History Topic – Shopping in the past
History is the focus of our topic learning this half term. During this topic, we will be ordering significant events in our lives and we’ll be discussing them using historical vocabulary.
As the half term progresses, the children will discuss how significant things have changed over time: the food that we eat, the shops that we visit and how trade has changed.
This week, we will be ordering key events in our lives on a timeline, ordering events within living memory (the last 100 years) and discussing the key vocabulary past and present.
Help at home by talking about what shopping was like when you were younger. Have shops changed? How about the way you pay for things?
We are looking for someone (maybe a grandparent) to come into school to answer the children’s questions about how shopping and life in the 1950s is different to today. Please talk to Mrs Taylor or Mrs Lake if you have someone in your family who would like to come into school in the next few weeks. Thank you!
Lights Camel Action
We are getting excited to perform our Christmas production, Lights Camel Action, this week to three audiences.
Today is our dress rehearsal for the rest of the school followed by two performances to parents, carers and families on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The children have all worked so hard learning lines, songs and dances and we can’t wait to share it with you.
We hope you can join us.
Art – printing designs
In Year 2, we have been exploring line, pattern and shape in our Arty Ideas books. Some of the inspiration has come from our visit to The Hepworth Wakefield and from looking at the work of Paul Klee.
We choose our favourite design to draw and mark on to printing tiles.
Leeds diving
Living and Learning: mental health
Mental health is our new theme in our Living and Learning lessons. We also had a linked reading fluency text to help to understand about mental health.
First of all, this video introduced emotions and feelings.
Next, we met Maz. Maz is visiting earth to discover more about humans. Today, Maz wants to learn all about feelings.
We had lots we wanted to tell Maz about feelings…
Then, we heard about some characters and their stories. What feelings might they have? Who might need help with how they are feeling? Amir or Mia?
Talking about feelings and knowing where and how to seek help for yourself or others is very important.
Help at home: We’ve talked about how people’s faces and body language can help us to understand how others are feeling. Match the expression to the emotion. Maybe try some other emotions at home.
confused, sad, shocked, overjoyed, shy and furious
Numbots
So far in Year 2, we have awarded an amazing 82 certificates for children completing different levels as part of their Numbots journey.
Certificates are awarded on a weekly basis as well as a top 3 for the most progress made in earning coins.
Keep working hard at home. Just 10 minutes a day can really help with those addition and subtraction facts.
Trip to the Hepworth Art Gallery
Today, we had an absolutely fantastic school trip to the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield .
We started the day looking around the garden, the different galleries in the art museum and sketching some of the sculptures. We saw lots of different pieces of art and sculptures by some very famous artists.
After lunch, we took part in a print-making workshop which included looking at some Barbara Hepworth sculptures and finding inspiration from their shapes. We learned that Barbara Hepworth was inspired by nature to produce her own art. We also looked for repeated patterns in nature and produced our own drawings using tracing paper and a black frame.
Using our inspiration from the shapes and repeating patterns, we were ready to make out own piece of printed art.
Virtual author visit with James Mayhew
On Thursday, Year 2 had a very exciting virtual visit with the author James Mayhew. We know him from his series of books based on his sister Katie.
James shared with us how he begun to draw and paint as a child and this developed into writing. As we watched, James cleverly illustrated a picture whilst telling us a story. James allowed us to ask questions and we were impressed by the fact that he has had over 70 books published! He also writes around 2 books a year!
Over the next few weeks, we will be reading some of James’ books in school. So far, we have enjoyed reading ‘Katie and the Mona Lisa’ which links with our Art topic.
Living and Learning: new school charity
Every year, we vote for a new school charity to support and this week is the start of the selection process.
Our new charity will replace our current school charity St Gemma’s Hospice. An amazing £1500 has been raised for this great, local cause.
Whole school homework this week is to consider the following shortlist of charities.
The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund
The main objective of the charity is to enhance the quality of care and support available to babies, young children and adult congenital cardiac patients, who are treated at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, based at Leeds General Infirmary. https://www.chsf.org.uk
Zarach
We receive referrals through our network of schools. We deliver a bed bundle for every child in the household that requires it; this includes a brand-new Bed, Mattress, Duvet, Pillow, Bed Sheets, Pyjamas and Hygiene Kit. We work with local partners to include Food Parcels and, if needed, a school uniform. We can also mediate between families and their support services, as well as making referrals. https://zarach.org/
Leeds Hospitals Charity
To further any charitable purpose or purposes relating to the general or any specific purposes of Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust or the purposes of the National Health Service. https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk
Simon on the Streets
Objectives are to: 1) prevent and relieve hardship and need and distress amongst those who are homeless and rootless by the provision of practical and emotional support, in particular but not exclusively to those who are sleeping rough or who are unwilling or unable to accept existing provision; 2) educate the public concerning the problems of social isolation and homelessness. https://simononthestreets.co.uk/
Trussell Trust
The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of food banks and together we provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK. www.trusselltrust.org
Mind (The National Association for Mental Health)
We provide information and support, campaign to improve policy and attitudes and, in partnership with independent local Minds, develop and provide local services. https://www.mind.org.uk/
The charities will be reviewed in class on Thursday 23 November. Each class will vote for one charity which will be brought to the Junior Leadership Team who will have the final vote on Friday 24 November.
Design and technology food: banana sandwich
This week, Year 2 have been using their food preparation skills to create their latest product, a banana sandwich.
This forms part of our Design and Technology food learning which involves following a recipe to create a product each term.
Here are some of the skills we used.
Peeling
Bridge hold (for cutting)
Claw grip (for cutting)
Spreading
Arranging toppings
Sprinkling
The comments from the children when they got to eat their product were very positive!
I can’t stop eating it!
I’ve never had this before but I like it.
It’s the best sandwich I’ve ever had.
I’m going to make this at home for all my family.
It was unbelievable!
I didn’t think I’d like the cream cheese but it’s amazing.
The cinnamon gave it a little bit of a spicy taste.
We always evaluated our product afterwards to see how it could be changed it next time.
Well done to all the children who worked safely and sensibly with Ms Canning. Next week, we will be using this learning to help with instruction writing.
Help at home: your child has taken this recipe home. Can they demonstrate some of their food preparation skills by making this again at home.
