The Week Ahead … (week beginning 24^th)

SCIENCE WEEK - Part Two (Animals inc. Humans)

To all our wonderful Year 2 families

Alongside Science Week this week, we shall ‘slowly but surely’ be beginning to focus on, and prepare, our Christmas drama production (Gabriel’s Big Break by Daisy Bond and Ian Faraday); while, as per last year, working alongside Challenger and Discovery Class to support, prepare and practise both our songs and the Year 3 script; with, hopefully, our 10 songs, suggested costume requirements and ‘confirmation of non-speaking parts’ slips making a safe journey ‘home’ last Friday? PLEASE do not feel in any way that any specific outfit (or costume) needs to be purchased – truly; as it is our genuine wish that ordinary/casual clothing – which is always so much easier to source … can be simply adapted or just added to … including any traditional bits and bobs which we already have available to us in school! The named bags which have already been received/arrived in school are HUGELY appreciated … but, honestly, no rush … simply ‘as and when’ is equally perfect :)

Please do let us know if you need any help sourcing a particular item – as MORE than happy to look, help, make or combine ‘Nativity’ ideas/items; although, on a more general note footwear should also be light enough to wear but additionally secure onto the children’s feet – with no slippers, if at all possible … GRATEFUL thanks as always.

If all costumes could, possibly, be in school (in a NAMED bag large enough to store them!) – or beforehand if you are happy for them to be brought in sooner - by Monday 1st December this would be amazing; as do know that we are planning to do a very rough preparatory dress rehearsal during that week (including props etc).

Phonics and Spellings

This week our phonic focus is: Term 2 Week 4 - Suffix -ful (and review words with / or / ore / au / aw/) – therefore, if planners could please be in school each day that would be fabulous – especially, if at all possible, on a Monday … so individual spelling test ‘papers’ can be securely stapled inside alongside our new list of forthcoming spellings at the same time!

Ants Are Everywhere (as our class group reader) has now replaced The Great Escape; therefore, if any spare copies could now be found/returned when you can we would be incredibly appreciative.

Maths

This week’s activities begin by looking at how the numbers 11–19 can be composed of ‘10 and a bit’. The focus for this week is also to understand that the numbers 11–19 can be seen as ’10 and a bit’ rather than using the language of ‘one 10’. It is important that the children say these numbers clearly to ensure that they are not confusing them with other 2-digit numbers, e.g. 13 with 30. When recording the numbers, we shall also be teaching the children to write the digit ‘1’ first.   Our other maths focus, ‘addition and subtraction unit’ should be successfully finished by Thursday – with a very simply exit quiz before we then move excitedly onto ‘shape’.  

Forest School will be as normal this week (Wednesday morning; 10am – 12pm); therefore, a full kit of warm and waterproof clothes is proving even more vital than before – especially given the FANTASTIC but added excitement of light snow joining our Outdoor Learning session this week! However, as terrific as it was - making (as to be expected …) a really magical session - some of the children were, possibly, a little underprepared for a colder/wetter session; therefore, staff supervising these sessions would be enormously grateful if all parents could just have a very quick check this weekend that clothes really are adequate for these types of weather conditions – given the children shall be outside during each colder Forest School morning – until, we hope, the warmer conditions return once again during the glorious months of each  evolving Spring.

ADDITIONAL DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES … Individual Portrait ‘School Photographs’ to be retaken this coming Friday (28^th) as per Mrs Sedwell’s ‘unexpected’ email sent out to all parents (and staff!?) during the past week – however, shall try our very best to make sure it runs just as smoothly as last time - with beautifully wide smiles all round ;)

Have a lovely fourth week of Term 2; and please do not hesitate to drop me a line at any time – with any queries (large or small) … especially given things tend to become ‘slightly busier/livelier ’ when pieces of tinsel once start to arrive!?

Mrs Winters