Year 2 Autumn Term 2018-19
New Beginnings Week
Year 2 settled straight into their new classroom and routines! During their first week, they enjoyed sharing their holiday homework with their peers about our new topic, as well as reminding themselves of our school rules by acting out different scenarios and discussing how we would react to them. We also managed to fit in some team building where we worked in small groups and used art straws to build the tallest tower.
Walkwise
Over a series of weeks, Year 2 took part in the Go Smarter Walkwise programme. The children had a session in school to see what they knew before heading out on the streets to learn how to safely cross roads and spot hazards. After only 4 sessions the children's knowledge and awareness of pedestrian safety was signficantly improved. During their final session the children had the opportunity dress up as professionals who might work near the road wearing luminescent clothes.
Discovery Museum
To kickstart our learning about the Great Fire of Gateshead and Newcastle, we visited the Discovery Museum to take part in a workshop. The children learnt about the story of the fire and what it was like living in Britain at the time by looking at photographs and artefacts. They even re-enacted the story for their friends using a puppet theatre. Before heading home, the children also had the opportunity to explore the rest of the museum. They all thoroughly enjoyed their trip out!
RNLI
Key Stage 1 took part in a workshop with two lifeguards from the RNLI. They discussed water safety and what to do if they found themselves or others in difficulty around water. Thank you for visiting us!
KS1 Christmas Party!
Year 1 and 2 had a fantastic afternoon celebrating their Christmas party! There was plenty of dancing and fun games. The children also worked well together to complete some team challenges and quizzes! It was an afternoon enjoyed by all!
Blackfell's Bakery
We loved using our senses to find out what it would be like to visit a modern day bakery. After sharing our ideas we wrote a setting description using lots of different adjectives. This has also helped us compare how our bakeries are different to Thomas Farriner's bakery where the Great Fire started in 1666.
Great Fire of London Silhouettes
Year 2 loved creating their fantastic silhouettes of London! They explored a range of diferent media before deciding on their preferred choice to create their colourful backgrounds and took a lot of care choosing and blending the colours. The children then looked at the shapes within skylines and considered which buildings were around in 1666 before drawing and cutting their final skyline. Finally they added the skyline to their background and were amazed with the finished results!
Anti-Bullying Week
During Anti-Bullying Week Year 2 discussed the theme 'Respect' and how we can be respectful to one another. The children were able to give advice to bullying scenarios, create an anti-bullying acrostic poem and work as a team to complete different challenges.
Materials Investigation
This term in science Year 2 have been looking at the properties of materials and how materials can be used for different uses. After looking at the Great Fire of London we decided to investigate the best material for a bucket as this was one of the main objects used to put out the fire. The children were able to say what properties a bucket needed e.g. lightweight, waterproof, strong. As part of our investigation we tested materials to check which were waterproof and then went on test which were the strongest by testing if they could bend, stretch, twist or be squashed.
Bakers for the day!
After learning about the Great Fire of London and discussing Tom Farriner's bakery, Year 2 decided they would become bakers themselves and make their own bread. They researched different types of bread which included trying some, then they chose what they were going to make their bread from and finally they planned out the steps to actually make it. They loved being bakers for the day and ended up with some fantastic samples to try!
Great Fire of London Workshop
A member of staff from Durham University delivered an interactive and hands-on workshop about the Great Fire of London. The children became detectives and looked at the different sources historians used to learn about the fire. They also had the opportunity to re-enact scenes from London at the time and to practise writing with quills - just like Samuel Pepys!
Great Fire of London Class Assembly
What an incredible performance! Year 2 blew away their audience as they shared everything they had learnt since September about the Great Fire of London. They all spoke and performed confidently and their singing was full of heart and enthusiasm. Parents, teachers and pupils were all so impressed and extremely proud! Well done Year 2!
Children In Need
Year 2 enjoyed supporting Children In Need by wearing Pudsey accessories and donating money towards the cause. Well done Year 2!
The Inn-Spectors
What a show! Key Stage 1 impressed us all with their talented and humorous performance of 'The Inn-Spectors'. They exuded confidence and sung their hearts our to put on such a brilliant production. I know I speak for everyone when I say we're all very proud of you! Well done!
