Autumn 2024
Our Autumn Term topic is...
Great People who Changed the World!
Autumn Term 1 Curriculum Newsletter
Autumn Term 2 Curriculum Newsletter
A focus for this topic is to learn about significant people from the past that have made important changes to society. Please take a look at our curriculum page for more information on what key knowledge is taught in each subject.
Keep your eyes peeled for more information on our learning and photographs of the exciting times we have in Year 2.
Art - Drawing
In our Art lessons over the last two weeks we have been inspired by a drawing artist called Kei Meguro who draws realistic self-portraits.
Kei Meguro
Kei's Artwork
Children have been exploring the use of texture, tone, line and shape to create realistic drawings. We have had the opportunity to practise some drawing techniques using different graded pencils which allowed us to compare the tone. We then had a go at using line and shape to draw different facial features before creating our own self-portraits! I'm sure you'll agree, they are amazing! Take a look at some of our portraits below...
Pine Class Self-Portraits
Science - Materials
In our science lessons we have been learning about materials. We have explored the properties of each material and also their suitability. In the first half-term we carried out an investigation into how solid materials can be changed. We enjoyed making our predictions before testing the different materials by twisting, stretching, bending and squashing. We had lots of fun!
Pine Class - Science Investigation (materials)
During the second half-term we were inspired by the scientist 'Charles Macintosh', who invented the first waterproof coat in 1823. We decided to carry out an investigation, to test to see whether different materials were waterproof, not waterproof, water resistant or absorbent. The children became scientists for the afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed exploring, observing and recording their findings.
Design & Technology - Wheels and Axles
In DT this half-term we've been exploring how the mechanism 'wheels and axles' work. We've learnt how the axle holds the wheels in place, allows the wheels to rotate and also holds the weight of the load. Children used this knowledge to design and make a model car. They even got the opportunity to saw their wooden axles to the correct size! They then tested their cars down a ramp and evaluated them, thinking about how they made their model car and what they might do differently next time.
