Maths
Our Maths lessons incorporate the four 'big ideas' of Maths - fluency, variation, mathematical thinking and different representations and structures. By showing the children a variety of ways that problems and questions can be presented, this equips them with the tools they need to find solutions.
Each Maths lesson begins with a Fluency Five session - 5 questions based around the current focus in lessons or 5 arithmetic style questions to revise for their end of year SATs. The children are offered the opportunity to experiment and conjecture theories within what we are learning. This can be a statement that can be proved always, sometimes or never true or leading them to find a generalisation. For example, one of the generalisations we have found this year is that the difference between each subsequent square number is the odd numbers going up in order.
Within this, we are building coherence between all that we do in Maths to best prepare our children for their transition into secondary school.
Writing
Autumn Term - Book foci: The Colour of Hope by Ross Mackenzie and Holes by Louis Sachar
Genres: narratives, biographies, descriptive writing
Spring Term - Book foci: When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kereen Getten and Boy, Everywhere by A. M. Dassu
Genres: newspaper reports to discuss, comparative essays, explanation texts, campaigns
Summer Term - Book foci: When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle and Can You See Me? by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott
Genres: narratives, descriptive writing, advertisements, war inspired poetry
Reading
We have four 30 minute Whole Class Reading lessons per week: two about our current class novel and two that will supplement our wider curriculum. In Year 6, we expect the children to read a minimum of 60 pages per week. This is checked by Mr Collinge and Mr Wilcox on a weekly basis to monitor reading.
We use the AR (Accelerated Reader) scheme to allow the children to quiz their books after reading. These quizzes showcase their understanding and help us to ensure the children are reading an appropriate level book.
For some inspiring book choices, please follow this link:
https://www.thereaderteacher.com/year6
Spellings
Spellings are sent home weekly and are tested on Fridays. The children are given the opportunity to practise their spellings every morning during registration as well as timetabled time during the week.
Autumn Overview
Science - Evolution and Inheritance/Light
History - The Plague
Geography - The Voyage of the Beagle - How have the Galápagos Islands changed over time?
Art - Photography/Chiaroscuro
DT - Automata Toys/Textiles (wooly hats)
RE - Creation and Science: Conflicting or Complimentary?/Why do some people believe in God and not others?
Spring Overview
Science - Electricity/Animals including Humans (circulatory system)
History - World War II
Geography - Natural Disasters
Art - Still Life
DT - Steady Hand Games/Food Technology
RE - Why do Hindus want to be good?/What did Jesus do to save people?
Summer Overview
Science - Classification
History - World War II - What started the Second World War? How did it end?
Geography - Rivers and Dams - How do rivers around the compare to our local rivers?
Art - Art and Design Skills
DT - Structure (rollercoasters)
RE - What kind of a king was Jesus?/How do people keep faith in challenging times?
