Welcome to Year 2B!
Summer Term.
w/c 19/05/25
We've been outdoors a lot this week, making the most of the sunny weather and honing our skills for Sports Day next Wednesday! We’ve chosen their races and are eager to showcase our talents.
In literacy, we enjoyed learning about nonsense poetry. We read a variety of poems from different authors and then created our own hilarious pieces that had everyone in stitches! Our maths lessons were hands-on as we explored measuring in centimetres and metres. We tackled practical problem-solving tasks using rulers, metre sticks, and trundle wheels. In PSHE, we wrapped up our unit by discussing bank accounts, debit cards, and how adults can use their skills and strengths to earn money. And let’s not forget our final dance session with the fabulous Laura! The moves were fantastic and full of energy! We also enjoyed some quality time gardening with Mrs K, getting our hands dirty and learning about nature.
w/c 12/05/25
This week, in maths, we wrapped up our unit on multiplication and division. We dove deep into mastering the 2x, 5x, and 10x tables, as well as learning how to divide by 2, 5, and 10. We also learnt about the special relationship between the 5x and 10x tables – a fantastic tool to help us solve problems more efficiently! In writing, our creativity soared as we authored our HOT TASk Beat the Monster Tale. We focused on employing techniques to build suspense in our storytelling, and we also used a handy checklist to assess our own writing. Our economic wellbeing afternoons opened our eyes to how adults earn money and manage it to fulfil both needs and wants.
w/c 07/05/25
This week we spent time perfecting our dance moves ready for VallaVision, showcasing fantastic choreography by Laura that left everyone in awe. We tackled doubles and halves, applying our skills to solve some intriguing mathematical problems. In a whirlwind of imagination, we each crafted a thrilling "Beat the Monster" story. With random settings and suspenseful build-ups, we worked hard to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Our afternoons were filled with joy as we planted a range of seeds and danced with ribbons, celebrating the beauty of nature and movement!
w/c 28/04/25
This week we set off on an imaginative journey into the world of storytelling with Beat the Monster tales! We began with an intriguing cold task to set the stage, before diving into the classic tale of Jack & The Beanstalk. Our adventure didn’t stop there; we also delved into the suspenseful world of The Dark by Lemony Snickett. Using our trusty story hands, we practised breaking down stories into their essential parts, which helped keep our focus sharp as we crafted moments of suspense.In maths, we tackled the fundamentals of dividing by 2, before venturing into the exciting realms of doubling and halving.Afternoons were filled with delightful activities, including collaborating on our Eurovision song—what a treat to see those talents shine! We also enjoyed a vibrant dance lesson with Laura, alongside some PE, art, craft and RE with Mrs K. Miss B is very happy with some of the phonics work we've done this week as well!
w/c 21/04/25
What an incredible week we've had, despite only having four days at school! In reading, we worked on our inference skills and structured our comprehension answers beautifully, making sure they were detailed and accurate. We also explored the delightful world of alliteration and similes in literacy, culminating in a short story that definitely did not recount what happened when Miss B did not get locked in school over the Easter holiday! Maths came alive as we tackled division, learning to make equal groups through both sharing and grouping methods. Afternoons were filled with creativity, as we worked with Mrs K on our stunning artwork, alongside engaging sessions in RE and PE. A special highlight was our dance lesson with Laura – what a fantastic way to express ourselves! This week is just the beginning of many busy and rewarding weeks to come.
Spring Term.
w/c 31/03/25
This week, in our Literacy lessons, we ventured into the imaginative world of storytelling, inspired by a captivating short film about a wishing well. We embraced suspense, action, and dialogue, crafting exciting sentences that brought our stories to life! In our Maths lessons, we journeyed deeper into the world of multiplication. We started using the multiplication symbol in our calculations and began tackling problems with confidence. By using arrays, we discovered the wonders of the commutative law in multiplication. Our Topic lessons wrapped up the history section of our "Great Fire of London" topic. We engaged in critical thinking as we examined historical evidence to understand how the Great Fire reshaped London. Plus, we took a virtual walk down Pudding Lane and checked out The Monument using Google Maps.
w/c 24/03/25
This week in Literacy, we crafted our final fact files about sea creatures. We focused on the appearance, habitat, and diet of various sea creatures. In Maths, we tackled recognising, making, and adding equal groups. This understanding will pave the way for our next adventure into the world of multiplication and division—bringing confidence and enthusiasm along for the ride! Our Topic lessons have sparked curiosity about The Great Fire of London. We've started to evaluate and interpret historical evidence, uncovering insights into how and why this significant event unfolded.
w/c 10/03/25
This week:
- In Maths, we dove into the fascinating world of 3D shapes! We explored faces, surfaces, edges, and vertices. We worked on applying the RUCSAC approach to tackle maths problems with confidence.
- In Literacy, we memorised a factfile text and performed it for our classmates. We also took our vocabulary to new heights, discovering exciting new words and crafting perfect sentences to express ourselves!
- In PSHE, we focused on Citizenship, learning about the incredible people who support our school and local community. Together, we discussed how we can contribute and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. Let’s continue to make a positive impact!
- In Yoga, we enjoyed a relaxing session where we worked on building resilience while mastering the challenging Baby Bird Pose!
w/c 03/03/25
On Tuesday, the school was transformed into a vibrant sea of daffodils and creatively decorated pots as we welcomed Douglas Council for the daffodil competition. The effort put in by Year 2 was absolutely inspiring! Then, we celebrated World Book Day on Thursday, where our classroom was filled with a fantastic array of characters from a multitude of books. A special shout-out to our talented Year 2 pupils who participated in the Off By Heart Competition. Their performances were nothing short of incredible, and I couldn't be prouder! In the classroom, we've been bustling with activity:
- In Maths, we explored lines of symmetry in 2D shapes and used Venn diagrams to sort shapes based on different features.
- Our Literacy sessions included a cold task where we wrote fact files about hedgehogs, followed by an exciting lesson collecting facts about blue whales, ready to mark fact files about the incredible sea mammal and then creating a toolkit for future writing!
- In Science, we delved into the fascinating world of solids, liquids, and gases, exploring what happens to materials when they're heated and cooled.
w/c 24/02/25
This week, in our writing lessons, we delved deep into the world of spelling, punctuation, and grammar (also known as SPAG). This week, we particularly focused on:
- Reading and using bullet points effectively
- Identifying and crafting noun phrases and expanded noun phrases
- Understanding and using prepositions
- Exploring personal pronouns
We even had a special visitor called Boots at the door during our SPAG lessons! Unfortunately, Boots can only say, "miaow," so he had to stay outside while we helped each other learn! In maths, we practised recognising and naming 2D shapes, counting their sides and vertices, and used a ruler to draw and label our own 2D shapes! In science, we got our thinking caps on and planned an exciting investigation into waterproof materials to design the ultimate rainy day outfit! To top it all off, we enjoyed our very first yoga session on Thursday, which was a brilliant way to relax and energise our minds for the afternoon ahead.
w/c 10/02/25
This week's news is guest written by AEW.
"This week, in our Maths lessons we were learning about what shapes were for. We had a booklet and we did three or four pages! In Literacy, we learnt about verbs. In Topic, we made Valentine's cards."
We also celebrated MSPCA Dress as an Animal Day...check out the main page to find out how much we raised!
w/c 03/02/25
This week, in our Maths sessions, we embarked on a new adventure into the world of geometry! We explored a variety of 2D and 3D shapes, identifying and describing the different forms we recognise. Meanwhile, in Literacy we wrapped up our journey tales! We crafted stories brimming with action and lively dialogue, applying the skills we've honed over the past term. In our Topic lessons, small teams collaborated to compose music inspired by the coast. We not only devised our pieces but also learned how to notate our compositions using symbols, focusing on pitch and duration. The final performances were nothing short of spectacular, filled with innovation and teamwork!
w/c 27/01/25
This week in Literacy, we polished our grammar skills, explored vowels and consonants, and tackled suffixes with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, in Maths, we’re approaching the end of our addition and subtraction topic. We have been mastering how to add and subtract two-digit numbers, even when they cross ten! The discussions about exchanges have sparked some exciting mathematical conversations! In our Topic sessions, we embraced the joy of music by memorising a variety of songs from the British Isles. We focused on when to breathe and enjoyed singing with a wide range of pitches – music truly brings out our creativity! In PSHE, we had insightful discussions about the differences between secrets and surprises, a crucial topic for emotional awareness. A highlight of our week was on Thursday, when we welcomed the Lempen Puppet Theatre! We were captivated by traditional tales reimagined in delightful ways, sparking our imaginations and storytelling skills.
w/c 20/01/25
In our Literacy lessons this week, we delved further into the art of storytelling, exploring the five essential parts of a journey tale and using Tiddler to enhance our narrative skills. Additionally, we sharpened our grammar skills with a focus on possessive apostrophes. In our Maths lessons, we applied our knowledge from the place value unit, using addition and subtraction strategies to determine 10 more and 10 less than any two-digit number. Our critical thinking skills were put to the test as we tackled various problem-solving challenges! In Science, we finished our biology topic by researching and creating our own food chains, comparing different types and exercising our analytical skills to identify similarities and differences. In Topic lessons, we embarked on an adventure discovering our fantastic Isle of Man! We investigated the variety of beaches along our coastline, utilising the internet to find out about them and map them accurately on a map. A highlight of the week was a visit from a cricket coach on Wednesday, who provided expert coaching and guidance on the fundamental skills of the game. We faced an unexpected day at home on Friday due to high winds, but we’re eager to jump back into our learning on Monday!
w/c 13/01/25
This week, we were fortunate to have Holly from Isle Listen visit us, where she inspired us to explore the theme of empathy. We expressed our creativity by crafting beautiful flowers to represent how we can show kindness and understanding to others. In our Literacy lessons, we began learning the enchanting story of Tiddler by Julia Donaldson off by heart. We began to explore the structure of journey tales and practised writing exciting sentences. Our maths this week was exciting too, as we tackled our Daily 10 challenges, focusing on number bonds. We showcased our skills in adding and subtracting one and two-digit numbers using various strategies and resources. In science, we took an adventure into the world of food chains, learning about the roles of animals and plants as producers and consumers. We had a go at doing our own research, discovering fascinating facts about different animals and their relationships within ecosystems. Lastly, our PSHE lesson emphasised the critical topic of online safety. Ensuring we have the knowledge to navigate the digital world responsibly is so important.
w/c 06/01/25
This week has been packed with fun and learning. We thoroughly enjoyed our final Forest School session, despite the chilly weather! In Literacy, we dove back into our daily reading and phonics activities while embarking on our Journey Tales topic, inspired by the delightful story of "Tiddler" by Julia Donaldson. Our imaginations are swimming with adventures! In Maths, we refreshed our adding strategies, focussing on adding across ten using various resources to support our learning. It was a wonderful hands-on experience! In Science, we explored the fascinating world of food chains, discovering how they always start with plants as producers. In PSHE, we discussed the importance of managing our screen time and how it affects us. It's crucial to find that balance! And in Music, we delved into the concept of pitch, experimenting with our voices and listening to a variety of instruments. We even practised our Bass Face!
w/c 16/12/24
What an incredibly busy and joyful final week of the Autumn term it has been in Year 2! We kicked off the week with an adventurous day in the forest, where we learned how to safely start a fire, upon which we toasted marshmallows to perfection! Nothing beats the great outdoors and some sweet treats. Having wrapped up our reading, writing, phonics, and maths early in the week, we had plenty of time to get into the festive spirit by wrapping up our beautiful artwork to share and gift over the coming weeks. Our Christmas party was a highlight filled with fun, laughter, and delicious foods! The excitement continued on Thursday as we enjoyed a lovely walk to Braddan Church, where we sang our hearts out, spreading festive cheer. To wind down, we gathered together for a Christmas film on Thursday afternoon—such a perfect way to relax and enjoy each other’s company. The excitement peaked on the final day of term with a fabulous show featuring our teachers and Year 6 pupils in a lively Generation Game! From laughter to friendly competition, the day was packed with messy fun and unforgettable memories. As we close the chapter on this term, we want to wish everyone a well-deserved and peaceful two-week break.
w/c 09/12/24
What a great week it has been! The mild weather allowed us to venture into the woods, where we had a fabulous time exploring amongst the trees. We embraced our creativity by building charming reindeer decorations, and of course, enjoyed climbing and swinging to our hearts' content! In literacy, we wrote detailed instructions to assist our teacher in decorating her Christmas tree this week. Our writing skills are truly blossoming! Meanwhile, in maths, we dove into the concept of making exchanges when adding over tens. We utilised place value charts and Base 10 before moving on to create visual representations through pictures and drawings. This hands-on approach is wonderful for reinforcing our understanding! Our artistic journey continued in topic as we painted and varnished our amazing clay tiles, inspired by the renowned Archibald Knox. Just wait till you see the incredible creations!
w/c 02/12/24
What an exciting week it has been at school! We kicked things off with a delightful trip to Lester's Yard, where we marvelled at a beautiful rainbow and warmed ourselves by the fire. Nature truly has a way of inspiring us! In Literacy, we created our very own toolkits for writing amazing instructions. Together, we shared and marked some of our teacher's work, setting the stage for our hot task next week. In Maths, we dove into the world of number bonds, mastering the art of adding three one-digit numbers using our bonds to help us and adding to the next 10. Our Topic lessons were a real treat as we wrapped up our tile designs and spent the morning crafting clay tiles inspired by the famous Archibald Knox. Lastly, in PSHE, we learned invaluable lessons about taking care of our teeth. Healthy smiles all around!
w/c 25/11/24
Our first Forest School session was a great success, as we shared our skills and made sure everyone had fun in a happy and safe environment at Lester's Yard. In literacy, we've been diving into the world of verbs and adverbs, learning how to use them to write clear and engaging instructions. Meanwhile, in maths, we've been mastering different strategies for addition, with a special focus on adding by making 10. Our new topic on Archibald Knox has sparked our creativity! We discovered where he found his inspiration and began developing our sketching skills, taking on the challenge of drawing some intricate Celtic knots and patterns. In PSHE, we explored the concept of a growth mindset and discussed how to manage the many feelings that come with it. It's all about embracing challenges and learning from them!
w/c 18/11/24
This week, we continued our exploration of fact families and related facts, mastering number bonds to 20 for speedy calculations. In our writing sessions, we had a blast crafting short burst pieces, showcasing all the skills we've honed in our instructions unit. The highlight was writing magical instructions for creating a potion! In science, we delved into the importance of a healthy balanced diet and good hygiene practices. We also discussed what it feels like to be unwell and how to keep safe around medicines. Health is important, and we're learning how to look after ourselves! In PSHE, we’ve focused on setting personal goals and finding motivation to achieve our dreams. It's all about thinking big! We tested our spatial awareness by creating and decorating festive paper lanterns. To top it all off, we were thrilled to have the West Midlands Theatre group perform Snow White for us on Thursday! We all loved joining in the fun and laughter!
w/c 11/11/24
This week, we had the pleasure of meeting Pudsey Bear, the beloved mascot for Children in Need, who inspired us all to raise funds for this amazing charity. Every penny counts! In our literacy lessons, we delved into the world of imperative verbs and time connectives—essential tools for writing clear and concise instructions. Our maths sessions focused on number bonds to 10 and 20, alongside exploring fact families and building related facts. In science, we embarked on an exciting investigation on how human feet grow over time! We gathered data from various sources, recorded our findings, and interpreted them to answer our scientific questions. We also discussed the crucial role that exercise plays in maintaining our health. This week in PSHE, we explored our feelings and devised simple strategies for managing them, especially referring to our CALM (emotion coaching) approach that we use at school.
w/c 04/11/24
What a joy it was to reunite after our week off! This week, we dived back into our learning with enthusiasm, and we couldn't be prouder of our learning! Our STEAM Stay & Learn session was a highlight, where some of our grown-ups joined us to design and invent clever vehicles to ensure we can still manage our weekly shopping when stormy weather disrupts the boats! In maths, we embarked on a new journey exploring addition and subtraction. The children showcased their talents in recalling number facts to solve problems and searched for patterns to help them remember them more easily. In literacy, we found out what makes a perfect set of instructions! We had a go at marking some writing, gaining insight into how we can check and edit our work after we feel we've finished. Our science lessons introduced us to the exciting world of "Animals including Humans". We explored the basic survival needs of animals, life cycles, and discovered fascinating facts about animals and their offspring. Finally, in PSHE, we delved into important discussions about gender stereotypes, particularly relating to different types of jobs adults have. This sparked some thoughtful conversations.
w/c 21/10/24
We've had an incredible final week of Autumn 1. We embarked on an imaginative journey by crafting our very own warning tales. We learned to weave dialogue into our narratives while ensuring our stories had a clear opening, build-up, problem, resolution, and a satisfying ending. In maths, our focus has been on mastering the concept of place value. We have been practising counting confidently in 2s, 5s, 10s, and 3s especially.
Finally, to wrap up our Rainforest topic, we showcased our artistic flair by creating and sewing glove puppets out of felt, representing various rainforest creatures. The vibrant colours and unique designs were a testament to our hard work!
w/c 14/10/24
Another brilliant week in Year 2! In Literacy, our shared storytelling adventure led us to craft the tale of "How the Anteater got its Tongue." Through teamwork, we explored the magic of storytelling, complete with fabulous dialogue between our quirky characters. This collaborative effort transformed our warning tale into an imaginative masterpiece. In Maths, we wrapped up our place value unit, confidently counting in 2s, 5s, 10s, and 3s. Our number skills are sharper than ever. Artistic talents shone in our Topic sessions as we created delightful little finger puppets using felt. We embraced our creativity, sticking our fabrics together before diving into the challenge of sewing with running stitch and over stitch. Just threading the needle tested our resilience, but what an amazing opportunity to step into that learning zone! In science this week, we explored the fascinating adaptations of animals, learning how they thrive in different habitats.
w/c 07/10/24
What an exciting week of discovery and creativity we’ve had at school! In Literacy, we have been exploring different planning tools, including the fantastic Story Hand plan! We’ve also delved into the art of crafting dialogue, making our stories come alive with character interactions. Moving on to Maths, we've been busy comparing numbers and using mathematical symbols to illustrate our findings. Plus, we've practiced our counting skills in 2s, 5s, and 10s – a great way to reinforce our number sense! Our Science enthusiasts wrapped up our investigation on the preferred habitats of woodlice. It was all about revisiting our predictions and evaluating our results – did we guess correctly? Lastly, in Topic lessons, we started exploring the wonderful world of puppetry and had a smashing time with some percussion call and response!
w/c 30/09/24
This week has been packed with exciting activities! We were thrilled to welcome PC Kennaugh, who shared invaluable tips on staying safe while we're out and about. We absolutely loved Rock Kidz, learning about kindness and rocking out. In our English lessons, we dived into the world of direct speech and commas in lists, bringing our stories to life. In maths, we worked on tens and ones on number lines, making estimates, and comparing objects to sharpen our number skills. Our science investigation had us intrigued as we discovered the preferred habitat conditions of woodlice.
w/c 23/09/24
What a whirlwind of a week it has been! In literacy, we’ve explored different types of sentences and paragraphs, honing our writing skills and expanding our vocabulary. Maths took us on a journey with number lines, mastering the concepts of 10s and 1s! In science, the wonders of the natural world came alive as we studied various habitats and the incredible life that thrives there. From lush rainforests to arid deserts, we are learning it all! Finally, we tapped into our musical talents by composing and performing a range of call and response music. It’s amazing to express ourselves through rhythm and harmony!
w/c 16/09/24
We have been busy bees this week in Year 2, diving into the wonderful world of language. We've explored nouns, verbs, and adjectives, crafting perfect sentences and unleashing our creativity with words! In Maths, we have been mastering our numbers up to 100, learning to read, write, and partition them in exciting new ways! And the fun didn't stop there! This week, we took a delightful musical journey into the rainforests of Western Africa. The sounds, rhythms, and stories have captured our imaginations!
w/c 09/09/24
This week, Year 2 began an inspiring writing topic, exploring the delightful Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. We are learning to craft our own warning tales, using our creativity and storytelling skills to warn against the unexpected!
In mathematics, we've been mastering different methods to represent numbers up to 100. We have been using various tools and equipment to deepen our understanding of digit values.
Additionally, we started our new science topic, where we are getting to grips with the seven characteristics of living things, known as MRS GREN. This foundational knowledge is essential for understanding biology in the natural world.
And that's not all! We've embarked on an exciting journey into our "Rainforest" topic, with a particular focus on the breathtaking rainforests of West Africa. We are learning about the diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife that thrive in these lush environments.
w/c 02/09/24
We have had such a lovely first week in Year 2 and everyone has shown such readiness and resilience. This week has been all about settling in, spending time together and getting to know new routines.
