Year 2
Africa
Autumn Term 2nd Half
This matrix shows the learning in Y2 across all subjects.
Y2 Lanner Matrix 1 overview 25-26
Class Teacher – Miss Kate Leah
Class Teaching Assistants – Mrs O, Mrs O’Shea and Miss Walsh
This half term our focus will be on Africa and the story of ‘The Hunter’. Below is a brief account of what we shall be covering and some important information for the rest of the term.
English
We will begin by creating our own versions of the ‘The Hunter’ story by changing the animal that Jamina meets. We will focus on writing in the past tense to tell a story and using adverbs to describe movement.
We will then move on to writing a non-chronological report firstly about giraffes and then carrying out our own research to write about elephants.
We will also use a non-fiction book to learn all about the life of Nelson Mandela.
Our spelling focus for the half term will be on Year 2 common exception words and our handwriting focus will be on capital letters and their corresponding lower-case letters.
Our library session is on Wednesdays so please ensure your child has their “reading for pleasure” book on this day to change. It is incredibly important for the children to keep up their reading practice at home. Daily practice for ten-fifteen minutes is ideal.
Maths
We will begin the half term continuing with addition and subtraction. We will firstly focus on adding and subtracting tens before moving onto both adding and subtracting two 2-digit numbers (not crossing and crossing a ten). To complete the unit, we will compare number sentences and solve a range of addition and subtraction missing number problems.
We will then move onto shape. The children are taught how to describe both 2D and 3D shapes by the number of vertices, sides/edges and faces (with 3D shapes). We will learn about symmetry and how to complete patterns with shapes.
Every Friday the children will continue to have a ’99 Club’ session as part of their maths lesson. The children have ten minutes to work their way through a variety of number sentences. Every child begins on ’11 Club’ and then makes their way up through the levels as and when they complete the club. The clubs are as followed:
11 Club – 11 questions involving addition within 10 and doubling numbers from one to ten
22 Club – 22 questions involving repeated addition of numbers from one to ten
33 Club – 33 questions introducing the 2x, 3x, 5x and 10x tables
44 Club – 44 questions adding the 1x, 4x and 6x tables
55 Club – 55 questions adding the 7x and 8x tables
66 Club – 66 questions adding the 9x, 11x and 12x tables
77 Club – 77 questions consisting of inverse division facts
88 Club – 88 questions of mixed multiplication and division facts
99 Club – 99 questions of mixed multiplication and division facts
The children will receive a certificate when they have competed a club so that you are aware of which club they are working in. Please remind the children that they are only in competition with themselves and not anyone else. Please keep up the practice at home as being able to compete mental calculations quickly can really help children with many aspects of their math’s work. Any questions please ask.
Science
This half term we will be looking at animals and their habitats. Our first lesson focuses on living and non-living things and then we move onto habitats. We will look at microhabitats, local habitats (gardens, woods, ponds, the coast) and make comparisons to habitats that can be found in Africa and across the world. We complete the unit by looking at food chains.
Geography
We begin by learning about the UK and the four countries within it and the surrounding waters. We will learn about the seven continents of the world and the five oceans. We will make comparisons between what it is like to live in Africa compared to Cornwall. During this unit we will learn how to use an atlas.
History
Through our non-fiction book and reading lessons we will learn about the significant life of Nelson Mandela and all that he achieved.
Art
We will use the work that we learnt on patterns last half term to design and make our own African pots out of clay.
DT
We will design and create our own moving pictures with African animals. We will learn how to use a range of techniques including a wheel and a slider to get pictures to move.
PE
PE will continue be on Monday’s and Fridays. Our inside lesson will be Dance (Explorers) and our outside lesson will be ball skills using our hands. The children do not need to wear their school uniform on these days and can come into school already dressed in their PE kits.
RE
This half term we will continue to learn about Muslims. We will learn about the Five Pillars of Islam and how Muslims pray. We will learn how the teachings of Allah teach Muslims how to behave.
Computing
We continue using Project Evolve every week for our Online Safety. This half terms focus is on Online Reputation and Online Bullying.
Our computing unit this half term is ‘Pictograms’ where we shall be collecting and presenting our data on a computer.
PSHE
We continue to use the PSHE Association and to learn through the sharing of stories. The focus this half term is on how to have safe relationships and how to manage having secrets.
Music
Through Charanga we will learn the song ‘Ho, Ho. Ho’ and learn how to play some notes on the recorder.
I am really looking forward to another great half term with your children. If you have any questions, please do ask.
Miss Kate Leah
We love reading at Lanner! Reading to, and with, your child is one of the greatest gifts you can give as this early acquisition of a love for reading will ensure your children becomes a reader for life. Research shows that reading and talking to your child about stories, information books and poems from an early age benefits them for life.
Sometimes, knowing which book to choose can be a little confusing with such a wide range available, so why not have a look at the recommended reads below for Year 2 children. Many of these books are also available at the local library so, if you’re not already a member, why not take a look at the link below to join up?