunity to explore a variety of exciting maths games on the platform.
• Learning spellings. These will be written into spelling journals each week based on the common exception words and will be specific to your child according to assessment. The spelling journals are for practising spelling at home, however it is essential that they are bought back into school every Monday for new spellings. Some strategies that the children have been enjoying to help with their spellings are Rainbow Writing and Pyramid Writing which I have posted about previously on Class Dojo. Although there will be no formal spelling check each week, we will look for evidence within their writing and during morning activities. I will, however, periodically carry out spelling checks to see how the children are progressing. We will continue to stick a copy of the assessment in their spelling journals; the highlighted words being the words the children spelled correctly.
• Reading five times a week with an initial from a parent in their reading records. Reading regularly provides children with the necessary phonics practise (Fred talk/ Sounding and blending). As they grow in confidence reading consistently helps the children develop their on-sight word reading, fluency, comprehension and stamina, which are all fundamental to supporting their progress across the curriculum. Each week the children complete their five reads, they will earn five dojo points. A reminder that those off Read Write Inc also have access to Reading Buddies, which provides the children with the opportunity to access a range of texts and practice some comprehension questions independently after. We would recommend that you use Reading Buddies for perhaps 2 of your 5 weekly reads.

 

Children receive ‘John Fire superstars’ as our rewards points. Rewards may link to our Carey Qualities, it may be for fantastic work, or using super language. There are endless possibilities.

Fraser Bear is ready for another year of exciting adventures with you all. Show and Tell bags will go home on Thursdays and Fraser will go home on Fridays.

 

The children’s well-being is of paramount important to us and as a school we aim to create a happy, healthy environment for all. If you have any worries or questions, please do not hesitate in coming to see me. Please email the school office if you have any urgent concerns to ensure we receive it straight away.

 

Miss R Preece (Class Teacher) and Miss T Farrow (Teaching Assistant).

Class 2 – Timetable

Class 2 Long Term Planning