Class Teacher Blog
Class Teachers for Year 2 Classes:
Mrs B Nairn - kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
Mrs K Helfrich - swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
Teaching Assistant in Kestrel Class:
Miss Adams
Teaching Assistant in Swallow Class:
Mr Ashmead
KS1 Phase Leader:
Mrs B Nairn
Our PE days are Mondays and Thursdays. Please note your child should come to school in their PE kit on these days. Please ensure long hair is tied back and earrings are removed. Your child may wear a plain white t-shirt, black shorts or black leggings/jogging bottoms. They should wear their school jumper/cardigan – no other sports top. They can wear trainers or plimsoles.
Online Safety
Please take the time to have a look at our new online safety parent cards. These cards are written for parents and clearly & simply explain how to set up parental controls, block users, age restrictions and more. We hope that they will be very supportive for your all.
If you have any questions about these or any element of online safety, please do not hesitate to contact your child's class teacher or you can email our Digital Learning Leader: Mrs Briggs, at rushyict@rushymeadow.sutton.sch.uk.
The class teacher blogs are now being sent out via email every Friday. Please still look in the 'Gallery' section for pictures and the 'Home Learning' tab for information about homework.
At the end of the half term, all class blogs for that half term will be posted below.
Spring 2 Class Teacher Blogs
Spring 1 Class Teacher Blogs
Autumn 2 Class Teacher Blogs
This Week’s Learning – wb 13.11.23
In English, we wrote our stories about ‘Katie in Scotland’ using expanded noun phrases to describe our characters and settings. We also focussed on using adverbs and conjunctions to join our ideas.
In maths, we have been learning about to solve addition calculations up to 100 using the bridging method over 10, e.g.
45 + 8 =
45 + 5 = 50 + 3 = 53.
In geography, we used compass directions of N, S, E and W to describe the location of countries in the British Isles and seas that surround it.
In history, we learnt how they dealt with fires in the past compared to how we would deal with fires that occur today.
In art, we created our chalk scene of the fire – stay tuned for some pictures!
In music, we have been learning our Christmas songs. We also continued using our knowledge of graphic scores to help us play rhythms with long and short notes.
Next Week’s Learning – wb 20.11.23
In English, we will be writing diaries pretending we own the bakery that started the Great Fire of London. We will begin by looking at some historical artefacts and discuss how people may have felt. We will then explore diaries and learn how to write in the past tense before planning our own diaries.
In maths, we will be using the bridging technique to add numbers which bridge the ten, such as 54 – 8.
In geography, will be learning about Edinburgh, locating it on a map and discussing the human and physical features found there.
In history, we shall be learning about the Great Fire of London, creating a timeline of the main events and sorting facts.
In D&T, we will be exploring different types of lighthouses. This will prepare us for when we make our own lighthouses later in the term.
In music, we are going to continue using our knowledge of graphic scores to help us play rhythms with long and short notes. We will also rehearse for singing in our Christmas production.
Class Teacher Awards – 17.11.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Esmee and Eric
Swallow: Nigarish and Jack
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 17.11.23
A letter has gone out about the year 2 trip to St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday 12th December. Please make payment for this via Arbor and send back the permission slips by Tuesday 21st November.
Please begin to collect some junk modelling for when we make our lighthouses later in the term, such as: carboard boxes, cereal boxes, yoghurt pots, kitchen roll tubes.
You will now find a QR code on the spelling homework that is sent home. This will take you to a website where children can learn their spellings in a fun, interactive way as well as having the handwriting practise on the sheets. Children’s logins can be found in their purple reading records. If you child does not have this written in their books, please let their class teacher know and we can write it in for them.
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
This Week’s Learning – wb 06.11.23
In English, we have been reading a new story, ‘Katie in Scotland’ by James Mayhew. We started with some role play and then discussed what stories need and what parts this story has in it. We recapped our learning on expanded noun phrases and used them to describe the settings in the story before planning our own versions to retell it.
In maths, we have been subtracting 2-digit numbers without regrouping, using dienes to begin with and then working in our books.
In geography, we used atlases to locate the countries in the British Isles and the surrounding seas. We then labelled these on a map.
In history, we learnt about how London has changed since the 16th century. We discussed how houses, roads, people and transport has changed over the years.
In art, we practised our chalk techniques, including shading and blending.
In music, we have started to learn our Christmas songs. We also continued using our knowledge of graphic scores to help us play rhythms with long and short notes.
Next Week’s Learning – wb 13.11.23
In English, we will be writing our retells of ‘Katie Morag in Scotland’.
In maths, we will be learning how to add 2-digit numbers with regrouping/bridging the ten.
In geography, will use simple compass directions (N, E, S, W) to describe we location of countries in the British Isles on a map.
In history, we will find out how differently fires were dealt with in 1666 compared to now.
In art, we will create our scene of the Great Fire of London using chalk and black cut outs.
In music, we are going to continue using our knowledge of graphic scores to help us play rhythms with long and short notes. We will also rehearse for singing in our Christmas production.
Class Teacher Awards – 10.11.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Aryan and Stefania
Swallow: Kavish and Gahan
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 10.11.23
The book fair is arriving back at Rushy Meadow from Friday 10th November – Thursday 16th November – come and visit us! There are lots of books to choose from, with 30% of prices under £5.
A letter has gone out about a parent meeting about Year 2 assessments. It is important that you, or someone on your behalf, attends so you know what is expected of your child by the end of Year 2.
A letter has gone out about the year 2 trip to St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday 12th December. Please make payment for this via Arbor and send back the permission slips by Tuesday 21st November.
You will now find a QR code on the spelling homework that is sent home. This will take you to a website where children can learn their spellings in a fun, interactive way as well as having the handwriting practise on the sheets. Children’s logins can be found in their purple reading records. If you child does not have this written in their books, please let their class teacher know and we can write it in for them.
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
This Week’s Learning – wb 16.10.23
In English, we have been writing instructions about how to make a salad! We focussed on adverbs of time (first, then, next), adverbs (slowly, cautiously) and imperative verbs (bossy verbs – chop, put, pour).
In maths, we have been adding and subtracting two 2-digit numbers by partitioning our tens and ones.
In music, we had our last practise of songs for our performance, ‘The Gingerbread Man’ – we sung them beautifully!
First Week Back’s Learning – wb 06.11.23
Our topic next term is ‘What’s in my Suitcase?’ and we will be learning about different countries in the British Isles. We will also learn about the Great Fire of London and Grace Darling.
In English, we will be exploring a new story, ‘Katie Morag in Scotland’. Children will read and act out the story, then we will start planning our own versions of the story, focussing on how we can use expanded noun phrases to describe characters and settings.
In maths, we will be adding and subtracting numbers that require regrouping over the ten, e.g. 23 + 48 or 97 – 18.
In geography, we will be using an atlas to locate countries in the British Isles on a map.
In history, we will learn how London has changed over time, comparing buildings, roads, houses, jobs and more.
In art, we will practise our chalk techniques, including shading and blending.
In music, we are going to continue using our knowledge of graphic scores to help us play rhythms with long and short notes. We will also rehearse for singing in our Christmas production.
Class Teacher Awards – 20.10.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Amber and Tereza
Swallow: LokLok and Talia
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 20.10.23
Children have worked so hard this half term – they deserve an amazing break! We hope you enjoy your two weeks off and look forward to seeing children back in school on Monday 6th November.
The book fair is arriving back at Rushy Meadow from Friday 10th November – Thursday 16th November – come and visit us! There are lots of books to choose from, with 30% of prices under £5.
A letter has gone out about a parent meeting about Year 2 assessments. It is important that you, or someone on your behalf, attends so you know what is expected of your child by the end of Year 2.
You will now find a QR code on the spelling homework that is sent home. This will take you to a website where children can learn their spellings in a fun, interactive way as well as having the handwriting practise on the sheets. Children’s logins can be found in their purple reading records. If you child does not have this written in their books, please let their class teacher know and we can write it in for them.
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
This Week’s Learning – wb 09.10.23
In English, we have been writing and editing our stories based on ‘The Shopping Basket’.
In maths, children learnt how to find 10 more and 10 less than a number, then moved on to adding and subtracting any multiple of 10. We then looked at how to use our number bonds to 10 to solve number bonds to 100, e.g. if 2 + 8 = 10, then 20 + 80 = 100. On Friday, we had a practical lesson where we added a 1-digit number to a 2-digit number with no regrouping.
In D&T, we designed our healthy salads and practised our chopping skills. The next day, we then made them and evaluated them after eating. We had lots of fun! You can see pictures in the gallery section.
In music, we learnt how to read a graphic score. We are also learning songs for our harvest performance of ‘The Gingerbread Man’.
Next Week’s Learning – wb 16.10.23
In English, we will be writing instructions about the healthy salads we made this week.
In maths, we will be starting to add and subtract numbers which bridge the ten, e.g. 23 + 18.
In science, we will be exploring the impact of exercise upon the body.
In music, we will be continuing to practise our harvest songs for our performance.
Class Teacher Awards – 13.10.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Elianna and Maisie
Swallow: Lethu and Jace
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 13.10.23
You will now find a QR code on the spelling homework that is sent home. This will take you to a website where children can learn their spellings in a fun, interactive way as well as having the handwriting practise on the sheets. Children’s logins can be found in their purple reading records. If you child does not have this written in their books, please let their class teacher know and we can write it in for them.
Letters have gone out about parent consultation evening on Thursday 19th October. Please make sure to sign up to a slot via Arbor. If you are unable to do this, please speak to us or the school office and we will be happy to book an appointment for you. Children will finish school at 1.30pm on this day.
Our harvest performances are on Tuesday 17th October at 2.30pm or Wednesday 18th October at 9am. Please only come to the performance you have signed up for.
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
This Week’s Learning – wb 02.10.23
In English, we have been reading a new story ‘The Shopping Basket’. Children made predictions about what they thought would happen after reading the blurb and we then created a story mountain in groups. We also learnt about how to use adverbs to describe actions and planned our own versions of the story. On Friday, we gathered adjectives and some sentence openers to use.
In maths, we have been comparing and ordering numbers up to 100 using greater than, less than and equal to. We also found one more and one less than a given number.
In D&T, we did some vegetable and fruit tasting and explore them using our senses to describe their taste and texture. This will help us plan what foods we would like to use in a healthy salad we will be making next week!
In music, we learnt how to read a graphic score. We are also learning songs for our harvest performance of ‘The Gingerbread Man’.
Next Week’s Learning – wb 09.10.23
In English, we will be writing our stories based on ‘The Shopping Basket’ before editing them in partners.
In maths, we will be finding 10 more and 10 less than a number and add/subtract any multiple of 10 to a 2-digit number. We will be using our knowledge of number bonds to 10 to solve number bonds to 100. On Friday, we will recap our learning from Year 1 and add a single digit number to a 2-digit number where there is no regrouping (does not cross the next 10, e.g. 34 + 5).
In D&T, we will be designing a salad, practising our chopping skills and then making them. The fun part – we then get to eat them before evaluating!
In music, we will be continuing to practise our harvest songs for our performance.
Class Teacher Awards – 06.10.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Janel-Miley and Yasmin
Swallow: Maryam and Nikola
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 06.10.23
You will now find a QR code on the spelling homework that is sent home. This will take you to a website where children can learn their spellings in a fun, interactive way as well as having the handwriting practise on the sheets. Children’s logins can be found in their purple reading records. If you child does not have this written in their books, please let their class teacher know and we can write it in for them.
Letters have gone out about parent consultation evening. Please make sure to sign up to a slot via Arbor. If you are unable to do this, please speak to us or the school office and we will be happy to book an appointment for you.
Next Tuesday 10th October, it is mental health day! We will be spending the afternoon doing some mindful activities that are good for our mental health, including running, colouring, origami and more!
Our harvest performances are on Tuesday 17th October at 2.30pm or Wednesday 18th October at 9am. Please only come to the performance you have signed up for due to space in the school hall.
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
This Week’s Learning – wb 25.09.23
In English, we have been writing our autobiographies. We then got into partners and read each other’s whilst editing them.
In maths, we have been learning how to split numbers into tens and ones in different ways, e.g. 53 is 5 tens and 3 ones or could be 4 tens and 13 ones.
In science, we learnt about the importance of hygiene and washing our hands by conducting an experiment. We used glitter as our ‘germs’ and then tested which was the best way to wash this glitter off: a towel, water or soap and water. Children wrote up their predictions and findings in their books. Have a look in the gallery section for some pictures!
In art, we created our foodscape in the style of Carl Warner using the images we had collected.
In music, we learnt how to read a graphic score. We are also learning songs for our harvest performance of ‘The Gingerbread Man’.
Next Week’s Learning – wb 02.10.23
In English, we will be reading a new story ‘The Shopping Basket’ by John Birmingham. We will be making some predictions before reading and then acting the story out in groups, thinking about how the characters feel. After, we will look at the structure of the story and practise using adverbs to describe the characters’ actions before planning our own version with different animals.
In maths, we will be continuing to partition into tens and ones and comparing them using greater than, less than and equal to. We will also be ordering and finding one more and one less than numbers up to 100.
In D&T, we will be doing some vegetable and fruit tasting and explore them using our senses to describe their taste and texture. This will help us plan what foods we would like to use in a healthy salad we will be making in a couple of weeks.
In music, we will be learning how to read a graphic score.
Class Teacher Awards – 29.09.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Luan and Maleya
Swallow: Lili and Ethan
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 29.09.23
You will now find a QR code on the spelling homework that is sent home. This will take you to a website where children can learn their spellings in a fun, interactive way as well as having the handwriting practise on the sheets. Children’s logins can be found in their purple reading records. If you child does not have this written in their books, please let their class teacher know and we can write it in for them.
Letters have gone out about the KS1 Harvest performance – please return the slip to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible to you are able to guarantee attending your first choice performance time. Please help your child learn their lines at home.
Individual and sibling photos are on Thursday 5th October – please do not send your child in their PE kit on this day.
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
This Week’s Learning – wb 18.09.23
In English, we have been exploring autobiographies. We have also been learning about how we can use conjunctions (joining words) to add extra detail to our writing. We then planned our own autobiographies ready to write them next week.
In maths, we have been learning how to compare equations using greater than, less than and equal to (<, > and =).
In science, we learnt about what animals, including humans, need to survive and how we can keep healthy using our knowledge of the main food groups. We created a balanced meal to show this understanding.
In art, we have been continuing to be inspired by Carl Warner. This week, we collected pictures from food magazines to use in our artwork. You can see some of his artwork here: Foodscapes – Carl Warner.
In music, we learnt how to play our rhythms independently. We are also learning songs for our harvest performance of ‘The Gingerbread Man’.
Next Week’s Learning – wb 25.09.23
In English, we will be writing autobiographies using our plans and work from this week.
In maths, we will be using our knowledge of place value to partition numbers into different combinations of tens and ones.
In science, we will be carrying out an experiment to test the importance of hygiene.
In art, we are going to create our foodscape in the style of Carl Warner using the images we have collected.
In music, we will be learning how to read a graphic score.
Class Teacher Awards – 22.09.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Molly F and Carter
Swallow: Mia and Harlem
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 22.09.23
Please continue to search for food magazines your child can use in their artwork which we will be making on Friday 29th September.
Letters have gone out about the KS1 Harvest performance – please return the slip to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible to you are able to guarantee attending your first choice performance time.
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
This Week’s Learning – wb 11.09.23
In English, we have been writing our retells of ‘Tadpole’s Promise’. We planned our ideas and collected adjectives we could use before writing. We also had our first editing lesson! We worked in partners to spot our mistakes and check our spelling.
In maths, we have been learning how to identify odd and even numbers and discussing what patterns we notice when adding odd and even numbers together.
In science, we learnt about the lifecycle of butterfly and compared stages in the human lifecycle, discussing what we can or can’t do at each stage.
In art, we have been continuing to be inspired by Carl Warner. This week, we experimented with collage techniques and designed our foodscape. You can see some of his artwork here: Foodscapes – Carl Warner.
In music, we were learnt how to control our instruments.
Next Week’s Learning – wb 18.09.23
In English, we will be writing autobiographies! Next week, we will start by finding out about each other and identifying features of autobiographies. We will then focus on the use of conjunctions before planning our writing.
In maths, we will be using greater than, less than and equal to (<, >, =) to compare amounts and equations.
In science, we will learn what animals, including humans, need to survive and create a balanced meal after learning about the main food groups.
In art, we are going to gather images from print outs and magazines to use in our foodscapes.
In music, we will be learning how to play our rhythms independently.
Class Teacher Awards – 15.09.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Rosie and Luke
Swallow: Moaz and Emma
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 15.09.23
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy (secure-primarysite.net)
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
This Week’s Learning – wb 04.09.23
In English, we have been reading ‘Tadpole’s Promise’ by Jeanne Willis. We acted out the story and thought about how the characters were feeling before talking about the purpose and structure of the story using a story mountain. We then learnt about expanded noun phrases (e.g. a gigantic mountain, a beautiful caterpillar) and used these to describe the characters in the story.
In maths, we have been using place value to recognise the value of numbers and finding our number bonds to 10 and 20.
In science, we learnt about animals and their young and matched up the adult with it’s offspring, talking about which look like their parents and which don’t. We also learnt about the lifecycle of a frog.
In art, we learnt about an artist called Carl Warner. We created a poster in our art sketch books about him and will be recreating some of his work over the next few weeks. You can see some of his artwork here: Foodscapes – Carl Warner
In music, we were learning how to play a beat.
Next Week’s Learning – wb 11.09.23
In English, we will be planning our retells of Tadpole’s Promise, collecting vocabulary before we begin writing and then editing.
In maths, we will be identifying patterns in odd and even numbers.
In science, we will be learning about the lifecycle of a butterfly and a human.
In art, we are going to experiment with collage techniques and design our own foodscape in the style of Carl Warner.
In music, we will be learning how to control our instruments.
Class Teacher Awards – 08.09.23
Our ‘Stars of the Week’ this week are…
Kestrel: Samuel and Avey
Swallow: Robyn and Logan
Well done to you all!
Parent/Carer Information – 08.09.23
The PTA are having a ‘Come Along and Meet Us’ morning on Monday 11th September at 8.45am in the school hall. Please come along!
Please practise the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables as much as possible with your child. Here are some good websites to use to allow children to practise these. Their logins are stuck or written into their purple reading records.
Times Tables Rock Stars: Play (ttrockstars.com)
You can view all of the Year 2 letters that are sent out this year on the Letters to parents 2022-2023 page or follow this link for the Year 2 letters:
Year 2 | Rushy Meadow Primary Academy
If you have any questions, please contact us by ringing the school or using the class emails:
kestrelclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
swallowclass@cirrustrust.onmicrosoft.com
Welcome to the Year 2 page! We can't wait to get started teaching your children and it's going to be the best year ever!
Stay tuned for pictures and posts about what we have been learning.
The blog will be updated every Friday with what we have been learning, what we will be learning the following week, pictures and information about home learning.
Any questions, please use the class emails which can be found above.