Autumn 2 - Week 5 

This week in Whale Class, we have been learning about the geographical features of our capital city. We learnt about the difference between human and physical features, we then used photographs and maps of London to describe what features we could see. 

In computing, we have been busy becoming spreadsheet experts! The children used spreadsheets to create a 'Counting Machine' that added up any numbers dragged into it. The children attempted a challenge, they had to use the numbers 1 to 9 and place them in the rows and columns so they all added up to 15.  

The children have been busy practising the Christmas play songs. Please continue to rehearse and learn their lines at home with them. We have been talking about using a loud, clear voice and even starting to add some expression. We look forward too performing our play to you all. 

In History, the children continued to learn about the Great Fire of London. We discovered that the fire started in Thomas Farriner's bakery on Pudding Lane. Whale Class then sorted different reasons and causes for the fire spreading, discuss which was most likely to cause it to spread so quickly and least likely. 

Autumn 2 - Week 4 

This week in Whale Class, we completed our addition and subtraction unit in maths. We revised how we answer addition and subtraction calulations and learnt to solve missing number problems! In the pictures below, you will see the methods the children have been using to answer subtraction and addition questions and the rules we use for solving missing number problems. 

In Geography, we used maps to navigate between London landmarks. We discussed the purpose of a key and learnt about the compass rose that we see on a map. The children used 'North, South, East and West' to guide a friend from landmark to landmark. 

In History, we thought about how the Great Plague affected the people of London and considered why people had make particualr decisions. We read the real Lord Mayor Orders from 1665. The children thoroughly enjoyed reading what rules the Lord Mayor put in place to protect the people of London. These rules included: 

• No animals to be kept within the city e.g. pigs, cats, dogs, pigeons or rabbits
• Each infected house to have one or two watchmen to ensure no one entered or left the house.

The children have been very engaged with the Great Plague, we look forward to moving on to our next key historical event The Great Fire of London! 

In Computing, we have been learning to create spreadsheets. The children learnt about cells, columns and rows. They change th colours of cells, gave them different values and even learnt to use a counting machine that spoke! 

Autumn 2 - Week 3 

Whale Class have had another wonderful week of exciting learning. 

In history, we have started to learn about another major event that happened in the 1600's - The Great Plague. The children used artwork to look for clues to tell us about the plague. We discussed why red crosses were placed on people's front doors and why the plague doctor's wore masks. In Geography, we have continued to learn about our magnificent capital city! We have been locating and describing London's famous landmarks, we worked in pairs to answer riddles and clues about each of the landmarks. We used Google Maps and aerial images of London to spot many landmarks. 

In Maths, we have been practising and consolidating efficient methods to add and subtract 2-digit numbers. We have worked hard on drawing base ten to help us answer calculations and solve addition and subtraction word problems. 

This week across Beauclerc, we have been discussing Anti-Bullying Week. This years theme and message was 'Reach Out'. We discussed how we can reach out and who we can reach out to. We discovered that we can reach out in many ways, by noticing bullying, talking, supporting, checking in and respecting others. 

Autumn 2 - Week 2 

This week in Whale Class, the children received a very important letter from the felt tip pens at Beauclerc - they have decided to quit! In the letter they said that they are tired of being overworked, dried up and left without lids. As a result of this, we have been looking features of a persuasive letter so we can write to them and persuade them to come back! 

We have really enjoyed continuing to learn about the Gunpowder Plot in History this week. The children wrote a diary entry pretending to be Guy Fawkes and explained what had happened, how they were feeling and whether or not they regretted their decision. The children continued their creative work as they made some beautiful watercolour paintings of poppies in art as they learnt about Remembrance Day. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Autumn 2 - Week 1 

What an amazing week we have had back at school! 

The children have settled back into school quickly, remembering old routines and picking up some new changes too! 

This week, we have started our new big question 'How has history shaped our capital city?'. We started the week by discovering some strange clues in the hall. We found a gunpowder barrel, a picture of a man with a very fancy moustache and an amazing hat and an old calendar with November 5th circled. Whale Class were fantastic detectives and discussed how these clues link to the Gunpowder Plot, they loved sharing what they had learnt over the half term! 

So far, we have learnt about why the Gunpowder Plot happened and what happened during the plot. Next week, we will be finding out what happened to Guy Fawkes after he was discovered in the cellar of the Houses of Parliament.

In maths, we have continued our addition and subtraction learning. We have worked really hard on finding a method to help us with subtracting a one-digit number from a two-digit number, where we need to cross 10. The children first used base ten, they discovered that sometimes we don't have enough ones! So, we swap a ten stick for 10 ones, then we can take away. We have also used number lines. We have focussed on making our number lines neat, so we can see our working out! The Year 2 team would love for your children to practise their counting backwards skills and methods of subtracting. We have attached some images to show you how we do this in class.

Lots of our children have discussed how they will be watching firework displays this weekend. We discussed and looked at firework and bonfire safety. We used the Firework Code to learn about how we can be safe around fireworks. We wrote our top tips onto rockets and created some firework art. 

Have a wonderful weekend and we look forward to hearing all about your firework displays!