Dear parents/carers,

Happy New Year and welcome back to Year 2. I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas break.

Mrs Abrahams, Mrs Pemberton and I would like to thank you for all the very generous Christmas gifts we received at the end of last term.

English

We are starting the term with a focus on fiction. Our main text will be the story ‘Flat Stanley’. The children will be looking at the features of the text, creating their own ‘flat’ character and writing a new version of the story. Through other aspects of the curriculum (science, geography, history etc.) we will be developing our non-narrative skills with information texts and report writing. Ensuring your child reads for at least 15 minutes a day will help their reading skills to develop along with discussions around the text read. It is just as important to read to your child regularly along with listening to audio books.

Maths

To begin the term, we will be looking at multiplication and division. It is important that your child is confident with counting in 2’s, 5’s, 10’s and 3’s to ensure they can apply this knowledge to their times tables. Throughout the term we will develop children’s statistic knowledge, geometry (property of shapes), fractions and measures (length & height).

History and Geography

Our geography topic this term is a comparison of Ghana to the UK this will give the children the opportunity to learn about similarities and differences between places in the world.
Our history topic this term is transport, specifically looking at how transport has changed over time.

Science

Throughout the Spring term we will be looking at the area of Science ‘Uses of Everyday Materials.’ Children will be identifying and comparing the uses of a variety of everyday materials. They will be finding out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials may be changed.

Computing

We will continue to reinforce the importance of ‘how to stay safe online’. Children will be learning to research and find useful and trustworthy information and will continue to consolidate their word processing and keyboard skills.

Art and DT

Through our Art children will be learning about African Art.

DT will be linking closely with our Science and children will be testing materials to suit a particular product.

RE and PSHE

In RE, we will be considering special books and focusing in on different religions. Our PSHE learning will ensure children will understand that household products, including medicines, can be harmful if not used properly and other aspects of keeping safe.

Music

The children will be combining the musical elements of rhythm, pitch and pulse with singing and playing musical instruments. Children will also be considering tuned and untuned instruments and how they can be used musically.

PE

Children will be focusing on team games and gymnastics.

PE days this term are Tuesday and Friday however, there are times when these need to change/ extra PE is added in. Please therefore ensure your child’s PE kit is in school at all times.

Other

Please return painting shirts to school, checking your child’s shirt is named.

Reading books will continue to be changed (where possible) as your child finishes. Please ensure their orange record and book is in school most days to allow us to record any reading in class. If we are unable to change books/ your child forgets theirs please read another book from home, this can be recorded in their orange record later.

Spelling and Homework will continue as previously. Please ensure your child’s Learning Log and spelling book is handed in every Friday morning. Spellings will be tested on a Friday. Homework and new spellings will be handed out on a Friday afternoon. Spelling groups have changed slightly for some children, please do not worry if you child has moved either way. Their levels have been assessed and if there was a concern, I would be in touch.

If you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss regarding your child, please do email the office and I will be in touch.

Kind Regards,

Miss Hagger