Each week, usually on a Friday, you will find an update about our weeks learning and adventures! Within this class blog I will summarise what we have been up to in our lessons, inform you of any WOW moments from the week and also remind you of any useful information, whether this be homework or dates. This information will also be posted on dojo so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me via dojo or email.
Friday 29th September 2023:
Hi all,
Me again!
I appreciate I haven't posted too many updates since starting Year 2 but the start of the term is always a busy one! The children have started to settle in really well and we are noticing a positive shift in their attitudes towards learning which is huge progress for them so early on. They have been delightful!
Thank you for your engagement with reading at home. We have been really impressed with the amount of times children are reading to an adult. Thank you for signing diaries and also leaving comments - this is really helpful for us! To those parents whose children use Accelerated Reader in Language and Literacy - they are taking this all in their stride. Quizzes are being completed and passed regularly and I note this in their diaries weekly.
After speaking to lots of you, I am aware that the step up with spellings is causing a few issues for some. Please stick with these for Autumn Term 1 and we will review these and the children's grouping for Autumn Term 2. Again, thank you for your continued support with practising these at home.
On Friday we set another My Maths Homework for the children. This will be live on the system for another 2 weeks. We have a few children who did not complete the first My Maths. If you cannot access this or need paper copies then please do let me know.
If anyone has any questions or would like to catch up at any point, then please dojo :)
Friday 15th September 2023:
Happy Friday everyone,
Just a quick update for you all.
African Elephant Class are settling in well and are rising to the many challenges of Year 2. Autumn term can be quite a tricky one for children with the step up in expectations from Year 1 to Year 2 but so far the children appear to be taking this in their stride. As you may have noticed, dojo points are coming in thick and fast to praise the children for all the role model behaviours we look for. Last week Ophelia was the child with the most individual dojo points and Dazzling Diamonds won the group trophy. Well done!
Most children have now received a reading book appropriate to their phonics level and should be bringing this home every night alongside their diary.
A handful of children have completed their phonics sessions and are instead working with me with in a language and literacy group. This includes all things SPaG so we focus on alternative spelling rules, basic grammar and punctuation. We also spend time trying to improve our reading fluency and our comprehension skills when reading at greater length. If your child is in my group, they will not have received a reading book yet. Fingers crossed this will happen today! Children in my group have joined Accelerated Reader and their book will be determined by a reading age set by a Star Reader Test. The programme has unfortunately not been working but we believe this may be solved now!
A reminder that children should be aiming to read roughly 3 times a week and it would be extremely helpful if parents could record this in their diary. We will check diaries on a Friday and award merits, reading raffle tickets and dojo points accordingly.
Spelling days have changed to a Monday for this half term due to a spare 15 minute slot in our timetable. A reminder that spellings are on the webpage under the 'Autumn Term 1' bookmark if anyone misplaces their booklet. You can also feel free to dojo me for an extra one.
It has been lovely meeting lots of you at the end of the day. If anyone ever needs anything or has any questions please pop over or send me a dojo.
Have a lovely day!
Miss Bestwick :)
Friday 1st September 2023:
Hi all,
Firstly, I hope you have all had a lovely summer break. I’m not entirely sure where the 6 weeks have gone!
Secondly, welcome to Year 2 and our African Elephant Class Dojo. On here you will have access to regular updates as well as photos of all the weird, wonderful, and magical adventures we will take part in. You will also be able to send me direct messages should you like to share or update me on anything.
I know we have a few more days left to hang on to, but I wanted to welcome you all back and provide some key messages.
Monday 4th September – INSET Day (Closed to pupils)
Tuesday 5th September – First day back to school. They will just need their book-bag, labelled water bottle and any books that you wish to return that belong to school.
PE days are Tuesdays (indoor) and Fridays (outdoor). Children are to continue coming to school in their PE kit on PE days.
Our class webpage is mostly up and running and will provide all the key information you need. This includes key dates and important information. I will add further documents linked to our curriculum, class timetable etc over the weekend. With regards to our website, I will always post on here too so that you do not miss any information!
Enjoy your last few days off. Please feel free to contact me over the next few days if you feel there is anything I need to know or if anything has changed since we last met. I will be checking dojo daily from now on.
Let the Year 2 adventure begin!
Miss Bestwick 😊