Welcome to Year 2
Our Class Teachers are Mrs Levinsohn and Mrs Sumser
Year 2 Spring 1 Website:
Welcome to Year 2
Our Class Teachers are Mrs Levinsohn and Mrs Sumser
Our Curriculum for Spring Term 1
History – The Great Fire of London
This half term, the children will become historians as they explore the events of 1666. They will study and describe historical evidence to uncover clues about what happened during the Great Fire of London. Children will sequence key events on a dated timeline, act them out in small groups, and explore how historians learn about the past using different sources. They will also learn about the main causes and consequences of the fire and why it spread so quickly. This learning will be brought to life with our exciting trip to Staircase House.
Key Enquiry Questions:
1. What happened during the Great Fire of London in 1666?
2. How do we use sources to find out about the past?
3. Why did the fire spread so quickly?
4. What were the causes and consequences of the fire?
5. How do historians learn about events that happened a long time ago?
Science – Uses of Everyday Materials
Children will take part in a range of scientific enquiries to investigate:
- The suitability of everyday materials (wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper, cardboard) for specific uses
- How the shapes of solid objects can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching
They will compare materials, test their properties and record their findings using clear scientific vocabulary.
Maths
In Maths this half term, the children will:
- Choose and use appropriate standard units to estimate and measure temperature (°C)
- Compare and order temperatures using >, < and =
- Recognise and use symbols for pounds (£) and pence (p)
- Combine amounts of money to make a particular value
- Find different combinations of coins that make the same amount
- Solve practical problems involving addition and subtraction of money, including giving change
These skills will be developed through real-life problem-solving activities.
English
Our core text this half term is The Great Fire of London by E. Adams. Children will use this historical narrative to inspire diary entries, recounts and descriptive writing linked to the events of 1666. They will work on developing sentence accuracy, enhancing their vocabulary, and using punctuation confidently while writing from different viewpoints.
Writing Focus / Mastery Keys:
- Use co-ordination (but, or)
- Add –ly to turn adjectives into adverbs
- Use commas to separate items in a list
Art – Paul Klee London Skyline
Children will study Paul Klee’s 'Castle in the Sun' and use it to inspire their own Great Fire of London–themed artwork. They will create a stylised London skyline using a range of shapes and experiment with hot and cold colours, different painting tools and mixed media.
Music – Great Fire Compositions
This half term in Music, children will learn themed songs linked to the Great Fire of London. They will explore rhythm, tempo and dynamics before creating their own music inspired by the drama and emotion of the Great Fire.
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PSHE – Safety and the Changing Body
This Kapow unit teaches children how to keep themselves safe in a range of everyday situations, both online and offline. They will learn about the difference between secrets and surprises, how to stay safe near roads, why medicines are used, and what to do if they ever feel unsure or uncomfortable.
Children who are secure will be able to:
- Understand how the internet can be used to help us
- Create a poster showing how to remain safe online and what to do if something feels wrong
- Understand what a secret is and what a surprise is
- Name parts of the body, including the private parts for their gender
- Explain the PANTS rule
- Understand how to keep safe near roads
- Explain the rules for crossing the road
- Know when and why we take medicines that help us feel better
RE – Hinduism
In RE, the children will begin learning about Hinduism. They will explore the key beliefs of the religion, learn about some of the most significant Gods and Goddesses, and discuss important symbols within Hindu worship. This unit helps children develop understanding and respect for a range of world faiths.
Spanish – El Monstruo de Colores
Children will learn new vocabulary linked to emotions and colours through the familiar story The Colour Monster. They will practise speaking in simple Spanish sentences to describe feelings and colours confidently.
Computing – Technology Around Us
This half term, children will explore computing systems and networks by learning how technology is used in school, at home and in the wider world. They will identify different digital devices and learn how information is created, stored and shared safely.
Class Novel – The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton
This half term, we will be enjoying The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton as our class novel. This magical story introduces children to the wonderful world of the Faraway Tree, where each adventure leads to a new and exciting land. It is an ideal text for Year 2 because it is rich in imagination, full of memorable characters, and perfectly pitched to capture children’s curiosity. The descriptive language supports vocabulary development, while the episodic structure helps young readers follow the story with ease. Sharing this classic tale together will inspire discussion, creativity and a love of reading.
Our Focus Articles and Sustainable Development Goal
This term, our Rights Respecting Schools focus is Article 24, which teaches children that they have the right to the best possible health, clean water, nutritious food and a safe environment. We will explore what these rights look like in everyday life and how we can make choices that help protect our world. Alongside this, our Sustainable Development Goal is SDG 13: Climate Action. Through discussions and activities, children will learn why caring for the environment is important and how even small actions—such as saving energy, reducing waste and looking after nature—can make a big difference. These global themes help children understand their role as responsible, thoughtful citizens.
PE Days:
PE days remain Wednesday and Friday. Children will explore patterns of movement, rhythm and coordination through dance. Please make sure your child wears their PE kit on both days.
Homework:
Homework will be handed out on Fridays and should be returned by the following Friday.
Please check Seesaw for regular updates on our learning, key messages, and homework tasks.
Thank you for your continued support!