Home learning using Google 

During the outbreak, I will set work for children to complete online using Google Classroom. Please log in each day to see what is available. Today I assigned work for children currently self-isolating as a bit of a test-run.

There are still a few issues I would like to iron out and learn more about over the weekend, so please expect the next update of work to be on Monday 23rd March.

Google classroom will work on phones, although I appreciate this is not ideal.

If you cannot log on, or are having difficulty, please fall back on the work in your child’s closure pack in the first instance.

Kind regards,

Mrs Barnes-Smith

Welcome to Year Six!

Year Six is taught by Mrs Barnes-Smith, with Mrs Lee and Mrs Williams supporting. Check back often to find out what we've been learning and how you can help your child at home.

Tudor Times

This week we started our topic on the Tudors. We had a visit from Anna, who works at the Tudor House Museum in Worcester. She taught us about what items Tudors would have had, as well as what it might have been like at school. She also brought some artifacts for us to handle to help us to understand what life was like for everyday Tudor families.

Our homework this week was to either memorise and perform a sonnet, or to have a go at writing one of our own. Here are some examples - I think you'll agree, they're very good!

Spring Term 2nd Half

Having finished our topic about the American Revolution before half-term, we are now moving on to study the Tudor period and Shakespeare.

Our Theme is called "Heads or Tales" and we will be learning about the chronology of the Tudor dynasty; Henry VIII and his decision to dissolve the monasteries (as well as the impact this had on Britain for centuries to come); Elizabeth I and the Renaissance; as well as the growing role of entertainment during the Tudor period.

In English, we will be reading a child-friendly version of Shakespeare's Macbeth, which we hope will inspire us to create some powerful and dramatic writing!

As well as the craft of writing, we will look to improve our knowledge of spelling patterns through learning about:

• i before e, except after c (when the sound is ee)
• soft "c" as in circle
• word families e.g. graph, autograph, graphics
• words that can be both nouns and verbs e.g. a challenge and to challenge

Our Math lessons will focus on the areas of Percentages, Ratio, Algebra, Area and Perimeter.

During some of our foundation-subject lessons, we will:

• Learn how to draw in perspective (Art)
• Use spreadsheets to represent data (Computing)
• Identify ways to build our resilience (PSHE)
• Play tag rugby and learn Tudor dances (PE)
• Describe ourselves and others (Spanish)
• Consider the impact of the Resurrection (RE)
• Learn to play basic notes, rhythms and melodies on the recorder (Music)

We look forward to sharing our learning with you via this page, and also via Twitter.

See below for a copy of the Topic homework for this half term.

Autumn Term Learning

This half term, our theme is "Journeys" and our topics will cover the Titanic distaster as well as Shackleton's voyage to the Antarctic. Please see our topic web and newsletter below for more details.

Autumn Term 2nd Half

This half term our learning moves on to look at the theme "Revolution." In our foundation subject lessons we will be learning primarily about the USA, including the geographical features of the continent of North America and its differences from the UK; the historical developments of the War of Independence; and how modern day life in the USA is both similar and different to the UK. Our work will also include attempts to answer some difficult questions such as 'is the USA really the land of the free?'

Our Maths lessons will centre around Fractions and Decimals, whilst in English we will be using the a book called Eye of the Wolf to help us develop both creative and factual writing skills. Science lessons will focus on the topic of "Light" and we will be enjoying studying the perspective drawing skills used by Georgian architects in Art before learning about textiles and embroidery ready to create some impressive Christmas crafts!

For more information on our curriculum, please see our overview document for this half term.

General Reminders:

Homework

Homework is given out on a Monday and should be returned on a Friday. Children who do not complete their homework will be asked to do so in their break and lunch times. Homework in Year Six consists of:

• 10 spellings weekly, linked to the No Nonsense Spelling programme, or to the topic we are studying at the time.
• Topic tasks - this term children have one to complete each week.
• Maths or English - Tasks to support children in their journey towards SATs tests will alternate by subject each week.
• Reading - We expect all children in Year Six to read for a minimum of 20 minutes every day outside of school. Reading records are checked by staff on a daily basis to ensure children are completing this as it is essential for children to be able to read fluently in order to be successful in life. (The Reading SATs paper requires children to read at roughly 120 words per minute in order to access the highest levels of achievement.) https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-6-pupils-ks2-age-10-11/
• Times tables - please help your child to keep on top of their times tables by practising aloud or through games. Tables form the bedrock of much of the maths encountered in Year Six and beyond. https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/times-tables

PE - PE takes place on a Monday afternoon and a Friday afternoon. However, sometimes this may vary, so your child needs their PE kit in school every day so that they are prepared from week to week.

PE kit should consist of:

• White t-shirt or polo shirt
• Black or navy blue shorts or leggings
• Pumps or trainers (personally I prefer children to wear trainers as these provide better support for their ankles)
• Tape for earrings if they cannot be removed.

In the winter children may bring tracksuit tops and or bottoms as well if it is cold - unless it's pouring down we continue to use the outdoor facilities where possible.