Autumn Term 

In Year 2, children begin the autumn term with the project Living things and their habitats. They then study the project Humans and they learn about the survival needs of humans.

Spring Term - Plant Survival

In the Plant Survival project, your child will learn the names of the different parts of a plant and how they grows. They observe how the seasonal changes affect how plants grow. They will learn how new plants can grow from seeds and bulbs and what they need to germinate. They will use their observational skills to find out where plants like to grow and investigate what plants need to grow and stay healthy. Your child will then use their research skills to find out about some unusual plants.

The objectives covered for this unit are:

• I can 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.
• I can identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats.
• I can observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants.
• I can find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy.

The working scientifically objectives we cover are: 

• I can ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
• I can observe closely, using simple equipment.
• I can perform simple tests.
• I can identify and classify.
• I can use my observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
• I can gather and record data to help in answering questions.

Please find below a knowledge organiser for this unit. This will show you everything we need to learn.

Spring Term - Materials 

In the Uses of Materials project, your children will learn the names and uses of everyday materials. They will find that materials can be shaped in different ways to make them more useful. They will test how different materials can be shaped and whether they will return to their original shape. They will learn that the properties of materials mean they can be used in different ways and that objects are made from materials that have suitable properties for their purpose. They will find that objects can be made from one material or more than one material and that the same object can be made from different materials with similar properties. Your child will label objects with their materials and think about their properties and uses. They will learn about paper and test the properties of different paper types. They will also find out about recycling and sustainability.

The objectives covered in this unit are: 

• I can identify and compare the suitability of a variety of everyday materials, including wood, metal, plastic, glass, brick, rock, paper and cardboard for particular uses.
• I can find out how the shapes of solid objects made from some materials can be changed by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching.

The working scientifically objectives covered are:

• I can ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
• I can observe closely, using simple equipment.
• I can perform simple tests.
• I can identify and classify.
• I can use my observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
• I can gather and record data to help in answering questions.

Please find below a knowledge organiser for this unit, which will show you everything we need to learn.

Summer Term - Animal Survival 

In the Animal Survival project, your child will revisit prior learning about habitats. They will learn about invertebrates and their characteristics. They will learn about microhabitats and go outside to identify and observe living things in various microhabitats. They will identify and research what an observed animal needs to survive and will construct simple food chains, learning the terms ‘producer’ and ‘consumer.' They will explore how humans can harm and help animals’ habitats and visit the school grounds to look at ways habitats are already being supported and potential improvements. Children will learn about the offspring of different animal groups, matching parents to their offspring. They will order the stages in animals’ life cycles and investigate the life cycle of an insect, observing it over time. They will revisit learning about the four seasons and explore how animals’ behaviour changes across the seasons and how this links to their life cycles. Children will plan and make habitat improvements within the school grounds, evaluating the success of their habitat improvements by collecting firsthand data.

The objectives covered in this unit are: 

• I can 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.
• I can identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats.
• I can 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.
• I can notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults.
• I can find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including humans, for survival (water, food and air).

The working scientifically objectives covered are: 

• I can ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
• I can observe closely, using simple equipment.
• I can perform simple tests. 
• I can identify and classify. 
• I can use my observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
• I can gather and record data to help in answering questions.

Here is a knowledge organiser for this unit, which tells you all we need to know.