March blog for class 2GC

This month we welcomed 2 new children to our class Orkun and Temilayo. They have both settled well and we hope they will be very happy with us in 2GC. We also celebrated Mrs Giblin’s birthday.

The children and staff were very happy for their return to school and enjoyed socialising outside on a lovely Spring afternoon.

 English

This month in English we have been learning the story Cops and Robbers.

We started the topic with a crime to solve! Who had stolen Mrs Giblin’s book? After following the clues, we realized that it was Dr Gray!

After this, we then began to learn the text orally using Talk for Writing.

Then we explored the book further using our comprehension skills. We thought about the similarities and differences between Cops and Robbers and Burglar Bill.

For our grammar skills, we have focused on past tense, superlatives and diary writing features to write our own diaries in role. Some of us wrote as Officer Pugh and some of us wrote as Burglar Bill.

Here are some examples of our writing:

    

 

Guided Reading

We have been reading the text the Snow Dragon for Guided Reading. We have had lots of discussion around the characters, setting description and vocabulary. We also used the book to inspire our own creative writing, by writing our very own sequels to the story!

Maths

 In Maths, we continued to look at measures on scales such as mass and temperature. We have been learning about shape. We have looked at 2D and 3D shapes and have explored their properties. We also learned about patterns, sequences, symmetry and translation.

 

We have also explored directional language:

                

 Creative Curriculum

We completed our Toys topic by making a home for our dragons with a moving part. Some children had doors or windows that opened and one child made a sliding roof for when the flames are being blown.

Science - Plants

Dr Grey led our Science lessons this month and the children used their scientific thinking to plan their own plant investigations with cress seeds. They decided on the best resources to use and found the best places for their cress to grow.

On Safari Week

Our first week back was a themed week continuing to learn about our penguin we adopted in January from Twycross Zoo.

We investigated and compared  the habitats of Antarctic and Humboldt penguins.

We designed and made our  own clay penguins and habitat models.

We elected our own eco warriors Nadin and Poppy. It is their job to make sure we turn off lights and computers and recycle our paper.

The children learned all about the famous environmentalist Sir David Attenborough and used role play to re-enact making their own penguin documentaries. They then performed their own penguin dance to the tune of Happy Feet. This fun week ended with a dress up day. Don’t they all look fabulous?

PE and Computing

This month the children have been enjoying the Spring weather by taking part in their PE sessions outside. They have learnt different ways to pass the ball using their hands and feet and have been introduced to underarm and overarm throws. They have enjoyed a chance to play on the field and on the trim trail, tyre trail and climbing frame. They have also been building up their stamina and fitness by walking around the mile track. It has been wonderful to see the children having fun together again outside in the sun. 

In computing the children have been learning about information technology in school, home and the wider world. They have continued to use the school apps to practice spellings, times tables and reading skills. 

PSHE/Healthy Living/Mindfulness and Thrive

We learned some techniques on how to relax when feeling stressed or tense. Our favourite was rainbow relaxation.

We have been supported in settling back into school by sharing some ‘silver lining’ positive thoughts on clouds. We have also learned this month about the importance of using medicines safely, healthy eating and feeling proud of our own and others’ achievements. We also learned about the positives of learning from our mistakes.

RE

 In RE we have been learning about Lent and the Easter story celebrated at this time by Christians. Here is a picture of the children acting out the beginning of the story of Easter.  We also enjoyed sequencing the story and tasting some hot cross buns. 

The children learnt about the symbolism of the cross and why it can be seen on Hot Cross Buns and even on the back of donkeys.

Mrs Nelson has set the children a challenge of making their Easter bonnets or decorating a boiled egg.

Here is a wonderful photo of the children on the last day of March celebrating with their Easter bonnet parade on a sunny Spring day- one of the hottest on record.

 

 World Book Day March 4th  

The children at Joseph Cash studied the books of Michael Rosen as their theme this year. Year 2 enjoyed the story of Burping Bertha. The staff dressed up as masked readers and read the children a selection of stories – Can you guess which staff members are hiding behind the masks?

Mother's Day March 14th

The children made some cards and made a bouquet of daffodils to give to their wonderful Mums to show they appreciate them. We hope you all had a special day.

Red Nose Day March 19th

We had a superhero day and the children bought raffle tickets to soak Mrs Nelson. Raising money to support child less fortunate than ourselves.

This month's challenge

Tomorrow is April Fool's Day the first day of April and Spring is blooming all around us.

Why not share your favourite joke with your class mates and teachers - but no pranks!

Happy Easter from the 2GC team have a wonderful 2 week break with your families you deserve it. See you all again on Monday 19th April for the start of the Summer Term,