Topic: Heroes
Our topic this half term, Heroes, focuses on significant people throigh history that have made a difference to others and inspired people. We have been looking real life heroes in particular-Nelson Mandela and Leonora Cohen.
The children are learning about their lives and beliefs.
They have been using vocabulary such as apartheid and suffragette to describe what these two historic people stood up for and the difference they made to others.
Last week, it was wonderful to see the children dress up as their real-life heroes. From footballers and teachers to members of the emergency services and soldiers, the variety was fantastic. Some children also chose to honour historical figures who have made a lasting impact, including Florence Nightingale, Alan Turing, Ole Kirk Kristiansen, and a suffragette.
Living and Learning: health and prevention
As part of our learning about health and prevention, we’ve been thinking about the importance of sleep.
Sleep helps your body work and can help you get better if you don’t feel well.
If you don’t have enough sleep, you feel grumpy, you can’t focus and you can’t control yourself.
If you have a busy brain it can be hard to get to sleep.
We read a story about Mia who had trouble sleeping.
Sometimes, things can stop you getting to sleep.
- loud noises
- lights
- nightmares
- being on a screen close to bedtime
- staying up too late
- being too active before bedtime
- if you are scared
- if you have a worry
To help Mia, we thought about the things that can help you get to sleep.
- calm music
- relaxation and mindfulness
- yoga
- reading a book
- counting sheep
- drinking some warm milk
- thinking of something nice that you want to dream about
- being in a dark room
- tidy away your things to have a tidy bedroom
- having a teddy or toy with you
- stop using a screen an hour before bed
As always, we encourage the children to talk to a trusted adult if they are worried about anything we cover in Living and Learning or write down a worry if they prefer.
Help at home: ask your child what they are going to try and do at home to help them with getting to sleep. We’d love to hear what helps. Have a look together at these sleep tips for children.
Maths: telling the time
This week, our maths learning has been all about telling the time. Using analogue clocks, we started with o’clock and then half past, quarter past and quarter to. Next week, we will move onto 5 minute intervals.
This website can support this learning at home.
Help at home: discuss time at home. What time is it now? Where are the hands pointing to on the clock? What time will it be in an hour?
Enjoying outdoors!
What a lovely sunny week! Year 2 have enjoyed being outside in the sunshine. It has been great to explore The Green at playtimes and lunchtimes.
Year 2 can confidently talk about staying safe in the sunshine. We have been keeping hydrated, wearing sun cream and sunhats and seeking shade when we need it.
Now the weather is dry, we can enjoy our PE sessions outside. This half term, in PE, we are improving our throwing and catching skills. We have thought about games where throwing and catching are important skills, like basketball and netball.
Summer term after-school clubs
History – Heroes (Nelson Mandela and Leonora Cohen)
We have started out new history topic all about real life heroes. The first important person we’re learning about it Nelson Mandela. You can find more about him here. He believed that everyone should be treated the same. We will be learning about equality, apartheid and the suffragettes.
Next week, on Friday 2nd May, we have invited all children to come to school dressed as a real life hero.
The vocabulary below links to the two heroes we will be learning about this half term.
Help at home by discussing real life heroes in History that have been important in your family.
Leeds Rhinos Easter activities
On Friday 18 April, Leeds Rhinos are hosting their annual family day, where all child tickets (seating and standing) are just £5. As well as the Rhinos match against Huddersfield Giants, there are a host of activities that the whole family can enjoy – all included in the price of entry.
There is also a free open training session and meet the players event at AMT Headingley Stadium, during the Easter Holidays, on Tuesday 15 April. Children and families will have the opportunity to watch the Rhinos train, meet Ronnie the Rhino and get autographs/pictures with the players at the end of the session.
Old Leos women’s and girls cricket opportunity
Local cricket club, Old Leos, have opportunities for womens and girls cricket. Please contact them for more information.
Design & Technology food: overnight oats
This week, Year 2 have prepared, eaten and evaluated our overnight oats. This is part of our Living and Learning (healthy eating) and Design and Technology (food preparation) learning.
The children have used some different food preparation skills (snipping, peeling, bridge and claw cutting technique, mixing, measuring liquids, using measuring spoons, weighing and arranging toppings) as part of this learning to create their finished product.
Then, it was the best bit – the tasting!
Finally, we evaluated our product and considered any changes we’d make next time.
Help at home: your child will be bringing this recipe home. Why not try it at home and let your child show you the skills they have learnt.
Fractions
Year 2 are currently learning all about fractions. We have learnt about half, quarter and thirds.
Each lesson we begin by recapping what each fraction represents.
Half means 2 equal parts.
Quarter means 4 equal parts.
Third means 3 equal parts.
We know equal is a very important word when discussing fractions. (Equal means the same amount). A shape for example, can be divided into several parts, but the parts may not be equal. See an example below.
We know that one half equals the same as two quarters.
We don’t just divide shapes into equal parts though. This can also be done with even numbers.
Help at home: by finding objects around the house (such as fruit, sweets or toys) and encourage your child to divide them into groups of 2, 3 or 4 and discuss.