January - Weather and Water

Weather 

At the start of January, we started learning about the weather with 2A and 2B. We used lots of kinaesthetic learning approaches by getting the students to move and make actions for each type of weather whilst calling it out. he students have learnt different types of weather like 'freezing', 'sunny', 'windy', 'rainy', 'foggy' and 'cloudy' along with actions.

We watched a video about weather and they sang along to a song to help them remember the different types of weather. We did a guessing game where one student came to the front of the class and the others had to guess what weather they were acting out. Everyone was participating and putting their hands up to guess the weather. We also asked them questions about what they wear in different seasons for some good independent thinking! They seem to love this topic.

The Water Cycle

Teaching the water cycle seemed like a big challenge at the beginning because it is so complex. However, it has been one of the most memorable parts of my time with 2A and 2B because we learned all about the water cycle with song, dance and a water experiment!

The students learned all the parts of the water cycle and performed different parts in groups with lots of big actions. They really loved the action involved and remembered all the processes perfectly after a few weeks. I was so proud of them! They even showed their water cycle story to classes 4a and 4b a few weeks later. 

We also did an experiment where we put water in a plastic bag and taped it to the door. We watched how after a week, a lot of condensation had built up in the bag (just like in the atmosphere!).
They consolidated their knowledge with some fun worksheets about the water cycle, which included some colouring!

December with Teacher Daniella

Bones Review!

At the end of December, we reviewed the bones in the body (which we learned earlier on in the term!).

The best way to review content with year two is always a game! So, I picked two students at a time to stand back to back and listen to the countdown '3...2...1...0!'. When I got to zero, they turned around to face each other and I would say a bone that they needed to touch on their body.

The students love watching and playing this game and it really helped them to remember the bones in the body in English.

The next step up in the lesson was for the other students to do the countdown and say a bone for the competing students to touch. This was great as the students could practise their communicative English skills as well as observe the game when not playing it themself.

To get everyone involved the game was very quick and the slowest competitor would switch places with another student. This meant the stakes were high if you wanted to play more than once... I don't think I have seen the students so motivated!

At the end of the lesson we watched a Youtube video about bones where we could all sing and dance to help remember the bones better. This was great for kinesthetic learners who could use their body to remember the bones in their body!

Christmas

We also looked at Christmas in the UK so that they could think about how different cultures celebrate differently!

We looked at some pictures of food and games played in the UK over the Christmas period. I also asked them what they do at Christmas so they could practise conversing in English about what they do and love at Christmas time.

November

Traditions and Festivals in the UK and Spain

In November, we talked about traditions and festivals in Spain and the UK.

To start off with a communicative activity, I asked the students about 'traditional' food in Spain and what they thought of it. Then, we looked at some traditional British foods. This was a great chance to bring in some British culture as part of my role as a foreign language assistant.

This is a classic 'Afternoon Tea' in the UK, with scones, jam and clotted cream alongside black tea with milk. Teacher Maria and I drew some links between the Afternoon Tea we have in the UK and
'La Merienda' in Spain. We asked the students what they thought of the British foods and if they would like to try them one day.

I showed the class pictures of some traditions, festivals and activities in the UK and my childhood village.

They watched a video about this activity, 'May Pole Dancing', where children dance with one another using ribbons and a central pole. 

Then the class worked in their science books to identify different festivals and traditions in Spain. This was a fantastic chance to introduce them to another culture's traditions and festivals, to expand their knowledge of the Anglo world and get them to think outside of their Spanish customs and norms.