Year 2 Curriculum
Writing
Narrative
Write stories with imaginary settings.
Write stories and plays that use the language of fairy tales and traditional tales.
Write stories that mimic significant authors.
Write narrative diaries.
Non-fiction
Write instructions.
Write recounts.
Present information.
Write non-chronological reports.
Poetry
Write poems that use pattern, rhyme and description.
Write nonsense and humorous poems and limericks.
Reading
Listen to a range of texts.
Learn some poems by heart.
Become familiar with a wide range of texts of different lengths.
Discuss books.
Build up a repertoire of poems to recite.
Use the class and school libraries.
Listen to short novels over time.
Communication
Engage in the meaningful discussions in all areas of the curriculum.
Listen to and learn a wide range of subject specific vocabulary.
Through reading, identify vocabulary that enriches and enlivens stories.
Practise and rehearse sentences and stories, gaining feedback on the overall effect and the use of standard English.
Listen to and tell stories often so as to internalise the structure.
Debate issues and formulate well-constructed points.
Mathematics
Count and calculate in a range of practical contexts.
Use and apply mathematics in everyday activities and across the curriculum.
Repeat key concepts in many different practical ways to secure retention.
Explore numbers and place value up to at least 100.
Add and subtract using mental and formal written methods in practical contexts.
Multiply and divide using mental and formal written methods in practical contexts.
Explore the properties of shapes.
Use language to describe position, direction and movement.
Use and apply in practical contexts a range of measures, including time.
Handle data in practical contexts.
Science
Biology
Plants
Observe and describe growth and conditions for growth.
Habitats
Look at the suitability of environments and at food chains.
Animals and humans
Look at growth, basic needs, exercise, food and hygiene.
All living things
Investigate differences.
Chemistry
Materials
Identify, name, describe, classify and compare properties and changes.
Look at the practical uses of everyday materials.
Working Scientifically
Scientific knowledge and skills should be learned by working scientifically.
Art & Design
Use experiences and ideas as the inspiration for artwork.
Share ideas using drawing, painting and sculpture.
Explore a variety of techniques.
Learn about the work of a range of artists, artisans and designers.
Computing
Understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following a sequence of instructions.
Organise, store, manipulate and retrieve data in a range of digital formats.
Communicate safely and respectfully online, keeping personal information private and recognise common uses of information technology beyond school.
Design & Technology
Design
Design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria.
Generate develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology.
Make
Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks such as cutting, shaping, joining and finishing.
Select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics.
Evaluate
Explore and evaluate a range of existing products.
Technical knowledge
Build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable.
Explore and use mechanisms, such as levers, sliders, wheels and axles, in their products.
Cooking and nutrition
Understand where food comes from.
Geography
Investigate the world’s continents and oceans.
Investigate the countries and capitals of the United Kingdom.
Compare and contrast a small area of the United Kingdom with that of a non-European country.
Explore weather and climate in the United Kingdom and around the world.
Use world maps, atlases and globes.
History
Key events in the past that are significant nationally and globally, particularly those that coincide with festivals or other events that are commemorated throughout the year.
Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality.
Music
Use their voices expressively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes.
Play tuned and untuned instruments musically.
Listen with concentration and understanding to a range of high-quality live and recorded music.
Make and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music.
Personal Development
Discuss and learn techniques to improve in the eight areas of success.
Study role models who have achieved success.
Physical Education
Participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending.
Perform dances using simple movement patterns
Religious Education
Study the main stories of Christianity.
Study at least one other religion. Choose from Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism.