Year 2 Curriculum outline Summer 2022
Year 2 Curriculum Outline Summer 2022 X Marks the Spot ~ Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Humanities - Social Understanding In Thematic our work will support learning in Science, Humanities and the Arts as well as supporting the development of our learning habits. The children will further develop their research skills and diverse methods of recording. Pupils will continue to work on their ability to use correct vocabulary when talking about the past. We will also carry out experiments that will link closely with our themes. When looking at ‘X Marks the Spot’ the children will be extending their mapping skills. We will be encouraging the children to use a number of different media to represent our findings and learning. Following half term we will be looking at transport through our theme ‘Trains, Planes and automobiles’. We have a school trip to link with this topic. RS this term focuses on Jesus and his disciples, and on the stories Jesus told. The children will reflect on the important message in each story, and how that might inform their own perspectives on life. Key skills will include retelling and explaining these expressions of faith, and using key religious vocabulary with confidence. The pupils are encouraged throughout to respond with sensitivity and tolerance towards the experiences and feelings of others, including those with a faith.
Language and Communication In English the children will continue to focus on their daily phonics through the Read, Write programme and thematic English lessons. The English lessons will stem from the theme and we will continue to develop the children’s love of writing stories, basic grammar that Year 2 children should be familiar with and use, and comprehension work. During our chosen topics we will be looking to further develop each child’s creative and imaginative writing, through focusing on humorous poems, fictional settings and characters, letters and invitations. We will also focus on diary writing; understanding, identifying and using the features of diaries in a wide range of contexts from the past and present and both fictional and non-fictional. The Summer term is a great opportunity to learn some playground games in Modern Languages and to focus on clear pronunciation and confidence with the language. There will be plenty of activities to complement the thematic learning topics and to consolidate key vocabulary and structures such as giving a name, age and nationality. The focus will be on speaking and listening with stories, songs, rhymes and language learning games. Pupils can use the elementary section of Linguascope if they wish to practise vocabulary at home. In Spanish, the fun story ‘El monstruo de colores’ provides a solid base for new vocabulary and structures about feelings and emotions. They will also enjoy reading “The Mixed- up Chameleon” and will use this as an opportunity to learn key vocabulary and adjectives regarding animals. This term students will also enjoy learning about some Spanish landmarks as well as the colourful and fun festivity ”La feria de abril.” In French, pupils will enjoy learning through the traditional tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Mathematical Understanding In Maths this term Year 2 will have a focus on measurement, starting with ordering and comparing height and length of objects and then moving onto mass, capacity and temperature. Pupils will learn to choose and use appropriate standard units to estimate and measure length/height in any direction (m/cm); mass (kg/g); temperature (°C) and capacity (litres/ml) to the nearest appropriate unit. They will also use rulers, scales, thermometers and measuring vessels to compare and order lengths, mass, volume/capacity and record the results using >, < and =. In addition to this, the children will apply their knowledge of the four operations in the context of measurement. The measurement unit also includes a focus on time. Pupils will order and arrange combinations of mathematical objects in patterns and sequences and learn how to tell and write the time to five minutes, including quarter past/to the hour, whilst drawing the hands on a clock face to show these times. They will learn the number of minutes in an hour, hours in a day and be able to compare and sequence intervals of time. Pupils will then move on to geometry, using mathematical vocabulary to describe position, direction and movement, including movement in a straight line, and distinguishing between rotation as a turn and in terms of right angles for quarter, half and three-quarter turns (clockwise and anti-clockwise). Throughout this term, pupils will be given opportunities to solve problems and investigations in a range of contexts and discuss the efficiency of different methods.
Physical Education and Well-being In PE this term pupils will continue taking part in fencing and individual sports such as athletics and tennis on rotation. Pupils at Dame Bradbury’s will also swim in the first half of term. In athletics, pupils will take part in modified track and field events in preparation for Sports Day. Pupils will also focus on developing key skills used in striking and fielding games such as cricket and developing a greater understanding of the game. You can help by encouraging your child to stay active outside of school. Discuss the importance of a healthy and balanced diet and any involvement in sports clubs outside of school will not only benefit your child physically but mentally and socially too. In PSHEE we will be covering ‘Personal Safety and Managing Risk’ where we introduce the concept of risk to the children and develop an understanding of ways in which risk might be reduced in the area of drug education and road safety. We will recognise what can cause harm (hazards), assess risk (the probability of harm) and understand how to control risks to ourselves and others in familiar and unfamiliar situations. The ‘Relatrionships and Sex Education Unit’ will will consolidate children’s understanding of how babies develop into children and then into adults and will consider their own physical
development. They will be able to explain that a baby human or animal grows inside its mother. They will think about their responsibilities and how these have changed since they were a baby. They will then consider what babies and young children need to stay healthy and safe. The main themes covered in this unit are ‘the human life cycle’, ‘growing up’, ‘personal responsibilities’ and ‘parents, carers and families’. We will also look at ‘Managing Change’ where the children will learn to recognise that change is a normal part of life. They will begin by thinking about their changing achievements, skills and responsibilities as they grow older. They will discuss changes they can have some choice in, those which others choose for them, and those which just happen, and consider possible reasons for these changes. The children will discuss the emotions they might feel at these times of change, considering what they might do to help themselves cope with the feelings they experience and how other people might be able to help too. They will also learn that change can be positive and talk about some life changes they might look forward to in the future. Forest School is a superb way for our pupils to learn holistically through play and exploration, following their own curiosity. Pupils learn to connect with their environment, manage risks and use their initiative to solve problems and cooperate with others whilst developing their resilience, creativity, confidence, and independence skills. This term they will be making 3D models of nature and animals using wood and various tools. As the season changes the pupils will think about bird and tree identification. The pupils will also look at identifying hazards and how to risk assess the environment. Pupils will continue to build on their existing knowledge of tool’s, while also learning how to use the fire striker and having a go with the bow drill. Fitzwilliam pupils will be continuing at their new Forest School area at Clare Wood while Dame Bradbury’s will continue to use Rowley Hill.
Creative and Performing Arts In Plan Learn Do Review pupils have the opportunity to lead and direct their own learning. Over a four week cycle the pupils will Plan what they want to do which may be digitally via a video, or using pictures, words and labels. The pupils then spend a session to Learn something that will contribute to the successful Do session. Perhaps colour mixing, cutting cardboard, threading a needle, or finding out what a rocket really looks like. In the third week, it is Do day; on this day the pupils execute their Plan. You may be asked to bring in some specific resources to help on this day such as a cardboard box or some small cakes for decoration. Often the pupils link their project to the theme but it is up to them. Then it is the final session which is the pupils’ Review, this is where they reflect on how their project went, this may be a discussion, a video or a written statement. This helps inform the pupils next Do based on what they may want to learn next. In Create Design and Engineering, as part of the X Marks the Spot theme, the pupils will be using different media such as collage materials. In addition to this, we will be teaching the children to draw artefacts from observation. We always encourage the children to practise their free drawing as much as possible and will revisit making shapes appear solid and in perspective.
In Music, we will continue to notate and play simple tunes using three notes on pitched percussion. We will learn how to represent these notes on the five line stave. In the second half of the term, we will focus on rhythmic notation and reading using the rhythm sticks ‘ta’ and ‘tate’. Pupils will focus on coordinating pulse and rhythm by performing both simultaneously and using rhythmic ostinato patterns. In recorder lessons, we will learn the new note G. We will continue to learn some new songs as well as some familiar songs that we sing in class. Most of all, pupils will enjoy putting together their songs and pieces for the Year 1 and 2 Concert.
Scientific Understanding In Science we will continue to focus on the principles of scientific investigations. For example, questioning ‘what might happen’ and ‘why?’ We will look at questions such as ‘how?’ and ‘what might happen if?’ when formulating investigations. Pupils will consolidate their understanding of fair testing by exploring how to collect evidence, measure and record results and reflecting on these in a conclusion. We will be investigating how far sound can travel by making our own paper cup telephones and if the distance a paper plane can fly is influenced by its design or the material it is made from. A trip to Stansted Airport’s Aerozone (educational centre) will allow us to understand the mechanics of a real aeroplane!
Digital
The Inner Wheel With the Google apps at the heart of digital curation our pupils use Google Classroom to complete work digitally and hand in work that is produced in a variety of ways. We have identified 7 main apps, our EverGreen apps, that help to showcase our pupils’ learning. An animation, movie or annotated piece of work provides richer feedback for the teacher and ultimately helps to make greater progress. Explain Everything www.explaineverything.com Green Screen www.doink.com Stop Motion www.cateater.com Strip Design www.vividapps.com/Strip_Designer/ Notability www.gingerlabs.com Book Creator www.bookcreator.com Puppet Pals www.polishedplay.com The Outer Wheel We have a number of apps that we use consistently throughout our curriculum that lend themselves to our creative approach. We avoid apps that are specific to a particular outcome, preferring content free apps that can help to enhance our pupils work and understanding. Some examples are: Minecraft, iMovie, KeyNote, Pages and Padlet.
Coding Another aspect of our digital curriculum is the coding/programming skills that are embedded in all subjects or taught discretely in Years 5 and 6. We have identified a progression of apps that help to develop our pupils ability to code. The apps provide variety and challenge and help to develop the computation skills that are crucial learning in our digital work. We combine the coding experiences with physical output. Using Spheros, BBC Micro:Bits and Ozobots provides visual outcomes that bring our code to life. As our pupils develop further they transition on to written code.
Thinking Toolkit Alongside and underpinning our curriculum we ensure that our pupils are developing as active learners and active thinkers. Throughout each subject area pupils are encouraged to use their range of thinking tools and reflect on when and how they are using them. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on how their thinking tools underpin all aspects of their learning and not just in the more obvious ways. How are they creative in maths? How do they enquire in English? How are they critical in Music? How do they think computationally in PE?
Inclusion This curriculum map outlines the core curriculum for each year group each term but at the heart of our wheel is the individual learner. Each subject area has a progression of skills which enables staff to stretch or support individuals as and when they need a little help, a bit of a push or a just a different way in. Within our classrooms through planning, teacher knowledge and interactions work is differentiated to suit the needs of each individual.