Year 2 Topic Learning Challenges

Year 2 Topic What is my Dream Island?

In this unit we will be looking at what human and physical features are common to all islands. We will then look at what is unique about the British Isles and compare them with other islands in the world. Science links are made by looking at different habitats. Later on in the year the skills learnt in this unit will be further developed when researching Britain and Australia.

Opening Ask children to share their experiences of visiting an island.

Investigations What is an Island?

What makes Britain an Island?

What are the famous islands of the world?

Can you find the treasure?

Can you make your own island?

Why do different islands have different habitats?

What animals live on different islands?

Do different animals eat different food?

Reflection Children to plan out their dream island?

English Stories with familiar settings-Katy Morag Fantasy stories -Madagascar Digital Literacy Using Beebots Art, Craft and Design Looking at painting based on islands

Year 2 Topic Why are Fire and Ice so important?

In this unit the children will study seasonal events of Bonfire night, Remembrance Day, Diwali and Christmas. We will also combine these studies with learning about materials and the effects of heat and cooling.

Opening Introduce topic discussing Bonfire night and its importance in history. What things do they relate to bonfire night.

Investigations When was the great fire of London?

How do we keep safe from fire?

How do we make ice melt?

Does anyone live on the North Pole?

Who was the first man to reach the South Pole?

Why are candles so important?

Reflection Children explain the significance of Fire and Ice at Christmas time?

English Recount events Digital Literacy Internet and basic skills Plan and enter instructions

R.E. Festivals: Christmas , Diwali

Year 2 Topic What makes Britain great?

In Year Two we aim to build on the children’s basic understanding of History and Geography from Year One. In History we will look at important people and events from beyond living memory and there importance to our national and local life.

In Geography we will broaden their knowledge to look at our country, and the World as a whole.

Opening Which country do we live in?

Investigations What are the countries and capital cities of the UK? Can you name the surrounding seas of the British Isles?

What are the seasons and how does the weather change in the UK? Can I find Bolton on a UK map and locate some of it’s features?

Can I identify symbols on a map?

Who is Samuel Crompton? What is he famous for? Where did he live?

Why is London our capital? Can I name some features of London?

Reflection Children create a presentation or assembly about why Britain is so great

English Recount writing, Sequencing events, Character studies, Letters and diaries and Persuasive Writing Persuasion Mathematics Position, Direction, Measurement and Statistics Digital Literacy Digital atlas to study geographic features, Google Earth Ipad - Beebot

Year 2 Topic Why do Kangaroos only live in Australia?

In Year Two we aim to build on the children’s basic understanding of History and Geography from Year One. In History we will look at important people and events from beyond living memory and there importance to our national and local life.

In Geography we will broaden their knowledge to look at our country, and the World as a whole. We will compare Australia with the UK. Opening Children to mind map everything they know about Australia Investigations Where is Australia? What are the six states?

English Non-fiction: making lists, labels, captions and instructions Digital Literacy Internet skills and Word processing

Who discovered Australia? Where did he travel?

R.E. Look at new life.

Can you name some famous Australian landmarks?

Art, Craft and Design Paintings in the Aboriginal style

Who are the Aborigines?

What different environments/ habitats are there in Australia? What animals are found in Australia?

Do plants grow in Australia?

Reflection Children make travel brochure highlighting what an interesting country Australia is

Dance Children would be encouraged to listen to the rhythms associated with Aboriginal music and try to recreate their own music giving consideration to the choice of instruments and their voices.

Year 2 Topic How do you keep yourself fit?

In this unit children will lean about the importance of exercise, nutrition and good hygiene. This topic links directly to our P.E. curriculum. The children will be involved in making healthy choices and have practical cooking experiences. The children will study why good hygiene is so important and how Florence Nightingale established her hospitals.

Opening Discuss with children how we keep ourselves healthy.

Investigations Why do we need to exercise?

Why is too much cake bad for us?

English Instructions, Explanations, Lists, Recount, Persuasion Non-fiction texts Digital Literacy Data handling D.T. Making fruit salad and / or chocolate nests.

Do I need to wash my hands?

Who is Florence Nightingale?

Do we need all of our senses?

Is the dentist really scary?

Reflection Children create a guide to leading a healthy lifestyle.

P.E. Keeping active during lessons and discussing why this is so important

Year 2 Topic What makes a lovely home?

In this unit the children will be studying life beyond living memory and we shall be looking at houses. In particular we shall be studying life in a castle. During this topic we shall visit Skipton Castle. We will link this to animal homes and notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults.

Opening Children to draw pictures of their own homes and to write short description.

Investigations What makes a good home?

Why does a bird build a nest?

What is your home built out of?

How were houses built in the past?

Can you identify some famous local houses built in the past?

Why were houses in the past built where they are?

Reflection Children to design a brochure for their dream home

English Historical stories- King Arthur Recount of visit to Skipton Castle Digital Literacy Data handling Development of Technology Dance Medieval dancing