Welcome to Sandhopper Class!

Sandhopper Class Weekly News

Friday 19th April 2024

Welcome back to a new term! During our 'Learning to Learn' day we discovered interesting facts about different countries. In English, we read two versions of Little Red Riding Hood; the original book and the story from The Wolf's perspective. We thought carefully about questions we could ask each character and focused our attention on how adjectives can be used to describe a setting. In PE, we discovered that Usain Bolt was able to run 100m in 9.59 seconds and explored ways to develop our speed when running. 

Have a fantastic weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce.

Friday 22nd March 2024

In English, we completed a diary entry, writing about the key events of The Great Fire of London. On Thursday we made paper houses and shadow puppets; we had great fun recreating a human chain to put a 'fire' out in the playground. In DT we completed our designs for our vehicles; we will be making these next week.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 15th March 2024

In English, we identified features of a diary; we then used past tense to write about 'The Great Fire of London'. In DT, we combined axels, wheels and a chassis to understand how the base of a vehicle is constructed. In PE we had a visit from the Southend Diving club; we practised some of the skills required to be able to dive. On Friday we enjoyed supporting 'Red Nose Day' and took part in lots of fun activities.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 8th March 2024

In Maths this week we have been learning to identify coins and notes; we then practised using money to make different amounts. We thought carefully how many different ways we can make 50p. We set up a 'Mrs du Pille's Toy Shop' and the children had great fun practising using money. We had a wonderful day on Friday for World Book Day and the children looked fantastic!

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 1st March 2024

In History we have been learning about The Great Fire of London; we identified and sequenced key events leading up to the fire. In English we dressed up as King Charles II, Samuel Pepys, Thomas Farriner and villagers to role play the events of The Great Fire of London in 1666. In DT, we made observational drawings of vehicles from different angles and labelled the wheels, axels, axel holder and chassis.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 9th February 2024

This week in English we explored how to write and perform a poem. We wrote a word bank of adjectives to describe penguins then created some amazing acrostic poems. In Science, we were so lucky to have a visit from Mrs Law and discovered why blubber keeps penguins warm in the harsh conditions of Antarctica. In Maths, we continued to practise adding and subtracting two-digit numbers reliably by using key number facts. It has been wonderful to see you during parent consultations and share the progress that your child has made.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 2nd February 2024

In PE, we continued to develop balancing skills when using a range of equipment; we also explored how to counter balance with a partner. In Geography, we made comparisons between Antarctica and The Sahara desert and discovered that Antarctica is approximately 62 time larger than the UK! In Art we identified different types of textiles and prepared some ideas of how to create a landscape of Antarctica.

Have a super weekend and we very much look forward to seeing you next for parent consultations,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce.

Friday 26th January 2024

In Science, we explored different habitats and compared the Arctic to Antarctic. We discovered how penguins stay warm in Antarctica by following their instinct to form a group 'huddle'. In Geography, we discovered why Robert Scott is so famous, his determination to find The South Pole and the final outcome for the expedition. In English, we continued to write our non chronological reports about penguins and discovered some more amazing facts.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 19th January 2024

In English, we identified key features of a non chronological report, we then researched and discovered amazing facts about penguins. In Art, we created monoprint landscapes of Antarctica; using pastels we then drew some fantastic 'Southern lights' pictures. In Geography, we made comparisons between Antarctica and The Sahara Desert?  

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 12th January 2024

Happy New Year to you all! In Geography, we researched and wrote interesting facts about Antarctica. In English, we read the book 'Where is home Little Pip?'; created an alternative plan and wrote our own story. In PE, we started a new unit about gymnastics; the children discovered how to hold different shapes such as; a star, tuck and pike shape. Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs du Pille and Mrs Pearce.

Friday 15th December 2023

WOW! What a fabulous, action packed week! We are incredibly proud of the children in Year 2 for putting on a wonderful 'Big, Little Nativity'. Special thanks to Mrs Brown for her dedication to make this Nativity so special. We also enjoyed making several Christmas decorations and had a super festive lunch. In English, we wrote instructions of 'how to catch a reindeer', after discovering that several reindeers have escaped from Santa and ended up in our playground!

We would like to thank you for all your support. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.

Mrs Steed, Mrs duPille and Mrs Pearce.

Friday 8th December 2023

Lights, cameras, action!... this week the children have been working so hard to get ready for 'The Big, Little Nativity' next week. We are looking forward to seeing you there. In DT we completed our Christmas trees and the children were able to sew a button on independently. In English we identified imperative verbs in text and started to write instructions.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs duPille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 1st December 2023

In DT, we designed a Christmas tree decoration; the children attached felt, ribbon, sequins and buttons using four methods of joining. In English we identified features of a letter and wrote a reply to 'Florence Nightingale' offering support to improve the conditions of hospitals.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs Du Pille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 24th November 2023

On Thursday, we had an amazing Florence Nightingale Day! During the morning, we travelled back to 1854 to met 'Florence Nightingale'; we discovered how she made vast improvements to hospitals with the help of 38 nurses. The children practised how to apply bandages to wounded soldiers, looked at artefacts, created a timeline and even discovered that Florence had a pet owl. In the afternoon we created portraits of Florence Nightingale, made collage rats and paper lanterns.

We hope you have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs DuPille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 17th November 2023

This week in English our set of crayons left the building! They were fed up of being over used or not enough. We identified  features of a letter and the children wrote to the crayons asking them to return to our class. In History we have now completed our research on famous women. The children wrote about Rosa Parks, Margaret Thatcher and Marie Curie to name just a few.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs DuPille and Mrs Pearce.

Friday 10th November 2023

In English we wrote a newspaper report about the Gunpowder Plot; the children remembered to use key features such as, a headline, introduction and caption. In RE we discovered why Diwali is a significant festival in Hinduism; we recalled key facts about the story of 'Rama and Sita'. In PE, we have started a new unit about dance; we explored different ways to move and how to use rhythm to stay in time to the music.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs DuPille and Mrs Pearce

Friday 3rd November 2023

In History, we travelled back to the year of 1605 to discover the key events of 'The Gunpowder Plot'. In English, the children created a Guy Fawkes wanted poster and used role play to understand why the Gunpowder Plot failed. In DT, we explored different ways that fabric can be joined together.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed, Mrs DuPille and Mrs Pearce.

Friday 20th October 2023

This week we continued our outdoor learning with Mrs Brown; we walked to the Library Gardens looking for signs of Autumn. We noticed the colour of leaves have changed and matched natural objects to paint charts. As part of Black History month we discovered how a courageous young woman called Rosa Parks changed the civil rights for many people.
 

We hope you have a wonderful half term, 
 

Mrs Steed, Mrs Pearce and Mrs du Pille 

Friday 13th October 2023

In Art, we discovered there are three primary colours; we used red and yellow to mix different shades of orange. We looked at the work of Claude Monet and created a still life painting using the shades we had mixed. In English, we completed our beach themed poems and discovered that some poems rhyme. On Tuesday we had the opportunity to visit The Travelling Bookfair; the children enjoyed looking at a range of texts and made a note of books they particularly liked. It was lovely to have the opportunity to meet with you this week during parent consultations.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs Steed and The Sandhopper Team

Friday 6th October 2023

In English, we explored a range of seaside poems; the children identified nouns and adjectives and used their senses to create word banks. In Science, we investigated which materials are waterproof and considered how we could make a paper umbrella water resistant. In RE we identified the key areas within a mosque.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed and The Sandhopper Team

Friday 29th September 2023

On Monday the children enjoyed a walk down to Old Leigh looking for human and physical geographical features. In Art, we made still life drawings of shells and used carbon paper to create mono-prints. In English, we solved clues to help Mr Hautler find his missing keys; we then wrote an alternative story to 'The Queen's Handbag'.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs Steed and The Sandhopper Team.

Friday 22nd September 2023

In PE this week we have been learning how to dribble and control a ball using the different parts of our foot. In Art, we created a still life drawing of flowers using a 'backwards-forwards' technique. In Science, we have explored what materials are used to make specific objects and the reasons why. In English, we have identified nouns and adjectives in the story 'The Queen's Handbag' and started to consider writing an alternative story. 

Have a fantastic weekend,

Mrs Steed and the Sandhopper Team

Friday 15th September 2023

On Monday, we had outdoor learning with Mrs Brown; the children were asked to find a range of objects to develop their orienteering skills. In Geography we have compared human and physical geographic features and identified the four countries that form The United Kingdom. In Art, we explored 'line' and discussed the work of Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'. The children made a drawing of their hands using continuous line, cross-hatching, dots and dashes. 

Have a lovely weekend,

Mrs Steed and The Sandhopper Team

Friday 8^th September 2023

What a fantastic start! Early this week we held two 'Learning to Learn' days; the children discussed class agreements and worked in teams on a variety of tasks such as, designing and creating marble runs and Picasso style portraits. In Maths we have been learning how to recognise and count numbers up to 100 accurately. In Science we have discovered what materials are and discussed that some are man-made and others occur naturally.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs Steed