Welcome to the Macaws (year 2)

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Class Teacher

Class: Macaws

Year: 2

English: During the first half of this term, we will explore a text called The Last Wolf, by Mini Grey. First, we will consider what it means for a creature to be extinct or endangered. We will think about what we already know about wolves, linking back to knowledge from other stories. We will use persuasive language and take part in debate and finally write a letter in role of a character from the story. 

After half term, we will use the narrative text Grandad’s Secret Giant, by David Litchfield, to learn about fiction writing. We will explore and describe characters and settings. We will learn about key features of fiction texts and write our own story with a focus on morals and acceptance of others.

Maths: This term, we will explore 2D and 3D shapes, naming them and describing their features. We will learn about vertical and horizontal lines of symmetry in shapes. We will consolidate calculation, including all four operations: add; subtract; multiply; divide. We will read scales in the context of number sequences, measures and within reading data. We will revisit place value, fractions, time and money in preparation for the Year 2 SATs assessments. Throughout the term, we will solve mathematical puzzles and problems, reasoning and explaining our findings.

Science: Over the term, we will explore plants around us. We will observe our bulbs, which we planted back in the autumn term. We will plant seeds and observe their growth, considering their needs for survival and growth. We will explore animal life and explore mini-beasts around our environment. We will learn about simple food chains. As scientists, we will carry out investigations and explain our findings. We will re-visit materials and their properties, observing and investigating changes in material forms.

Design and Technology: In DT, we will explore, design and create free-standing structures. We will explore techniques for joining materials and create model buildings, with a link to our History topic on buildings.

History: As a link to our Science learning, we will explore the life and work of Charles Darwin. After half term, we will explore buildings and how they have changed over time.

Geography: In Geography, we will identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles. After half term, we will use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of our school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.

Art: In Art, we will explore pattern to create artwork, looking at the work of artists, including Gustav Klimt and Andy Warhol. We will also be taking part in a textile pattern workshop for the Lovelyland Nature's Wings art project. After half term, we will revisit sculpture.

Music: In Music, we will explore tempo and beat. We will learn to play simple tunes on the glockenspiel, exploring how we can play fast and slow notes, and loud and quiet notes.

Physical Education: In PE, we will learn racket skills in developing our tennis abilities. We will develop our running, jumping and throwing skills within athletics. We will also express ourselves through dance and movement.

Computing: Before half term, we will be giving a sequence of instructions to Bee Bot robots to move in different directions and make turns. We will design simple maps to move our Bee Bots around. After half term, we will use Scratch Jr to create a quiz and evaluate our work.

Religious Education (RE): In the first half term, we will explore the Christian religion, including the values of helping others, forgiveness, peace and friendship. After half term, we will consider what makes places sacred to believers from people across different religions, including Christians, Muslims and Jewish people.

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE): We will explore British Values, including democracy and individual liberty. We will also explore big feelings/ emotions that we feel, as well as friendship during circle time sessions.

You can contact Mrs Purcell at:

macaws@martinwilson.shropshire.sch.uk