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Year 2

Welcome to Year 2

As a class, we love to learn new things, be creative, use our imaginations and most of all… have fun!

Meet the Team
Year 2 Blyton  
Name Role
Mrs F Matts Year 2 Class Teacher
Miss J McCaffery Key Stage 1 HLTA
Year 2 Dahl  
Name Role
Miss C Boardman Class Teacher
Mrs McMichael Teaching Assistant
PE Days - x2 hours per week

Wednesday & Thursday

Please click on the tabs below for more information:

Reading and Homework

Reading

Reading is an important part of learning in Year 2, and children are expected to read at home every day for ten minutes. To support this, reading books will be changed every day. On Fridays they will receive two books for the weekend. On all other days, books will be changed each morning provided they have been read at home. All diaries need to be signed by an adult.

Every Friday, children take part in a dedicated comprehension lesson, where they develop key reading skills such as retrieval, inference, prediction, and sequencing. This regular practice helps to build confidence, understanding, and a lifelong love of reading

Children who are still accessing Phonics will take home a reading diary and a colour-banded book matched to their decoding level; they should read regularly at home and have their diary signed by an adult. 

Homework

In Year 2, homework helps to reinforce learning and develop independent study skills. Children will receive spellings every Friday and will have a spelling test the following Friday before receiving their new words. In their spelling books, they write each word three times and then choose three words to use in sentences, helping them to understand the meaning of the words as well as their spelling.

In addition, they will be given a comprehension sheet each Friday, which should be completed and handed in the following Friday. This regular homework routine supports reading, writing, and comprehension skills, helping children to consolidate their learning at home and build confidence in their abilities.

 

Maths

In Year 2, children build on their mathematical understanding through a range of topics across the three terms:

Autumn Term:

  • numbers to 100,
  • addition and subtraction
  • properties of shapes 

Spring Term:

  • money
  • multiplication and division
  • statistics
  • length and height, and mass, capacity
  • temperature


Summer Term:

  • fraction time
  • problem-solving
  • position and direction

In addition, every Friday, children take part in a mental arithmetic fluency lesson to strengthen their calculation speed and accuracy. This progressive approach ensures that pupils develop strong numerical skills, reasoning abilities, and confidence in applying maths in a variety of practical and real-life contexts.

 

English

In Year 2, all writing is book-based. Across the six half terms, we explore a range of carefully chosen books, delving into the stories and unpicking them to inspire different styles of writing while developing new vocabulary, punctuation, and grammar skills. The books are carefully selected to run alongside the topic the children are learning at the time.

The books we will read in our English lessons include:

  • Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
  • The Owl and The Pussycat
  • Winnie and Wilbur: The Naughty Knight
  • Little Evie and the Wild Wood
  • Vlad and The Great Fire of London
  • Lila and the Secret of Rain

 
Throughout these units, children will learn to write in a variety of forms, including poems, diary entries, setting descriptions, non-chronological reports, recounts, and narratives, helping them to become confident and versatile writers.

 

Phonics

Year 2 will take part in the Read Write Inc (RWI) phonics programme daily which will help the children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. We will be recapping the set 2 sounds and learning the set 3 sounds.

Foundational Learning

Each half term, we have a different exciting topic to learn about. These topics usually impact our learning across multiple curriculum subjects including History, Geography, English, Music, Art, Design and Technology.

Autumn 1 – Chocolate

- Children design and make their own chocolate bars, thinking about ingredients, packaging, and flavours.
- They learn about the history of chocolate, including who discovered it and how it has been used over time.
- As part of English, they read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, exploring the story, characters, and creative language


Autumn 2 – Land Ahoy

- Children explore the lives of explorers, sailors, and pirates, learning about famous historical figures and voyages.
- They study navigation, maps, and the challenges of sea travel.
- The topic incorporates History and Geography, encouraging children to compare past and present ways of life.
- They develop storytelling and role-play skills through pirate-themed activities.

Spring 1 – Castles

Children learn about the features and purposes of castles, including defensive structures and domestic spaces.
They investigate different castle designs across history and how they evolved over time.
Children build their own castle models and test them using Nerf guns to understand structural strength.
The topic includes a visit to Skipton Castle to explore real-life examples, enhancing observation and inquiry skills.

Spring 2 – Wriggle and Crawl

- Children study minibeasts and their habitats, learning about life cycles, diets, and adaptations.
- They go on minibeast hunts in the school grounds to observe creatures in their natural environment.
- The topic encourages scientific enquiry, observation, and recording skills.
- Children also explore how humans impact habitats and the importance of protecting the environment.


Summer 1 – The Great Fire of London

- Children learn about the history of London in 1666, including the causes and consequences of the fire.
- They study how the fire spread, how it was eventually stopped, and how London changed afterwards.
- The topic integrates history, literacy, and art, as children create timelines, diaries, and illustrations.
- They develop research and critical thinking skills by investigating primary and secondary sources.


Summer 2 – Sensational Safari

- Children explore the African savannah, learning about its geography, climate, and ecosystems.
- They study the variety of animals that live there, including adaptations, diets, and conservation status.
- The topic includes a trip to Knowsley Safari Park, allowing children to see animals in real life and make first-hand observations.
- Children also develop skills in report writing, descriptive writing, and scientific enquiry.

PE

Year 2 will take part in PE each week, PE days are posted at the top of this page. We expect full PE kits to be worn every session.

In Year 2, children have two hours of PE each week, with one lesson on Wednesday led by Mrs Matts and another on Thursday taught by Mr Carroll-Armstrong. The PE curriculum covers six key areas: invasion games, net and wall games, gymnastics and dance, multi-skills, athletics, and striking and fielding. These lessons are designed to develop children’s physical skills, coordination, teamwork, and confidence, while also encouraging a love of being active and taking part in a wide range of sports and activities.

This includes:

  • Plain white t-shirt
  • Plain black shorts, leggings or jogging bottoms
  • For indoor PE: Plain black pumps (Trainers should not be worn, they are not suitable as they slip on wooden floors and apparatus.)
  • For outdoor PE: Plain black pumps or plain, dark coloured trainers
  • For cold weather: Plain black tracksuits may be worn, or plain black bottoms and a red Deans Primary School hoodie

Snacks & Water Bottles

Snacks

In Year 2, children have access to fruit during the morning break, along with milk if their parents have opted for it. 

In the afternoon, children can purchase snacks from the tuck shop, including breadsticks, raisins, yoghurts, or crackers. Children only need a maximum of 10p to buy a snack if they wish.

Water bottles

Children should bring a water bottle to school every day, which they can access at any time throughout the day. The bottle will stay in the classroom, allowing children to have a drink during their learning time. At lunchtime, children also have access to water in the hall, ensuring they stay hydrated when they are not in the classroom.