Year 2

SUMMER TERM Learning

English

Our theme in Summer One is ‘Fictional Worlds and Fantasy.’ We will be reading ‘The Dragon Machine’ by Helen Ward and ‘Ocean Meets Sky’ by Eric Fan and Fan Terry. We will use these texts to inspire a range of writing, including setting and character descriptions, diary entries, letters, instructions, dialogue and narratives. In Summer Two our theme changes to ‘Urban Metropolis’. We will be reading ‘The Great Fire of London’ by Emma Adams and James Weston Lewis and ‘Rosie Revere, Engineer’ by Andrea Beaty. These books will provide us with a focus for persuasive posters, short explanations and speech.

During whole class reading and phonics, we will be developing comprehension and reading skills as well as working on the spelling and grammar curriculum for Year 2.  There will continue to be a weekly spelling test on Fridays. Finally, we will also be continuing our work on writing in pre-cursive and cursive script during our handwriting lessons.

Maths

 This term the children will be introduced to fractions and build on their prior knowledge of time, money and position and direction. After half term, we will re-visit multiplication and division and introduce measure in terms of capacity, volume and mass. We will also continue to develop the children’s ‘number sense’ through our regular Mastering Number sessions.

Science

Our science topic in the first half term is plant growth where we will be examining the conditions seeds and plants require to grow fully. In Summer Two our topic changes to making connections. This topic will link themes and lessons explored throughout the year, focusing primarily on plant-based materials.  

Computing

We will be focusing on word processing and familiarity with the keyboard; data handling and Scratch Jr.  Children will learn what ‘blocks’ do and how to use them to explain existing code and to create their own code and algorithm.

Geography

We are studying Geography in Summer One this term, exploring what it is like to live by the coast. This topic delves into the features of a coastline and how people use it. We will use the Jurassic coast as a case study.

History

We will study History in Summer Two, and our topic for this term will be ‘What is a monarch?’ We will look at today’s monarch and compare him to William the Conqueror. We will also explore how castles have changed over time.  

Art/DT

In Art, in Summer One, we will be teaching pupils to shape and decorate clay by creating a pinch pot and designing and making a clay tile with house features. In Spring Two, when we study DT, we will be making a moving monster. This will require children to understand levers, linkages and pivots and be able to select and assemble materials.

PSHE

We will be focusing on Citizenship in Summer One within our school environment and local community. We will move onto Economic Wellbeing in Summer Two, where we will explore the difference between wants and needs and how we can look after money responsibly.

Music

Our learning in Summer One will centre British sounds. We will create music and soundscapes representing British seasides, country sides and towns as we ‘journey’ around the country. After the half term, children will develop their knowledge and understanding of myths and legends. This topic will provide opportunity to practise composing, recording and rehearsing music with a variety of layers and textures.

PE

In Summer One sessions will focus on striking and fielding games and fitness.

In Summer Two sessions will focus on sending and receiving athletics and net and wall games.

RE

This term, children will be exploring what a prophet is through the context of religious stories across Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam. The children will build a word bank of characteristics and examine how their reaction, and that of those around them, changes over time. In Summer Two, we will explore how and where some people from a range of religions speak to God.  

Reminders

Children to come into school in their PE kits on their PE days.  If you haven’t got the school PE kit and/or tracksuit, the kit should be non-branded in blue and white. Children should keep all reading books in their book bags each day; please continue to read daily with them as it is invaluable to developing their spelling, comprehension and storytelling skills. All children should be aiming to stay in the Green Zone on Doodle maths (5-10 mins daily) and regularly engage with Times Tables Rock Stars (5 mins daily). Your children will reap the rewards of completing this homework both in the short and long term, gaining confidence and fluency.