Despite the weather forcing a few indoor play sessions, the children did very well during this week’s lessons. The children still seemed to enjoy the indoor play if you look at the pics below - they do look very content!
You can also see the children learning to take their pulse in some of the pictures below. During our science lessons we looked at our bodies and exercise, and focused a lot on what happens to the heart rate when we are at rest, and during exercise. Below are two websites we looked at to help us understand this concept, as well as what ‘fuels’ our body needs to keep us healthy every day. Children, do you remember what we need the most everyday to keep us very healthy?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/6_7/health_growth.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/keeping_healthy.shtml
Also, early in the week, we looked at what are Non Fiction/Information texts, and by discussing with our classmates and looking through many different books, we soon learned that most non fiction books contain the following: A Title, sub titles, a Table of Contents, an Introduction, information, photos, drawings, diagrams, labels, captions, a Glossary, an Index and a Blurb. We also now know where in the book these different things can be found, e.g., the Index is always found at the back of the book.
We also looked and listened to three non fiction books on tumblebooks.com* called: 'Animals In Camouflage', 'Meet the Meerkat' and 'A Platypus, Probably', to understand how information can be given in different ways for people to learn about these animals. We also noticed something different about how the titles are written - can you remember what they looked like? (The children can post their comment/answer if they would like. I would love to see their answers!)
*Just a reminder about tumblebooks.com - you can visit there anytime by using the username dulwichshanghai, and the password books. There are many great books for all ages on this site.
During other Literacy lessons, we again practised our handwriting, had a spelling test on this week's words, and wrote a letter to a teacher in Dulwich Seoul. Neil Gorton, a Year 2 teacher in Seoul, contacted us recently to find out if we would like to become 'pen pals' with his Year 2 class. He sent us a picture of his class, gave us a bit of information about the school and his class, and a few questions about our school and us. It is hoped that each child in Tigers, in the near future, can have a pen pal that they can write to and learn much more about each other.
* Just a further reminder about lessons starting at 8.30 - we have now begun our 'Phonics' lessons, which means for many of the Tiger children, they are starting in another classroom or area AT 8.30 four times/week. The children need at least five minutes to complete 'all their morning jobs' which now includes collecting their very important house points and 'Dojo' points. They know this is the only time they can collect them, so getting in early is very important. Please help your child have a great and comfortable start to the day by arriving 5-10 minutes early. Thanks.
And finally ...
A note from the Year 2 team re handwriting in Year 2:
We just wanted to inform you that details about handwriting and letter formation are now on the weebly in the 'documents' section.
We are really trying to encourage the children to practise and form all of their letters correctly at this point of the year. They should be starting from the right points and thinking about the letter families. When your child is able to do this, they will then move onto joining their letters which will help them to think about the correct letter size and will improve their spelling and the natural 'flow' of writing will come easier to them.
Also, all homework writing tasks will be sent home in the same format with the handwriting lines this term. Please encourage your child to be thinking about:
Tall letters reaching the sky (the top line)
Hanging letters hang in the soil (the bottom line)
Grass letters sit in the grass (between the dotted lines)
Many thanks for all your support and please let me know if you have any questions at all.
Best wishes for a happy weekend,
Greg