Maths:

In maths, we will be focusing on covering and consolidating topics that the
children have shown less confidence in and need to consolidate before they
move up to Key Stage 3. We will, therefore, keep practising written methods of
calculation and aspects of shape, space and geometry.
The children will also do a ‘Daily Maths Challenge’ (DMC) where they will
practise and refine their calculation skills. Every week, the children will
complete a ‘Big 30’ timed exercise to 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 a beautiful and haunting
book – ‘Paradise Sands’ by Levi Pinfold which tells the story in both words and
images, of the discovery, by four children, of a mysterious building ruled over
by a magnificent beast known as ‘The Teller’. We will use the text to stimulate
and support the writing of a longer narrative in addition to shorter incidental
texts.
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
Grimm Tales retold by Philip Pullman.

Discovery Learning:

Science:

In science this half term, we will continue to explore the classification of living
things. We will describe how living things are classified into broad groups
according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and
differences, including micro-organisms, plants and animals. The children will
also be expected to give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on
specific characteristics. We will also learn about some of the scientists who
have been influential in this field. Following on from this, the children will
identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe
the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood. They will recognise the
impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function
and describe the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within
animals, including humans.

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 athletics and touch rugby
lessons. Mrs Morrell will be joining us on Thursday afternoons for athletics and
Sol will lead the rugby lessons.
Children will need to wear their PE kit on Mondays and Thursdays and bring
trainers. They may want to bring suncream and hats. 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.

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