A 3-Week Project-Based Learning Journey for Year 2 English Learners

After the exam season, the classroom energy shifts — calmer, yet filled with the need for something refreshing. I wanted to design a learning experience that would keep my Year 2 learners engaged, active, and joyful, while still staying true to the learning standards.

That’s how Perky Piung’s Wonderful Words Island came to life. 🌴💬

This project is a 3-week Project-Based Learning (PBL) experience where pupils use English to explore stories, express themselves, and work together in creative ways — all led by their friendly classroom mascot, Perky Piung.

🌈 Why Perky Piung?

Perky Piung is more than just a mascot — she’s a curious, kind, and adventurous little turtle who loves meeting new friends and discovering new places. 🐢💚

Her sense of wonder and courage inspires my pupils to see English as something alive — a language that helps them share who they are and connect with others.

Through Piung’s adventures, learners journey across Wonderful Words Island, a place filled with imagination, colour, and meaning.

Each week, they visit a new checkpoint on the island — from introducing themselves to talking about the people and places they love. Every stop brings new opportunities to listen, speak, read, write, and create together.

🐚 Buddy Shells: Learning Together

To make the experience collaborative and manageable, my pupils work in groups of three, called Buddy Shells. Each Buddy Shell travels around the island, completing small English missions at every checkpoint.

Because many of my learners still need strong guidance — especially when writing — I guide them closely through structured activities like fill-in-the-blank tasks, sentence frames, and guided speaking. This helps them stay confident and supported as they build their language.

However, for my more proficient learners, I give them the freedom to decide how they’d like to express their ideas. They may change or expand their sentences if they wish — a small way to nurture creativity and ownership in their learning journey.

🌞 A Project Rooted in Joy

This project isn’t about perfect grammar or polished presentations — it’s about helping learners use English with heart.

Perky Piung’s Wonderful Words Island celebrates communication, collaboration, and confidence. Through stories, drawing, and shared tasks, learners experience how English can be playful, expressive, and deeply personal.

In every session, they laugh, move, create, and discover new ways to make meaning — not because they have to, but because they want to. 💖

💬 Follow the Journey

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing highlights from Wonderful Words Island — from our first introductions to the final island celebration.

Join me (and Perky Piung!) as we discover how language, storytelling, and imagination can make learning feel like an adventure worth taking. 🌴✨

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