Lively Laurels and Helpful Hollies 2023-24

Welcome to Year 2!

Attendance

Helpful Hollies

Lively Laurels

Our teachers are:

Lively Laurels – Miss Sheldon and Miss Torrance

Helpful Hollies – Miss Goodhead, Mrs Tunnicliffe and Mrs McGrath

Helpful Hollies

Look at our classrooms!

Our classrooms are well organised and provide a calm environment to promote the children’s independence. The children can find their own resources to support their learning

Lively Laurels

See who our Dojo Masters and School Council members are

Our Dojo Maters are:

Lively Laurels – Erika and Dylan

Helpful Hollies – Pranvi and Tami

Our School Councillors are:

Lively Laurels – Olamiposi

Helpful Hollies – Zane

Throughout our Muck, Mess and Mixtures topic we will be learning all about Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole. In design and technology we will be making pizza’s and understanding where our food comes from. In science we will be looking at the human body and our senses. Finally, in art and design, we will be looking at multiple artists and creating observational drawings of fruit and vegetables.

Medium Term Plan

Home Learning Grid

Key text:

This term we will be completing the unit of : The place value of punctuation and grammar.

This unit will teach the student common, proper nouns and verbs. It will define single-clause sentences are and the children should be able to punctuate single-clause sentences, which now include ‘leftovers’. Finally they will learn what co-ordinating conjunctions are and by the end of this objective, they should be able to identify co-ordinating conjunctions at both a fluency and reasoning level.

Hook:

Pictures coming soon!

Spring 1

During this topic we will be learning about our local environment. We will go for a walk and discover what is in out local area. We will also be looking at maps and investigating how they are read.

Medium Term Plan

Home Learning Grid

Our key text this half term is ‘The Tear Thief’.

The Tear Thief is a dreamy, fairy like character, almost a shadow. With waxen but childish features and clothes, she isn’t at all frightening but mystical and gentle. She climbs into homes collecting the tears of all children who are crying.

Hook

Coming soon!

Memorable Experience

This term we are going on an exciting walk around the local area to look and different signs and learn about the local history of the area. We will be going on the walk on the Tuesday 21st January.

Parental Engagement

TBC: Parental engagement

Careers

Policeman will be visiting us to tell us all about their job.

Spring 2

In this topic, we will be exploring the fascinating world of African art, focusing on the traditional art forms of weaving and pattern-making. We will learn about a specific place in Africa, examining how art and culture are intertwined in daily life. The beautiful, symbolic designs found in African textiles, such as woven fabrics and intricate patterns, tell powerful stories about identity, history, and community.

We will then compare and contrast this African culture with that of Derby, exploring the differences in geography and how they influence art and traditions in both places. By studying the similarities and contrasts in their art forms, we will deepen our understanding of cultural expression, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Throughout this topic, you will have the opportunity to create your own designs inspired by African patterns, while reflecting on how art connects people to their past, present, and future.

Topic Booklet

Home Learning Grid

The key text for this half term is ‘Meerkat Mail’.

Meerkat mail is a fun and adventurous picture book about a curious meerkat named Sunny who leaves his home in the Kalahari Desert to visit his relatives in different parts of the world. Sunny writes letters to his family about his travels, sharing his experiences and the interesting places he visits, like the beach, the jungle, and even a busy city!

Hook

Sunny from Meerkat Mail wrote a delightful postcard to Year 2, sharing his exciting adventures and experiences from his travels. In his message, he described the stunning places he had visited and the interesting animals he had met along the way. Sunny’s postcard was full of enthusiasm, and he even included some fun facts about the different countries he had explored. He encouraged the students to keep being curious and adventurous, just like him, and to always be eager to learn about the world around them. The postcard made Year 2 feel connected to Sunny’s journey and sparked their own imaginations about far-off places.

Memorable Experiences

We will be going to the church to attend a special Easter service. During the service, we’ll learn about the meaning of Easter and the stories that make this time of year so important. It will be a wonderful experience to come together as a group and celebrate this special occasion. We will also get the chance to perform our very own Easter song, which we’ve been practicing

Parental Engagement

We will be going to the church to attend a special Easter service. During the service, we’ll learn about the meaning of Easter and the stories that make this time of year so important. It will be a wonderful experience to come together as a group and celebrate this special occasion. We will also get the chance to perform our very own Easter song, which we’ve been practicing.

Careers

A Rolls Royce engineer is coming to visit and tell us all about his job! He works with amazing machines, like engines for planes and cars, and he’s going to explain how these powerful engines are made. The engineer will share some cool facts about the science and technology behind these engines, and how he solves tricky problems to make sure everything works perfectly. This is a great chance for us to learn about engineering, ask lots of questions, and maybe even get inspired to think about becoming engineers ourselves one day!

Summer 1

The Enchanted Woodland is an engaging topic where children explore both geography and art through the lens of nature. In geography, they learn about maps and compasses, developing essential navigation skills while studying the natural environment. In art, they draw inspiration from the works of Andy Goldsworthy, creating their own art using natural materials like leaves, stones, and twigs. This topic encourages creativity, outdoor learning, and a deeper connection to the world around them, combining practical geography skills with artistic expression inspired by the natural world.

Topic Booklet

Home Learning Grid

The Night Gardener is a magical story about a mysterious gardener who secretly visits a town at night. Every morning, the people wake up to find the trees have been turned into beautiful, strange sculptures. A young boy named William wonders who the Night Gardener is and discovers that the gardener’s work makes the whole town happier and more colorful. The story shows how one person’s creativity can inspire everyone around them to make the world a more wonderful place. It’s a story full of imagination, surprise, and the power of art!

Hook

This term, we’re going to have so much fun growing our very own beans! Each of you will plant a bean and watch it grow right before your eyes. We’ll be learning all about how plants grow, what they need to stay healthy, and what makes them strong. Every day, we’ll check on our beans and see how they change as they grow taller, develop leaves, and even sprout flowers! By the end of the term, you’ll have your very own little plant to take home, and you’ll know all about the amazing journey your bean has taken to grow!

Memorable Experiences

On their upcoming trip to Elvaston Castle in Derby, the children will explore the beautiful gardens and wooded areas, discovering a wide variety of plants and trees. They will learn about different types of plants, how they grow, and the importance of nature in the environment. After exploring, the children will take part in an art activity where they will use inspiration from the surroundings to create their own nature-themed artwork. They will gather leaves, twigs, and flowers, using these materials to make unique and creative pieces. The trip will combine outdoor learning with hands-on art, giving the children a deeper appreciation for nature and the chance to express their creativity.

Parental Engagement

Parents are invited to come into the classroom and join the children for a special art lesson where they will create woodland art together. After learning about the different plants and trees at Elvaston Castle, the children will gather natural materials like leaves, twigs, and flowers to make their own unique pieces of artwork. Parents will have the chance to work alongside their children, helping them craft their woodland-inspired creations.