Swallows 2023 - 2024

Welcome to Year Two Swallows Class 2023 - 2024

My name is Mrs Rice, I am the class teacher Monday - Thursday and Mrs Campion is the class teacher each Friday.  Mrs Southern is our classroom assistant. We love working together in Swallows class.

     Look what we learn about in Year 2:

 In Swallows class, the running theme across the year is that of 'Help'.

AUTUMN 2023

English

Swallows children will focus their English learning on the wonderful text 'Troll Swap' by Leigh Hodgkinson and write a story focussing on character description. We will base our learning on:

• Using correct sentence punctuation, especially capital letters, full stops and question marks
• Using adjectives to create noun phrases that describe characters and settings within the story
• Proof reading and editing our writing
• Correct letter formation and joined handwriting

‘The Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark’ will be the next class text in the second half of the Autumn term. We will use information gathered from the text to write a fact sheet about owls. We will use subordination (because) and co-ordination (and) to extend our sentences and add detail. We will also use expanded noun phrases to describe and specify. The children will learn how to use key questions to organise and set out their non fiction report. 

     Maths

During the Autumn Term, we will revise and consolidate our knowledge of place value with numbers to 100. We will order and compare numbers. We will explore how to make and represent two digit numbers using concrete resources. The children will learn how to add and subtract two digit numbers. We will learn about 2D and 3D shapes and their properties and explore Position and Direction. We will be continuing to use our Power Maths books this term.

Swallows will work hard to become competent in our 2,5,10 times tables as well as knowing and using the associated division facts.

Our first topic in Science will be 'Materials - Good Choices' where will learn about different materials and their properties. The children will investigate through fair testing and practical work which materials are suitable for which items. We will test the best material for making a teabag and learn about the Scientist Charles Macintosh.

During the Autumn Term, we will continue to explore our class theme 'HELP'. We will be using our enquiry based approach to investigate this in all areas of our learning. We will become History detectives and learn about the Titanic disaster and explore how the trial and error of plane design starting with the Wright Brothers helped produce the machines we see and use today and how this helped create space travel. The children will explore the impact that the inventions of ships and planes made to people's lives. In Geography, we will name and locate the continents and oceans of the world, the four countries of the UK and their capital cities, where the Titanic sank and the journey that she would have made. We will visit the Liverpool Maritime Museum to observe artefacts first hand and to use role play to enhance our understanding of this monumentous event. We will use the 8 points of the compass to describe our location and key landmarks on the Liverpool Docks. 

Please note that PE for your child will be on a Monday and a Friday this term with Mr Ault and on a Thursday with Cheshire Cricket Coaches . Your child may come to school dressed in their correct school uniform PE kit. Please use Velcro or slip on trainers unless your child is able to independently tie their shoe laces.

RE

In Autumn 1 we will focus on the concept of God and learn what some stories in the Bible teach us about God. In Autumn 2 we will learn what Christianity teaches us about Creation and how Adam & Eve spoilt this. We will also learn what Incarnation means and what the visit of the magi tell Christians about Jesus.

Worship

"I like Vicar Andrews songs"

"I enjoy it when Vicar Andrew says the Lords Prayer with his actions"

"I like it when Vicar Andrew lights the candles as I know God is with me"

Our class Ethos representatives!

Homework

Times Tables will remain a big focus for us this year. It is very important that children are fluent in their 2, 5 and 10 times table facts as they form the basis of many other mathematical concepts. Children will be set a specific table to learn and will be tested each Monday on a weekly basis. We encourage all children to practice their times tables at home. Weekly times tables activities will be sent home for the children to complete in order for them to consolidate their understanding. The Y2 end of year expectation is that children are fluent in their reapid recall of multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 times tables and begin to know the 3 times table.

Reading and Spellings

Your child will bring home three RWI books each Friday that they have been reading during their phonics lessons. They will also choose a lovely book from our class library to enjoy reading at home. Children should read their reading books daily at home with an adult to support fluency and understanding. This needs to be recorded in their reading diary. The reading diaries can be used as a means of communication between school and home, we check them daily. 

Spellings will be stuck into homework diaries on a Monday and tested the following Monday. Please spend 5 minutes daily practicing your child’s spellings with them. 

We are really looking forward to an exciting year of friendship, love, joy and wisdom. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact. 

Mrs Rice, Mrs Campion and Mrs Southern x