History Detectives

Dear Parents

Over the next few weeks Year 2 will be following a unit of work on a theme which focuses on ‘Finding out about the past’.
During this unit we will be focusing on history, science and art. We’ll also be developing our understanding of the world.

In history, we’ll be finding out:
• How we find out about the past
• The different clues that are left behind from the past
• How to sort and sequence clues from our own families’ past.

In science, we’ll be finding out:
• About the properties of different materials that have been left behind from the past
• About what happens to different materials when they are left over time.

In art, we’ll be looking closely:
• At some historical objects and
• At how artists have created those objects

We’ll also find out:
• How we can use ICT to explore, organise and present our information
• How finding out about the past helps us to understand and respect the similarities and differences between people and countries.

All of the work we are going to do has been specially written to help your child reach the learning goals. Children will be reading, researching, writing, illustrating, working on their own and working in groups. We will be checking how well your child has learned through particular activities and by asking children to explain their work, perhaps to you. We already know the interest you take in your child’s work. If you can, please discuss with your child the work they have done as the term progresses and let them teach you if they can. If your child has some work to research please help them – but without actually doing the work! If you have the chance to further their interest in the ideas of this theme please take it – but your enthusiasm and interest are most important.
In particular, please help your child to identify any objects you may have which are special to your own family’s history. You may want to talk with your children about some of the objects which mean something to you and your parents but which you don’t have with you at the moment.

By the end of the unit, we hope your child will have achieved all of the learning targets. We hope they have had an enjoyable time in the classroom. And we hope you have enjoyed seeing your child work with enthusiasm. If you have any comments about the work your child has done, please get in touch.

Kind regards

The Year Two Team