As part of our English work this term, we will be exploring The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

This classic detective novel follows the brilliant Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson as they investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville on the misty moors of Devon. With eerie legends, strange footprints, and a supposed supernatural hound haunting the Baskerville family, the story blends mystery, suspense, and gothic atmosphere to keep readers guessing until the very end.

Through this text, children will:

• Develop their skills in analysing and writing suspenseful narrative texts.

• Experiment with descriptive language to create mood, tension, and atmosphere.

• Learn how to use evidence from the text to support interpretations and inferences.

• Build towards writing their own mystery or detective stories, combining vivid description with clear structure and engaging characters.

The children are continuing their maths learning journey, focusing on place value and number bonds. They will also develop their 4-operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), using maths mastery to break down the problems pictorially, as well as using formal methods of calculation. We will also be developing their fluency and arithmetic skills regularly, using a combination of short e-learning and shorter sessions in the afternoons. 

This is an important year for Year 6, and so we will be spending a great deal of time reinforcing and consolidating prior learning, as well as moving forward with greater mathematical challenges. 

In our Discovery Learning unit this term, Kittiwakes will be exploring Ancient Greece and how this remarkable civilisation has influenced the world.

We’ll be delving into Greek myths and legends through The Odyssey, learning about the gods, heroes, and adventures that shaped their stories. As part of this journey, the children will also have the opportunity to create and perform their own Greek play, bringing history and storytelling to life.

In our Science studies this term, we’ll be exploring Changes of State.

Throughout the unit, children will be challenged to work scientifically — planning and carrying out investigations, exploring questions, and researching with a clear purpose. They will develop their understanding of how materials can change between solid, liquid, and gas through processes such as melting, freezing, evaporation, and condensation. Children will also explore how temperature affects these changes and learn to represent their findings using diagrams, data, and scientific vocabulary.

Our Big Question for this term is:
“How has belief in Christianity and Islam impacted on music and art throughout history?”

To explore this, children will take part in a series of creative, discussion-based lessons. We will:

• Explore how Christian and Islamic beliefs have inspired artists, architects, and musicians across different times and cultures.

• Reflect on examples such as church hymns, Islamic calligraphy, stained glass, and geometric patterns, considering how faith is expressed through artistic forms.

• Discuss how religious ideas and values are communicated through art and music, and how these works continue to influence people today.

• Compare and contrast the ways in which both faiths use creativity as a form of worship and expression.

Much of our learning and discussion will be guided by the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education and the Diocese of Norwich’s recommendations.

his term, our PSE and Philosophy for Children focus will be ‘My Feelings’.

As part of this learning, children will:

• Explore different understandings and definitions of belief and reflect on how people form their views.

• Explain the Christian concept of belief, considering how faith shapes the lives of believers.

• Describe the Humanist concept of belief and explain how Humanists decide what is true without reference to religion.

• Discuss Pascal’s Wager and consider what might count as a rational perspective.

• Debate and reflect on the question: “Is war ever necessary?”, learning to listen, reason, and express their own ideas with respect.

These sessions will encourage thoughtful discussion, critical thinking, and emotional awareness, helping children to understand themselves and others more deeply.

In Art and Design this term, children will be exploring different features of 3d sculpture and 3d design, looking at how we can create artistic pieces using sketching and different materials. The children will learn a variety of techniques, using a range of tools to create their pieces bof art.

As part of our music unit, the children will be exploring 'Sea Shanties'. Using their chorus and rhythm keeping skills, the children will explore and develop their melody skills, whilst decoding and analysing further examples of sea shanties. 

In our Computing unit this term, the children will be exploring Coding.

They will learn:

• How to design, write, and debug programs using coding platforms suited to their age and experience.

• How to use sequencing, repetition, selection, and variables to create more complex and efficient programs.

• How coding can be used to solve problems, control digital devices, and bring creative ideas to life.

• The importance of logical thinking, perseverance, and collaboration when developing and testing code.

We will continue our weekly Spanish lessons this term, focusing on greetings and key conversational phrases to support the children’s growing understanding of the language.

Our learning will be:

• Conversation-based, with children encouraged to speak Spanish as much as possible.

• Recorded in their Spanish notebooks, allowing them to track and reflect on their progress.

• Supported by practice around the school, including memorising Spanish nouns, verbs, and sentence structures.

• Enhanced through guidance from El Señor Williams (Mr Williams) and the use of online learning apps such as Duolingo.

Children will be encouraged to actively practise their Spanish in class and beyond, building confidence and fluency in everyday communication.

This term in P.E., the children will be focusing on Tag Rugby and OAA (Outdoor Adventurous Activities).

• Hockey: Children will develop evasion and invasion-based skills

• Gymastics: A range of activities, based on movement and flexibility

Timetable:

• Wednesday mornings – P.E. led by Mrs Morrell

• Friday mornings – P.E. led by Mr Williams

Children should continue to wear appropriate clothing for outdoor activity and be prepared for all weathers.

As the seasons change, it’s a wonderful opportunity for children to explore nature in a safe and educational way. Our woodland sessions will not only develop a love of the outdoors but will also be linked to English and science-based learning.

Important details:

• Outdoor learning will take place on Thursdays.

• Children should come dressed in long sleeves and trousers.

• Please provide a change of footwear; wellies are recommended from October onwards.

These sessions will encourage curiosity, teamwork, and hands-on learning in a natural environment.

Class Dojo is our main form of communication with parents. If you have not yet signed up for Class Dojo and would like to, please do not hesitate to come and see us.  We are more than happy to help if you are having difficulty accessing this.  It's a great space where you can view photos, videos and information about all the amazing things that are happening in our classroom and around the school. It gives you the chance to see what your children have been learning in school each week, giving you the opportunity to talk to them at home about what they have been doing.

We also use the Kittiwakes Google Classroom for our digital learning in school.

There will be a few home learning tasks to complete each week. These include: weekly spellings (set on a Monday), Local History Study tasks and SAT revision (only for Year 6).

The Local area-themed home learning opportunities involve a range of skills that can be completed at home. 

Year 6 children are also expected to complete the following work each week as part of their home learning to support them in their journey towards SATs:

1. One test from their Maths SATs Practice Book

2. One test from their English SATs Practice Book

3. One test from their GPS SATs Practise Book

4. Practise and learn their individual spellings

As part of Child Net Film Competition 2023, the Kittiwakes class were tasked with making a film all about how to talk about how to stay safe online.

After a class discussion, the group began planning a few ideas and solutions of how to talk about online safety. From this, they came up with three clear actions: Tell - Block - Report

Then using their amazing film planning and making skills, the group worked on animations, props and a script, before putting together this short film.

Check out the film below:

The film has now won the Into Film 'Film of the Month' award in January 2024! Who knows what's next!