A day in the life of Year 2

Welcome to a day in the life of Year 2 at St Mary’s. Our days are jam-packed with learning and fun. Come inside our classroom and take a look …

English
We begin each day (Monday-Thursday) with our English block. Spelling is first. Recently, we have been focusing on reviewing Tricky Words, words spelled with the phonemes ‘ar’, ‘ey’ and ‘_y’, spelling rules for adding suffixes (-ing and ‘-ful’), and ‘r-controlled’ vowels. After Spelling, we move into our explicit Writing lessons where we have been learning about conjunctions (because, but, so, and, or) and most recently, we planned narratives using Story Grammar. We were very excited to learn about editing and to use ‘Power Pens’ to edit our writing. After Writing, we engage in Independent Learning time, where we practise the skills taught in Spelling and Writing, while Mrs Schofield works with individuals and small groups on targeted reading skills. Lastly, we practise Reading Fluency with a partner. On Thursdays and Fridays, we also engage in explicit Comprehension & Fluency lessons. 

Mathematics
After the first break, it’s time for Mathematics. We begin each lesson with a Daily Review. During this 10-20 minute session, we move quickly through the skills we have been taught so far, cementing our understanding and firmly planting the concepts in our long-term memory. Currently, our Daily Review includes skip counting (2s, 3s, 5s, 10s), multiplication using arrays, addition and subtraction using the bar model and an empty number line, features of 3D objects, time, number of days in each month/year, as well as chance and probability. We then move into our Explicit Lesson. Currently, we are learning about writing and solving 5 x multiplication equations, and clockwise/anti-clockwise turns. Just like in English, we frequently use mini whiteboards so Mrs. Schofield can quickly check for understanding and make corrections as needed.

Religion
After Mathematics, we enjoy calming our minds and bodies with daily Prayer & Christian Meditation.  When we pray, we talk to God and always begin with our School Prayer. Next, we listen to God through meditation. The students are very good at this practice, which they have been doing daily since Kindergarten. After we meditate, the students take turns saying a personal prayer, sharing with the group, or in their hearts. Currently in our Religion lessons, we are learning about The Dignity of the Human Person - how people seek to build and heal relationships through forgiveness and reconciliation. 

A big day so far! What happens next?
Depending on the timetable, in the lesson before and after second break, the students engage in Science, Geography, Performing Arts - Music, Visual Arts, Dhurga or PDHPE lessons:

In Science, we are learning how the properties of materials determine their use.

In Geography, we are learning about people’s connections to places (local and global).

In Performing Arts - Music, Mrs Shannon is teaching us about songs and music for different celebrations.

In PDHPE, we are learning about making healthy choices for our bodies. Mr Hill has been teaching us various athletics skills as we prepare for our first full Athletics Carnival. Exciting times!

In Dhurga, Mr Riley Nolan has been sharing dreamtime stories and teaching us names for land and sea animals. We have used ochre to create traditional artworks. We love to play ‘Riley Says’ (a version of Simon Says with Dhurga names for body parts) at the end of the lesson.

In Visual Arts, we have created a dazzling series of works this term. From delicate, glittery papier-mache birds for our beautiful mums, to Pop-Art inspired animals and glorious, swirling paintings inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Year 2 takes great pride and enjoyment in creating these mini masterpieces, and our colourful classroom is a testament to this!

Before we leave for the day, we gather to say our Farewell Prayer. 

In this classroom, here to pray
First, we thank you for the day
For our family and our friends
Gifts of grace that heaven lends
Living water, daily bread
Countless blessings our God sends
Amen.

On Fridays, we pause to reflect on the week that was - calling to mind something we are proud of, something that made us happy, and if there is anything we would like to leave behind …

Teaching this wonderful community of learners is a true pleasure. I am so proud of every one of them!

Mrs Gen Schofield
Year 2 Teacher