5 Jun 2009 - Newsletter 5th June 2009

This year sees the 200^th anniversary of Charles Darwin - one of our greatest scientists. We have been following in his footsteps this week, finding out about plants and creatures. We held a scavenger hunt and sorted our findings into living, non- living and dead. Using templates we searched for leaves that were round, pointed, shiny etc. and matched them. Then we used them to inspire our descriptive writing - as soft as hair, as sharp as a knife or as fat as a tummy! We've been reading to find out white hat facts about Darwin's life and his voyage on The Beagle.

Did you know that some of our food comes from plants? - We found out that we eat seeds, stems, leaves, fruit and roots of different plants ...and that they're good for us! When we had finished looking at the plants we used them to print some colourful plants and flowers of our own.

Friday saw another fun-filled Flower Power day. Thank you for all the beautiful plants you sent in - the school looks wonderful and colourful now! Thank you too, for all your help with the planting.

This first week back we have been focusing on Science all week. The week ends today in Flower Power Day when we have been thinking about living things and covering our Variation topic. The children have made some lovely non-fiction books about plants and animals and the difference between them.

The children have been given their new spellings today. They have been working so hard, and now that the SATs assessments are over, we have decided to give them a weeks break. They will therefore have their next spelling test on Monday week the 15^{th June.}

Next week is International Week and each class will be a different country. The finale will be on Friday when the children can choose another country to visit as well as representing their own country, acting as tour operators. Owl Class have chosen Koh Samui in Thailand, Fox Class will be Iceland and Rabbit Class are going to Hawaii. For Friday could Fox Class children bring in their hats, scarves, gloves, boots and hats ( Its very cold there! ). Could Owl Class bring in a bright coloured T-shirt for the boys and a dress (the more colours the better) for the girls. Lastly Rabbits need to have shorts and a brightly coloured shirt or T-shirt for the boys and swimming costume or bikini top and a skirt (a grass one would be super!) for the girls. Can you help the children research their country over the weekend? If they have any relevant artefacts, books or pictures these would be very useful to bring in.

We have decided to change the curriculum for PE during the next half term. We will be focusing on learning to play tennis over the next five weeks which promises to be very exciting. Please can you check your child's PE clothes during half term. Do their trainers still fit? Have they got shorts, tracksuit bottoms and T shirt all named? There is no need for any other equipment as we have been given racquets, balls and nets. Maybe you will see your child at Wimbledon next!

Please do also check that your child's clothes are clearly named as it is very easy for them to become lost on a hot day when everyone takes their jumpers off.

We are very short of helpers in Year Two. Please see your child's teacher if you are able to help. Thank you for your support. The Year Two Team.