Summer-1-Year-2-Curriculum- (ID 1151)

• English
  English

  In Year 2 this half term, children will be exploring poetry through engaging and imaginative texts such as Father and I in the Woods. Pupils learn to read, discuss, and respond to the poem, focusing on how language can create vivid images and emotions. They will experiment with words by exploring features such as alliteration and humour, helping them to understand how poets play with language. Children are encouraged to use adventurous word choices, including powerful nouns, descriptive adjectives, and lively verbs, to bring their observations to life. Through shared writing and guided activities, pupils build confidence in expressing their ideas, before creating their own short poems inspired by the natural world. This unit nurtures creativity, speaking and listening skills, and a growing appreciation of poetry in a fun and supportive environment.

  We will then move onto the beautifully illustrated story The Last Wolf by Mini Grey. Through this engaging text, children will develop their reading and writing skills by retelling the story, exploring characters and themes, and discussing the author’s use of language and illustration. They will experiment with words and sentence structures, using descriptive vocabulary, including carefully chosen nouns, adjectives and verbs, to bring their ideas to life. Children will also have opportunities to write for different purposes, such as character descriptions, diary entries, and their own versions of the story. This unit supports pupils in building confidence, creativity, and a deeper understanding of storytelling.

• Maths
  Maths

  In Year 2 this half term, children will be developing their understanding of measurement, with a focus on mass and capacity. They will learn to measure and compare mass using grams (g) and kilograms (kg), and capacity using millilitres (ml) and litres (l). Through practical, hands-on activities, pupils will use scales and measuring containers to explore real-life contexts, helping them to understand how these measurements are used in everyday situations. Children will also solve problems involving adding, subtracting, and comparing different amounts, building both their mathematical skills and confidence. This unit supports a deeper understanding of measurement in a fun, engaging, and meaningful way.

  How you can help:
  Please ensure that your child completes their maths homework. Also please encourage your child to play on Sumdog and TTRockstars and to practice for their maths badges.

• PSHE
  PSHE

  This half term in PSHE,

  children will be learning about important life skills. They will explore how adults earn money and begin to understand the role of bank account cards in managing it. Pupils will learn to recognise the difference between wants and needs, helping them make thoughtful choices. They will also have opportunities to identify their own skills and talents, as well as consider ways they can develop these further. Alongside this, children will learn why it is important to treat everyone equally and inclusively, building respect and understanding of others. This unit supports children in developing confidence, responsibility, and awareness of the world around them.

• RE
  RE

  This half term in RE, Year 2 will be learning about Islam, key beliefs and ways of living for Muslims. Pupils will learn about some of the key Muslim beliefs about God found in the Shahadah and learn about the 99 names of Allah. Pupils will encounter stories about the Prophet and find out about what these teach Muslims today about ways of living. Pupils will learn about the five pillars of Islam and how these impact upon the lives of believers. They will learn about the importance of prayer and what it means for Muslims all over the world.

• Science
  Science

  In Year 2 this half term, children will explore the fascinating world of Living Things and Their Habitats. They will learn to identify and name a variety of plants and animals, and understand the different habitats where these living things are found, from gardens and woodlands to ponds and oceans. Pupils will investigate how habitats provide the basic needs of living things, including food, water, and shelter, and how animals and plants are suited to their environments. They will also learn to group animals and plants based on their characteristics, and consider how humans can help care for the environment and wildlife. Through hands-on activities, observations, and simple experiments, children develop their scientific skills, curiosity, and understanding of the natural world around them.

• Spanish
  Spanish

  This half term, children will learn vocabulary linked to towns and transport. They will name places in a town, describe what is and isn’t there, and talk about different ways to travel. Through games, speaking activities and simple sentence work, children will begin to express opinions about how they like to travel.

• PE
  PE

  This half term, Year 2 will be building their athletics skills by running at different speeds, learning how to jump and land with control, and throwing with accuracy. They’ll take part in relay-style activities, explore how to move safely in space, and begin to understand how to improve their own performance.

• Design Technology
  Design Technology

  This half term in Design and Technology, Year 2 children will be developing their skills in working with clay. They will learn to flatten and smooth their clay, roll shapes successfully, and make a variety of marks on the surface. Pupils will practise making basic pinch pots and joining clay shapes using the scoring and slipping technique, as well as rolling smooth tile surfaces. They will explore creating patterns by joining shapes and making marks on their tiles. Children will also draw their own house designs and plan how to recreate key features in clay, culminating in the creation of a clay house tile with recognisable features made through both impressing objects into the surface and joining simple shapes. This unit encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and careful planning in their clay work.

• Dance
  Dance

  Year 2 are building on their dance skills by combining actions to create short routines. They’ll explore direction, levels and timing, and begin to perform in unison or mirror a partner’s movements. The focus is on control, teamwork and enjoying movement through music.

• Music
  Music

  This term, children will develop their understanding of pulse, rhythm and pitch. They will explore different types of instruments and how sounds are made, and begin to create their own simple compositions. Through singing and playing, children will learn to perform in time and experiment with dynamics and musical structure.

• Computing
  Computing

  In this Year 2 unit on Questioning using Purple Mash this half term, children will develop their skills in creating, refining, and using questions to explore and gather information. They will learn how to ask different types of questions, including yes/no and open-ended questions, and consider which questions are most effective for finding out specific information. Pupils will practise using digital tools to record and organise their questions, helping them think logically and clearly. The unit also encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, as children explore how good questioning can help them learn more about a topic and communicate their ideas effectively. By the end of the unit, children will confidently use questioning as a tool for discovery and learning across a range of subjects.

• Geography
  Geography

  his half term, Year 2 will be exploring our theme “Great Explorers” by investigating our local town, Ashton. Children will research the history of Ashton and discover what life was like here 100 years ago. They will explore important local landmarks, such as the Cenotaph and Hartshead Pike, and learn to use compass directions to locate Ashton and nearby towns on a map. Pupils will also develop their mapping skills by using keys and symbols to create their own maps of familiar routes. As part of their learning, they will observe and compare different types of buildings in Ashton, gaining an understanding of the variety of houses and structures in our local area. This unit helps children build curiosity, geographical skills, and a deeper connection with their community.