Year 2

English

Grammar Posters

This week we are going to think about our grammar. Answer these questions:

What is a noun? What is an adjective? What is a verb? What is an adverb?

If your child can't remember hopefully these posters will help to remind them!

Encourage your child to make a poster for each of the 4 different types. They will need to include the name, what it is and then examples of each.

 

 

 

 

What is in a name?

Use the first letter of your name to think of 10 examples of each type of grammar. So, as I'm called 'Brazier' I'd need to think of 10 nouns beginning with 'b' for example: bird, ball, Bob, Basingstoke... and so on. Then I'd need to think of 10 adjectives starting with b, then 10 verbs starting with b and finally 10 adverbs starting with b. 

- If your child finds this easy can they do the same for someone else's name?

- If your child finds this tricky try and find 3 of each and encourage them to use them in sentences.

-EXTENSION - can your child put the words they've chosen into sentences. E.g. In Basingstoke the bad dog boldly bit the children's ball.

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There, their or they're?

These homophones are something that almost all children (and some adults!) find tricky. Encourage your child to make a poster for each of the different 'there' words which explains when they need to use that 'there' and gives some examples too. They could do this on the computer if they wanted to - or even make a powerpoint presentation!

This is a good example of a 'there' poster, it just doesn't explain when that particular 'there' is correct. >

If your child is struggling to remember the difference between there, their and they're this should help them:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Contractions

Your child should be familiar with contractions. Contractions are the shortened versions of longer words - and the missing letters are marked with an apostrophe. For example could not > couldn't, we are > we're. Still not sure? Click here for examples (try and use the more common contractions your children will be familiar with!)

• Make dominoes with contractions on. Make sure that each end of the domino has a different full word / contraction so that each domino can be matched to another one. Cut the dominoes up and then try to match them together. Don't forget could've and would've - it's a good excuse to practise those tricky word spellings!
• Cut out 20 or so credit card sized pieces of paper or card. Pick 2 cards - on one write the words in full (e.g. we are). On the other card write the contraction (we're). Once you've done that for all 20 cards mix the cards up and then place them face down in lines of 5. Challenge a partner to see who can match the most contractions by turning over 2 at a time. If you get a match, keep the cards, if you don't get a match turn them back over face down. (Just like the memory game played with normal playing cards.)

 

Handwriting

Ladder Letters Week 1

This week practise the first 3 tall ladder letters - start with forming a nice tall 'l'. Then move on to i and t. Remind your child that their writing must start on the line and to begin with a clear lead in and end with a clear lead out. Remember 'i' isn't as tall as l or t. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A great way to practice these letters is by dragging a finger through shaving foam, drawing on the floor with chalk, drawing with a finger on someone's back or if your child prefers - just with pen and paper!

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Curly Caterpillar Letters Week 2

Keep those finger and hand muscles strong whilst you're not writing every day at school. Playdough is an excellent resource for this, otherwise any activity or game that involves pinching (not each other) is a good place to start.

This week practise the next 4 curly caterpillar letters - start with forming a nice round 'c' when you are making your caterpillar letters. This week practise g, q, e, s and f . Remind your child that their writing must start on the line and to begin with a clear lead in and end with a clear lead out.

A great way to practice these letters is by dragging a finger through shaving foam, drawing on the floor with chalk, drawing with a finger on someone's back or if your child prefers - just with pen and paper!

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Curly Caterpillar Letters Week 1

Keep those finger and hand muscles strong whilst you're not writing every day at school. Playdough is an excellent resource for this, otherwise any activity or game that involves pinching (not each other) is a good place to start.

This week practise the first 4 curly caterpillar letters - start with forming a nice round 'c'. Then move on to a, o and d. Remind your child that their writing must start on the line and to begin with a clear lead in and end with a clear lead out.

A great way to practice these letters is by dragging a finger through shaving foam, drawing on the floor with chalk, drawing with a finger on someone's back or if your child prefers - just with pen and paper!

English

Reading

In order to help encourage children to keep reading regularly at home during the period of school closure, the Hampshire School Library Service has launched their ‘Read at Home Challenge.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

To take part, all your child needs to do is read 6 books (although you can read more if you wish) and submit a short review for each book read, by clicking this hyperlink: Click here

It can be a physical book, an e-book, an audiobook or even a story you have shared as a family. Once completed, children will be able to download a certificate, which will be available on the portal shortly.

Happy reading!  

FREE READING BOOKS!

Collins Publishers have made the whole of their online Big Cat series (330 books!) available for free. This is a reading scheme for the whole of Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) which uses the same coloured book bands that we use in school. This will help you to select the right level for your child. All of the books come with activities that you could print or just use for ideas.

Click on the link: https://connect.collins.co.uk/school/teacherlogin.aspx to access the login page. Then, click on "Teacher".

User name: parents@harpercollins.co.uk   

password: Parents20!

 

Roald Dahl Comprehension

To access Roald Dahl comprehension material, please follow this link: app.readingwise.com 

You will need to use the school username and password that the School Office have sent to you in order to access the resources. It includes extracts from some of Roald Dahl's popular texts, along with questions and interactive support for children. 

Art

BBC Bitesize - How to draw a flip book

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/zy4fwxs

This week's video shows how to create a flip book. Using just two basic materials, a pack of memo notes and a pen, this is a straightforward demonstration of how to create an apparently moving image through a very basic but easily accessible animation technique. A repeated image with slight alterations to each frame drawn on the following memo notes creates a moving image, scene or character which could be adapted to any theme, story or topic. Combined with static objects such as model cars, a drawn animated character can be made to move across the scene with some realism. A basic technology-free introduction to animation and the moving image.

BBC Bitesize - How to draw with perspective

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/ztdpwxs

The above video shows how to separate a very basic drawn picture into foreground and background using a horizon line. Images nearest the foreground appear largest whilst those nearer the horizon appear smallest. This simple but effective technique creates a feeling of depth within a picture. This allows children to easily progress from creating flat 2D images to more in-depth pictures as it introduces non-technical perspective to their work.

Draw-a-long videos

Rob Biddulph is posting a draw-a-long video onto his website twice a week. He's designed these specifically for children so if this is something that you think you would like to have a go at with your children click here.

Corona Virus Time Capsule Sheets

The author behind these sheets thought that, although this is not the happiest of times, this is a once in a lifetime event. Therefore the children that have found themselves a part of it may want a way to look back on this pandemic. After all it is more than likely they will spend the rest of their lives being asked "where were you when...".

Corona Virus Time Capsule Sheet

Personal Social Health and Emotional (PSHE) activities:  

Breathing Activity

In school the children are all used to beginning their PSHE lesson with a ‘Calm Me’ activity. This is a quiet and peaceful time where the children are encouraged to be still and quiet and, as they become more practised, focus on the present moment and how they are feeling.

These breathing exercises below are a lovely way to continue this practise at home. At school, we start our Calm Me session by striking a chime, but you could listen to some relaxing music or just enjoy the quiet.

Read through the prompt card before sharing the special time with your child so that you are comfortable with the words that you will be saying. Try to find a quiet spot, away from distractions (having been at home all week myself, I know how tricky this can be!) and sit in a way that is comfortable for you and your child. In school, the children are used to sitting with their legs crossed but if you want to use this as a time to get snuggly – go for it!

Read the words through as your child sits/stands/lays with their eyes closed. It may feel a little strange to you at first, but the children will all be used to it from their lessons at school! Finding time to be calm and quiet in the current circumstances is more important than ever. Five minutes each day will  really help your child to connect with how they are feeling and enable them to experience quiet mindfulness away from any thoughts they may be having about the current change of routine. 

 

 

Jigsaw PSHE - Free activities for Families

Our PSHE providers, Jigsaw PSHE, have provided free access to two of their resources that are traditionally part of their Jigsaw Families programme. The information below has been taken directly from the Jigsaw website, and can be accessed via the links that follow…

“In these uncertain times surrounding the current pandemic, Jigsaw PSHE offers parents and children two of our original stories from the Jigsaw Families Programme:

• Fowley’s Wings (Fowley follows his dreams)
• The Switch Watch (A family and their crazy dog called Bongo work out how to enjoy each other’s company)

The stories are split into two parts, so after the first part you can enjoy a discussion on what you think might happen next, before playing the second part and then talk about how you thought it turned out.

We have also provided audio files for two ‘Calm Me’ times for you to listen to at any time with our compliments.

We hope you enjoy the stories, discussions and activities, and also find a few minutes’ peace with your children during ‘Calm Me’ time, especially useful during the crisis we are facing.”

Links to Jigsaw PSHE resources:

https://families.jigsawpshe.com/stuck-at-home/ (Scroll right down to the bottom of the page to find the blue box as shown below, and click on the ‘Go to Story 1: Fowley’s Wings’.)

 

Colour Monster activities:

The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas

During this period of school closure, it is likely that children will be feeling a mixture of emotions. Some children are very good at talking about their feelings, but for some this can be much more of a challenge.

In school we have a book about ‘The Colour Monster’ who finds it hard to understand and separate his feelings so they end up getting into a huge jumble. As the story progresses Rita, a very wise little person, explains to the Colour Monster that it is much easier to look after your feelings if you keep them separate and know what each one is. Rita then talks through each feeling, associating it with a colour and giving the Colour Monster examples of when he may have felt that way.  The link below is an video of the story being read.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih0iu80u04Y

As you are listening to the story with your child, ask them if they can recall a time when they felt happy? Can they tell you about a time they felt sad? How about a time when they felt worried? Using the book as a guide, have a gentle discussion with your children about how  they are feeling. Be led by them and try not to ‘force’ the discussion.

Once the children have listened to the book a few times, and are familiar with the concepts you can then use the Colour Monster as a way of talking with your child about specific feelings they may be having. For example, ‘You look like you are feeling very bouncy today! You have so much energy, you look very yellow! What is making you feel so good?’ Or, if your child is struggling, ‘I can see that you are feeling a bit wobbly today. You are very quiet. I wonder if you are having a grey feeling or a blue feeling? Do you want to tell me about it?’  

There are lots of activities you could do around The Colour Monster.

• Draw an empty jar. Can your child draw pictures of things that make them happy, using words to label if they would like?
• Can they make a jar that shows things that make them feel loved?
• If you have the resources at home, could your child paint or draw a picture of the Colour Monster? How is he feeling? What colour will they choose? What has happened to make him feel that way?

If your child is experiencing ‘big’ feelings such as anger, worry or sadness, reassure them that this is ok. We all feel angry, worried or sad sometimes.

• If your child is able, get them to talk to you about what is making them feel that way (it may be easier for some children to draw or write about this)
• Listen and be physically near your child as they talk, showing acceptance of their feelings
• When your child has finished talking/drawing,  tell them that you are proud of them for talking about such a big feeling.
• Explain that by sharing how they feel,  they have given that feeling to you, they have shared and so the feeling has got smaller.
• Tell your child that you will put their worries away, into a jar like the Colour Monster, so that you can physically ‘take’ the worries away from them.
• Take time to have a cuddle and tell your child that you will always do your best to help them sort out their feelings

Music

A bit of fun for you

The children in Foxes know that 'Fox in Socks' is Mrs Brazier's favourite Dr Seuss book. She has found a very fun version of the book, being read as a rap. So, if you're at a complete loss of what to do - why not have a go at learning a bit of this! At the very least it's well worth a listen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqIbEHNqbPs

Rhythm or Steady Beat?

In music the rhythm is the pattern that the words we sing or play makes. The steady beat is the count that you can hear all the way through a song. -Most- songs count in 4s 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 and so on. Although waltz music, (think the last song in Sleeping Beauty) only counts to 3. 1,2,3,1,2,3 and so on! A fun activity for you to do this week is choose a nursery rhyme you are familiar with. First practise singing it and clapping the steady beat as you go along. Then swap and practise clapping the rhythm as you sing it. Then, can you clap just the rhythm without singing the song? Can you work with a partner so one person claps the steady beat and another person claps the rhythm, without singing the music, so you just have claps?

- Extension, clap the rhythm of a nursery rhyme to a partner and see if they can guess the nursery rhyme you are clapping to them. Maybe they can try to join in with you when they think they've worked it out!

A bit rusty on your nursery rhymes? Don't worry - the BBC have lots of lovely ones all prerecorded here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/nursery-rhymes-a-to-z-index/z4ddgwx

Get moving to music

Put on a song with a good, strong beat. For example Justin Timberlake's Can't Stop This Feeling. Can you find the beat and start clapping the beat? If someone then turns the music's sound down - can you keep clapping in time? See if you're still clapping in time when the music comes back up. Can you do the same thing but with marching on the spot? 

The next step is to chose a different action to do on each beat e.g. if you listen to Dance Monkey by Tones and I you can hear the beat really clearly. Count to 8 then start again at 1. Then turn your counting into actions clap clap, tap tap (shoulders), click click, slap slap (thighs) and repeat. What you can then choose to do is 'mute' certain actions - and just nod your head instead. So you might choose to 'mute' counts 3 and 4 which would mean that you went clap clap, nod nod, click click, slap slap (thighs) and repeat. You can then 'unmute' 3 and 4 and go back to doing the actions for a bit then 'mute' other actions. It's good fun - and a test of the memory!

HMS Easter Eggstras

Our colleagues in the HMS primary curriculum team have been keeping busy during the last couple of weeks creating resources to be used by all your children during these unusual times. HMS are the team that normally lead our Year 2 music lessons and Mrs Brazier has been attending courses run by this team since she joined the school - as such she thoroughly recommends anything they provide us with!

Their message to us was to:  Keep smiling and Keep calm and continue to make music!

 

 

PE

Mr Sanders is making daily PE lessons. You can link to his channel: Mr Sanders' YouTube Channel  

Or you can see an example lesson here: 

And we are sure you're already aware of Joe Wicks' daily PE sessions!

Geography

Physical and Human Features of an Unfamiliar Place

Have a look at these places either by clicking the link or the pictures. Can you discuss the features you can see? Remember human features are things that humans have made, they're not natural things. When we discussed human features in London the human features included the London Eye and Big Ben. Physical features are natural things that are a part of nature - no human has put them there - they just are. When we thought about London's physical features we pointed out that London has the Thames River and lots of trees. You could also talk about the climate of the place you're looking at and the weather you notice - both of these things are physical features. 

Parents - bear in mind that these webcams are live and of real people and places.

Kuredu webcam (Maldives)

Jungfrau webcam (Switzerland) - in the top right hand corner of the picture there's a zoom in and out option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Map Skills

This week why don't you practise your map drawing skills? Remember that all good maps are drawn as accurately as possible and have a key. Think about the lovely maps you drew of our school. Remember, we don't draw everything on a map - can you imagine if they tried to draw boats in the sea or people swimming on a map? These things aren't there all the time so we can't include them on a map. We also don't waste time doing beautiful little drawings - instead we use symbols. This means that if the person looking at the map wanted to find a church, for example, they can look at the key to find out what symbol 'church' is - and then look for that symbol on the map.

Your mission is to draw a map of 1 story of your home. This will be easy if you live in a flat - if you live in a house just pick one floor and draw a map of that. Of course, if you want to draw maps of both stories and use the same key throughout, a little bit like an estate agent would, then go for it! 

This picture is a good example for you - but by no means is it the be all and end all. You could include things like tables and chairs, the sofa, the TV and so on. We wouldn't put the cat or dog on there, but we would put the fish tank on. Can you explain to your grown ups why these are different?

Why don't you see if your grown ups have an OS map in the house for you to have a look at? You can also google OS maps and have a look at some examples.

Don't forget all good maps have a clear key!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take an Easter Trip!!

Why not take a trip around the World this Easter, from the comfort of your sofa! Click on the picture of the Earth and find a long list of virtual tours around famous landmarks and visitor attractions all around the World. Have fun