As much use as a chocolate teapot! - Year 2 Science

As part of our Science work on materials we have been looking at a range of materials and their properties. We discussed the meaning behind the expression 'as much use as a chocolate teapot' and have set a challenge to make up a new one. Please post on the blog!
We had fun investigating which spoon was best for different jobs....

Serving out spaghetti with a tiny plastic spoon ..

too much water in the dish..

more successful

the best for that job!

I think the spoon is going to break!

Much better.

The peas will be cold by the time they're on the plate

more peas but too much water again

perfect!

Week ending 18th September

At the end of the week in Class 2 in our theme work, we are looking at Aesop's Fables and Greek Myths and Legends. During the last two weeks we've looked at The Hare and The Tortoise and Theseus and the Minotaur. Last friday the children wrote some great letters, in role, as either Theseus or Ariadne. In the afternoon, the children painted their own imaginary monsters, or copied one of the monsters from the Greek myths!

Could I please ask, if any of you have old T shirts or shirts at home that you no longer require, that you would kindly send some in, for painting shirts - ours really do need replacing now! Thank you!

Also could you send your child in with a small cardboard box - no larger than a shoe box, for the children to decorate, ideally for a week Friday. Our Greek Myth this week is The Secret of Pandora's Box!

Finally, a huge thank you to Mrs Squire and Ms Tidy, for helping me and the children last friday in Class 2. You were amazing and I really appreciated your help!!!

Here are some photos for you to enjoy from the end of the week ............

Dressing dolls for the different seasons - science

Developing fine motor skills in Early Morning Work

Making and recognising teen numbers

Counting practically!

Inspired by monsters from Greek Myths - we painted our own!

                                               

Medusa - with snakes for hair!

Cyclops with one eye!

Week 2

We've had a busy week and the children are settling really well into the new routines of Class 2.
In Maths we have been counting and practising number formation. In English we listened to the story of 'Knuffle Bunny' about a girl called Trixie who loses her special toy. The children have enjoyed using the ipads to take photographs of their special toys and areas around the school. Fabian took one of our P.E. lessons this week and the children were really good at listening to him and following his instructions. They ran lots and were pretty tired by the end of the session.
Home Learning - the children have a task in their book called 'special places' - this is an open ended activity for the children to be as creative as they wish! To consolidate their maths learning please practise counting and writing numbers correctly with your child. On Active Learn the children have been allocated books to read and an Abacus maths activity. Please let me know if you are having difficulty accessing these.
Next week we will be working on Number Bonds in Maths and Capital letters in English. We will be reading some more stories about special toys that get lost in preparation for writing our own stories.
Here are a selection of pictures from this week ...

less than 10

more than 10 -just!

ordering numbers to 0-20

reading to Sparkle in the reading corner

reading to Sushi!

Welcome back!

It was lovely to welcome everyone back to class 2 including our 2 new members also. This week the children have been getting used to the new routines and newly decorated classroom. We have done some writing and drawing about our Summer holidays and ourselves. In Maths we started 'Big Maths'. After reading the story 'Chrysanthemum' we also did some data handling about our names. Jordan, a coach from Colchester United, led our PE lesson this week in which we played tag rugby. On Wednesday afternoon the children split into year groups for Science; Year 2 started their topic of materials and Year 1 began learning about the seasons. We rounded the day off with a class assembly all about new starts. We listened to the story of Zaccheus who changed his ways after meeting Jesus and talked about how we might make some fresh starts.
Next week we will be doing some work about our special toys so please could each child bring in a teddy or toy that is special to them. We have PE outside on a Tuesday and the children will need trainers, if possible, and a tracksuit as it gets cooler. Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child's name. In Maths we will be working with number and we will be starting our daily phonics sessions on Monday.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to come in and see us (after school please as the mornings are very busy and needed for settling the children)
A few photos of this week's learning ...