English

This term, the children have been learning about the inspiring life of Amelia Earhart. They began by reading about her incredible achievements and expressing their own thoughts and opinions about her life and bravery as one of the first female pilots to fly solo across the Atlantic. As part of this the children create their own reading journal to capture their ideas. Then the children then explored a special style of poetry called a diamante poem. They discussed and planned ideas for a poem comparing life on the ground to life in the air, thinking carefully about how the two environments differ. Using their plans, they went on to write their own creative diamante poems.

Next, the children stepped into the role of journalists. They learned how to write open-ended questions and imagined they were interviewing Amelia Earhart after her famous solo flight. In pairs, they took turns being the journalist and Amelia, using their inference skills to answer questions in role and explore how she might have felt during her adventures. Building on this, the children wrote their own magazine articles reporting on Amelia’s achievements. They used the information gathered from their interviews to include quotes and details, just like real journalists.

In the final part of the unit, the focus shifted to descriptive writing. The children imagined what Amelia might have seen from her plane on her final flight. They used expanded noun phrases to describe and specify details and explored how to use similes and metaphors to create vivid images. They also practised using different sentence types—statements, exclamations, commands, and questions—for effect. To end their setting descriptions, they imagined that Amelia had landed in a clearing in the jungle and described what she experienced.

History

This term, the children have been learning all about famous explorers from the past and the impact their achievements had on the world. They explored the lives and journeys of Ranulph Fiennes, Amy Johnson, and Neil Armstrong, placing key events from their lives on a timeline to better understand when and how they made history.

The children looked closely at the incredible journeys of Ranulph Fiennes, a modern-day explorer known for travelling to some of the most extreme places on Earth. They identified the geographical areas he explored and learned about the physical and mental challenges he faced, such as freezing temperatures and dangerous terrains. Through discussions and activities, the children developed a real appreciation for the determination and bravery needed to become an explorer.

They also studied the inspiring story of Amy Johnson, one of the first female pilots to fly solo from England to Australia. The children discussed her achievements in the context of the time she lived in, learning about the limitations women faced and why her courage and ambition were so remarkable. They ordered the key events in her life and explored how she helped change perceptions about women in aviation.

The enquiry concluded with a look at Neil Armstrong and the space race. The children discovered who he was, why his moon landing in 1969 was such a significant event in history, and how it changed the way people viewed space and exploration forever. As part of this, the children wrote a job advert for an astronaut going on a mission to Mars.

Following the enquiry, the children have written a personal response to the question ‘Great Explorers: Who are they and what defines them?’

Maths

This half term in Maths, the children began by reading and interpreting different scales, including those where some numbers were missing. They practised identifying where the markers were pointing and used their reasoning skills to estimate values accurately.

They then moved on to consolidating their understanding of the four operations, starting with addition and subtraction. The children used a range of methods to support their learning, including 100 squares and column addition and subtraction, building confidence and fluency as they progressed.

Science

In Science, the children learned about living things and their habitats. They started by classifying things as living, dead, or never alive, using real-life examples to support their understanding.

They then explored the local environment to identify different habitats and observed the animals and plants found in each one. The children discovered that animals need food, water, air, and shelter to survive, and that they adapt to their environments in different ways. Finally, they investigated microhabitats and wrote about the smaller, specialised environments that support a variety of life.

Art

This half term in Art, the Year 2 children focused on developing their drawing skills. They practised observational drawing, exploring mark-making techniques to add texture and detail to their work. They also learned how to draw facial expressions to help illustrate a character’s feelings and personality.

The unit culminated in the children using their skills to create their own storybooks, combining imagination with the techniques they had learned throughout the term.

RE

In RE this half term, the children focused on what unites the Christian community. They explored the features of a church, learning about key parts such as the pulpit, lectern, and altar, and their significance in Christian worship.

The children also learned about the different ways Christians pray and reflected on the importance of prayer in bringing people together. Finally, they discussed the various communities they belong to and why having a sense of belonging is important for individuals and groups alike.

Music 

This half term, the Fantastic Foxes created a classroom percussion band, using a 4/4 rhythm grid on Charanga to build and perform a whole-class rhythm. The children began by using ‘blobs’ (visual symbols) and then progressed to reading and performing using musical notation. They also explored tempo changes and how this affects a performance. To finish the unit, the children found middle C on the keyboards and practised playing simple two-bar patterns together.

 

Physical Education (PE)

In PE, the Year 2 children worked with a specialist sports coach to develop their throwing skills with a focus on accuracy and distance. They learned how to adapt their technique depending on the weight and size of the object, adjusting the force and angle of their throw. The children also discussed the importance of how to hold the object and when to release it for better control.

 

Computing – Programming

This half term in Computing, the children focused on Developing Programming skills. They used simple online platforms to create and debug short programs by selecting appropriate code blocks, placing them in the correct sequence, and executing them successfully. This helped build their confidence in using logical thinking and problem-solving in a digital context.

 

PSHCE – Being Our Best

In PSHCE, the children explored the theme “Being Our Best.” They discussed how to encourage and support one another, using kind words and positive attitudes to help their peers try their best. The children were introduced to the Learning Line, which helped them understand the stages of learning and how making mistakes is a valuable part of progress. They also looked at personal hygiene, how to keep healthy, and learned the names and functions of some of the major organs in the human body.