Welcome to Year 2
In Year 2 we strive to be the best we can be. We celebrate our successes no matter how small they are. Small feet grow to leave big footprints!
Year 2 is a very exciting year. After such a wonderfully, immersive experience in Reception and Year 1, we continue to develop our skills and knowledge in creative yet challenging ways.
During Year 2, we also continue to develop our ability to be independent. We continue to use our own initiative in a wider variety of situations, we begin to plan by thinking strategically before we act. What is more, we reflect on our actions, always seeking to learn from our mistakes and make improvements where possible. We begin to develop our capacity to be independent, however we also love helping each other and sharing our learning with partners and small groups.
We show resilience as we persevere when faced with new challenges. We work together in teams, communicating confidently and effectively in every lesson. Our moral compass is central to all that we do. It is these skills and values which guide us in our learning journey as we continue to grow and develop into caring citizens and members of our wider community.
Creative Learning
It is important that our Year 2 curriculum builds on the child-initiated ethos of EYFS and year 1. We believe that our pupils should be consulted throughout their learning journey. We value their ideas, skills, talents and curiosity which enable them to thoroughly engage in all areas of provision. Through creative learning, the children are able to test new skills learnt, consolidating their learning through repetition and collaborative play. Through play we see the children’s communication and social skills bloom which is why we see provision as crucial.
It is important that our Year 2 curriculum builds on the child-initiated ethos of EYFS and year 1. We believe that our pupils should be consulted throughout their learning journey. We value their ideas, skills, talents and curiosity which enable them to thoroughly engage in all areas of provision. Through creative learning, the children are able to test new skills learnt, consolidating their learning through repetition and collaborative play. Through play we see the children’s communication and social skills bloom which is why we see provision as crucial.
Reading
Years 2 is crucial in the development of children as readers. We continue to build on phonics and spelling from Year 1, as well as develop word reading and fluency. We do this by reading 1:1 with the children every week. What is more, we also focus on developing comprehension skills. Whole class reading help us to develop core comprehension skills such as: draw on knowledge of vocabulary to understand texts, identify / explain key aspects of fiction and non-fiction texts, such as characters, events, titles and information, identify and explain the sequence of events in texts, make inferences from the text and predict what might happen on the basis of what has been read so far.
We also read for pleasure everyday. With an inviting reading corner, fantastic reading resources in school as well as those provided by the East Riding Library service, our children have so many opportunities to get lost in a book! In Year 2 we also listen to a story throughout the week. This is one of our favourite times!
Regular reading forms an essential element of learning at home as well as instilling in the children a love of literature and stories. We wholeheartedly recommend that you spend time enjoying and talking about books at home. We ask that your child reads at least four times a week at home and that they record this in their planner. Just 20 minutes a day can have a significant impact on academic attainment of the future, but more importantly create memories that will last a lifetime!
‘Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.’
Years 2 is crucial in the development of children as readers. We continue to build on phonics and spelling from Year 1, as well as develop word reading and fluency. We do this by reading 1:1 with the children every week. What is more, we also focus on developing comprehension skills. Whole class reading help us to develop core comprehension skills such as: draw on knowledge of vocabulary to understand texts, identify / explain key aspects of fiction and non-fiction texts, such as characters, events, titles and information, identify and explain the sequence of events in texts, make inferences from the text and predict what might happen on the basis of what has been read so far.
We also read for pleasure everyday. With an inviting reading corner, fantastic reading resources in school as well as those provided by the East Riding Library service, our children have so many opportunities to get lost in a book! In Year 2 we also listen to a story throughout the week. This is one of our favourite times!
Regular reading forms an essential element of learning at home as well as instilling in the children a love of literature and stories. We wholeheartedly recommend that you spend time enjoying and talking about books at home. We ask that your child reads at least four times a week at home and that they record this in their planner. Just 20 minutes a day can have a significant impact on academic attainment of the future, but more importantly create memories that will last a lifetime!
‘Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.’
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Phonics and Spelling
Phonics is the cornerstone of all our learning. The children love our fun, fast-paced lessons with exciting games to help us learn our graphemes. Spelling Cards is a much anticipated lesson each day, as the children take on the role of a teacher with a partner to learn common exception words. The children have learnt to be 'perfect partners' to check their partner's spellings and handwriting when writing their words. Each week, the children apply their spellings in sentences to see if they can apply what they have learnt. There is always much excitement when they know they have moved up a card! |
English
We follow a Talk for Writing approach in Year 2. This consists of 3 stages. During the imitate stage we learn a text (which we call our WAGOLL - What A Good One Looks Like). Secondly, we innovate the text where we change the text to give it our own personal touch. Finally we plan and write our own text using our WAGOLL and our personalised texts as inspiration. This process is repetitive to help us to commit learning into long term memory.
We follow a Talk for Writing approach in Year 2. This consists of 3 stages. During the imitate stage we learn a text (which we call our WAGOLL - What A Good One Looks Like). Secondly, we innovate the text where we change the text to give it our own personal touch. Finally we plan and write our own text using our WAGOLL and our personalised texts as inspiration. This process is repetitive to help us to commit learning into long term memory.
Mastery Maths
Throughout the school we follow the Mastery Maths approach to teaching mathematics. Year 2 is all about building upon amazing foundations from EYFS and Year 1, in small, manageable steps which allow all children to develop fluency, reasoning and depth of understanding in mathematics. We do daily fluency practise and develop our depth of understanding through problems and reasoning questions.
Throughout the school we follow the Mastery Maths approach to teaching mathematics. Year 2 is all about building upon amazing foundations from EYFS and Year 1, in small, manageable steps which allow all children to develop fluency, reasoning and depth of understanding in mathematics. We do daily fluency practise and develop our depth of understanding through problems and reasoning questions.
Floorbooks
Each term our learning centres around a ‘Big Question’ or statement. Our questions / statements for the 2020-2021 academic year are:
Autumn: Who are our greatest history makers? (history)
Spring: Is everything alive? (science)
Summer: Why does the world rock? (geography)
We take a lot of pride in our floorbook work and have developed our own version based on the founder Claire Walden’s approach. We use her process to meet the needs of our big enquiry question each term which covers history, geography and science as the main drivers. As the children work through their topic, our floorbooks become a record of our enquiry, questions, learning and investigations. Through looking and talking about it every session, the children develop ‘sticky’ knowledge which can be recalled more effectively than working in individual topic books. This knowledge lasts all year as they access the floorbooks in provision. The children work in two groups throughout the year which enables smaller group discussions and collaborations in their floorbook. Our children are so enthusiastic when showing their floorbook to visitors and parents they can easily recall learning from many months ago when looking back through past floorbooks.
Each term our learning centres around a ‘Big Question’ or statement. Our questions / statements for the 2020-2021 academic year are:
Autumn: Who are our greatest history makers? (history)
Spring: Is everything alive? (science)
Summer: Why does the world rock? (geography)
We take a lot of pride in our floorbook work and have developed our own version based on the founder Claire Walden’s approach. We use her process to meet the needs of our big enquiry question each term which covers history, geography and science as the main drivers. As the children work through their topic, our floorbooks become a record of our enquiry, questions, learning and investigations. Through looking and talking about it every session, the children develop ‘sticky’ knowledge which can be recalled more effectively than working in individual topic books. This knowledge lasts all year as they access the floorbooks in provision. The children work in two groups throughout the year which enables smaller group discussions and collaborations in their floorbook. Our children are so enthusiastic when showing their floorbook to visitors and parents they can easily recall learning from many months ago when looking back through past floorbooks.
Computing
We make a lot of use of technology in Year 2. We document our independent work using the app Seesaw. We love scanning QR codes in our environment. We use Chatta to support our writing and we use Chromebooks for digital literacy and coding. We use Bee Bots for coding and the children love solving problems using these.
We make a lot of use of technology in Year 2. We document our independent work using the app Seesaw. We love scanning QR codes in our environment. We use Chatta to support our writing and we use Chromebooks for digital literacy and coding. We use Bee Bots for coding and the children love solving problems using these.
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Art
Over a period of weeks we study the work of a professional artist and use their work as a starting point to consider the seven key concepts in art- line, space, shape, form, texture, value and colour. Where possible we use artist-quality materials because we are artists in the making. |
Music
In Year 2, we believe there should be opportunities for creative development all year round and so music always features in our environment. Our focus instruments are the hand bells and glockenspiels We love using colour notation to compose our own pieces of music.
Design Technology (including woodwork)
We are always designing and making in Year 2 and our environment has many opportunities for developing our design and technology skills. We can build, construct, sew, test and refine ideas on a daily basis. In our outside area we have a woodwork bench.
Wider Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to develop the whole child and provide opportunities to harness and develop all talents and interests. Through provision and direct teaching we ensure all aspects of the curriculum are broad and balanced. We make use of a wide range of teaching and learning approaches that make use of our whole school environment and offer experiences and opportunities that develop their ‘Cultural Capital’. This is the knowledge that develops children into rounded individuals with a rich and deep understanding of the world around them.
Parental Involvement
We value the importance of family partnerships and promote this throughout the year. Parents and other family members will be invited to be involved to share in their children’s learning at special events: look out for key dates on the newsletter and for letters and invitations to join us in school.
Home learning
Home learning is an important element of the partnership between teachers and parents in Year 2 as it supports learning in school, reinforces learning and ensures your child is ready for Key Stage 2 at the end of the year. Home learning includes: Doodle Maths, spelling practise via Spelling Shed and regular reading. Please record all home learning tasks in your child’s planner.
In Year 2, we believe there should be opportunities for creative development all year round and so music always features in our environment. Our focus instruments are the hand bells and glockenspiels We love using colour notation to compose our own pieces of music.
Design Technology (including woodwork)
We are always designing and making in Year 2 and our environment has many opportunities for developing our design and technology skills. We can build, construct, sew, test and refine ideas on a daily basis. In our outside area we have a woodwork bench.
Wider Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to develop the whole child and provide opportunities to harness and develop all talents and interests. Through provision and direct teaching we ensure all aspects of the curriculum are broad and balanced. We make use of a wide range of teaching and learning approaches that make use of our whole school environment and offer experiences and opportunities that develop their ‘Cultural Capital’. This is the knowledge that develops children into rounded individuals with a rich and deep understanding of the world around them.
Parental Involvement
We value the importance of family partnerships and promote this throughout the year. Parents and other family members will be invited to be involved to share in their children’s learning at special events: look out for key dates on the newsletter and for letters and invitations to join us in school.
Home learning
Home learning is an important element of the partnership between teachers and parents in Year 2 as it supports learning in school, reinforces learning and ensures your child is ready for Key Stage 2 at the end of the year. Home learning includes: Doodle Maths, spelling practise via Spelling Shed and regular reading. Please record all home learning tasks in your child’s planner.
Curriculum News & Homework Resources:
Reading Assessment Framework 2020
Writing Assessment Framework 2020
Reading Assessment Framework 2020
Writing Assessment Framework 2020
Recommended Websites:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zjxhfg8
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting
https://www.mangahigh.com/
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/pages/library-page
https://www.j2e.com/jit5
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zjxhfg8
http://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/counting
https://www.mangahigh.com/
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/pages/library-page
https://www.j2e.com/jit5
E-Safety
We regularly teach the children the importance of staying safe on the internet. We take part in E-safety day each year and this year was no different. Internet safety day provides an opportunity for schools to make the most of the positive opportunities offered online, whilst giving young people the resilience, skills, knowledge and support they need to navigate any online risks they may come across.
By clicking on the link below you will see more about Internet Safety at Elloughton.
We regularly teach the children the importance of staying safe on the internet. We take part in E-safety day each year and this year was no different. Internet safety day provides an opportunity for schools to make the most of the positive opportunities offered online, whilst giving young people the resilience, skills, knowledge and support they need to navigate any online risks they may come across.
By clicking on the link below you will see more about Internet Safety at Elloughton.
