In PSHE, Mrs Parry read the class a story called “My Mum Is Brilliant”. The class discussed who are special people in their lives and made a mind map. Then Toucans drew a picture of one special person in their life and labelled it, to explain why.
The Great Fire of London Workshop
Toucans were very lucky to be visited by The Freshwater Theatre Company to enjoy an interactive experience all about the Great Fire of London. The children took on roles of the different areas of Pudding Lane, where the fire started, to re-inact what happened through drama. Some were market traders, some worked in the bakery and some were actually the fire (with streamers!). They had great fun and it really brought their topic to life.
Karly became Samuel Pepys, Declan was the Mayor and James became King Charles II for the afternoon! The children had to keep explaining to our special visitor about modern day living as she had travelled to us, from 1666. She didn’t know what electricity was or even hand sanitiser!
Luckily, the children worked well as a team to extinguish the fire so all ended well. The children wrote about their experience afterwards – please have a look at the writing by Shriya, Reva and Elias…….along with all our photos of the afternoon too!
Mrs Parry
Year 2 Class Teacher
The Great Fire of London
This week, Toucans have enjoyed looking at lots of paintings of the Great Fire of London. The class realised this was another way in which we have learnt about the past. Although the pictures were all of the same scene, they were very different! We talked about which ones looked the most realistic and which were the most effective. Toucans then got to work to make their own interpretation of the same event. They created silhouettes of the roofs by using black card. Well done Toucans! All the pictures on display in our classroom.
Video: Alex safely re-enacted where the Great Fire of London took place
With the permission and help of his parents, Alex safely re-enacted where the Great Fire of London took place – at Farriner’s Bakery on Pudding Lane, in London. As you might see, it only took two and a half minutes to completely burn away. Fire spreads very quickly. Think back to when you made your fire safety posters – can you remember any rules and advice?
Do not try this at home unless an adult has agreed to help you with it all!
Tudor Houses
Toucans have been set the challenge of making Tudor Houses today, after learning how properties used to be built during the period of the Great Fire of London. The houses had second storeys that were wider than the lower floor which meant they were close together. They were built with timber and some had straw roofs. This all contributed to how quickly the fire spread. Shriya has made a brilliant model – well done!
Alex R’s model below.
Isla’s Tudor House model below.
Ryan’s Tudor House model below.
Alex S’s Tudor House model below.
Behaviours for Learning
Over the last two weeks, Toucans have been refocusing on the behaviours for learning.
Following a detailed conversation about the meaning of these and why there are important, the children completed some activities to test these skills!
Listening – We played a “guess the sound” game, instructional drawings, Simon says, what can you hear in 30 seconds and ping pong reading.
Concentration – Kim’s memory game, colour by number maths questions, Pairs memory game and Spot the Difference challenges.
Perseverance – Follow written instructions to make a pirate hat, Would You Rather choices game, and the Name 5 things that are ….. game.
Pride – Handwriting competition (class voted), evaluating their own best piece of work and explaining why, Circle time – What makes me feel proud?
Perseverance – Physical stamina challenges outdoors, write with the opposite hand, beat last week’s score of Kim’s Game and draw a still life picture using observational skills.
Working with others – Team drawing activity, Team word game and make a bridge from paper challenge.
Out and About
Toucans spent a lesson outside to engage and explore the natural environment outdoors. They spent some quiet time, being mindful and listened to the natural sounds. We identified the noise of a Great Tit, using the RSPB website, once we got back inside the classroom. The children created pictures using natural materials and made streamers which were very effective on such a windy day! We enjoyed stories linked to the outdoor theme and heard a range of poems by Shirley Hughes. Toucans composed their own version of her poem “Out and About.”
What a Wonderful World!
Toucans have been enjoying our class book, thinking about different geographical and environmental features that the world has in it. Toucans watched a heartwarming video narrated by David Attenborough with the words to this famous song by Louis Armstrong. There was a true sense of awe and wonder as the children watched the clip.
Lexi like the penguins most and Elias like the monkey walking along best! We all liked different parts of the film!
Here is the song being sung by Louis Armstrong:
Using the We Are Here book the children learnt new facts.
Isla/Anren learnt that the Earth rotates around the sun.
Tatenda learnt rivers flow into the sea.
Karly found out about mountains.
Jacob learnt about sharks living in the sea.
Afterwards, the class got to work, rewriting their own verse for the song!
Caring
On Friday, Toucans learnt about how God said in Genesis how humans were to rule over the animals which translates to caring for them. We talked about caring for our pets and thought about what they need and what we do to look after them.
Appreciation
Toucans talked about who we appreciate and why, particularly in recent times. They each made a personalised Mother’s Day card for their Mum. A special extra thank you to all our Mums, for being teachers during the lockdown periods and bubble closures, over the last year!
