Hello Year 2!
Our new topic “Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Fire!” is now well and truly under way.
Well done for using your skills as a historian so far this term to crack lots of clues and mysteries. I wonder what is in store for you all this week?
Thank you for continuing to share your work on Twitter, Facebook and through our homework email. It has been lovely speaking to all of you that have not been in school and hearing what you are all up to. We are all so proud of you and can’t wait to see you all again soon!
Following the new format the blog continues to be split into days which reflect exactly the learning that is taking place in school.
Marvellous Makaton
Here is another video filmed by your friends with some new makaton signs to practise. First you can watch the alphabet. There is a link below that you can use to practise to learn this further. We used this to then sign the names of some significant people from the GFOL. To sign a name you sign the first letter of their first name and the first letter of their last name. Once you have practised the alphabet, could you make a video signing your own name?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OO4VfT-OzI – Learn the Makaton Alphabet 
Vlad and the Great Fire of London Part 2!
Here is the final instalment for our class story. Will Vlad and Boxton escape the fire safely?
Marvellous Monday
Reading
Try to read for 20 minutes every day. Choose books that you have at home or from last weeks links. These could be story books or non-fiction texts.
Literacy
This week we are going to be think about the people who were involved in the Great Fire of London.
We are going to research:
Samuel Pepys
Thomas Farriner
Mayor Thomas Bludworth
King Charles II
What do you already know about these significant people?
Use this information sheet to find out more:
Now use this information, and anything else that you might know about these significant people to fill in your waterfall booklet from week 2 and/or this writing frame. This information will come in handy later in the week!
Numeracy
In numeracy this week we will be focusing on measure. Once again we will provide the links to the White Rose videos and worksheets each day along with an extra challenge which may focus on another area of mathematics.
We know that many of you prefer the BBC Bitesize resources to the White Rose. Both resources follow the same lesson focus and either (or both) can be used to support your child’s learning.
Here is the link to the BBC Bitesize learning which can be used each day alongside or instead of the White Rose resources
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/tags/z7s22sg/year-2-and-p3-lessons
Lesson 1 – Measuring Length in cm
In year 2 children are given a range of opportunities to measure different lengths using rules, meter sticks and tape measures. By the end of the year they are expected to be able to draw and measure lines to the nearest cm.
Here is a link to the White Rose videos (the link is to all 4 lessons, Monday’s lesson is lesson 1 – Measuring length in cms)
https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/year-2/
And here is the worksheet to go along side the video.
Many of you have asked if we could start attaching the numeracy challenges as downloadable documents rather than images on the blog. So this week we have listened and all challenges will be attached to download:
Spellings
In year 2 children should be able to spell all of the common exception words correctly. Each Monday we would like you to practise the common exception words with your child. This can be in the form of a spelling test, they could make a poster, they could use them in sentences, write in coloured pencils, write them in unusual ways using bubble writing etc.
Get creative and have fun with it!
Here is a set of the year 2 common exception words:
We have also attached a common exception words word search to complete this week. Can you spell all of the words in the word search without looking at them?
Topic
How did they stop the Great Fire of London?
The Great Fire of London was eventually stopped, but how?
Firefighting was much more basic in 1666, and people didn’t know nearly as much about stopping fires as we do today.
Fire brigades used leather buckets, axes and water to try and stop the fire but, unsurprisingly, they didn’t work very well.
Instead, a plan was suggested to blow up houses in the path of the fire, so that there would be an area with no houses to act as fuel for the fire to keep growing. These were known as fire breaks.
The Navy used gunpowder to destroy the buildings and by the next morning, the fire had been stopped.
Today we would like you to create a poster to explain how the Great Fire of London ended.
A good poster has a mixture of information and facts along with pictures. It will need to be bold and bright to grab your readers attention and include a snappy title.
Terrific Tuesday
Reading
Try to read for 20 minutes every day. Choose books that you have at home or from last weeks links. These could be story books or non-fiction texts.
Literacy
Building on from yesterday’s lesson looking at significant people we are going to think more about Samuel Pepys and why he was so important. We know that Samuel Pepys kept a diary and it is this diary that allows us to know so much about the Great Fire of London. It is a great source of evidence.
We would like you to take on the role of Samuel Pepys and have a go at writing your own diary entry of the events of September 1666.
This clip will give you a bit more information about Samuel Pepys:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z7d7gwx/articles/zhgxcqt
This PowerPoint (saved as a PDF) will remind you of what happened on each day of the fire. You will need to include some of this information in your own diaries this week.
To help you plan your diary entry we have found an example text that Twinkl have put together. This text has 3 versions of a diary entry, each getting a little bit trickier so you can choose which level you want to look at. If you would like to have a go at answering the questions too then that would be great!
Now that you have looked at a version of a diary entry, similar to the one that Samuel Pepys wrote, and you have reminded yourselves what happened during the Great Fire of London we would like you to choose 3 days to write about. Today we are going to plan what we are writing so you will need your best ideas!
Don’t worry too much about your sentences today. Use this planning sheet to get down all of the facts and ideas you have about what happened on the 3 days that you have chosen.
Numeracy
Lesson 2 – Comparing Lengths
In Year 2 children are expected to use symbols such as <, > and = to compare measures. This lesson will recap using the symbols to see if children can recognise amounts that are less than, greater than or equal to each other
Here is a link to the White Rose videos (the link is to all 4 lessons, Tuesday’s lesson is lesson 2 – Comparing Length)
https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/year-2/
And here is the worksheet to go along side the video.
PSHE
This week is Diversity Week at Archibald First School. What does it mean to be ‘diverse’?
Diversity means differences; people may be different in many ways, including race or ethnicity, age, disabilities, language, culture, appearance, or religion. When someone thinks negatively about another person simply because they are different, this is called a prejudice.
At AFS we work hard to treat everyone in the same way. There are no outsiders at our school!
This week we would like you all to celebrate and take pride in what makes you different and unique.
Watch this video to get you started.
Why do you think it is called ‘Be More Bernard?’
Bernard acted the way he thought he should, to fit in with all of the other bunnies. Is this the right thing to do? It made Bernard feel very sad so he started behaving in the way that he wanted to, to make him feel more like ‘him’.
Have a think about what makes you unique, special and different to other people.
Use this sheet to record your ideas by filling the head template with words or pictures that make you… YOU!:
For example 
Topic
Who’s to blame?
Today we are going to look at who you think is to blame for the Great Fire of London! You will become a judge, listen to each witness and decide who you think is to blame. Is it just one person? Is anyone in the line up MORE guilty than the others? Is anyone not guilty?
Here is a link to a video of Miss. Pearson talking through the sheet that you can watch with your child. This is her first time using this software so it is more of a trial run, not fully in sync and very crackly, sorry! Hopefully if this is useful for the children we can look at using this more in future weeks.
https://www.loom.com/share/738d0ad4968646728edd178e6e05c024
Wonderful Wednesday
Reading
Try to read for 20 minutes every day. Choose books that you have at home or from last weeks links. These could be story books or non-fiction texts.
Literacy
Today you are going to begin writing your diary entries. We are going to give you two days to do this, so don’t worry, you don’t need to get it all completed today!
Top Tips for diary writing:
The date and time the diary entry was written
Written in past tense
Include the words I, me, our, we (first person)
Written as if you were there
Include the important events of the day in the order that they happened
Talk about your feelings
Use time conjunctions like first, then and next
Use this writing frame to help you organise your diary entry. Try to get at least the first day completed today.
Numeracy
Lesson 3 – Four Operations with Length
For this lesson the children are expected to add, subtract, multiply and divide using measures.
Here is a link to the White Rose videos (the link is to all 4 lessons, Wednesday’s lesson is lesson 3 – Four Operations with Length)
https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/year-2/
And here is the worksheet to go along side the video.
PSHE
Today we are going to think about how we can be brave and believe in ourselves.
Here is Lucy being very brave and reading a story called ‘Fushia Fierce’. A story all about a little girl who learnt to have confidence in herself and understand what made her special.
Your teachers in year 2 think that you are all AMAZING in your own way. You impress, surprise, wow and make us so proud every single day!
What do you think makes you amazing?
Use this sheet to help organise your ideas.
Art
Taking inspiration from ‘The Greats!’
Now that you have completed a half and full self portrait, we are going to look at some artists who were famous for producing both self portraits and portraits of others.
There are lots of famous artists who are known for their self portraits. Your challenge this week is to research an artist that is famous for self portraits and try to complete your own in the style of that artist.
Here are some ideas to inspire you: 
Vincent Van Gough
Frida Kahlo
Pablo Picasso
Andy Warhole
Who will you choose to take inspiration from? We cant wait to see your final creations!
DT
Building on from last week when you designed your own Tudor house, this week we would like to to have a go at building one.
You will need to think about:
Which materials you will use to create the shape of your house
How you will join these materials together
How you will ensure that your house is strong and stable
How you will create the shape of your roof
Measuring the beams
Here are some examples to inspire you:
Remember to share your final pieces on Twitter, Facebook or send us a picture using the homework email address!
Thinking Thursday
Reading
Try to read for 20 minutes every day. Choose books that you have at home or from last weeks links. These could be story books or non-fiction texts.
Literacy
Today we would like you to complete your diary entries from yesterday.
We cant wait to read them so, if you can, share them with us on Twitter, Facebook or using the homework email address.
Maybe some of you would even like to read them out for us?
Numeracy
Lesson 4 – Comparing Mass
This lesson builds on Tuesday’s session where children were comparing length. Today they will use visual representations to show they understand whether objects are heavier or lighter when compared to each other.
Here is a link to the White Rose videos (the link is to all 4 lessons, Thursday’s lesson is lesson 4 – Compare Mass)
https://whiterosemaths.com/homelearning/year-2/
And here is the worksheet to go along side the video.
Music
Music lessons are not always about finding the pulse, pitch and rhythm of a piece of music. Sometimes it is just important to listen to a piece of music and to think about how it makes you feel and what the message of the music is.
How does this song make you feel?
Composers write music for lots of different reasons.
Why do you think Lori McKenna wrote this particular song?
What do you think the message of the song is?
We have also attached a copy of the lyrics to the song if you would like to look at them.
PSHE
This morning you listened to the song Ruby’s Shoes. We asked you to think carefully to the lyrics and to think about what the meaning behind the song may be. The song was written about a little girl and her name was Ruby Bridges. Ruby was the first black child to attend an all white school in America. She was a very brave little girl and she didn’t find school easy.
Find out why by watching this video or by using the link below: Why do you think it is so important that we remember her?
https://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_rights/ruby_bridges.php
Once you have found out a little more about Ruby Bridges, try listening to the song again. Do you feel differently about it now you know the true meaning behind the song?
Science
Apple Oxidation
What works best for keeping an apple from turning brown?
Test to find out!
Slice up an apple, and let each slice soak in a different liquid.
Then take them out, lay them on a tray, and check the brownness after three minutes, six minutes, and so on.
Which slice went brown the quickest?
Which took the longest to turn brown?
WHY do you think this happened?
Before you start think about the following things:
1) Make a prediction – which liquid do you think will work best at stopping the apple from turning brown? Why do you think this?
2) How will you make this a fair test?
3) Which liquids will you test? (salt water, sugar water, lemon juice, lemonade…. test any liquids that you like)
4) Think about WHY your results happened 
Top Tip – You might want to have a ‘control’ test as well. This is where you will leave one slice with no liquid at all so that you can compare how the apple browns naturally!
Fabulous Friday
Reading
Try to read for 20 minutes every day. Choose books that you have at home or from last weeks links. These could be story books or non-fiction texts.
SPAG
Please complete this SPAG lesson if you have finished your diary entries from earlier in the week. If they are not complete, use this time to finish them.
This weeks SPAG lesson looks at days of the week and joining words (conjunctions). Please follow the BBC Bitesize videos, activities and tutorials to complete these exercises:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zt2x8hv
Numeracy
Friday is maths challenge day. The maths challenge is provided by BBC Bitesize.
Here is a link to the Friday challenge:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/tags/z7s22sg/year-2-and-p3-lessons
Spellings
Homophones – There/their/they’re and to/too/two
Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelt differently and have different meanings, for example, blue and blew.
In year 2 children are expected to know and use a range of different homophones in their writing.
This week we will be concentrating on the homophones:
there/their/they’re
to/too/two
We would like you to try working your way through the activities on the BBC Bitesize English page:
there/their/they’re:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zqhpk2p/articles/z3cxrwx
to/too/two
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z22yqhv/articles/zc4jpbk
Once completed have a look at these worksheets:
PE
The Speed Bounce
This week’s skip is called the ‘Speed Bounce’ this time you only complete one jump for every turn of the rope. The aim is to skip as quickly as possible for this one!
Top tip – listen for the ‘click‘ of the rope hitting the floor before you jump.
Here is a video of Miss Watson and some helpers demonstrating how to complete the Speed Bounce:
RE
The Importance of the Qur’an
The Qur’an (sometimes written as Koran) is the holy book for Muslims.
The Qur’an becomes part of a Muslim’s life from an early age. Children learn to read it at home or by attending Islamic school after their regular school day and at weekends. There are many ways the children can learn the Qur’an and also learn about the Prophet Muhammad. All Muslims read the Qur’an in Arabic but study it in their own language.
Here is a video all about the importance of the Qur’an
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/zrn34wx
We also have a PowerPoint (saved as a PDF) for you to find out more and some questions for you to have a go at answering:
Just For Fun
Computing
Can you create a fire safety poster?
This year we have learnt how to use publisher. In February yo used publisher to create a poster as part of our ‘Destination Unknown’ topic.
We would like you to recap the skills that you learnt to produce a fire safety poster.
Your poster should include rules on what to do and how to stay safe in a fire emergency.
We would like you to think about the following skills:
Changing the font style, size and colour
Adding images and pictures
Adding a page border
Well done on another amazing week year 2!
We think you are all amazing, just as you are so believe in yourselves and dream big; you can all achieve anything you want!
From Miss Pearson, Mrs Mullick, Miss Gowland, Mrs Patrick and Mrs Tadbeer 
