Author: Miss Young

This half term KS1 are studying Computing in Topic. Last week, we discussed what a computer is and what sort of devices we might have at home that have a computer built-in.

This week, we have been looking at algorithms. We have been learning all about the program ‘Scratch Jr’ and how to create an algorithm. We know how to set a sequence so that our Sprites (characters) move, shrink, grow and turn.

We also learnt how to debug an algorithm that does not work and how to alter a sequence.

We’ve had a lot of fun using Scratch and learning about all of the buttons and how they work. We are really looking forward to using the program again next week and learning more!

 

Our current Maths focus in Year 2 is multiplication and division. This week in 2C, we have been practising dividing by 2 by using sharing and grouping methods.

‘We know that dividing by two also means halving.’

Today, we worked in small groups to divide even numbers equally into two groups.

Help at home by collecting objects in the house such as fruit, coins or beads and dividing them equally into 2 groups. Make sure that you collect an equal number of objects! Challenge your child by asking them to explain why you have chosen an even number to divide into 2!

This week in 2C we have been practicing dividing by 2, 5 and 10. We have had lots of practice sharing cubes and other classroom objects into equal groups. We have also been practicing different equations on our whiteboards by grouping.

Help at home by practicing dividing objects into equal groups!

This term KS1 have been using the gym equipment in the hall during PE lessons. We have been climbing on the climbing frame, balancing on benches and practicing our best forward rolls! We have also been using our super strength to climb vertical ropes and ladders.

The children are fantastic at knowing what is safe and not safe when using the equipment.

1 – always have a partner.

2 – gymnastics can only be performed with an adult.

3 – climbing too high is unsafe.

 

Help at home: by encouraging children to discuss safety during PE lessons. Discourage attempting gymnastics without a mat or an adult close by.

This week in KS1, the children have been collating the results of their fieldwork around Scholes village. We discussed and recorded which was our favourite place in Scholes and made a graph to show these results.

In all classes, the Peace Flame was our favourite spot. This was because the noise level was low, it was calm but also because there was no litter. We decided that litter was our least favourite thing about Scholes but luckily there was not much.

We also looked around the school grounds for litter. We noticed that the playgrounds with more bins had less litter and the playgrounds with less or no bins had the most litter.

What is the issue to this solution?

‘We could pick it all up!’

This half-term in Science, we are looking at materials in KS1. This week, we looked at some objects that could be made using different materials. We studied each object and their properties to work out which material was best for each object and why.

We tested; forks, plates and cups.

Here’s what we found out:

1A

‘The best material for a fork is metal because it is strong.’

‘The worst material for a fork is fabric because it is floppy.’

1/2B

‘The best plates are ceramic if we are at home because they are hard but plastic in school because they are safer.’

2C

‘Paper is not a sensible material for a cup because it leaks.’

‘Plastic is the best material for a cup because it is strong but will not smash if it is dropped.’

Help at home by looking at objects and what they are made of. What are the properties of the materials used?

This term our theme is all about planet Earth and our local area. We have been learning about the 4 countries that make up the UK and the capital cities of each country.

We also recapped what human and physical features are! Human features are man-made, whereas physical features are naturally occurring.

Help at home – Ask your child to give you an example of a human and physical features around your local area.

Next week in Geography KS1 will be going on an exciting tour around our local area – Scholes! The children are very excited. We will be stopping at places very close to school and observing the areas. We will decide to what extent we like each location and will be monitoring how clean Scholes is, by counting (and collecting) any litter we spot!

 

This week in Year 2 we are focussing our learning on adding two 2-digit numbers together. To start with, we are learning to add two 2-digit numbers together that are not across ten. After this, the focus will be on adding across a ten.

Step 1 – write out the equation.

Step 2 – draw base ten to illustrate how many tens and how many ones are present in each number. (Lines to represent 10s, circles or squares to represent 1s).

Step 3 – add the tens together.

Step 4 – add the ones together.

Step 5 – add the above together.

By breaking the addition down into small, manageable steps we are able to answer these difficult questions with ease.

Help at home: by practicing these skills at home with your children. Use blank sheets of paper and ask children to talk through and show you their working out.

Adding two 2-digit numbers (not across a 10) –

Adding two 2-digit numbers (across a ten)

 

Today in our Living and Learning lesson, we discussed what drugs are used for, when we should take them, who can provide them and how to safely store them.

We each shared stories about a time where we have been poorly and what types of medicine helped us to get better. We then acted out a number of scenarios to show our understanding of illness, what to do when poorly, who to tell and who to trust to give us medicine. We also learnt that we should only ever have medicine when we are poorly and never take somebody else’s medicine.

One child said ‘My Mummy keeps all of the medicine in a cupboard that I can’t reach. It keeps me safe.’