Maths:

In maths, we will be focusing on:

• Line graphs
• Bar charts
• Read and interpret pie charts
• The mean
• Form Expressions
• Substitution
• Formulae
• Form equations
• Solve one and two step equations
• Introduction to the ratio symbol
• Ratio and fractions
• Scale drawings

Revision in preparation for SATs

The children will also do a ‘Daily Maths Challenge’ (DMC) where they will practise and refine their calculation skills. Every week, the children will practise their arithmetic skills.  We will also practise multiplication and counting as part of our daily routine and encourage the children to take part in Times Table Rock Stars challenges both in and out of school.

English:

Our English work this half term will revolve around another beautiful book – Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill.  It tells the story of Ernest Shackleton’s polar exploration in 1914. We will use the text to stimulate and support the writing of an endurance narrative.

Each lesson will begin with sentence accuracy work where we will develop understanding of grammar, punctuation and vocabulary use.

We have a Reading lesson every day where we study a piece of text together as a class and practise skills which will help the children to make meaning of the texts that they come across independently. The next text we will share will be ‘Politics for Beginners’ by Alex Frith, Rosie Hore and Louie Stowell, illustrated by Kellan Stover.

Discovery Learning:

In Discovery Learning, the children will be looking at Robert Kett - as we only have 3 lessons this term this will be a short unit which focuses on finding out who Robert Kett was, what he became famous for and what happened to him.

Science:

In Science this half term, we will be studying how living things are classified into different groups using common observable characteristics. The children will also give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics.

In addition we will also learn about some of the scientists who have been influential in this field.

We like to nurture a strong ethos of reading for pleasure in the class and encourage regular reading both in and out of school.

We also have a WAW (Wise about Words) story time each day.  This may be sharing our class novel or a shorter book from the class collection. 

As part of our ongoing drama work with the WAW project, we will be incorporating drama games and techniques to our learning across the curriculum.

Reading is an essential part of every child’s education.  We promote reading for pleasure throughout the whole school and encourage the children to read every day.  In Year 6, staff members have made a collection of some of their favourite children’s fiction which is available to borrow from the class bookshelves. The children have diary-style planners to keep themselves organised and which are used as reading records for home reading.  We also have a ‘library card’ system where children keep a record of the books they have borrowed. The children also have a space within class where they can write recommendations and comments about the books they have read.  We expect the children to read regularly at home and to use their Reading Log as a place to reflect on their reading.  Reading for pleasure has been proven to benefit children’s mental health and wellbeing and is an indicator for success in later life.  We notice in class that children who read more have a wider vocabulary and more ideas for writing as well as being more fluent readers, which really helps with their learning across the curriculum.

An example of some (but not all) of the books we have recommended in the past can be found in the ‘100 book challenge’.

This half term, the children will be taking part in rounders and tennis lessons.  Mrs Morrell will be joining us on Thursday afternoons and will lead the P.E. lesson.

Children will need to wear their PE kit on Wednesdays and Thursdays and bring a spare pair of trainers.  They may want to bring extra layers for outdoor lessons or sunscreen and hats for warmer days.  Please ensure that children with long hair, have a band to tie it up with on PE days and that no jewellery apart from stud earrings are worn.

We will not be having Woodland sessions this half term.

Class Dojo will continue to be used this term. It is a great space where you can view photos, videos and information about what is happening in Year 6 and across the school. If you require another invitation, please don’t hesitate to ask. 

In year 6 we expect the children to read every day and to fill in their reading logs from time to time, documenting and reflecting on their reading.  Examples of good reading logs have been shared on Class Dojo and are available to look at in class.

One child a week is invited to make a contribution to the class’s Reading Scrapbook where they can write about a book they have read and recommend it to others.  The children have an opportunity to present their page of the scrapbook in our Class Book Club on Fridays.

Children will continue to be set weekly maths and English activities to complete at home. As well as this, they can choose to complete activities from the homework sheet sent to the whole school on Class Dojo.

Please can you ensure that all belongings and named (PE Kits – Wellies – School Uniform – Bags – Coats – Water bottles etc).