WELCOME TO YEAR 2
Year Two is an exciting time for children at St Michael’s Infant School. They are encouraged to develop greater independence in their learning, reflect upon their own progress and apply their blossoming skills through interesting, cross-curricular topics. We regularly take children's learning out into the school grounds or link it to a real-life experience, such as a trip to Wisley Gardens or recreating the Great Fire of London.
Each day your Year Two child will carry out learning in mathematics. This is taught using a structured approach which moves from real life resources (the 'concrete') to drawings and diagrams (the 'pictorial') and finally to written methods (the 'abstract'). This makes sure that children develop a deep understanding of the number system and the calculation strategies they are learning. At home you can help your child by getting them to develop their mental maths skills such as recalling number facts and working out the answers to simple calculations based around the four main operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This is because regular practice in this area supports children's ability to solve problems more quickly and check whether their answers are reasonable.
Literacy activities also take place daily. These include: structured spelling sessions, handwriting lessons and guided reading. Additionally, there are extended literacy lessons three times a week which focus on comprehension, grammar or writing skills. Reading for pleasure is something we encourage through our daily story times, inviting book corners and visits to the library. Please make sure your child's library book is returned each week so they are able to choose a new one.
Reading with your child at home is still the most important thing you can do to support your child's learning at school. As the reading books become longer and more complex, a good strategy is to listen to your child read just a few pages and allow time for talking about the book and discussing any unfamiliar words. We also encourage the children to think about likes and dislikes about books that they have read and make links to other books that they may have read. Although your child will now be reading more independently it is still important to read to them, as this will allow them to access books that may be at a higher reading level. this will help to encourage them to read for pleasure.
Each class has a weekly PE lesson with Mr Sanders from MSport Active. The children relish this opportunity to be active. They will also have one other PE session taught by their class teacher. Please make sure earrings are removed, long hair is tied back and PE kits are in school everyday.
Thank you for your support.
Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage One)
The National Curriculum consists of three Core subjects – English, Mathematics and Science, and seven Foundation subjects of Art and Design, Computing, Design and Technology, Geography, History, Music and Physical Education, Religious Education is also a compulsory subject but different local authorities have their own syllabus so it is not part of the National Curriculum.
There are further details about how we teach Literacy and Mathematics. The English curriculum also includes Spoken Language.
For more detailed information about what is taught at different times of the year, please scroll down.
Science - Pupils are taught to ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways, observe closely, using simple equipment, perform simple test, identify and classify, use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions and gather and record data to help in answering questions.
Art and Design Pupils are taught to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products,to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination,to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space and about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
Computing – Pupils are taught to understand what algorithms are; how they are implemented as programs on digital devices; and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions, create and debug simple programs, use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs, use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content, recognise common uses of information technology beyond school and to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.
Design and Technology – Pupils are taught, through a variety of creative and practical activities, the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts (for example, the home and school, garden).
Geography – Pupils will develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They should understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness.
History - Pupils will develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time. They should know where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods. They should use a wide vocabulary of everyday historical terms. They should ask and answer questions, choosing and using parts of stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of events. They should understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented.
Music Pupils are taught to use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes, play tuned and untuned instruments musically, listen with concentration and understanding to a range of high-quality live and recorded music and to experiment with, create, select and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music.
Physical Education - Pupils are taught to, master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching, as well as developing balance, agility and co-ordination, and begin to apply these in a range of activities, participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending and to perform dances using simple movement patterns.
Religious Education - this is taught using the Hampshire 'Living Difference' syllabus.
Please click here to view what our learning looks like during Spring 2025 for Year 2.