Welcome to Year 2
Year 2 Key Information
Teacher 2A: Miss Miranda Email: lmiranda@inspire.victoriousmat.org
Teacher 2B: Mrs Harvey Email: jharvey@inspire.victoriousmat.org
Who to follow on Twitter: @MissMirandaY2 @MrsHarveyKS1
Weekly Spelling and Times Tables Test: Monday mornings
PE days: Autumn 1 – Thursday and Friday
Forest School:
Y2A – Wednesday 17th September and Wednesday 5th November
Y2B – Wednesday 24th September and Wednesday 12th November
Spring / Summer dates TBC
Note on SATS: As of the year 2023-24, Y2 SATS became non-statutory, however we will still complete our own assessments to help feed into our end of KS1 judgements.
What’s happening in Autumn term?
Autumn
In Autumn 1, we will be learning all about inspirational people from modern history. We will focus on learning about the life and achievements of Alan Turing, Emmeline Pankhurst and Hugh Mason. We are going to discuss how they have impacted our lives today and take part in The Great Debate!
In Autumn 2, we will be learning about Polar Regions. We will identify them on a map, compare the key features of both the Arctic and Antarctica as well as learn about the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen who was the first person to reach the South Pole.
Autumn Class Reading Text
Hotel Flamingo by Alex Milway
Truly heartwarming and uplifting – we’d love to book a room there ourselves – Hotel Flamingo is bursting with charm, friendship and fabulous characters! It’s a staple in the Year Two reading spine.
The Snowman by Michael Morpurgo
One December morning, James is thrilled to wake up to see snow falling.
He spends the whole day making his perfect snowman; he has coal eyes, an old green hat and scarf and a tangerine nose… just like the snowman from his favourite story.
That night, something magical happens- the Snowman comes to life! A fantastic book to help us all get into the Christmas spirit!
What’s happening in Spring term?
Spring
In Spring 1 we will learn about and compare Cairo to Manchester. Using Digimaps, the children are going to locate each city as well as the country that it lies within. We will identify and compare the physical and human features of both.
In Spring 2 our second topic will be ‘The Explorers.’ We will conduct research to find out more about a number of famous explorers such as Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong, Amelia Earhart, Matthew Henson and Felicity Aston. We will research to find out more about their achievements and discuss their relevance and why they made such a mark in history.
Spring Class Reading Text
The Nothing to see Here Hotel by Steven Butler
This series of books are so good you won’t blunking believe it!’
Tom Fletcher – ‘Hilariously funny and inventive, and I love the extraordinary creatures and the one thirty-sixth troll protagonist…’ Cressida Cowell ‘A rip-roaring, swashbuckling, amazerous magical adventure.
What’s happening in the Summer term?
What’s happening in the Summer term?
In Summer 1, we will be improving our maps skills and putting them to good use, as we navigate our way to Ashton Library.
In Summer 2, we will be learning all about the events of the Great Fire of London. We look forward to our trip to Staircase House where we will learn more about the fateful events of 1666! We will discover how the fire started and the impact and changes it had (both positive and negative) to the people in London.
Summer Class Reading Text
Amelia Fang Series by Laura Anderson
Meet Amelia Fang – a little vampire with a big heart! Amelia lives with her parents Count Drake and Countess Frivoleeta, and her pet pumpkin Squashy, in Nocturnia – a city in the Kingdom of the Dark, where glitter is terrifying and unicorns and sparkly fairies are the stuff of day-mares.
Reading
At Inspire we believe reading is the heart of our curriculum. It opens doors, sparks 
your child’s imagination and stimulates curiosity. It is therefore crucial your child reads every night and that you sign their reading record to show that this homework has been done. Children will have the opportunity to change their reading books whenever their diary has been signed at home, as well as choose a new library book from our Reading Retreat each week.
Spelling
In Year 2, spelling is an important part of the curriculum.
The children learn a number of Year 2 spelling rules and also focus on common exception words. The spelling lists for Year 1 and 2 can be found in the back of your child’s diary.
Each child has their own login for Ed Shed in the back of their diary. You don’t need to pay for this at home, as your child has their own school login.
Times Tables
At Inspire we believe that the sky is the limit. Knowing your times tables (and their associated division facts) supports mathematical learning and understanding. By the end of Year 2, pupils should know their 2, 5, 10 and 3 times tables in order, out of order as well as the division facts. The answers should be known instantaneously without the need to work out the answer in their heads or on their fingers.
Our times tables are tested every Monday and the children will move through them at their own pace. Every child has their own login details for Times Tables Rockstars. They can use this at home as well as in school to help them to learn and practise their times tables. We ask for all children to spend at least 3 minutes each night on TTRS.
If your child needs any additional support with homework in school, please let a member of the Year 2 Team know.