Elm Tree Class 2023 - 2024
Welcome to Elm Tree Class
Year 2
Class Teacher: Miss Byrne
Our Learning:
The Way, the Truth and the Life
This half term, our topic is: Mass. This unit is designed to help the children understand the purpose of attending Mass and why it is so important. We will learn the different aspects of attending Mass, and the responses we should say.
English - Reading
Daily reading is a key priority in primary school and we actively encourage children to read as much as possible at home to help further develop their fluency and comprehension skills. Every child will be able to bring home a reading book from school. These will match with where children are up to with their phonics learning. These can be changed regularly in school. Every child is also encouraged to have a 'Reading for Pleasure' book.
English - Writing
Our focus text for this half term is Major Glad and Major Dizzy written by Jan Oke.. Using our key text, the children will continue to develop their non-fiction language and work towards writing a diary entry. The children will continue to work on mastering the mastery keys outlined below as well as focus on letter formation and developing their cursive handwriting.
Mastery Keys
Use the porgressuve form of verbs in the present and past tense.
USe present and past tense correctly
USe subordination (because,when,and)
Use punctuation correctly-introduce apostrophe for possession (singular)
Our class novels for this half term are 'The BFG' by Roald Dahl and 'Mary and the Mega Robot' by Alex Falase-Koya
Maths
In Maths, we follow Power Maths. This allows children to develop their fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills.
During this half term, our topics are:
-Multipication and Division
-Length and Height
Throughout the week, children are given many opportunities to practise their arithmetic skills.
Science
Our Science topic for this half term is Living things and their habitats. Throughout this unit, children will learn:
- If something is living, it breathes, moves and grows
-If something is dead, it no longer breathes,moves or grows
-If something never lived, it never breathed, moved or grew.
-Most living things have a habitat that provides its basic needs.
-Woodlice like damp, dark places.
-Most birds like high up, dry places.
-Animals get their food from other animals and plants.
History
This half term, we will be exploring:
'What were the concequences of The Great Fire of London 1666'
This topic is a great opportunity for the children to learn how The Great Fire of London started, and how it was stopped. We will look at Samuel Pepys diary and how he documented the tragedy. We will learn how London was rebuilt in a way to ensure something like that never happened again.
Geography
This half term, we will be exploring:
'What makes our world wonderful?'
Throughout this topic, children will learn about the 7 continents and the five oceans. We will look at all the amazing landmarks around the world- looking at the difference between physical and human landmarks.
DT
This half term, we will explore the skill of sewing, and how to make an Easter basket.
Music
Computing
For this half term's computing, we will be joined by Junior Jam.
PE
Our P.E. day for this half term is Monday. Children should come to school in their kit. All kit must be clearly labelled, and appropriate footwear must be worn. Jewellery, including earrings, must not be worn during P.E. days. School hoodies and jogging bottoms can be purchased online with school uniform.
Personal Development
At St Luke's, RHE is taught using a scheme created by 'Ten:Ten'. Our first topic is Created and Loved by God. Rooted in the teaching that we are made in the image and likeness of God, it helps children to develop an understanding of the importance of valuing themselves as the basis for personal relationships. We are using No Outsiders to allow children to fully understand the concept if Diversity. We will also be using MyHappyMind to help the children learn about emotions and how to self-regulate.
Homework
Homeowrk will be set on a half termly basis where children are encouraged to get creative to complete the project at home befopre presenting it in class!
Useful websites to support home learning:
We encourage all pupils to access these websites on a weekly (and sometimes daily) basis.
Communication
Messages will mainly be sent using School Spider; please turn on notifications for the app so that you are alerted to new messages/emails. I am always happy to discuss any worries, concerns or general queries you may have. Please feel free to send an email or make an appointment through the school office.
