Programming in Year 2

In our final lessons on Robot algorithms, we designed, created, and tested a mat for a floor robot. This was to introduce the idea that design in programming not only includes code and algorithms, but also artefacts related to the project, such as artwork.

Once our mats were finalised we created algorithms to get our robot from a start point to an end point. When we were able to do this confidently, we introduced obstacles to see if we could still successfully get our floor robot to our chosen end points. Then we recorded our algorithm in written form.

Year 2 PE – gymnastics

Over this half term, Year 2 have enjoyed their gymnastics lessons in PE. We have learnt how to construct a controlled roll, balance and jump. Once we were confident with these, we began linking the movements together and ensuring our sequences flowed well. To progress our gymnastics abilities even further, we went on to carry out these elements on apparatus. We observed each other’s sequences and gave constructive ways forward to one another.

Which materials are waterproof?

Year 2 are really enjoying our current topic in Science, Uses of Everyday Materials. So far we have identified different materials and found objects in and around that school that are made of them. This week we carried out an experiment to identify which materials are waterproof.

First we predicted which materials we thought would be waterproof. Then we gathered our equipment to carry out the test. We discussed how we needed to keep the test fair, by ensuring we used the same amount of water on each item.  Then we got to the fun part – testing.

We used pipettes and 20 droplets of water on each item. We were surprised to see that kitchen roll was the least waterproof! The experiment confirmed many of our predictions that plastic is a waterproof material

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Robot Algorithms – Year 2

In Computing, this term, Year 2 are learning how to carry out an algorithm on a Robot.

We are currently focusing on sequences, and considering the importance of the order of instructions within a sequence. By inputting the same instructions in different orders we are beginning to recognise how the different orders affect the outcome.

Digital Photography

Digital Photography

This half term, Year 2 are learning all about digital photography. Over the next few weeks, the children will recognise different devices can be used to capture photographs and will gain experience capturing, editing, and improving photos. Finally, they will use this knowledge to recognise that images they see may not be real.

So far our children have carefully analysed whether a photo should be taken in a landscape or portrait format and explored reasons why a photographer may favour one over the other.

They have also evaluated photos, taken themselves, and improved a photograph by retaking it.

 

Year 3 really enjoyed today’s Geography lesson, looking at the ways in which volcanoes are dangerous. We were shocked to see tourists visiting a volcano which had recently erupted! We read case studies on four famous volcanoes and the different ways in which they had left devastating effects on the locations where they had occurred. We learnt about; volcanic ash, pyroclastic flow, lahars and lava flow.

 

13.05.21

After our study on how volcanoes are formed, we began to identify the different types of volcanoes: Composite, Shield and Dome. We explained the appearance of each and how the volcano was formed.

 

 

07.05.21

In our next Geography lesson, we began to discuss how the Earth has changed over time and how the tectonic plates have led to the change in the appearance of the Earth’s surface. We used the analogy, that the tectonic plates were like a jigsaw puzzle and attempted to put back the pieces back together.

26.04.21

Leading on from our English lessons, and reading the story, escape from Pompeii, we began our enquiry into how are volcanoes formed. We looked at a range of volcanoes and discussed the terminology, active, dormant and extinct. We then went on to label the different layers of a volcano.

22.04.21/ 26.04.21

As an introduction to our topic, why is the earth sometime angry? We looked at a cross section of the earth’s layers. We focussed on the organic material, top soil, subsoil, parent rock and bedrock. This led us to the question, what’s below the Earth? After lengthy discussions, we were able to draw and label a cross section of the Earth and explain what it is like at each level.

An introduction to rocks

To introduce our Year 3’s to their new Science topic on rocks, we explored an array of rocks and used a classification flow chart to try to determine what they were.

To help us with our Newspaper reports, Year 3 took on the roles of interviewer and witness to gather some quotes for our newspaper articles. The children used their knowledge of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, in Pompeii, to get into character and answer questions about the events of that day.

Safer Internet Day – Guinness World Record

As part of Internet Safety Day 2021, Year 3 have found out about what reliability online means. This linked in nicely with what we have previously discovered, in our computing lessons, about the accuracy of information on websites. To celebrate this day some of our year 3s have taken part in signing a pledge, to promise to keep ourselves safe online and post reliable content. This is part of The UK Safer Internet Centre and 2Simple’s task to break an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS ™ title for Safer Internet Day. Hopefully, we can be part of a new world record! Here are some posters our online learners made to reiterate the message about reliable online content.

One of the fantastic posters  Y3 made using purple mash.

Well done to our home learners who also made some fantastic posters.

Children’s Mental Health Week

With the theme for this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week being Express Yourself, Year 3 have been creating origami dogs, making squiggles and seeing what they could see in them, and enjoying mindful colouring.  These activities demonstrated that although all of our work was different, it was equally special.

Y3 working hard on there mindfulness.