WELCOME TO CLASS 2

Class 2 consists of Year 1 and Year 2 children.

Our aim is to ensure that every child feels that they are part of a caring class. A class in which they feel confident enough to try new things without fear of failure. A class in which everybody has something to offer. Our aspiration is that the children in Class 2 will become self-motivated learners through a varied and exciting curriculum. Parents are always welcome in Class 2, whether to discuss their child's progress or to help on educational visits. We want Class 2 children to enjoy school and to look forward to the opportunities each new day offers.

Class 2 will have their PE lesson on a Wednesday. On this day, children must wear their correct PE kits to school. There may of course, be additional days when the children may be required to wear a PE kit, which they will be clearly informed about. 

PE kit:

• Black shorts, leggings or tracksuit bottoms
• Green T-shirt with logo
• Trainers or plimsolls
• No earrings or jewellery

Please name all items of kit and school uniform.

Homework

1. Reading: This should be enjoyed on a daily basis. Reading independently, reading together and across a variety of genres are all beneficial, as are audio books. Reading records are to be handed in every morning, they will be checked and returned by the end of the day. Please keep your reading materials in a book bag so that nothing is lost or misplaced.  All children will read daily with their teaching staff during their phonics session. 
2. Spellings: These will be given to the children at the beginning of each half term. They will be practised every morning in class. Please also practise these at home.
3. Times tables facts – By the end of Year 4, pupils should have memorised their multiplication tables up to and including the 12 times table. In Class 2, children will be playing Times Tables Rock Stars at school beginning with their 10-, 5- and 2-times tables. Please also encourage them to play at home.
4. Optional Curriculum Project activities: These will be added to Google Classroom as well as a paper version sent home.
5. Occasionally additional homework may be sent home to reinforce or practise a concept in any subject area that has been covered in class.

Open Door Policy We welcome your feedback on any aspect of your child’s time in Class 2. Please drop us an email via the office (hello@mawgan-in-pydar.org.uk) to raise any questions, queries or problems that you may have.

Our KRP (Knowledge Rich Project) – Dinosaur Planet

Stomp, crash, roar! Watch out everyone – the dinosaurs are on the prowl. They’re rampaging across the dusty earth, swishing their enormous tails and baring their fearsome teeth. Let’s explore the Dinosaur Planet. Dig deep and discover dazzling dinosaur facts. This term we’ll receive a visit from a dinosaur expert and explore awesome dinosaur artefacts. We’ll explore dinosaur stories and use our creative skills to make model dinosaurs.

English and SPaG:
During this term, we will be continuing our Read, Write Inc Programme. In English, we will be exploring narratives, fact files, poetry and letter writing. Y1 children will be focusing on the personal pronoun I, leaving spaces between words, using a capital letter at the start of a sentence and using capital letters for names. Y2 children will be focusing on making thoughtful and ambitious word choices, including specific or technical vocabulary used in non-narrative writing. The children will focus on using full stops and capital letters mostly correctly. They will also use exclamation and question marks accurately to demarcate sentences.

Handwriting: 
We are focusing on the correct letter formation to encourage children to become fluent writers. During the Autumn term we will be focusing on sitting our writing on the lines and making sure our sentences have the correct punctuation.

Handwriting units this half term:

• Unit 1 Y1 Practising long-legged giraffe letters/ Y2 Practising diagonal join to ascender: th, ch.
• Unit 2 Y1 Writing words with ll/ Y2 Practising diagonal join no ascender: ai, ay.
• Unit 3 Y1 Introducing capitals for long-legged giraffe letters/ Y2 Practising diagonal join no ascender: ir, er.
• Unit 4 Y1 Practising one armed robot letters/ Y2 Practising diagonal join to ascender: wh, oh.
• Unit 5 Y1 Practising long-legged giraffe letters and one-armed robot letters/ Y2 Practising diagonal join no ascender: ow, ou.
• Unit 6 Y1 Introducing capitals for one-armed robot letters/ Y2 Introducing diagonal join to e: ie, ue.

Maths:
In Mathematics Y1 are focusing on place value within 10, addition and subtraction within 10 and shape. Y2 will be focusing on place value, addition and subtraction and shape.

Science:
Our unit this term is called ‘Humans, including Animals.’ Y1 are focusing on identifying and naming parts of the human body and learning about the five senses. We will also identify and name a variety of common animals that are carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores and use our observations to suggest answers to questions. Y2 will be noticing that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults. They will find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air). Y2 children will also describe the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene.

Art and Design & Design Technology: 
This half term we are exploring the famous artist Anthony Gormley and creating clay models inspired by his artwork. During the next half term, we will explore where our food comes from and use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes.

Music:
We will learn songs across the school during our music assemblies and perform them at our local Harvest Festival. In Autumn 2, Y1 will be learning how to perform songs with style and rhythm from memory by identifying simple song structures. They will be creating a performance with an accompaniment and actions. In Autumn 2, Y2 will be learning to improvise rhythms along to a backing track using the note C or G. Y2 children will also learn to compose call-and-response music, play a melody on a tuned percussion instrument, sing with good diction and recognise and play echoing phrases by ear.

History and Geography: 
This term, we’ll learn all about the significant individual Mary Anning. We’ll explore the extinction of the dinosaurs and identify the human and physical features of the Jurassic Coast.

Computing:
This term Y1 are learning about technology all around us, digital painting (using a computer to save and retrieve work) and internet safety. Y2 are learning about programming, computer systems and networks.

RE:
This term we are exploring the question ‘who made the world?’ We will attend our local Harvest Festival service and recognise that Harvest Festival is a time for Christians to say ‘Thank You’ to God. During Autumn 2, we will explore why Christmas is important to Christians.

PE: 
During this half term we are focusing on multi skills, body parts and their functions and bootcamp activities (exploring circuit activities).

PSHE:
Our SCARF theme this half term is 'Me and My Relationships' exploring all about me, classroom routines and understanding and expressing feelings.

Alongside our guided activities, we spend time learning through play and exploration of the indoor and outdoor environment. We choose our provision based on the needs of the children in the moment of their learning to enhance skills and prior knowledge.

Help your child prepare for their project:

Please take a look at the homework grid and choose some of the tasks to complete at home together. Any additional activities you do at home with your child, will support their learning in school.  

If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to speak to a member of the Class 2 team.

Many thanks,

Mrs Olefhile, Miss Horrocks and Mrs Szabo.