Autumn Term

Animals, Including Humans

In Year 2, we will 'rewind' to our Year 1 learning about Animals.  We will revisit the different classifications of animals, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish.  We will learn about animals and their babies, what all animals need to survive and the importance of a balanced diet, sleep, hygiene and exercise.

Pupils should be taught to:

 notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults

 find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air)

 describe the importance for humans of exercise, eating the right amounts of different types of food, and hygiene.

Spring Term

Plants

The Spring Term is the perfect time to begin planting bulbs and seeds.  Throughout this term, we will carry out investigations to find out more about how a seed begins to germinate and the key elements that are needed for healthy growth.  The children will also begin to understand how Scientists plan and carry out a fair test.

Pupils should be taught to:

 observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants

 find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy.

Spring Term

Uses of Everyday Materials

Within this block of learning, the children will consider the uses of different materials.  They will identify how materials can be used for different purposes and they will explore new vocabulary including transparent, opaque, rigid and flexble. 

Pupils should be taught to:

 identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses

 find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.

Summer Term

Living Things and Their Habitats

Throughout the Summer Term, Year 2 will focus on exploring the school grounds and finding Living Things and their Habitats.  They will identify plants and animals that live within our woodland and those that prefer to be in our sunny meadow.  As part of our Science learning, we will visit Occombe farm to explore some larger habitats, comparing these to microhabitats, including beehives. 

Pupils should be taught to:

 explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive

 identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other

 identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats

 describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food.