Banksy is an English street artist, who’s identity remains unknown. Treating the streets as his canvas has left Banksy to create artwork all over the world.
Banksy delivers free self-expression by showing relevant issues. Inspiring all audiences to view the streets with a different pair of eyes, giving a new perspective on street art.
Banksy 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
Spelling Shed
Visit the website and have a go at practising different spellings.
Can you use the spelling in a sentence? New spelling will be changed weekly.
Reading
Continue to complete your daily reading and please sign your Reading Records.
Times Tables Rockstars
All children should have been given a login to Times Tables Rockstars, where they are able to practice their times tables knowledge both in school and at home.
Visit the website and practise your times tables. Challenge three of your friends to a speed challenge.
We would expect children in Year 2 to practice their 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables.
PE
PE for our class is on Mondays and Wednesdays. Children are asked to come into school wearing their PE kit.
Knowledge Organisers
This module, Year 2 will be looking at these three lines of inquiry: A significant man-made disaster, materials and their uses, making communities safer. During the lessons we will be exploring The Great Fire of London and the impact of this disaster. Please head to Banksy class Google Drive for this module’s Knowledge Organiser for further information on what Year 2 will be learning.
how we organise ourselves
Central Idea:
Organisations could create innovative solutions for the sustainability of food.
Career Focus:
Farmer
Core Texts:
- Jim and the Beanstalk
- Pumpkin Soup
English Writing:
- Writing a narrative
- Writing a diary entry
- Writing instructions
Maths:
- Multiplication
- Division
- Length
- Height
Science:
- Observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants
- Find out and describe how plants need water to grow and stay healthy
History:
- Significant places in their own locality: farming
Geography:
- Human and physical features in my local area and Mexico
PSHE:
- Communities
- Safe relationships
RE:
- Judaism, Christianity & Islam: special places, similarities and differences
Art:
- Sculpture
Music:
- Percussion
how the world works
Central Idea:
Humans can change the way animals live their lives.
Career Focus:
Vet
Core Texts:
- Esio Trot
- Grandad’s Island
English Writing:
- Writing a character description
- Writing a letter
Maths:
- Money
- Multiplication
- Division
Science:
- Know the key features of things that are living, dead or never alive
- Understand how animals and plants are suited to their habitats
History:
- What is an explorer?
- Learning and finding out about a variety of different explorers
Geography:
- Maps and a key
- How to use a compass
PSHE:
- Communities
- Safe relationships
RE:
- Judaism, Christianity & Islam: special places, similarities and differences
Art:
- Collage
Music:
- Percussion
sharing the planet
Central Idea:
Choices that humans make may impact communities.
Career Focus:
Zoologist
Core Texts:
- The Storm Whale
- The Secret Sky Garden
English Writing:
- 1st person narrative
- Writing our own story
Maths:
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Shape
Science:
- Notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults
- Find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival
History:
- What is an explorer?
- Learning and finding out about a variety of different explorers
Geography:
- My local area
- Tulum, Mexico
PSHE:
- Families and friendship
- Safe relationships
RE:
- Judaism, Christianity & Islam: special places, similarities and differences
Art:
- Collage
Music:
- Grandma rap
DT:
- Designing a mechanism
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