Island Vehicles - Design & Technology Autumn 1 2017

As part of the Literacy topic on Katie Morag this Autumn, Year 2 children have been designing and making their own vehicles in Design and Technology lessons. We started by looking at a range of vehicles and identifying their different purposes, such as emergency, work, transport or leisure.

Next, we drew diagrams of different vehicles that would be used on Katie's Island of Struay. Then, we began to design our own purposeful vehicles, such as a tractor for Katie's Grannie, or a post van to deliver the mail.  Year 2 drew detailed labelled diagrams to show the main parts of a vehicle: wheels and axles, chassis and body. Making our models involved sawing wooden dowel for axles and understanding how to join an axle to a body, so that the wheels can still move freely.

We then used boxes and cardboard to build the vehicle body and painted our models. Finally, we used pen to draw on extra details on, such as windows and words.   All our models move well and look brilliant and everyone enjoyed having a rally in the hall!

Modern Lamps for Florence  Design & Technology  Autumn 2 2017

First, Year 2 used the Ipads to research the life of Florence Nightingale, and answer comprehension questions.  We looked at the Turkish lanterns that Florence used, to check on her injured patients in the Scutari hospital and compared these to modern, electrical lighting. Next, we had great fun investigating electrical circuits to make bulbs light up! Although it was initially quite tricky, the children then used their measuring skills to make card lanterns, which acted as covers for the plastic cups holding the electrical circuits. Finally, the card lanterns were decorated and the lamps assembled. I am really proud of the children's finished lamps!

Collage Dreams - Art and Design - Spring term 2018 

This term, Year 2 have been creating a variety of mixed-media collages. Mixed-media means using a variety of materials and our first collage was made using different types of paper. The children used coloured paper scraps, and tissue paper to create a background based on one colour only. We then glued on pieces from road maps, old stamps and pictures and words from magazines or newspapers. The children learned that it is impossible to make mistakes with collage, because you can just keep adding pieces over the top. Collages are just like jigsaws in that you play with the pieces, until they "fit" and you like what you see.

After Year 2 had made their own collages, they were inspired and felt very confident with this technique. To finish-off the collages, we then drew pictures with coloured biro pens on tissue paper and glued these over the top of their collages.

As you can see in the photos below, their final creations were stunning!

Later in the term, Year 2 researched the life and work of Henri Matisse, describing what they liked and disliked, colours, shapes and images used. Our final activity was based on drawing examples of the cut-out images Matisse used to create his famous collages, such as “The Snail.”

Summer term 1 - Design and Technology - African Animal Puppets 

This topic is linked to the Geography topic on Africa. 

First, the children looked at photos and described some animal's characteristics, such as having tusks made from ivory, or being a herbivore. Each child chose an animal and drew their design on a paper pattern template. Then we investigated a variety of different puppets, which included finger puppets, glove puppets and marionettes, to see how they were made. After selecting colours for a felt base, the children made their glove puppets by sewing the edges together and then adding details for features.

We now have a class zoo of African animal puppets, which include elephants, meerkats, monkeys and lions!