Persevering Pioneers
Welcome to Year 6, and what an amazing year we are going to have! We have lots and lots of exciting learning to do in the forthcoming weeks with the school rules (being ready, being respectful and being safe) at the heart of all we do.
I have attached the knowledge organisers which go with each of these topics as well as ideas, which the children can do at home for extra homework, to further their learning. When children do any tasks at home, please bring these into school to share at the end of each half term – extra dojo rewards will be rewarded for these.
Homework:
Homework will be given weekly. DUE IN WEDNESDAY. The children will be asked to complete:
· 15 minutes of their reading books at least 3x per week (dairies will be checked every Friday.)
· Times tables practise (here's a link to TT Rockstars - children should have their log ins in their reading diaries) https://ttrockstars.com/
· Two pieces of written homework given on a Friday (Spag and maths related - due in on a Wednesday)
· Spellings to learn on alternate weeks. Here's a link to the Y5/6 words:
In addition to the above additional homework includes:
· Selection of creative topic work (from the working at home ideas sheet) –to be handed in at the end of each half term.
If you have any questions about any of this information or other questions not relating to this please do not hesitate to contact me.
MAAFA - History
This project teaches children about Africa past and present, with a particular focus on Benin. It traces the development of the slave trade and explores Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, the causes and consequences of the European colonisation of Africa and the worldwide communities that make up the African diaspora.
PSHE
Prejudice and discrimination; Diversity and multiculturism
Suggested text
Freedom - Catherine Johnson
Memorable experience
Exploring Africa today
Innovate challenge
Inspirational black Britons
History
Ancient African kingdoms; Development of the transatlantic slave trade; Britain's role in the slave trade; Human impact; Everyday life on plantations; Rebellion and marronage; Causes and consequences of the abolition of the slave trade and slavery; Colonisation of Africa; Black people in 20th century Britain; Race Relations Act; Equality Act; Significant black Britons; Multiculturalism
English
Newspaper reports; Persuasive letters; Non-chronological reports; Acrostic poems
Geography
Africa – countries, land use, natural resources, location, settlements, population, climate and physical features
Reading
Super, super excited to state that our main book this term is The Arrival (Shaun Tan). This is a visually stunning book focusing on factors surrounding migration and allows for some great inference work, whilst holding extremely mature conversations linked to daily media stories from around the World. This book will also allow us to do some fantastic descriptive writing later in the term.
Reading boosters will be running after school for some children. Please check letters home and Dojo messages about these. This will allow us to focus on the needs of your child and work within a much smaller group.
Writing
We continue where we left off last year and continue to write some fantastic pieces of work, all with different purposes and aimed at different audiences. We will be starting off looking at how speech can be used within a story to show hidden emotions and intentions of a character and also to push the story on. We will be writing non-chronological reports based on Ancient African Kingdoms. We will be writing persuasive letters to our headteacher to allow us to have a furry friend in class (more on this later in the term!) and we will be writing poetry based on famous pioneers.
Maths
This term in maths, we revisit and consolidate the building blocks of maths. We start of focusing on place value and what makes a number a number. We move onto the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and introduce long division. I will be posting videos to help children with this skill as I know many parents were taught a different method, or may have forgotten long division since their time in year 6!
Science
This half term's science is focused on our bodily systems, namely the circulatory system. We investigate how the heart works, the function of blood and the effects of our diet, drugs or alcohol on our heart. We will also be dissecting a heart to study the anatomical features. Later in the term, and with the help of Rotherham United, we will be focusing on how to stay healthy and how to create a healthy diet (with links to our DT which focused on creating a healthy, balanced meal).
RE
In RE this term, our topics are God and Gospel. We will be looking at why Coventry Cathedrale is so famous and inspiring and discussing scenarios and answering What would Jesus Do?
Computing
This term, we have lots on amazing projects in computing ranging from coding to online safety. This is supplemented with a trip to Crucial Crew where we will be discussing online safety with local Police Officers and Judges.
LINKS TO KNOWLEDGE ORGANISORS
Many thanks for all of your continued support.
Again, please do not hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions.
Mr L