Welcome to Class 2
Class Teacher: Miss Law
HLTA: Miss Crawford (Wednesdays)
Teaching assistants: Mrs Battle and Mrs Graves (Morning)
Our Class Saint
Our Class 2 Saint is St Thomas of Aquinas. Because he was big and strong and sometimes slow to speak, Thomas Aquinas's schoolmates called him the Dumb Ox. Not long afterwards, he came to be called Doctor (which means "teacher") because he could actually understand complicated things quickly and explain them well. Which is what he loved to do. Indeed, in 1320, less than fifty years after Thomas died, Thomas's biographer said that "throughout the entire world, Thomas's teachings have spread among the faithful, and the whole Church is instructed by his voice." Today, the Church Herself calls Saint Thomas Aquinas the Angelic Doctor ("the teacher who is like an angel"): pure, strong, close to God, and truly a messenger of divine light
Autumn Term
English
This term Class 2 will be beginning the year by consolidating their handwriting and ability to form letters and sentences properly. We will then be looking at the text 'Little Red' by Bethan Woollvin and 'Paddington Bear' as a stimulus to create our own short stories, character description and recount of events. Children will still be attending their daily phonics sessions and guided reading. During these sessions, children will learn how to confidently answer questions based on what they have read, learn new vocabulary and develop their skills in reading with expression. We also have our writing competition 'Young Writers 2024' open. This year, the theme is 'Poetry'. Please encourage your child to enter!
Maths
This term, Class 2 will begin by looking at place value and revisiting learning from Year 1. Children will be counting to 100 in 10s, order numbers from smallest to largest and learn how to partition numbers into tens and ones. Year 2 will then move on to learning how to add and subtract using different methods. Towards the end of the term, children will begin answering arithmetic questions - further strengthening their ability to add and subtract using mental methods.
Visit White Rose Maths Primary school maths resources | White Rose Education to see a breakdown on the maths lessons for year 2!
Religious Education
The title of our spiritual journeys this term is 'Chosen People' and 'Mysteries'. Children will appreciate that they are chosen and gifted by God to do him some definite service: to help others. It also develops the children’s knowledge of Abraham, Moses and Daniel and gives some understanding of faith and trust in God. Furthermore, children will gain understanding of the term ‘mystery’ and of the Christian understanding of God as ‘Trinity’. We will outline the story of Jesus’ birth and the role played by the Holy Spirit and angels through the characters of Mary and Joseph.
Spelling
Class 2 will begin using a spelling scheme called Read, Write Inc. spelling. Children will take part in daily 15 minute spelling sessions, each week focusing on a new spelling rule. The idea of the spelling scheme is to teach spelling for writing, not for spelling tests. Spelling practice activities and games can be accessed at home via the Oxford Owl website. Please see a member of staff for the username and password.
Science
This half-term, class 2 will be looking at plants. They will investigate what seeds and bulbs need to grow and will take part in growing their own plant.
Geography
Class 2 will be looking at the knowledge and skills needed to answer the question: Do we know more about space than our oceans?
Children will be able to identify the 7 continents of the world, our largest oceans, the features of Africa, whether land is floating on the sea and if countries would exist without inhabitants.
History
Our history topic this half-term is looking at the Industrial Revolution. Children will look at the question 'Why is the Industrial Revolution important to Bradfordians?'. Year 2 will understand what changes made textiles cheaper to buy, why migration was good for Bradford and whether children would have enjoyed this time period.
Physical Education
Our PE topic this half-term is dance.
PE is on a Wednesday. Please ensure children arrive wearing a suitable PE kit so they are not having to change before.
PSHE
Children will be learning about their own rights and responsibilities.
Art
This term’s focus is the impressionist Claude Monet. Children will practice using oil pastels and experiment with different brush strokes.
Design Technology
This term’s looks at solid structures. Children will think about the design process and understand why planning and evaluating a design is important.
Phonics Books
Our chosen scheme of learning is called Read, Write, Inc. Your child learns following a repetitive reading strategy that is required by the Department for Education. Each day your child reads and is read to within this scheme. Each book lasts for three days and then it is changed. The changeover day is clearly displayed on the ‘Class 2 Noticeboard’ – please check this for any changes.
Library
Our school has a fantastic library. We aim to take the children every Friday afternoon. When your child has read the library book, please ensure they return it so it can be exchanged for another one.