Year 2
During the first part of the Autumn Term, the children begin their learning journey exploring the vast continent of Africa. They are immersed in this topic through a range of cross-curricular lessons, our ‘Africa’ topic day and an exciting trip to Drusilla's Zoo. Children learn fascinating facts about Africa, which supports their work in science as well as inspiring some of their writing in English. As part of our topic day, the children have the opportunity to understand how African culture is expressed through arts and crafts, cuisine and music, by participating in a range of hands-on activities.
Science – Living Things and Their Habitats
Art – African Art – Silhouettes and Pointillism (inspired by Moses Williams and Mariaan Krog)
RE – Christian Festival - Harvest
Computing – Logging on, Keyboard Skills & Creating Pictures
We begin the second half of the Autumn Term travelling back in time to the year 1666 and the Great Fire of London. The children become history detectives, using different resources and artefacts to find out how, where and why the fire started and spread. The history of the fire is further brought to life as the children excitedly watch their own Tudor houses burn down in flames! Children have the opportunity to bake bread and plan, design and make their own moving cart. In this unit, they also find out about the famous diary writer, Samuel Pepys and use this knowledge to write their own diary about the events of the Great Fire.
Science – Living Things and Their Habitats
DT – Moving Carts
RE – Hinduism - Diwali
Computing – Coding & Online Safety
During the Spring Term, we begin our icy adventure by transporting the children to the windiest and coldest continent on Earth, Antarctica. The children use their geographical knowledge to compare the two poles and develop an understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change. As part of this topic, we also learn about the great polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton, and his treacherous journey to Antarctica. To celebrate Shackleton’s achievements, the children have the opportunity to step into the shoes of a polar explorer during our topic day. The children have to break their ship free from the ice, abandon the ship and trek across Antarctica with their sledge. In PE, the children create and perform their own penguin dance, where they will explore beat, movement and expression.
Science – Uses of Everyday Materials & Animals Including Humans
Art and Design / D&T – Modroc Polar Bears & Moving Pictures
RE – Buddhism & Parables
Computing – Questioning, Online Safety & Spreadsheets
In the Summer Term, our learning takes us back in time to Queen Victoria’s reign. During our topic, the children visit the Weald and Downland Museum where they take on the role of a Victorian child and participate in completing everyday tasks around a Victorian home. To further immerse the children in this topic, the children experience a Victorian school day. They are met by a Victorian teacher and experience the rules, routines and lessons that were part of a typical Victorian school day. We take to the playground to learn and perform a variety of Victorian games and even learn how to sew. In art, we explore the artists William Morris and Georgia O’Keeffe and the children have the opportunity to develop their skills, techniques and knowledge in ink printing or watercolours.
To conclude the Summer Term, we take a trip around the world exploring human and physical world wonders. The children begin by exploring their local environment and the wonders around them. We then journey around the world from Mount Everest to Uluru (Ayers Rock), where the children develop their atlas and research skills to acquire new knowledge about 'Our Wonderful World'.
Science – Plants and Revision
Art and Design / D&T – William Morris and Georgia O’Keeffe & Cooking Jacket Potatoes
RE – Christian Church, Christian Symbols & Comparing Different Beliefs
Computing – Presenting Ideas, Effective Searching & Making Music