English  

This week, the children proudly finished reading Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book? by Lauren Child — and what a brilliant journey it’s been! After enjoying the final chapters, the children completed a comprehension quiz to show what they had learned. We were so impressed by how well they remembered key events, made thoughtful connections, and used evidence from the text to explain their answers. A big well done to everyone! 

With the story fresh in their minds, the children have been busy using their creativity to plan and create storyboards inspired by the book. They’ve been thinking carefully about the structure of a story and the key events that help move it along. Their ideas have been full of imagination — including new twists, characters, and unexpected adventures! 

Alongside their storyboards, the children have also been writing setting descriptions to bring their story worlds to life. We’ve focused on using adjectives and sensory language to help the reader picture where the story takes place. From enchanted forests to crumbling castles and swirling portals, the settings they’ve described have been wonderfully vivid and detailed. As always, you can support at home by encouraging your child to describe places they see in books, films, or even real life — thinking about what they might see, hear, smell, or feel in that setting. It’s a great way to build vocabulary and confidence as young writers. 

Daily phonics lessons continue to be a key part of the children’s development in both reading and writing. This week, we’ve been focusing on using Fred Fingers to help sound out and spell words — especially those that contain more sounds or tricky blends. We’ve also been working on blending sounds to decode unfamiliar words more fluently during reading activities. 

In addition, we’ve been revisiting our Red Words — those high-frequency words that can’t be sounded out using regular phonics rules, such as said, because, and come. These words need to be remembered by sight, and regular practice really helps the children build confidence when reading and writing. 

The children have also been writing their own sentences independently, concentrating on the basics that make writing clear and readable: capital letters, finger spaces, and full stops. We’re seeing fantastic progress as they grow into more confident and independent writers. 

 

Reading 

Reading at 3: Every Friday at 3, our doors will open for you to come in and enjoy a quiet read with your child. This will be for the full 15 minutes, and we kindly ask that children are not taken home early during this time. 

Reading folders: Some children are bringing home two books – one of these will be a Read Write Inc (RWI) home book, which we ask them to read three times throughout the week to help build fluency. These books will be changed by an adult. 

The second book (with the coloured sticker) should be changed independently by your child – ideally first thing in the morning. 

Some children have moved onto the Accelerated Reader programme and will be able to change their books once they’ve completed the quiz online. 
AR login: Click here 
Parent Guide: How to use Accelerated Reader 

Please ensure reading folders are placed in the trays each morning so that we can read with your child and update their books when needed. 

Chilton Heroes Reading Certificate – Each week, one child per class will be recognised for their fantastic reading in our Chilton Heroes assembly. 

 

Maths 

In maths this week, we’ve been learning how to add two-digit numbers together. To help us understand the process, we’ve been using manipulatives such as base ten blocks and number lines. These hands-on tools have helped the children visualise place value and build their confidence when working with larger numbers. It’s been great to see them using different strategies to solve problems and explain their thinking. 

 

Thematic Learning 

In our thematic learning this week, we’ve been exploring the world of plants. The children learned how to sort leaves into two categories: evergreen and deciduous, and discussed the key differences between these types of trees. We also looked at what plants need to grow, such as sunlight, water, air, and soil. The children enjoyed making observations, asking questions, and thinking like young scientists as we explored the natural world around us. 

 

Love to Learn 

This week for your Love to Learn it would be great if you could practise adding 2 digit numbers together to really solidify our Maths learning this week. As always, be as creative as you want to be! 

 

Dates to remember  

7th October – 9am Reception Harvest assembly and 2.45pm Year 3 Harvest assembly (in school hall with families invited to watch) 

8th October – 9am Year 2 Harvest assembly and 2.45pm Year 1 Harvest assembly (in school hall with families invited to watch) 

9th October - 9am Year 4 Harvest assembly and 2.45pm Year 5 and 6 Harvest assembly (in school hall with families invited to watch) 

16th October – Kent test results sent to families 

17th October – Final day of term 

 

The Year 2 Team 

Miss Maddy Kennedy – Team Sapphire – maddy.kennedy@chiltonprimary.co.uk 

Mr Josh Belsey - Team Cornflower - joshua.belsey@chiltonprimary.co.uk