Year 2 Curriculum Talk WELCOME

Year 2 Staff Mrs Reardon- Year 2 Leader and teacher of 2SR Mrs Sree- Year 2 teacher of 2MS Mrs Burton- Year 2 teacher of 2JB

Routines Outdoor and Indoor PE each week – children need PE trainers and a tracksuit – we will go out even if it is really cold, drizzling etc! 2SR– Monday and Thursday 2JB - Wednesday and Friday 2MS- Wednesday and Thursday Library - can books please be returned the day before each class visits the library. 2SR- Wednesday back Tuesday 2JB- Tuesday- back Monday 2MS- Tuesday- back Monday Spelling tests- every Monday morning- please spend five minutes a day practising spellings. Red books can stay at home until Monday. They should be brought into school every Monday.

The Curriculum Core Subjects In 2014 the national curriculum was revised. It is now statutory and the new programmes of learning and attainment for each subject have now been replaced. English – Reading; Writing (including handwriting twice a week) ; communication (Speaking and Listening); Drama/Role play. There is a now a stronger emphasis on grammar, punctuation and spelling. Reading is at the core of the curriculum with a huge push on reading at school and home for pleasure. This is actually stated in the government documents. Numeracy- Number; Shape, Space and Measure; Data Handling; Problem Solving. There is an emphasis on developing secure numerical skills by the end of Year Two, using many mental strategies and mathematical problems. To find out more about the specific methods we use to teach number skills please look at our calculation policy on the website. Science- there is a strong focus on scientific knowledge and language rather than just conducting experiments. Computing- This now includes programming, the term used with the children is coding .

Foundation Subjects Geography History Music PE (Dance; Yoga; Gymnastics; Games) Design and Technology Art RE PSHE

Subjects are taught through cross-curricular topics each half term and are blocked. Extra-curricular trips or visitors to school support this. TOPICS: How We Grow London, Now and then An Island Home In the Victorian Times Plants, Plants, Plants The Rainforest

Teaching in Year Two develops independence across the whole curriculum and is encouraged from the beginning. Runs across all aspects of school life – such as morning and home time routines. The children will need to take responsibility for their own actions and we expect them to produce good work consistently. Children will participate in a wide range of activities incorporating many learning styles including cooking, role play and making use of outdoor areas.

Homework Daily reading and communicating this via the link book. This is vital. We ask that you record their reading each day. Link books will be checked and signed off by a member of staff. You do not need to change your book daily, however still sign the Link Book to show your child has read. Weekly spellings with sentence work.- choose 5 words to put into a sentence to give the word context. The red spelling books need to be back in school every Monday. Discovery Homework (fortnightly)- related to topics and will cover a range of curriculum areas – science, geography, history, art etc Numeracy Homework we will sent home on a Friday to be returned by the following Tuesday. Please make sure that all homework is completed in pencil.

Marking and Feedback TBS Marking code At The Breakspear School we know that feedback has a great effect on pupil achievement and we provide learners with quality feedback in different forms. Written feedback is provided consistently across the school. TBS Marking code

Behaviour – Good to be Green Our ethos across the school and in Year Two is to notice good behaviour and to give attention to children making right choices.  This is effective in encouraging children whose inclination might be to misbehave, to be noticed for doing the right thing!  We have a positive yet clear cut attitude towards discipline, the children are rewarded for following the year 2 green rules.

Year 2 Class Rules WE STAY GREEN BY: All being respectful and kind. All looking after things in the classroom. All listening and working well with each other. All taking responsibility for the way we act. All trying to the best we can every day.

If, during the day, in lessons, or at break times, a child has to be warned of inappropriate behaviour, or has broken a school/class rule, then a Yellow Warning Card will be displayed over the top of the Green card. The warning gives the child the opportunity to reflect, consider and review their behaviour. If a child is already on a Yellow Warning Card, and they have to be told again of inappropriate behaviour, then there are consequences. A child who receives red cards will be monitored and you may be asked to come in and discuss their behaviour.

Assessment Year 2 is the end of Key Stage 1. National Curriculum Levels have been abandoned but as in previous years class teachers will still be required to formally assess the children in key areas. Standard Attainment Tasks (SATs) have been revamped and are a legal requirement. In May, your child will sit tests in reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation as well as mental arithmetic and general mathematics. As before they will still be marked internally and teachers will make final judgements which will be reported at the end of the year in your child’s report.

Assessment Continued You will know whether your child is meeting age related expectations for the above areas and in writing. These will be explained further throughout the year. The judgements given will still take into account a range of evidence and are not based on one test, single piece of work or activity. This is collected during the course of the year and used to help us move the children forward.

Volunteering We really appreciate people helping us out in school. In order for school trips to run we need your support. Under new guidelines all volunteers in school are required to fill in a DBS form (old CRB) so helpers on trips also need to be cleared before they can come on days out and local trips to the church etc.

Website The website is a school link and a source of information regarding school activities and routines. Website www.breakspear.hillingdon.sch.uk Please check regularly all newsletters are posted including dates etc. Remember newsletters are now electronic rather than paper based.

Thank you for giving up your time and meeting with us. Year 2 is a year full of exciting opportunities and a chance for your child’s independence and range of academic skills to grow. Thank you for giving up your time and meeting with us. We all look forward to working with you and your children over the year. 