Welcome to Year 2!
Quartz Class
Class Teacher: Connor Chughtai-Skillen
Class Teaching Assistant: Lynne Grundstoks
Class Teaching Assistant: Dawn Holmes
Crystal Class
Class Teacher: Janie Marshall
Class Teaching Assistant: Zara Job
If you have any queries, please contact the Class Teacher or the Learning and Teaching Leader for this phase, Connor Chughtai-Skillen, or email the Year 2 team:
year2@rockmount.croydon.sch.uk
Please read our half termly curriculum letters for more information.
Homework and spellings:
Summer Term
Summer 1: Transport
Spring Term
Spring 2: London Ablaze..
Year 2 have been busy learning more about The Great Fire of London, including reading The Diary of Samuel Pepys. Feeling inspired by the diary, we have been writing diaries of our own from the perspective of Vlad the Flea, who is a character from the book ‘Vlad and The Great Fire of London’. Vlad lived between the ears of a scruffy 1666 rat called Boxton and witnessed the start of the fire in Thomas Farriner’s Bakery.
Year 2 enjoyed their trip to the Tower of London and it really helped to bring the story of the Great fire alive.
They crossed the drawbridge into the Tower and were immediately struck by the enormity of the gates and chains and the moat.
We saw where Guy Fawkes would have been taken in to the prison at Traitors gate and then their first encounter was with the Ravens. The children thought the Ravens were huge and their beaks looked like they could give a nasty peck.
The children were soon ready for lunch and then had a session with Emily, a silk merchant from 1666. She seemed confused by the children's appearance and clothing and was stunned that we had travelled by train - a mode of transport she hadn't ever heard of.
She introduced the children to many facts and we learnt more about Samuel Pepys and how he was able to spread the events of the Great fire via his diaries and showed the children why this was more successful than to 'tell' his tales.
We saw the White Tower and Emily led a drama session and we learnt about the safe places that Londoners escaped to during 1666. In the afternoon, we explored the tower further. Finally, we went to see the crown jewels...and loved standing on the travellator to see the different crowns, orbs and septers.
Spring 1: Pole to Pole
This half term, the children in Year 2 have been learning all about the North and South poles. They have been fascinated by the extreme temperatures, unique wildlife and stunning natural landscapes of these regions. The children have enjoyed learning about the different animals that live in the Arctic and Antarctic such as polar bears, penguins, and walruses.
The children have created their own Arctic and Antarctic scenes using materials such as cotton wool, glitter, and paint. It has been an exciting half term for the children in Year 2 as they have explored the world's most extreme regions.
We have been amazed by some of the facts that we have learnt about Emperor penguins. Did you know that an adult Emperor penguin is the same size as an average 6 year old child!
Science:
This half term in science, the children have been exploring materials. They have been learning about the different properties of materials, such as their strength, flexibility, and durability. The children have also been conducting experiments to test these properties and have enjoyed getting hands-on with various materials.
Autumn Term
Autumn 2: Incredible India
The children dressed up for the day and enjoyed tasting a variety of traditional Indian snacks, such as, poppadoms, mango chutney and samosas.
During India day, we were lucky to have an Indian-inspired dance workshop. The children learned some dance moves from traditional Bollywood films and had a go at putting together a routine.
Autumn 1: Our World
This half term we have been learning all about ‘our world’ with a focus on our local area.
In geography we explored the question ‘what makes Crystal Palace a great place to live?’ We discussed both the human and physical features of our local area and used this to create our own maps using aerial photographs to help us.
For black history month, we have been learning about Sislin Fay Allen who was the first black female police officer in the UK who worked in Croydon police station. We have also learnt about Tessa Sanderson who was the first British person to have won a gold medal in a throwing event at the Olympic Games
This half term, we have been learning all about India. We started the topic by exploring a traditional Indian folk tale called ‘The Tiger Child’. We explored the features of a folk tale and wrote our own version.
In Geography, we have been learning about the human and physical features of New Delhi. We used our knowledge from the last half term, to help us compare London to New Delhi.
In Science, we have been investigating microhabitats. The children were asked ‘Where do the most worms live?’. The children then investigated 6 microhabitats on the school grounds. Afterwards, the children used a tally chart to record their data and presented their findings.
In Computing, the children have been learning how to use the internet safely. They have created a PowerPoint presentation about India using the information they found.
Poetry Week
This half term, Year 2 have been learning how to write kenning poems.
A kenning poem is a special type of poem that describes an object or a creature without ever using its name.
Can you guess what Viivi is describing in her poem?
Fish eater
Paw licker
Sharp scratcher
Milk drinker
Furry predator