2023 – 24
July
The children have created moving vehicles for DT this Summer Term. They have created an ambulance, police car, double decker bus and more.
For their summer reading topic, The Glassmaker’s Daughter, Year 2created some fun flip learning. Some children created the glass palace, some children created the gondolas found in Venice using egg cartons and much more.
As part of our Geography Unit, Localities, we went to Here East and looked at all the changes that took place in the area. We saw Westfield, the orbit slide, London Stadium, River Lea and much more. We noticed that there are more human than physical features as we live in a city.
June
As part of our geography unit, we went on a local walk around Custom House and searched for human and physical features. We discovered that the only physical feature is the River Thames. We also looked at all the developments that took place in Custom House and observed how modern Custom House now is. We saw the Sunborn Yacht, City Hall, 02 arena, cable cars and so much more. Our very own Miss Ward has been a resident of Custom House for the last 54 years and she spoke to us about all the changes that took place in Custom House (i.e. how the docks used to be used).
May
As part of their geography and science learning, Year 2 went to the Thames Barrier Park. Firstly, as part of their science learning, they explored the park and had a look at the different types of plants such as wild flowers, dandelions, buttercups and more. Next, for Geography, the children walked around Thames Barrier Park and identified the key attractions such as the River Thames, the viewpoint from the riverside (02 Arena), DLR station, playground and grass area, the newly built apartments and more. They then discussed how the surroundings of Thames Barrier are similar and different to Custom House.
April
Faith in Schools visited us and told us why Christians fast during Lent. We learnt that Christians fast so that they can follow the example of Jesus, overcome temptation and sin and get closer to God. We then thought about what it would be like to refrain from eating our favourite food and thought of strategies to help us resist temptation.
February
As part of numbers day, we dressed up in number inspired outfits and played different maths games such as snakes and ladders, hit the button and the boom game. We also practiced our times tables to get ready for the 60/60 club and discussed our favourite maths numbers.
January
December
We visited the Soanes Centre at Tower Hamlets Cemetary Park and explored different micro-habitats. We acted as biologists and looked carefully at each habitat and discussed what animals live there. We also got a chance to go pond dipping and collect a sample of insects. We then made close observations and used our fact sheets to identify which insects they were, and then finally created a report to show our findings.
November
Year 2 visited Custom House library today and were able to find out about the Winter Reading Challenge. We took part in a read along, discussed our favourite books and were able to take books home in time for our weekend read.
As part of Talk for Write hook for our new story Jack and the Beanstalk, we planted our own beans. We will look after our plants and observe how they grow over the next few weeks. We also read the story and acted the story out in groups.
October
As part of black history month, Scott Wilkie focused on seminal British Black Women that have made valuable contributions to British Black History. In year 2, we focused on Mary Seacole who served as a British Black nurse in the Crimean War. We watched videos about Mary Seacole, investigated her past and created fact files/posters about her.
2022-23
March
World Book Day
For world book day, we dressed up as our favourite characters from our favourite books and comics. We had a show and tell, played guess the character, designed our own bookmarks and shared book reviews. We also made a class collage of our favourite book characters.
February
NSPCC Numbers day
For numbers day, children dressed up in numbers inspired outfits, played number games and discussed what their favourite things about maths were.
Place of Worship Visit
Year 2 went to visit the Ramgarhia Gurdwara today as part of their Place of Worship visit. They learnt about the golden rules of Sikhism such as how Sikh people remember God constantly through meditation, the importance of earning money honestly and sharing their earnings with everyone.
January
As part of Aspirations week, Year 2 were lucky to have members of the MET police office visit them. The officers spoke about the importance of honesty, following the law and classroom rules and what their day-to-day job looks like. The children were extremely excited and had a range of questions such as ‘How did you become a police officer’, What is the best part about working for the police?’ ‘When do you work as a team?’, etc.
As part of our T4W hook, the children dressed up as their favourite superheroes, acted out their most memorable scenes, bought in their superhero toys and read super hero books.
Year 2 have been learning about properties and materials as part of their new science topic. This week, we carried out a scientific investigation to test which materials are waterproof. We tested felt, foil and plastic. The children were able to apply their science learning to Literacy by thinking about which material is most suitable for their superhero, Traction-Man.
December
Year 2 went to visit the library today and picked out some of their favourite books just in time for the holidays. They also found out about the winter reading challenge and are looking forward to participating in it.
As part of Year 2’s Science learning, we went to visit Bow Ecology Park where we looked at several different habitats!
2021-22
Spring
Aspirations Week
As part of aspirations week, year 2 looked at different trades. We learnt about Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters and Painter and decorators.
We got a chance to to be plumbers ourselves, by creating our own piping system. Carpenters by learning to measure and cut wood. Painters and decorators by designing and decorating and Electricians by working out how to make a light circuit work.
November
Library Visit
Year 2 had the opportunity to visit Custom House Library. They took part in a story read along, were able to choose a new book to take home and even took part in a community survey about what they’d like to be when they grow up. What a fantastic resource in the local community!
As part of their computing learning – Word Processing, Year 2 are learning to type with increasing speed and efficiency.
Year 2 visited Paradise Wildlife Park as a ‘Hook in’ to their Science learning this term – Living Things and their Habitats. They enjoyed exploring different animals in their habitats and the similarities and differences.
September
History Off The Page – Great Fire of London
Year 2 learnt all about The Great Fire of London during History off the Page. They got to experience what London was like in 1666.
They were able to take part in activities such as candle making, bread making, making ink and writing with a quill, making medicines and perfume bags. They took part in role play and also found out about important people such as Samuel Pepys and Sir Christopher Wren.
