With play rehearsals out of the way, we have not been slacking in the least! There is work to be done and Yew Class have been busy, busy, busy!
In Science we have looked at what happens when we mix various substances: strawberries and milk, Weetabix and milk and so on. The children conducted a fair test to find out which mixture makes the best bubbles. Was it shampoo and water, shower gel and water or washing up liquid and water? We have a class of champion mixers who can make observations and talk about them.
On Wednesday, we joined forces with Beech Class for a day of team building and co-operation skills. This included parachute games, followed by everyone painting at the same time! This necessitated moving furniture around, rolling up the huge mat and distributing ‘messy’ resources. I was amazed at how efficiently the Y1s and Y2s organised themselves to get the job done. The reward was 45 minutes of bliss, painting and chatting with friends. I feel the children were in a better place and more relaxed afterwards.
Towards the end of the week, Yew children created some lovely poems: Kennings with Miss Barton and Limericks with me. Please see examples of both below.
Have a lovely weekend everyone.


Audra Fitzgerald

What a week it has been. I am so proud of the children and how they have conducted themselves. Mr Finch commended on Yew Class’ mature attitude in Wednesday's assembly and we were first to leave to get ready for home time.
The week got off to a roaring start on Tuesday, with our puppet making workshop. Non other than Todd, who has worked in Hollywood making puppets for hugely successful films, led the session. The children made bespoke puppets which will feature in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Looking forward to this term’s curriculum, here is a flavour of what we will be covering:
Maths: Telling the time and measuring mass, capaity and temperature
English: Read, Write Inc and Language and Literacy – we're looking at Fairy Tales currently
Science: Mixing and Making, focusing on liquids and solids and changing states
Geography: The Seven Continents – identifying features of different continents
RE: What does it mean to be Jewish?
PE: Outdoor games with ‘Saints’ and ‘Real PE’ scheme
Music: ‘Voices’ initiative continued
Computing: Issues around internet safety
PSHE: Continuing our whole school ‘Scarf’ scheme
I will provide more information about our art curriculum next week. In the meantime, enjoy this week’s photos.

Summer must be just around the corner; tests are over, we’ve all had an ice-cream (even Mr Finch) and Yew Class have been planting sunflowers in the school garden. We’ve even anticipated the arrival of sunnier days in our morning singing practice!
A hefty thank you to Nicky, Chloe and Julia for facilitating a post-SATs treat. On Tuesday afternoon, the children planted out the sunflower seedlings that they had cultivated in class. Volunteers had already cleared the bed for us, and collected trowels for the children to use. Chloe and Nicky helped the children with planting. Afterwards, Chloe delighted the children by serving up ‘99s’ in the playground. Even the sun made an appearance: just beautiful!
On Monday Lydia, the director of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ran a workshop to teach the Year 2s and 4s a dance which will be performed in the play. Lydia is an inspiring teacher, and expertly choreographed the performance. I was hugely impressed by the results after just half an hour’s practice. Well done Lydia!
It’s been a struggle to fit everything in this week and, if I’m honest, this half-term. There is so much going on, which creates a real buzz around school. It is so lovely to be doing the things we have all missed. On Wednesday, the children made their prints of King Tut. They worked with rollers and ink to produce stunning images, which will form a display in our corridor. There will also be a copy to take home.
Have a fantastic half-term.
Very best wishes,
Audra Fitzgerald

Reading SATs can be ticked off the list of things to do this term. On Monday and Tuesday, the children gave 100% in terms of effort and were truly focused; I was so proud of them all. In honesty, I believe they enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to work quietly, in a small group with few distractions. At the same time next week, we have Maths SATs, with Arithmetic first then Reasoning the day after. The children have been doing 10 minutes of arithmetic practice as their early morning work since the start of term, so it will be interesting to see whether the short bursts of regular practice have had an impact.
In English, the children have been learning to recognise persuasive language in the playscript we have been studying (Oh Gnome!) and in adverts and leaflets. We have been using persuasive phrases in role-play scenarios and have made our own adverts for a cake sale, using powerful adjectives to tempt the reader to come along and buy the ‘delicious cakes made from healthy, fresh ingredients’. Yes, we talked about how adverts can use exaggeration in order to get you to buy things!
History has merged with art this week, as the children learnt to draw the tomb of King Tut. I was hugely impressed with their line drawings, each one different and a reflection of their own creative style. I have included several examples below. Next week, we will transform these images into prints using ink and ‘press-print’.
Things you can do to help your child next week:
· Listen to your child read daily
· Share stories of previous Jubilee celebrations
· Access ‘Times Tables Rock Stars’ to help with our ‘skip counting’ in class
Have a wonderful weekend. I will see you all on Monday.
Best wishes,
Audra Fitzgerald

Can your child walk like an Egyptian? Maybe, maybe not. However, this week we have thought carefully about the importance of the River Nile to the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Yew class discussed the 9 reasons why the Nile was essential to the civilization and then ordered them in importance in a 9 square diamond (see photo below). The class put ‘important for washing in’ at the bottom of the diamond, but Morgan disagreed saying that washing would prevent disease and illness and should be at the top of the diamond.
Maths this week has been interactive, with jumping clockwise/anti-clockwise, 90 degree turns, moving to the left/right and so on. The children have become robots, being programmed by a partner (giving instructions about position and movement), they have followed instructions to find a pirate’s treasure on a map and have used ‘Scratch’ to create video clips, using the language of geometry.
Next week, our Year 2s will be doing the government statutory tests in Maths and Reading. It will all be very low key, and the children will work in small groups to complete the tests on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Miss Coleman will teach those children not working in my group. The test format is very familiar to Yew Class, as we use past papers to assess the children at the end of each term. I think the class will enjoy the change of routine and some ‘special time’ working in a small group.
Things you can do to help your child next week:
o Practise knowing left from right
o Research the archaeologist Howard Carter and the discovery of Tutankhamun
o Read with your child daily
o Practise counting in 3s and 4s
Very best wishes,
Audra Fitzgerald

We have had a remarkably busy and positive week in Yew Class. On Tuesday, Paul from Devon Wildlife gave the children some fascinating information about Winston the woodlouse’s relatives. Did you know that woodlice are related to crabs, lobsters and shrimps? Woodlice are the only relatives that live on land.
Paul challenged the children to build a habitat for Winston in our forest school area. Tabitha made a parasol out of a leaf and twig so that Winston does not dry out on a hot, sunny day. Aimee made sure that he has plenty of dark, damp areas. Frankie provided hiding places from predators and Jenson made the biggest, most elaborate ‘rock pool’ type structure that could house Winston and his extended family. Next week will be our final session, and we plan to make bug hotels from recycled and natural materials.
In Maths, the children have dived deeper into ‘Measure’, solving problems involving the 4 operations. Yesterday, Miss Barton had the children measuring how far they could leap and throw a pom-pom. Today, Yew Class worked collaboratively in teams of 4 to explore how to divide a Milky Way (other confectionary is available) into quarters, ensuring that nobody got the smallest piece!
We examined modern day Egypt this week with a view to investigating the Ancient Egyptians next time. It would be helpful if children could research images of Tutankhamun ready for Wednesday; any pictures would be welcome in school. I am hoping to incorporate some artwork related to our History topic.
Things you could do to help your child this week:
· Encourage them to read each day
· Talk about clockwise and anti-clockwise directions
· Look for synonyms: words that have the same meaning and can be used in place of another – e.g. mischievous/rascally
Have a lovely weekend.
Audra Fitzgerald

​It has been lovely to see everyone again. The summer term can be lots of fun, and I’m looking forward to being able to do more outdoor learning, sports, gardening and so on with Yew Class.

We’ve had such an eventful first week back, with our literary visitors who have championed the cause of reading for pleasure in such a splendid way. Sarah McIntyre had KS1 in the palm of her hand for almost an hour when she read her bestselling book, ‘Grumpycorn’. This was followed by a masterclass in drawing ‘Grumpycorn’......but with a twist. Yew Class painted their illustrations, then made up their own stories based on the above. We had Chipocorn, Pizzacorn, Chicken Nuggetcorn and many more. The work will be displayed in our classroom, so feel free to take a peep through the window.

This half term is going to be jam packed with learning:

English: Literacy and Language or RWI (depending on groupings)

Maths: Measurement: height and length (using a ruler)

Science: Changing Materials – sand to glass etc.

Humanities: History – The Ancient Egyptians

RE: ‘Good News’ message that Christians believe Jesus brings

Computing: ‘Kapow’ - creating media with motion

PSHE: thinking about how we can be the best we can be at school and in the community

Music: Daily learning and singing short songs

We will be doing art each week, but need to check resources and confirm plans. Please excuse this short blog entry: it’s been a busy week. I will have more news and information for you next time. Until then, please encourage your child to read daily. Those on Accelerated Reader should quiz and change books regularly; there will be time to do this during the school day.

Enjoy the long weekend!
​
Audra Fitzgerald

Hello Year 2 parents and carers, 
 
What a half-term we've had! The children have done some great learning and have settled in as a Year 2 class very well! I'm proud to see their progress, creativity, and care for each other. 
 
As I'm sure you'll have seen in Mr. Finch's email, unfortunately I won't be able to come back to Chagford Primary after Easter. I know it's a shame for the children to have to go through yet another transition. Luckily, they'll have a known and friendly face in Mrs. Fitzgerald, who I know will offer them the help they need. 
 
I wanted to thank you for all your support during this short time when we have worked together!
 
Best wishes, 
Miss Queiroz