1. Primary 2a Learning Leaflet Term 1 August – October 2018
For the duration of Primary 2, the class will take part in various learning experiences through four contexts: Discrete Subject Areas, Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL), Ethos and Life of the School and Planned Opportunities for Personal Development.
Discrete Subject Areas
Generally, we learn these subjects on their own. The knowledge and skills we learn can be transferred and applied in other areas.
Literacy
At the start of the term, Primary 2 will be revising their reading sounds from Primary 1. The class will then be divided into groups where the children will either move onto learn new reading sounds or consolidation of their previous sounds through further reading.
Primary 2 will have lots of writing opportunities throughout the term. The children will use talk for writing strategies, as well as working with a partner to create exciting writing pieces that will link into their interdisciplinary learning.
Maths
During the first term, Primary 2 will continue to learn and increase their confidence with their numeracy work. We will be using SEAL strategies to learn about our backwards number sequences from 120 downwards. Primary 2 will be learning about partitions of 5 and 10 and will be learning about addition and subtraction up to 10.
For our math subjects, primary 2 will be focusing on 2D and 3D shapes then symmetry before moving on to learn about time.
Languages
Primary 2 will continue to increase their knowledge of Spanish this term as we try to embed the language into our classroom.
Health and Wellbeing
Primary 2 have been given the opportunity to work with Mr Creaney during one of their PE slots, they will be learning various different skills to help them with their PE learning.
Primary 2 will also spend time this term talking about our feelings and taking part in circle time activities to discuss how to manage our feelings and who to talk to.
Throughout the year we will continue to work on the Building Resilience Programme, helping us to develop strategies to keep ourselves safe, healthy, active and responsible.
Science/Social Studies
During this term Primary 2a and Primary 2b will be learning through an interdisciplinary format and spend time as a whole Primary 2 stage. We will be all working together to learn about all the different people who help us as well as the places that they work. We will discuss why these people help us and why they are so important to our communities.
We will also be learning about the Sun, Moon and Stars. Primary 2 will be learning about the stages of the day as well as learning about the planets in the sky.
Curriculum
Areas
Expressive Arts
Primary 2 will be exploring their interdisciplinary learning through art. The children will draw, build and make different buildings that ‘People Who Help Us’. They will be creating different pieces of artwork using the Sun, Moon and Stars as our inspiration.
Primary 2 will also have the opportunity to use drama in our role play areas to act out our different topic learning.
Religious Education
For our religious learning in Primary 2 we will be learning about Baptism and how are names are special to us. We will also be learning new prayers while discussing the Rosary. We have organised with Fr Peter a visit to see and discuss our local Church together. Children will be working with the Missionary Sisters of Charity to develop their knowledge of the life of Jesus Christ, and the rituals of the Catholic Church.

2. Interdisciplinary Learning
Throughout the school our IDL topics allow the children to learn a range of subjects relating to one particular theme in a relevant, enjoyable and challenging manner. Over our first term P2a’s IDL topics will be People Who Help Us and Sun, Moon and Starts. The topics allow the children to use their learning in many different areas of their learning.
Ethos and Life in School
Our children are being encouraged to contribute to the life and work of the school and, from the earliest stages, to exercise their responsibilities as members of a community. This includes opportunities to participate responsibly in decision-making, to contribute as leaders and role models. Through our whole school assemblies, the children are given the opportunity to share their classwork with the whole school.
Planned Opportunities for Personal Development
As a school and class we enjoy hearing all of our children’s achievements either within school or out with school. It is fantastic to see and hear the children in P2a sharing their achievements whether they are academic or sport. We have opportunities towards the end of the week to share this with the class and the opportunity to share within assembly and school.
Primary 2 PE days
Please note that P2a’s PE days are Monday and Tuesday. Please make sure that your child has the appropriate gym kit and gym shoes. Lots of the children and consistently coming to school without any or part of the gym kit.
Indoor Shoes
Please can parents/carers ensure that their child has indoor shoes to wear in the classroom. As it is coming into the colder weather the children need their indoor shoes to ensure they are not sitting with wet shoes during the school day.