Happy Friday, everybody! It has been a busy week in Key Stage 1 and we have been fully getting to grips with our new project "At The Seaside" - without the beach holiday temperatures!
Year 2 SATs 2022
As you may be aware, end of year tests are returning for the Year 2 children after being suspended for the last couple of years due to COVID. We wanted to spend a little time here explaining what these are and how we tackle them at Down Hall.
During May, all Year 2 children have to undertake two reading comprehension tests, two maths tests and a GPS test (grammar, punctuation and spelling). Although these are statutory for most children, we use the results of these test to inform our end of year assessments rather than dictate them. This is important because it means that if your child is feeling a little under the weather or just not having a good morning for whatever reason on the day of a test, we can take this into account when assessing them at the end of the year.
It is also important to know that all the children have taken numerous practice test papers over the course of their time in Year 2. We use these to inform our ongoing assessments and plan for future learning so they do not find the process of sitting these tests unduly stressful - in fact many children seem to enjoy it!
There are no set days on which the tests are carried out, so long as they are performed during May and in previous years the children have never commented on anything out of the ordinary taking place - they are just like any other day in class. If you have any questions about the SATs please just come and speak to us at the end of the day.
Maths Homework
This week we would like you to look at pages 52-53.
For Year 1's this looks at money. We are increasingly living in a world where people do not have as much contact with coins as in the past. It is important, therefore, that the children are aware of the different coins we have and how different coins are worth different amounts.
For Year 2's, this is continuing to look at money. In this instance it is finding totals and giving change.
For both Year groups, the games on the link below are very good for reinforcing these ideas:
Don't forget to keep up all your fantastic efforts with your reading at home as well as either your phonics or comprehension homework books - it will make a huge impact on your child's reading development.
As always, we are available on our Key Stage 1 email. However, we would encourage you to come and see us at the end of the day if there are any issues or questions that you have. Just come down the steps to see us!
Have a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend!
Much love
Mr Jude, Mrs Yuille, Mrs O'Connor & Miss Langley
