Year 2 News 

Reading

In Reading, students have focused on analysing characters in fiction by exploring both texts they have read and videos they have watched. They examined each character’s actions, facial expressions, body language and speech to understand their personalities and motivations. Using these clues, students inferred how the characters might be feeling or what they might be thinking. Through this process, they strengthened their ability to look beyond the surface.

The Year 2 Cohort  have been learning how to analyse non-fiction texts by looking at how the information is set out and organised. They looked closely at the images and captions to see how they help explain the topic. Students also noticed the author’s tone and the way the text is arranged to make the information clear and easy to understand.

‘When we analysed characters we looked at the inside of the character not the outside, sometimes the outside of the character helps us too.’ - Zoe 2A

‘In Reading we have been reading fiction texts and we have been analysing characters in fiction texts. In non fiction texts if you don’t know a word you can look in the glossary.’ - Jessica 2A

Writing

This fortnight in writing, students have been publishing their narrative. They have worked so hard creating characters, developing settings and writing a problem and solution. The students added detail using adjectives and even some speech between characters. When publishing, the students have added in illustrations to support their text and have designed a front cover for their book. 

Additionally, students have been developing typing skills on laptops. They have familiarised themselves with the keys, discussed where they are and what they are used for. Students have been practising adding in capital letters, full stops, using shift to type different symbols and using the enter key to start a new line and type new paragraphs. 

“I enjoyed writing facts about whales on the laptops.” - Ayla, 2C

“I liked typing up sentences using a laptop” - Carissa, 2C

“I learned that when you press shift and a number, it shows a different symbol” - Haydar, 2C

Maths 

This fortnight in maths, Year 2 students have been revising subtraction and using a range of methods. They have been developing their subtraction skills and growing in confidence when working with numbers. The children have been exploring a range of strategies to help them understand what subtraction really means, not just ‘taking away’ but also finding the difference and using number relationships to work efficiently. 

Students have been learning about measures of turn. They have been exploring how we describe movement and direction using mathematical language such as quarter turn, half turn, three-quarter turn, and full turn. Through practical activities, students have been using arrows and classroom objects to show different turns, as well as following and giving directions to a partner. They have also been practising clockwise and anti-clockwise turns and linking these ideas to real-life situations, for example, the hands on a clock. 

“I learned that you can do a half turn one way but if you go back the same way doing a half turn you end up back at the start” - Harper, 2C

“We learned that clockwise is right and anticlockwise is left.” - Tony, 2C

Inquiry

This fortnight Year 2 students have been learning how someone might feel, think and act during an emergency. They talked about different situations and shared ideas about what people might do or how they might react. Working in mixed-ability groups, they have helped each other understand the scenarios. They then completed an activity sheet where they filled in how a person might respond in different emergencies.

In another lesson Year 2 students focused on learning simple strategies to stay calm and manage their feelings during challenging moments. Following the session they then completed an activity where they chose one of these strategies and showed how they would use it in a real-life situation.

“We have been learning about emotions and how people react differently to different situations.” - Ivaan, 2C

Social and Emotional Learning

This fortnight Year 2 students have been learning about personal space and what it means to invade someone's personal space. Students thought about personal space like a bubble around them and how it sometimes feels when someone ‘bursts their bubble’. They thought about how everyone’s bubble is a little different and that’s okay! 

Year 2 have been practising how to recognise their own personal space and explain when they need more or less of it, respect other people’s space and use kind words to tell others when their space feels squashed or uncomfortable. Students have been considering ways of responding to situations in a respectful manner. Through a range of scenarios, they thought of different ways to respond rather than react. 

‘Everyone has personal space and we keep our hands to ourselves. If we hit someone they might get hurt.’ - Zoe 2A

‘When we were learning about personal space. We have an invisible bubble around us to see the invisible bubble is as wide as our arms stretched out. - Jessica 2A

‘It is very important to have personal space. Nobody should touch your private parts, that's why we have personal space.’ - Georgia 2A

‘We all have personal spaces. It is a space for us to enjoy. We don’t want to get close to others and others to get close to us. We don't allow others if it feels uncomfortable in our personal space.’ - Amy 2A

‘Everyone has a personal bubble. Their bubble is an arms length long.’ - Maggie 2A

Special Event

Remembrance Day

Year 2 students have learned about the importance of Remembrance Day by reflecting on the sacrifices made by defence personnel and recognising why we pause to remember them. They watched a short clip that helped them understand the significance of honouring those who have served. After the discussion, they completed an activity where they made their own poppies to symbolise remembrance and honour. Students also attended a school assembly where they stood in silence for one minute to show respect.

‘On Tuesday the 11th we went to the Remembrance assembly. Before we went there we made poppies. We made lovehearts and put them together. The red represents the blood of the soldiers that passed away.’ - Amy 2A

‘On Tuesday the 11th it was Remembrance Day and we made poppies because it was the soldiers' favourite flower.’ - Indy 2A

‘On the 11th of the 11th Tuesday all the Junior School Council kids were there. We read some things at the assembly. We stood in silence for 1 minute. We thought about the soldiers that fought. The poppies are a reminder of the soldiers that passed away. They were growing on the battlefield where the soldiers fought.’ - Mya 2A

‘On Tuesday we were celebrating Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day is when soldiers died. That day was on the 11th of the 11th. We went to the assembly and stood still for 1 minute.’ - Eliz 2A