In DT, we have been learning about textiles. We made a patchwork collage of different types of materials by making and using a template. We compared their properties. We were very excited to make felt houses. We made cardboard templates, drew round them on fabric using chalk, cut them out carefully and used running stitch to attach the roof and applique the door and windows. We showed amazing determination if it got tricky and enjoyed learning new skills.

This week in Year 2, we’ve been busy mathematicians! 

We have been learning how to add two 2-digit numbers using base 10 equipment (tens and ones). The children have worked carefully to make sure their additions do not cross the tens yet — that means the total of the ones stays below ten.

We used base 10 blocks to help us see how numbers are made up of tens and ones. For example:

34 + 25 = 59

We showed 3 tens and 4 ones plus 2 tens and 5 ones, and then combined them to make 5 tens and 9 ones.

The children have been brilliant at lining up their numbers, counting carefully, and explaining their thinking using phrases like:

“I added the ones first, then the tens.”
“I know 4 + 5 = 9, so I don’t need to make another ten.”

Later this week, we’ll be taking our next exciting step — learning how to cross the tens boundary (for example, 38 + 24). This will help us understand what happens when our ones make a new ten! 

We’re so proud of how confident and enthusiastic the children have been with their adding. Keep practising number facts at home to help make these skills even stronger!

We have had a fantastic time in PE learning dance this half term. We have learnt about long, folded, moving and entwined shapes. We have listened carefully to different types of music and moved in time. Our routines were creative and we showed some super teamwork skills. It was great fun!

As part of our RE unit, we have been exploring the big question: “Why is light an important symbol?” To help us think about this, we made our own Christingles.

A Christingle is a special symbol used by Christians at Christmas time. It helps people remember that Jesus is the light of the world. Each part of the Christingle has a special meaning:

• The orange represents the world.
• The red ribbon (or tape) around the orange reminds us of God’s love for everyone.
• The four cocktail sticks with sweets or dried fruit stand for the four seasons and all the good things that the Earth gives us.
• The candle on top represents Jesus bringing light into the world.

We really enjoyed making our Christingles and thinking about what each part means. At home the children could lit their candles and talk about how light can make us feel safe, warm, and hopeful.

We have been learning about human and physical features in Geography. We loved looking at ordnance survey maps, learning what some of the symbols mean and comparing the features of different locations.

We have been learning about computer systems and the use of IT around us. We enjoyed learning about the use of barcodes when shopping! We practised buying items, finding their code, checking the price of the item and adding them up. We decided that a computer system would make this process much quicker and simpler!

This week, Year 2 have been exploring the great outdoors on a very special habitat walk around our school grounds. We put on our explorer hats and set off to see what kinds of living things we could discover in the different areas around us.

We learned that habitats are the places where animals and plants live, and that even the smallest spaces can become a home for tiny creatures. As we walked, we spotted so many microhabitats—little hideouts where invertebrates like to live. Some were under logs, others beneath stones, and quite a few were tucked away in the long grass. The most exciting discoveries came when we explored our school garden.