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: The First Christians. This unit is designed to help the children understand how The Holy Spirit helped the Apostles and learn about The First Christians, and how The Holy Spirit can help us in our lives.
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 Grandand's Secret Giant written by David Litchfield. During this unit they will be working towards writing their own version of the story with a focus on morals and acceptance of others. 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 present and past tenses correctly and consistently including the progressive form.
• Use subordination (using when, if, that, or because) and co-ordination (using or, and, or but)
• Use expanded noun phrases to describe and specify.
• Add suffixes to spell longer words e.g -ment,- ful.
Our class novel for this half term is 'The BFG' by Roald Dahl.
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:
-Fractions
-Time
-Position and Direction
-Statistics
Throughout the week, children are given many opportunities to practise their arithmetic skills.
Science
Our Science topic for this half term is David Attenborough and Working Scientific focus . Throughout this unit, children will learn:
-David Attenborough is a scientist
-David Attenborough is interested in looking after our planet.
- David Attenborough makes programmes about our world.
-David Attenborough has to use Scientific tests to find out information about the world.
History
This half term, we will be exploring:
'How have explorers changed the world?'
During this topic, we will learn;
Christopher Columbus was an explorer.
In the past, people only knew about the world from what they had seen. People didn’t know the Earth was round
In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail to prove that the Earth was round.
He discovered America on this journey and called it ‘the New World’.
People explore all the time and we learn new things from them.
David Attenborough is a modern-day explorer who has found new creatures and animals.
Geography
This half term, we will be exploring:
'What is it like to live by the coast?
Throughout this topic, children will learn about the beatiful coastlines of The UK. They will discover the human and phsyical features of a coast and consider what it is like to live there. They will learn the seas and oceans that surround the UK and compare well known coastlines.
DT
This half term, we will explore healthy food combinations and will be making healthy wraps.
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.
