Monthly Archives: October 2017

Programming algorithms

Class Work, Computing

Today we continued our Computing work learning about algorithms. We have already practiced programming Beebots so we put this knowledge to good use with something much harder today Our main activity was to use a program on the internet called Fix the Factory. We had to give the robot instructions by using the arrows and other symbols. The more levels we did, the harder it got! We had to debug some parts of our algorithms when we went a bit wrong. This was very tricky but satisfying when we got it right.

Don’t forget Toucans, you can use this game at home. Just click on this link: https://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/games/fix-the-factory

or Google Fix the Factory.

Keeping safe on the internet

Class Work, Computing

Today we learnt a bit more information about being safe on the internet. We used the Netsmartz website http://www.netsmartzkids.org/RoutersBirthdaySurprise to look in more detail at keeping safe on the internet. We earnt a safety badge and a certificate to put up in our classroom!

We then watched Hector’s World which is about how to keep your details safe when using the internet. We used all our new knowledge to create our own internet safety posters.

Don’t forget Toucans, you can access these website at home if you want to learn more and try and get your very own certificate.

Saving energy in our school

Class Work, PSHE

During PHSE, Year 2 discussed how to save energy within school. The children looked at a PowerPoint that explained why we need to save energy and how we can help to protect our world.

The children were already very knowledgeable about how to help our environment by turning off lights and turning down the heating. All the children contributed towards our class discussion and poster.

Exciting English

Class Work, English

This week in our English lessons we have been learning all about riddles. We are very excited to be entering a nationally Young Writers competition. You can find out more details about the competition here: https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/little-riddlers/

We started the week by learning about what riddles are and the sort of language they use. We enjoyed reading lots of different riddles and trying to solve them. Riddles are fun! We then learnt about similes and alliteration as lots of riddles have these in to make them more interesting and describe clearly.

Next we planned our riddle by doing a mind map describing every aspect of the food our riddle was about. This morning we used this plan to make our own riddles. We edited them and improved them so they could be the very best.

This afternoon we used our very best handwriting to copy our riddles up for the competition entry form. We really focused on copying our corrections and using neat handwriting with clear ascenders and descenders. Here are our finished riddles. Can you solve them without reading the answer?

Black History month

Class Work, History

October is Black History month so Year 2 have been learning more about what it is and why it’s important. We started our lesson by thinking of all the famous, talented black people we know. We thought of loads!

In our History lessons this week we have learnt about Florence Nightingale. Today we focused on another famous nurse who was around at the same time called Mary Seacole. We learnt that she wanted to help injured soldiers in the Crimean War the same as Florence Nightingale but the doctors wouldn’t let her because of the colour of her skin. We were so shocked at this and very pleased that it doesn’t happen anymore. Mary Seacole decided she was going to help anyway and bought her own ticket to get there and help. She ended up helping hundreds of soldiers.

We made our own fact files about Mary Seacole and drew portraits of her to help us to remember how important she was.

Features of instructions

Class Work, English

In our English lessons over the last two weeks we have been learning all about instructions. We have a set of instructions using Talk for Writing for how to wash our hands. We have also learnt about the features of instructions and turned them into success criteria together:

Today we learnt about the importance of brushing our teeth. We learnt some facts:
• You should brush your teeth for two minutes every morning and every evening.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• Brush around in small circles to get rid of all the plaque which might be hiding.
• Make sure you brush the surface of every tooth – front, back and sides.
• Use floss and mouthwash when you are older.

We then used this knowledge to write our own instructions for how to brush your teeth. Have a look at our writing… did we meet our success criteria?

Florence Nightingale

Class Work, History

Today we started our History topic. We are learning about a famous person from the past – Florence Nightingale. First we talked about how we learn about the past and decided there are lots of different ways. Today we watched a video about Florence Nightingale’s life to find out why she was famous. We learnt lots of facts – look at our mind map.

Next we used the computers to play a game where we helped Florence to clean up the hospital. We also learnt lots of extra facts. The game we used is on the BBC website so have a look at home if you are interested.