Thomas Willingale School and Nursery
Autumn Term
Week beginning 4th September 2023
Fantastic start to our school year. It was lovely welcoming all of the children to year 2. We have had a super busy first week back!
We introduced the children to The Great Fire of London, the children learnt some key events that took place and created some lovely art pieces.
The children also had a visitor, a great author workshop to help with our writing, the children used their imaginations and created a world similar but different to our own. The children had some wonderful ideas and used a range of adjectives to describe their new worlds. The children also had some fun with story circle games.
We look forward to a great full week, next week.
Mrs Avaz and Mrs Sheptuha
Week Commencing 11th September 2023
We have had another busy week in Year Two.
In Maths we have continued to develop our understanding of the value of two-digit numbers. We have used part whole models and place value charts to partition numbers into tens and ones.
In English we have begun reading the story Toby and the Great Fire of London. We used drama to act the story out and then used a story map to retell the story. You can see the pictures of the drama below. Ask your child if they can retell the story. Next week, we will start to write the story making sure we write in full sentences with capital letters and dull stops.
In Shared Reading, we started reading a story called the Memory Tree. We learnt some new vocabulary from the book, practised reading with fluency and answered some retrieval questions.
In Science, we have been sorting objects according to the materials that they are made from. We talked about the suitability of materials such as why glass is a good material for a window.
In History we learnt more about Samuel Pepys who was an eye witness in the Great Fire of London and he wrote a diary of the events. We learnt about why he is a significant person in history.
In Geography, we looked at an aerial image of London and picked out human and physical features. We found human features like offices and bridges and we found physical features like the river and trees. We also found landmarks on the image such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge and St Paul's.
On Wednesday evening, we had a great time at the circus and hope you enjoyed it too. Our children are very keen to get good attendance again next year so we can have another exciting reward.
We will be starting our DT project next week and need some cereal boxes! Please could you send your child to school with a cereal box by next Friday 22nd September.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs Sheptuha and Mrs Ayaz
W/c 18th September 2023
Another fantastic week.
In English, we started to retell a story we have learnt, 'Toby and the Great Fire of London'. The children used a story map and actions to help them retell the story.
In Maths, we continued our place value unit and explored tens and ones on a numberline to 100. On Friday, we challenged ourselves and explored the concept of estimating on a numberline.
In topic, we designed our Tudor houses, we looked at what they are made of and what they typically looked. We had some fantastic ideas and designs please see some pictures below.
It was our first Forest School of the year! The children had great fun, please look on the school app to see more information, there are a few photos below.
We look forward to finishing our stories next week and making our model Tudor houses.
Have a super weekend,
Mrs Ayaz and Mrs Sheptuha
Week Commencing 25th September 2023
English
This week the children completed their stories about Toby and the Great Fire of London. They were really proud of their writing, in particular their neat handwriting and capital letters and full stops. On Friday the children edited their writing and made improvements by adding in adjectives.
Maths
We have been using the < = > symbols to compare objects and numbers. We used vocabulary such as: greater than , less than, more, less, bigger, smaller, equal to and the same to compare and order numbers. We have also been learning to count in 3s.
DT
We made our Tudor houses this week. We weaved paper to make the wattle and then covered it in paper mache to act as the daub. Then we added black strips to look like the wooden beams and a straw roof to represent the thatch. Next week we will evaluate the houses and then use them to recreate the Great Fire of London.
Science
We have continued our topic on Materials. This week we were learning about forces and investigating if materials changed shape with force such as a push, pull, bend, squash.
Some of our children took part in a football event at Shooters on Friday afternoon and we are looking forward to hearing all about it when they get back to school.
W/c 2nd October 2023 Week5
Another busy week in year 2!
In maths, we practiced and explored trends of numbers to 100 and how to write them as words. We also recapped our number bonds to 20 using manipulative such as cubes to assist. We also explored the relationship between number bonds to 10 and number bonds to 100 using the multiples of 10.
In English, we have been exploring poetry and what makes a poem. For black history month, we have been exploring the life of Mary Seacole. Mary was a woman who chose to help British soldiers and nurse them back to health, set up a British hotel where she helped these wounded soldiers, independently when she was told she would not be helped. This inspiring story of Mary Seacole was the focus when the children created their own poems.
In our topic lessons, we evaluated our fantastic Tudor houses that the children had designed and created in small groups. On Friday, we had our very own mini version of the Great Fire of London on our playground. We re-enacted how the town put out the fire back in 1666 (the best we could). The children had a fantastic time! Please see some photographs below.
It was forest school on Thursday and the children had an amazing time. Please see the app for more information about what the children got up to.
We also started our full rehearsals with year 1 for our Harvest Festival. We look forward to welcoming you into the school in a few weeks time to see how hard the children have been working in their singing lessons.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs Ayaz and Mrs Sheptuha
Week commencing 9th October 2023
This week we have been lucky enough to take part in a drama workshop to celebrate Black History Month. We learnt that we shouldn’t treat people unkindly because of what they look like or where they come from. We acted out scenarios where our unkind actions might make somebody feel sad. Then we listened to the story of Rosa Parks who lived in America. In 1955 she was arrested because she refused to give up her seat on a bus so that a white person could sit down. This resulted in nationwide protests and eventually America changed and allowed black and white people to sit together on buses and segregation came to an end.
In Science we carried out an investigation to find out which is the most suitable material to make a fire bucket. We tested wood, plastic, metal and paper. We found out that plastic was waterproof but not fireproof; wood was waterproof but not fireproof; paper was not waterproof or fireproof and metal was waterproof and fireproof. Therefore we decided that metal would be the most suitable material to use to make a fire bucket.
In Maths we have been using our base 10 equipment to add and subtract ones from 1 and 2 digit numbers. We have done really well with this and finished the week by adding 3 numbers together.
In English we have learnt about non-chronological reports and have begun writing our own report about the Titanic. We will finish this next week.
In History we plotted some historical events on a timeline such as The Great Fire of London, the sinking of the Titanic, The first man on the moon, the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the year the children were born. We also learnt about the events of the Titanic and how the third class passengers were treated differently from the first class passengers. We used drama to help us understand what happened and we had a debate about whether it was right that rich people got priority to get into the lifeboats. We then had a philosophy lesson and expressed our opinions about the question: Is it right that women and children were saved before the men?
W/C 16TH October
Another lovely week in year 2
The children had their harvest festival on Tuesday and performed to all of the parents in ks1. The children had a fantastic time showcasing what they have been practicing this half term.
In maths we have started to add and subtract by bridging over ten. The children were also introduced to a tricky concept of subtracting and exchanging a ten stick for ten ones.
In English the children wrote their non chronological reports all about the Titanic. The children have a super understanding of the tragic event and have enjoyed this topic.
We have come to the end of our topic in science of everyday use of materials. The children have enjoyed the practical side of this topic. We look forward to introducing our next topic after half term.
Have a lovely and well-deserved break.
Mrs Ayaz and Mrs Sheptuha
Week commencing 30th October 2023
Welcome back to school after the half term break! The children have settled well into school routines and are working very hard. We have seen a huge improvement in the children’s handwriting recently so well done to all of our Year Twos! Thank you to all the parents who are listening to their child read regularly at home, we had lots of children read over 5 times in the holidays which was brilliant and really does have an impact on the children’s reading ability. On another positive note, the majority of our year 2 children are completing their homework each week and handing it in on time. It is wonderful that our children are working so hard and have such good support at home. Thank you for all the time and effort you spend listening to your children read, practising spellings and completing homework, we really do appreciate it.
In maths this week, we have continued our work on addition and subtraction using tens and ones. We also used 100 squares to find 10 more and 10 less than a given number. In English, the children have written poems about Remembrance Day. Read our poems below. We used a collage technique to make poppies in art that we will use to make a class wreath for Remembrance Day next week. Have a look at the pictures below!
Next week we will begin our art project making models of WW1 trenches. If you have any spare shoe boxes at home, please send them into class. Thank you!
W/C 6th November
Super busy week again in year 2.
In maths, we have been adding two 2 digit numbers. The children have used the dienes and have drawn the dienes to assist with their method. We then used comparing skills and addition skills, using the greater than and less than symbol for two addition sums.
In English, the children have been exploring a story called The soldier and the little hen, linking to our topic of WW1. The children have then written postcards being the soldier writing to a family member at home. The children used adjectives, first person and emotive language. This week the children also use drama in their English lessons with a conscience corridor.
In topic the children have been exploring WW1, what happened and about life in the trenches. The children have learnt about the conditions the soldiers had to endure during WW1 in the trenches. The children made propaganda posters convincing people to join the army for WW1.
In Science, we started exploring animals including humans and discussed life cycles and life stages. The children then had to order the life stages of a human. See photographs below.
The children also showed their respect on Friday at 11am with the rest of the school on the playground. In preparation for this the children learnt about Remembrance Day and created a wreath with their class. See photos attached below.
Wc 13th November 2023
Another busy and exciting week
We started the week odd socks day to raise awareness for anti bullying week. At our school one of our values is kindness and the children are expected to adhere to this and do well. We also had children in need day on Friday, thank you for all toiletries that were donated. The children enjoyed coming into school in yellow and spots.
We also had a workshop with a gentleman who came to visit year 2 on Thursday. We explored WW1 and learnt lots of new facts. We saw equipment soldiers were given once they signed up. We learnt some songs from the war and the children participated in acting activities. They all had great fun.
In maths the children have been subtracting two 2-digit numbers. The children learnt how we can exchange one ten for ten ones to help with tricky calculations. The children used dienes and later in the week could draw them to help with their method.
In English, we continued looking at the story about a solider and a hen. The children wrote another postcard from the second half of the story and how the main characters feelings and experiences had changed. Linking to our learning about WW1. It has been lovely for the children to use their learning to make their writing historical and accurate.
In science the children explored life cycles and stages for animals and how it differs to humans. The children also learnt that some animals abandon their young once they are born, or even trick over animals into raising their offspring.
We had a lovely week. We hope you have a restful weekend.
Mrs Ayaz and Mrs Sheptuha
Week commencing 20.11.23
In English, we read the story of ‘The man on the moon’ and wrote descriptive sentences about travelling to the moon. Next week we will write our own stories about a voyage to the moon.
In maths we have been learning how to solve missing number calculations. We have been using the inverse to help us and we know that the inverse of addition is subtraction and the inverse of subtraction is addition. We also learnt that the commutative law tells us that addition can be done in any order but subtraction cannot. For example, 3+6 will give us the same answer as 6+3 but 6-3 will not give us the same answer as 3-6.
In our history lessons we have been learning about WW2 and how children were evacuated from the cities into the countryside to keep them safe. We had a drama session where we role played being an evacuee during WW2. We had different roles to play. Some of us were the children who were evacuated. Some of us were parents taking their children to the train station to say goodbye. Some of us were volunteers who took the evacuees into their homes. We thought about how it would feel to be evacuated as a child, how it would feel for the parents to say goodbye to their children and how it would feel for a stranger to take in a child they did not know. We then had a philosophy session to discuss whether it was right to evacuate children during WW2.
In RE we have been learning how Christians celebrate Christmas. On Friday we had a special visitor from St Michael's church who told us all about what happens in church during the lead up to Christmas, including the lighting of the advent candles. He explained to us that 'advent' means coming and Christians use this time to prepare for Christmas.
We are now busy rehearsing our Christmas nativity so your child may come home with lines to learn, please support them in the learning of their lines.
We had Forest School on Thursday and the children had a lovely time making a campfire. Unfortunately, there was a significant number of children who did not bring their Forest School clothes with them and we only have a limited supply of wellies and waterproofs at school. As the weather gets colder, we will not be able to provide children with warm clothing so they will not be able to join in with the sessions. Please ensure you provide your child with suitable clothing on our Forest School days.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs Sheptuha and Mrs Ayaz
Role play of WW2 evacuees and our RE visitor
W/c 27th November 2023
Week 5
Another busy week in year 2!
Year 2 have been writing stories that we planned last week all about a voyage to the moon from the perspective of an astronaut. We have been working on using different sentence starters to make our writing more interesting to read. As well as this the children have been ensuring they use lots of interesting adjectives.
In maths the children have exploring 2d and 3d shapes. We have been using key vocabulary including sides, vertices, edges and faces. The children have worked very hard.
On Wednesday we had no pens day! A lovely day for the children, we really enjoyed listening to the children talk about their items they had brought, and for those that didn't have an object we asked them to talk about an accomplishment they are proud of or their favourite memory. All children participated and we were pleased with how they articulated themselves. That afternoon the children had collages of the moon linking to our topic exploring Neil Armstrong.
On Friday, it was pyjama day! So cosy for the beginning of December and a frosty morning. Some children had Christmas pjs on, getting into the holiday spirit. Thank you for the donations of bottles.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs Ayaz and Mrs Sheptuha
Photos from week commencing 4.12.23
Week commencing 4.12.23
We have had a real mixed bag this week of hard work and amazing fun.
We have done end of term assessments in writing, maths and reading. The children worked really hard and tried their best with everything. We are very proud of their achievements.
We have also been busy making Christmas cards, gifts and calendars.
On Thursday we watched a pantomime organised by our wonderful PTA called ‘Treasure Island’. It was lots of fun and the children loved joining in and had a good old sing song at the end.
We also had a very special visitor on Thursday afternoon when Santa came to TWS. He talked to us about Christmas and taught us a special dance.
At Forest School we had a campfire and cooked marshmallows on skewers. We then squeezed them in between chocolate biscuits to make s’mores. They were delicious.
On Friday we participated in the Santa Dash and ran around the track wearing our Santa hats.
We have also been practising for our nativity and have been trying hard to learn the songs and our lines.
Have a lovely weekend everybody!
Mrs Sheptuha and Mrs Ayaz
Wc 27th November
Week 5!
Another busy week in year 2!
Year 2 have been writing stories that we planned last week all about a voyage into space from the perspective of an astronaut. We have been working on using different sentence starters to make our writing interesting to read. As well as this the children have been ensuring they use lots of interesting adjectives.
In maths the children have been exploring 2D and 3D shapes. We have been using key vocabulary including sides, vertices, edges and faces. The children have worked really hard.
On Wednesday we had no pens day! A lovely day for the children, we really enjoyed listening to the children talk about their items they had brought it, and for those that didn’t have an object we asked them to talk about an accomplishment they are proud of or their favourite memory. All children participated and we were pleased with how they articulated themselves. That afternoon the children made collages of the moon linking to our topic exploring Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon.
On Friday it was pyjama day! So cosy for the beginning of December. Some children had Christmas pjs on getting into the holiday spirit. Thank you all for the donations.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs Avaz and Mrs Sheptuha