Year 2 News 2019-2020
Mother's Day
Year 2 have spent several weeks preparing a gift for a very special person! Developing their fine motor skills, they have established the best way for them to sew through two layers of fabric to keep them joined together and used their mathematical skills to calculate the space they required to leave a space to enable them to 'stuff' their gift. As the glue gun is extremely hot, they were given some support to complete their creation with the addition of the key ring and jewel. The children have also been using scissors to cut shapes, glue and manipulate colour flowers for their card displaying their floral bouquet especially chosen by them, for their mum. See more photos in our class gallery.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Science / PSHCEE
During our Science lesson, as part of the Relationship and Sexual Education lesson (age appropriate), Year 2 have revisited the PANTS rule. The children discussed why 'Privates are Private' and were encouraged to use the correct words to label a 'Body Parts Poster'. Watching the 'Pantosaurus' short video, they fully engaged with the song, dancing and singing along to it. Following the activity they were able to discuss the important meaning behind the message of the song. See more photos in our class gallery.
Spanish
Year 2 love acting and have clearly excelled in their Spanish lesson today, giving stela performances ordering food at the pop up ‘Avalon Restaurant’. More movies to follow next week, watch this space...
World Book Day
Year 2 have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the World Book Day activities. Avalon's theme this year was 'All Around the World'. Year 2 chose India as the country they wished to focus on and learn about. They listened to a traditional folk tale, the story 'Grandma and the Gourd', following which they practised performing as a play and then duly presented this for the World Book Day school assembly. The assembly gave the children the opportunity to learn about other countries as they watched each class deliver what they had learnt about their chosen country. As the day progressed, Year 2 shared reading with Year 3 - an engaging experience for each class. Year 2 completed their topical day with an infant book swap session where they discussed books amongst their peers. See more photos in our class gallery.
Internet Safety Week
Year 2 have been learning how to stay safe online and what their 'Identity' is.
The children have been taught how to stay safe online and the importance of not sharing personal information such as their name, address, age, telephone number or any images of themselves. Following a discussion over which apps and games they use or play, they have learnt the importance of how to access and play age appropriate games and if unsure, to ask a parent or trusted adult for help. To support this, the children constructed their own online computer poster which they marked either red or green to enable them to identify apps they are able to use. At the end of the week parents were invited to watch year 2 as they partook in a whole school assembly, sharing what they had learned throughout the course of the week.
PE - Year 1 & Year 2
Year 1 and 2 had a combined Inter- house Beanbag Bowling competition on Monday afternoon. The children played with fairness and focus, and their skills improved during the course of the competition. The competition was close but was won by St. Andrews. more photos in our class gallery.
1st - St.Andrews
2nd - St.David
3rd - St.George
4th - St. Patrick
Maths
Year 2 are learning to differentiate the division of scale marks that equate to mass and size. Using kitchen scales, the children compared objects and ordered weights. Choosing from a selection of items of varying sizes and weight, the task was to determine which they thought would weigh the greatest. The items were then placed on the scales and each child took their turn to calculate the exact weight by counting each mark incorporating their knowledge of their 5 x table. As the activity progressed, the children learnt that the volume of a large object will not always mean it will weigh more than a smaller, more compact, object. See more photos in our class gallery.
Visit from the Dentist
Today, Aisha from Glencairn Dental Practice visited the children in Avalon to explain the importance of dental care. Year 2 learnt the correct way to clean their teeth and gums, which food and drink are good to eat and those that contain a high amount of sugar and will cause decay. All of the children showed great interest whilst enthusiastically asking questions, giving their own thoughts, ideas and suggestions throughout the discussion, representing the school in a positive and mature manner. See more photos in our class gallery.
Chinese New Year
Year 2 continue to develop their understanding of the fundamental British Values, social, cultural, spiritual and moral education. Celebrating Chinese New Year of the Rat has given year 2 the opportunity to learn how other cultures celebrate their traditions and customs. The children have benefited through cross curricular activities which have enabled them to link their activities to Chinese New Year. In literacy they have written their own choice of Chinese proverb before hanging it on the 'wisdom' tree; during maths they have used Chinese mathematical symbols to carry out simple sums. Art has provided various chances to explore different materials and media to construct several pieces of artwork. The finale to the topic was Chinese food tasting at year 2's own banquet. Rice, noodles, vegetable spring rolls, prawn crackers, soy sauce and lychees were all on the menu and the children enjoyed the social element of chatting about what they had learnt, discussing and experiencing new food - particularly the lychees- and then finally taking time to relax to Chinese meditation. See more photos in our class gallery.
Kung Hei Fat Choy!
Computing
In Computer Science this week, Year 2 were learning about algorithms. For one of their activities they had to give precise instructions to their partner so that they could replicate a pattern. As well as helping them to solve problems, algorithms will help the children to produce efficient and error free programs. See more photos in our class gallery.
Music
Year 2 have been learning about the benefits of listening to classical music. They now understand the importance of taking time to simply relax, be calm, clear their mind and fine tune their senses. If the children are able to manage this on a regular basis, it will support the development of their concentration and general listening skills as well as enhancing their enjoyment of music. During a recent music lesson, year 2 had the opportunity to listen to a variety of classical pieces. Following this, the group shared their thoughts on how the music made them feel with comments such as; ' I felt like i was riding on a horse into the jungle in the middle of lots of wild animals', 'the music made me feel calm', 'i felt like i was in a meadow surrounded by daisies', ' it made me think of watching the sunset with my new puppy when i get it' and 'Africans riding camels through the desert'. What amazing images the children have been able to portray through the power of music.
Customs & Festivals
As part of our British Values, we continue to celebrate other customs and festivals. The children have had the opportunity to experiment with a variety of craft materials to create their own interpretation of Chinese artwork. Whilst creating a Chinese Blossom Tree, they learnt how to shade with different colour chalks to portray an image of light being filtered by the sun’s rays. The children have also made their own Chinese Dragon/Lion choosing to sequence cupcake cases into their own individually chosen pattern. See more photos in our class gallery.
PSCHEE
This week in P.S.C.H.E.E our topic has been 'Personal Hygiene and the Prevention of Spreading Germs and Infections'. Dr. Perry kindly carried out an assembly for the children in which they discussed how germs are spread. The children learnt that the droplets from a sneeze will travel 8 metres and will fly at 100 mph. As the session developed, Dr. Perry taught the children the correct way to wash their hands and the proper technique to use which should take 30 seconds - or the length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice! Also, remember always to carry a tissue. See more photos in our class gallery.
Science
In this week's science lesson, Mrs. Creedon led Year 2 in an interesting Science investigation. The children had to measure amounts of water and oil before pouring them into a bottle, watching how they separated, then, using pipettes, they dropped food colouring through the bottle tops. The children were fascinated to watch as the droplets balanced on the oil before bursting through the water and exploding into various shapes. Observations were recorded and discussions took place in which comparisons to fireworks were made. See more photos in our class gallery.
Maths
In our maths lesson, year 2 have revisited odd and even numbers. Using mathematical language on place value, the target was to identify a mystery number. The children were given clues to establish which number's they should eliminate to help them identify the number. Ask your child to sing the song 'Bod and Steven' which supports their understanding of odd and even numbers.
Literacy
This week in Literacy lessons, Year 2 were using inferential skills to make predictions based on an extensive set of clues spread throughout the classroom. Great excitement ensued as we read and acted out the poem 'The Night before Christmas- A visit from St. Nicholas'. During the activity, we have all improved our range of vocabulary of unusual words. See more photos in our class gallery.
Merry Christmas!
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year…….! Throughout the month, the children have learnt how to apply the various techniques they have developed over the past term into their artwork. They calculated weights and amounts of ingredients required to make salt dough, decided how to make precision designs on artwork and developed their fine motor skills through card and letter writing. There was a lot of glue, glitter and Christmas singing with gusto throughout! See more photos in our class gallery.
Merry Christmas!
Nativity
Year 2 are in full pre Christmas swing! As they celebrate the Christmas Nativity for parents, family and friends, they performed with enthusiasm and heartfelt expression. Alongside the rest of the infants, Year 2 have given us the opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. See more photos in our class gallery.
PHSCEE
As part of our P.H.S.C.E.E the children have been learning about the differences between 'Secrets and Surprises'. Working in groups, the children compiled a chart of what they already knew about 'Secrets and Surprises'. As the activity progressed, Mrs. McGregor discussed what they would do, how they may feel and who they could talk to in various scenarios. Following this, in small groups they revisited their charts and recorded what they had now learnt alongside what they had previously known. See more photos in our class gallery.
Well Being Week
This week is 'Well Being Week'. We have enjoyed a variety of activities including dance movement and relaxation classes with techniques we can use at any time. Year 6 performed a drumming assembly which was a noisy but very uplifting experience. See more photos in our class gallery.
PE
In our Dance P.E. lesson this week, Year 2 worked hard and with great imagination to produce a class Conker Dance. The children practised being spiky, sharp outer cases, on different levels, using different parts of their bodies. They then made up routines to symbolise the wind blowing conkers off the trees. Using music, the children then put the different movements together into an expressive and imaginative routine. See more photos in our class gallery.
Change Starts With Us!
Year 2 have shared their ideas on how to reduce bullying and also learnt strategies on how to deal with bullying. The singer Megan Louise came to visit the children and talked about her experiences of bullying and how she overcame it. The children asked Megan Louise their own questions and the interview and performance was recorded and hi lighted on Granada News. A further assembly in which each class throughout the school were able to showcase their thoughts on bullying', took place for parents and other family members. Year 2 performed their version of 'Superworm' followed by an interactive session in which the parents could join their child in the class and complete anti bullying activities. See more photos in our class gallery.
Road Safety Week
The children have been learning the importance of staying safe whilst walking along pavements and crossing roads. They have been part of an assembly with Mrs .Callaway were they discussed how they are able to stay safe and in class, Mrs. Roberts read 'SuperBob' which described road safety messages for the children to share with their parents. Some of the children have participated in the Walking Bus initiative to try to reduce traffic congestion and learn how to safely cross roads.
What is Gourd?
The children were extremely interested in learning about the fleshy, hard skinned fruit and were keen to touch, smell and compare the weights of the various Gourd. As none of the children in year 2 - and a lot of the teachers - had never before heard of Gourd, there were a lot of inquisitive questions about it; Was it real? Could you eat it? Where does it grow? What is it used for?
Year 2 then painted their own Gourd fruit in a basket, paying attention to the intricate detail they observed. Thank you to Mrs. Roberts neighbour who supplied us with her home grown Gourd to enable the children to broaden their knowledge of fruits. An information sheet has been sent home with their artwork. See more photos in our class gallery.
Remembrance
This half term our topic has been Remembrance. We have shared some of our own memories, both happy and sad. Year 4 led the Remembrance assembly for the whole school and Year 2 participated in a very mature and sensible way. To reinforce their learning and understanding, the children have created some fabulous artwork. This morning, when we visited the War Memorial, the children studied plaques and learnt about the inscriptions on them. Gathering together, the children said a simple prayer wishing Peace to everyone. We returned to school along the Wirral Way. The children were impeccably behaved throughout the morning and Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Fleming are very proud of them all. See more photos in our class gallery.
Visit to West Kirby War Memorial
As part of our topic on why we wer a poppy, Year 2 visited West Kirby War Memorial. Both Mrs Roberts and Mrs Fleming were very proud of the children as they were a credit to the school. This has been a valuable educational lesson. See more photos in our class gallery.
Art
Year 2 are learning about the works of the artist William Morris. They have learnt that he was an artist in the 19th Century who specialised in designing tapestries, wallpaper fabrics, furniture and stain glassed windows. The children studied some examples of his work and during an Art lesson, designed their own bookmark with its own unique pattern before choosing colours to complete it. Over the next few weeks as the topic develops, the children will have the opportunity to create other types of William Morris craft. See more photos in our class gallery.
English
In English, the children are being taught instructional texts. During a practical activity, the children bathed a baby and subsequently developed their learning as they wrote their own instructions to accompany the baby. See more photos in our class gallery.
English
We have been studying "Five Minutes Peace" by Jill Murphy. The children had a great time during a role play activity as they rein acted the breakfast scene. See more photos in our class gallery.
Art
In Art we have been learning how to focus on detailed elements of our work. The children went outside to observe the school building and discussed the shapes they could see within it. Back in the classroom, the children developed their physical and mathematical skills as they learnt how to draw straight lines, marking out the lengths they required using the cm guide on their ruler, making links to what they had been taught in their maths lesson. Using scissors, they cut the shapes out and constructed their own city scene. See more photos in our class gallery.
PE
In recent weeks, the Year 2 children have worked hard on further improving their ball skills: they have enjoyed the tasks and practices set for them. Today, the children were put into groups of four and asked to devise a game of their own, which, when played, would facilitate the practice of their throwing and catching skills. They were have given balls, markers and bibs. Each group discussed different ideas and assessed whether or not they would be practical, develop their skills and be enjoyable. They worked very well together, especially when explaining their ideas and working out the rules of their game.
Maths
The children have been reinforcing their coin recognition skills . To further develop their knowledge, today we have had a practical maths lesson where we have learnt how to count coins from a purse. We then recorded the information on a number line to total the amount. See more photos in our class gallery.
