Welcome to Year 6
Year 6 Curriculum Map
Welcome to Year 6- the final year of their primary school journey, I imagine it has gone fast! The children have started this important year with their best foot forwards and it has been a really enjoyable first week or so.
Topic Book
Our topic this half term will be World War 1 and linked to Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo. It is a novel about a boy called Tommo who fights in the trenches with his older brother, Charlie. Not only does it give a vivid and fascinating insight into life as a soldier, but it takes us through his childhood (which is very different from the modern day). I am excited to start reading the book this week!
English
This term, our topic is World War 1. Although this will form a large proportion of our English lessons, I am aware that this is quite a meaty and often melancholy topic so I will be supplementing it with other themes and texts which will give some light relief!
Please ensure your child is reading at the very least 3 times per week at home to support them, not just reading independently but also with an adult or sibling, allowing for discussions around what they have read. Children will be provided with a reading record and I ask that they fill in new words or phrases they have found 3 times a week. To be successful this year, it is imperative they develop a broad and in-depth knowledge of precise vocabulary and can infer meaning from what they have read. A parent or carer should then sign off what they have written. We will check the planners every week. The reason we have switched to planners is so that children can write important notices or details of homework (when necessary)- this is one of the ways we hope to transition them to life as a pupil in high school.
Maths
Our topics this half term are place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We do encourage as much participation on Times Tables Rockstars and Mathletics as possible with three tasks set per week. I know there have been the odd problems with Mathletics in the past so please get in touch if your child experiences any issues completing the tasks so that I can investigate.
RE
We will be learning about the Jewish faith this half term. This will mean both looking at cornerstones of their faith and also customs for the people who follow that faith.
Computing
In computing this half term, we will be learning about webpage creation.
PE
In PE, we will be doing gymnastics on Wednesdays and Tag Rugby on THURSDAYS- there has been a last minute change to the PE timetable so we no longer do it on Fridays. The children can be in PE kit both days but must remember to remove jewellery on those days please.
Music
In music, our topic is ‘Developing Melodic Phrases’. This will mean a focus on upbeat music, following the Charanga music scheme.
Art
We will be inspired by L.S. Lowry and will do a portrait of a WW1 soldier.
DT
Our topic will be ‘Digital World’ which we will start mid-way through the half term.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information and please do not hesitate to be in touch.
Kind regards,
Mr Smithson and Mr Gleeson
Year 6 Class Blog
New Year, New Words
Peter Dalrymple (PDalrymple) on: Year 6 Class Blog
As well as what we read in Year 6 being really engaging (that's the plan, anyway!), it throws up lots of new ambitious vocabulary. Not only do we ask children, parents and carers to make a note of these new words at home in their reading records, but we also celebrate rich vocabulary in the classroom. Here are all the words we have been learning so far- please feel free to practise these at home too!
Year 6 Masterchefs!
Peter Dalrymple (PDalrymple) on: Year 6 Class Blog
We finished our 'Healthy Living Week' project at the start of this week and the children did themselves proud; the food looked really professional and tasted great. We even did a 'Come Dine With Me' style competition. Here are some photos of what we produced- my mouth is watering just looking at them!
A Busy Healthy Living Week
Peter Dalrymple (PDalrymple) on: Year 6 Class Blog
Healthy Living Week has been an engaging and educational experience, dedicated to promoting well-being and essential life skills. The week began with an invigorating "Wake Up Shake Up" session, encouraging students to start their day with physical activity. We also participated in an informative fire safety talk, learning crucial strategies to prevent and respond to fires.
A highlight of the week has been our healthy Mexican menu project. Students researched, planned, budgeted, and designed nutritious Mexican dishes for a cooking competition, which will conclude next week with a practical cooking session. This activity not only fostered culinary skills but also emphasized the importance of balanced nutrition and financial planning.
In addition, we practiced mindfulness and flexibility through yoga sessions, promoting mental and physical health. To round off the week, we completed a first aid course, equipping students with vital skills to handle emergencies confidently.
Throughout Healthy Living Week, students have developed problem-solving abilities, built confidence, and acquired important life skills. These activities have underscored the significance of maintaining safety and health, both mentally and physically, and have provided practical knowledge that students can carry forward into their daily lives.
Programming in Computing
Peter Dalrymple (PDalrymple) on: Year 6 Class Blog
NEW BOOKS!
Peter Dalrymple (PDalrymple) on: Year 6 Class Blog
Thanks to money raised by the PTA, we have been able to add several new books to our 'Year 6 Reading Corner'. The children are so excited to read them; every child is now reading a new book! We have started a 'Year 6 Book Club', where children are reading together and then recommending books to others.
Some of these new books have been put into a separate basket called 'Celebrating Diversity' with books that celebrate people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. A book that Mr Smithson highly recommends is 'Boy 87' by Ele Fountain, a book about a boy who is forced to leave his home country, travel thousands of miles and ends up making a dangerous passage on a small boat to Europe.
Feel free to buy/borrow this book or any others from a local library or book shop- why not ask one of the Year 6 children which one they look forward to reading?
