Celebration of Learning

Overview

Year group: 2
Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 30
Unit: Exploring Habitats and Conservation (Lesson 18 of 20)
National Curriculum links:

• English - Spoken language: Pupils should be taught to participate in discussions, listen and respond appropriately (English Appendix 2: spoken language years 1-2)
• English - Reading comprehension: Develop pleasure in reading, motivation to read, vocabulary and understanding (English Programmes of Study, Key Stage 1)
• Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE): Developing confidence, communication skills and understanding others.

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT: Celebrate our achievements by showcasing and explaining our habitat and conservation projects to others.

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Success Criteria

• I can clearly explain my project to visitors using appropriate vocabulary.
• I can listen respectfully to questions and respond in full sentences.
• I work collaboratively in my assigned exhibition role.
• I can demonstrate enthusiasm and pride in my work.

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National Curriculum Links

• English Spoken Language (Years 1-2):
  • Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play, improvisations and debates.
  • Articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions.
  • Use spoken language to develop understanding through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas.
• English Reading (Years 1-2):
  • Develop pleasure in reading, vocabulary, and understanding.
• PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education):
  • Building confidence to speak in front of groups.
  • Recognising and respecting others’ achievements.

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Resources

• Completed project materials (posters, models, worksheets) from previous lessons.
• Display boards/tables for exhibition.
• Name tags and role badges (e.g., presenter, helper, greeter).
• Question prompt cards for visitors.
• Stickers or certificates for celebration.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Warm-up (10 minutes)

• Welcome class warmly and explain the purpose of today’s lesson: to share and celebrate all their hard work on habitats and conservation projects.
• Discuss the importance of speaking clearly and listening carefully when explaining their work.
• Recap the success criteria.
• Assign exhibition roles:
  • Teachers differentiate based on strengths and needs, e.g., confident speakers as presenters, reflective learners as helpers to support younger/less confident peers.
  • Some children may work in pairs or small groups for peer support.
• Role-play a quick mini-example of how to explain a project and answer a question.

2. Exhibition Preparation (15 minutes)

• Children spend time setting up their project work at their designated exhibition space (tables/displays).
• Teacher and teaching assistants help guide children with tidying and highlighting key points to showcase.
• Encourage children to practise explaining their projects to a partner or adult.
• Use prompting questions to help children recall key facts and vocabulary from the unit (e.g., What is the habitat? Why is it important to protect it?).

3. Exhibition Event (25 minutes)

• Invite other classes, school staff, and (if practical) parents to attend the exhibition.
• Children take on their roles (presenter, helper, greeter) and share their learning.
• Encourage children to speak confidently, use full sentences, and refer to facts learnt during the unit.
• Visitors use question prompt cards to ask simple, relevant questions to encourage extended speaking and interaction.
• Teachers and assistants circulate, providing positive feedback and encouraging all children, especially those who are shy or less confident.

4. Reflection and Celebration (10 minutes)

• Gather all children for a circle time discussion.
• Prompt reflection: What did you enjoy about sharing your project? What did you learn from listening to others?
• Award certificates or stickers celebrating participation, effort, or creativity.
• Discuss how looking after habitats helps real animals and plants in the world.
• Briefly preview the final two lessons which will reflect and consolidate key learning.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For learners working towards the objective:
  • Provide sentence starters and key vocabulary cards (e.g., “My habitat is...”, “I protect it by...”).
  • Allow paired presentations or supporting roles where they can contribute without speaking in front of large groups.
• For learners working at expected standard:
  • Encourage independent presentations and answering simple questions confidently.
• For greater depth learners:
  • Enable them to act as ‘lead guides’ explaining more detailed knowledge, answering challenging questions, and helping peers.
  • Encourage use of habitat-specific terminology and why conservation matters globally.

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Extension Activities

• Invite parents/carers to the exhibition event, encouraging a wider audience and community involvement.
• Create personalised “thank you” postcards from the children to visitors, reflecting on why habitats matter.
• Record short video clips of children explaining their projects to practise digital literacy and oral skills.
• Children write a short recount of the exhibition experience in their English journals or create a class newsletter article about the event.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation of children's spoken explanations and interaction during the exhibition.
• Use checklist based on success criteria to note individual confidence, vocabulary use and engagement.
• Teacher notes strengths and next steps for speaking & listening skills as part of ongoing assessment.

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This lesson provides a purposeful and memorable context for Year 2 pupils to demonstrate and consolidate their knowledge in spoken English about habitats, while celebrating their achievements in a supportive environment aligned perfectly with the National Curriculum requirements.