Steve Backshall is a wildlife expert, adventurer and presenter. His passion for animals and adventure has led him to work with deadly creatures all over the world for documentaries and the children’s show Deadly 60. He is an accomplished climber and author who received an MBE in 2020 for his charity and conservation work. Steve is an inspiration to us in Year 2.
“There are so many paths you can tread, so many subjects to study, so many opportunities to take. Say yes to as much as possible, take chances, have fun!” – Steve Backshall
Steve Backshall class consistently reflect on the IB Learner attributes in class and the children demonstrate them in various ways both in class and throughout the school:
- Principled: I make the right choices. I follow the rules and expectations.
- Balanced: I see both points of view. I take care of myself.
- Thinker: I can find solutions to problems. I think before I act.
- Inquirer: I want to find out more.
- Communicator: I listen to others ideas. I can share my views and express my ideas.
- Open-minded: I respect other’s ideas, suggestions and criticism.
- Knowledgeable: I learn and share what I have learnt with others.
- Caring: I am a good friend. I care for others.
- Risk-taker: I always try new things so that I know how things are done.
- Reflective: I think back to what I have done well. I try to understand my mistakes.
Our transdisciplinary themes for this year
During the year we will cover the following transdisciplinary themes:
- Who are we
- Sharing the planet
- How the world works
- How we organise ourselves
- Where we are in place and time
- How we express ourselves
Phonics
We are following the programme Phonics International in class and across the whole school. Each week we look at two sounds and incorporate a range of skills such as reading and comprehension, handwriting and story writing. Each week, we will upload the sounds that the children have learnt in class onto google classroom to practice at home.
A couple of useful links for phonics practice at home are:
Reading
The children will have the opportunity to change their reading books every day at school. Children are expected to read daily at home and this is to be recorded in their reading record book.
Please find below some useful information by Phonics International regarding reading with your child both in school and at home:
Reading with your child - in school and at home
In school, reading written words (decoding) is taught by phonics. Phonics is how the sounds in spoken words link to letters in written words. Children are taught to sound out and blend the sounds to read new words.
Children talk about the books they read. They think about what is happening and ask what new words mean.
Learn: Children read aloud to the teacher. The words, sentences and books have the letter-sounds they are working on in class.
Children practise by reading aloud. This helps to improve their reading so they feel more confident.
Listen to your child read aloud. For new words, your child will look at the letters and letter groups. They will then sound them out from left to right to read the words. Help your child if needed.
Talk with your child about the content of the books. Talk about what is happening and what any new words mean.
Practice: Children read aloud to a parent/carer. The words in the book have the letter/s and sounds already introduced in class.
Children enjoy listening to books that they might not be able to read by themselves yet. Reading books aloud to children helps them to learn about themselves and other people. They can step into a world that is different from their own.
Read lots of different types of books to your child. You can borrow books from your local library. Talk about the books you share.
Experience: Children hear lots of different stories (fiction) and poems, and also enjoy books with facts (non-fiction).
Children learn about the world around them from books and other texts. Books reach children about different subjects such as history or science. Books help children to find out about the world around them.
Teachers share books and texts that are right for the child’s age or level of understanding.
Knowledge: Children find out facts and information even if they are not able to read the books themselves yet.
Homework
We would like you to use Numbots for your maths home learning. This will help your child to improve their knowledge of number bonds.
Reading
Please read 3 times a week as a part of your home learning and sign your Reading Records.
PE
PE for our class is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Children are asked to come into school wearing their PE kit.
Knowledge Organisers
who we are
Central Idea:
Choices affect wellbeing.
Career Focus:
Nursing
Core Texts:
- Cottonwool Colin
- Little Books, Big Dreams: Florence Nightingale
English Writing:
- Narrative
- Descriptive instructions
- Writing our own story
Maths:
- Place value
- Addition
- Subtraction
Science:
- What is a healthy diet?
- Exploring the effect of exercise on the body
- Know the importance of healthcare
History:
- Changes to hospitals
- Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole
- Changes to healthcare
Geography:
- Exploring the seven continents and five oceans and locating them on a map
PSHE:
- Families and friendships
- Safe relationships
RE:
- Who is Jewish and what do they believe?
Art:
- Drawing using lines
Music:
- Tony Chestnut
DT:
- Healthy eatwell plate
- Use of materials