AUTUMN TERM 1

 

Dear Parents,

We would like to take this opportunity to say how well your children are settling into their new routines in year 6. Here is an outline of the work we will be covering this term. We hope this is helpful so you can support their learning at home. Working together is so important to ensure the children’s best progress.

Main Topic

In the first half term, we will be conducting a UK study concentrating on land-use, comparing city and country, local government and sustainability. The children will use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate different areas of the UK and describe features studied.

In the second half term, we will be comparing geographical similarities and differences between the United Kingdom and Spain. We will be focusing on culture, religion, land-use patterns and identifying key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers).

English

This term the children will produce a variety of writing based on the books we are studying in class. Initially, we will be reading ‘The Rabbits’, an excellent book with wonderful illustrations by Shaun Tan.  They will write recounts, descriptions, diary entries and debates. We will also be looking at ‘You Are Awesome’ by Matthew Syed encouraging the children to focus on developing their growth mindset. We feel this will be beneficial for the children’s wellbeing during this time. We will be revisiting key spelling and grammar from year 5 to ensure the children are secure in their understanding.

The children will be encouraged to: read with understanding; compare texts, plays and films; investigate viewpoints; read poetry, non-fiction, stories and scripts. The children will learn key spelling rules and apply them. Reading will be taught through guided reading sessions using short stories, poems and comprehensions.

Maths

As the children may have missed some key learning from Year 5, we will be revisiting key concepts from this year group to ensure we address any gaps in their learning.

In addition to this, we will cover:

  • Approximating, place value, decimals, ordering positive and negative numbers on scales
  • Interpret percentages as fractions and decimals
  • Square numbers up to 20 x 20, patterns and factors
  • Co-ordinates in 4 quadrants
  • Measure – area and perimeter
  • Fractions – simplifying, ordering, adding and subtracting fractions
  • Distances on maps and scale drawings
  • Mental addition and subtraction
  • Apply and explain methods to solve multi-step problems

Science

Animals including humans

The children will be taught to:

  • identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system
  • explain the functions of the heart, blood vessels and
  • recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies
  • describe the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals, including

Electricity

The children will be taught to:

  • use recognised symbols when representing a simple circuit in a diagram.
  • associate the brightness of a lamp or the volume of a buzzer with the number and voltage of cells used in the circuit.
  • compare and give reasons for variations in how components function, including the brightness of bulbs, the loudness of buzzers and the on/off position of switches. 

RE

Units from ‘The Way the Truth and the Life’ – The Kingdom of God (first half term)

  • To know about the kingdom of God and reflect on its meaning for us.
  • To understand that everyone is invited into the Kingdom of God.
  • To consider ways to share this Good News
  • To explore our commitment to the Kingdom of God:
  • To understand the words and actions necessary to show our commitment to the kingdom.

Justice (second half term)

  • To understand the meaning of justice and be aware that we are all called to work for justice.
  • To know about some people who have been persecuted for speaking out about injustice.
  • To know some people who work for justice and reflect on what we can learn from them.
  • To understand that we are all called to help one another.
  • To know that Advent s a time when we prepare to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.
  • To know abut the Mystery of the Incarnation and reflect on its importance for us.

Class Routines

Monday                 RE (6F), Music (6M), Dance (6M&6F)    

Tuesday               RE (6M), PE (6F)

Wednesday         Philosophy (6F first half term, 6M second half term), Spanish, Computing (6M&6F)    

Thursday                Topic (6M&6F)    

Friday                     Art (6M&6F), Music (6F)

Please ensure the children come into school wearing their PE kits on the day that they do PE. PE kits should be in line with the school uniform policy.

Homework:

Homework will be set on Google Classroom every Friday and expected to be complete by the following Thursday. Your child has been given a separate homework book to record their work, but on occasion, we will ask the children to submit their work on Google Classroom.

Reading expectations:

The children are expected to read for 20-30 minutes at least five times a week. Please encourage your children to read a variety of literature including newspapers, magazines and advertising material. Please refer to the year 6 reading list for suggestions of good books. It is really beneficial that your children develop a life long love for reading. The most effective way of achieving this is by reading with your child and encouraging them to read books that they can access and understand. Of course, reading to them is also hugely beneficial and your children will love it. The children should keep a record of pages read and write a brief comment. When they finish their book, the children are expected to complete one of the reading journal tasks which can be found in their reading journals.

Spellings:                     Friday for test the following week.

Maths Homework:         Children access MyMaths throughout the week to maintain and support the learning in school. We will check this regularly and support the children where necessarily. The children also have log in details for Times table Rockstars (TTRS), which is an interactive maths platform, that the children can access throughout the week. We suggest between 1 ½ – 2 hrs per week: little and often is more effective. The national expectation is that children know their times tables up to x 12 by the end of year 4, and so learning these key facts will also support their learning in class. It is really important for the children to learn how to tell the time before they go to secondary school. Most children can tell the time digitally, but find it challenging on a clock face.

Dates for your diary:

October

Half term Monday 25th October – Friday 29th October

Monday 1st November INSET day – staff only

December

Christmas Holiday Monday 20th December – Tuesday 5th January

School breaks up for Christmas holidays on Friday 17th December.  Children return to school on

Tuesday 5th January.

Thank you for your support in advance.  If you have any queries at all, please email your child’s class teacher on jmiller65.209@lgflmail.org or cfalconer1.209@lgflmail.org.

Warmest regards,         

Jo Miller and Cath Falconer