This week we have been gently assessing the children’s knowledge in various subjects.  This has included writing, handwriting, spelling and reading and maths.  You might find the children are very tired after a week of excellent focus and thinking. 

Words/phrases from our reading

We share stories with the children each day and are always on the lookout for words and phrases that impress and inspire us. 

 …swam as fast as a mackerel…

…the house was enormously big…

If your child hears words or phrases they would like to ‘magpie’ in their reading at home, we’d love to hear about them and share them with the class.

Reading

Please note that a table group of children are encouraged to change their reading books a day per week.  Thank you for your patience as this system is imbedded.

We regularly review the coloured band the children are reading and would like to stress how important it is for the children to be able to read at least 80% of a text independently.  Re-reading familiar texts enables children to develop their fluency and expression. Please model these skills with your child.

Can they ‘hear’ the question mark or words that are written in italic?

English 

The children planned and wrote a recount on their first week back at school.  We practised using the days of the week and sequencing words such as then and next.  In EMA the children also wrote a paragraph about a creature hidden in the grass - we loved the reading these pieces of writing. 

Art 

This week we explored tone using shading, cross-hatching and stippling.  The children enjoyed seeing how the different techniques and changes of pressure they put on the pencil affect the marks on the paper.

As our topic is ‘mini beasts’, the children experimented with their skills and shaded in some minibeasts. 

 

Can they find a mini-beast in the garden and use their skills to draw and shade it?  Alternatively, they could draw from a photograph or model of one.

 

Science 

We have started our new science topic on living things and habitats.  This week we focused on what makes something living, dead or having never lived.  

We encouraged the children to think about life processes in explaining their choices.  For example a tree is a living thing because it grows.  A basketball has never lived because it has never been able to breathe or excrete.

Friday 11th September 2020

 Welcome back!

It is so lovely to see all of the children back!  We are so proud of the way they have settled into their new classes.  There are new rules to ensure we keep each other as safe as possible and they are following these very well.

In our classes, we have discussed how we each have different circles and what it means to be in each circle.  This was a great way for the children to understand who they will see around school and how important it is for them to respect the distance between them and the adults.  Here is an example from Owl Class.

Settling In

Each class has its own routines throughout the day.  Can your child explain to you the routines that are being established?

We have discussed each of the Crabtree Rules, why they are important and how we can demonstrate them.  

Please speak to your child about these rules. Can they think of any examples when they shown they are following the rules.

- We follow instructions quickly.

- When one person speaks we listen.

- We speak and act kindly and honestly.

- We look after everything.

- We stay focused.

We have practised these rules and the Crabtree values by playing games and activities. Ask your child which rule or value we were demonstrating in these pictures! 

Friendship

The children have adapted well to the changes in play and lunchtime routines.  It is lovely to see them playing with familiar friends but also exploring new friendships.

Keeping Safe

We have been reminding the about regular and thorough hand washing.  They used the images below to write some instructions.

Art

We certainly have budding artists in Year 2!  Take a look our self portraits.

Thank you for your patience and for social distancing at drop off and pick and sticking to the allocated times.

Have a lovely weekend!

The Year 2 Team