Year 6 Summer Term 2 Curriculum Information

In the second half of the summer term, year 6 will have the wonderful opportunity to listen to the contemporary novel ‘The colour of the Sun’ written by the author David Almond.  The colour of the Sun is the story of a young boy, grieving from the recent death of his father, who sees something dreadful and sets out on a journey through his hometown. On his travels, the young boy, Davie, sees things on the hillside that show him amongst immorality, there can be kindness, and in darkness, there is a chance of hope. We will also read our Everyone’s Welcome Book ‘And Tango makes Three’ by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell – where we will explore non - traditional families and relationships.

During the rest of half – term, we will also spend time reading the wonderful picture book ‘The story of climate change’ by Catherine Barr, where we will explore one of the most important issues facing our world today, ‘climate change’ and the effect that it has on humans and animals across the world.  As well as discovering the effects of global warming, we will also discover practical ways we can work together to solve it from using renewable energy to swapping meat for vegetables in our diet. The children’s knowledge on air pollution, climate change and litter will also be developed through our geography unit where we be studying British Geographical issues. From their learning, the children will then try and answer our geography Big Question: How do humans negatively impact the Earth?  The children will then have the wonderful opportunity to write their own speech on plastic pollution. As
 

Throughout the half -term, the children will continue to develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects. In history, the children will learn about the Cold War and study the Arms Race, The Space Race and The Proxy Wars. In science, they will learn about Evolution, and will have the wonderful opportunity to handle real-life fossils.  They will also have the wonderful opportunity to learn about the real -life scientists Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace. From their learning, the children will then try and answer our science Big Question: Have we always looked like this?  In PSHE, they will build on their knowledge and understanding from their science lessons and will learn about how humans reproduce – including learning about body image, puberty and feelings. In RE, the children will study the religion Islam and  will learn about beliefs and moral values and explore the Big Question: Does belief in Akirah (life after death) help Muslims lead good lives?

We have many more things planned this term, including sports day, an opportunity for the children to take part in an art lesson led by the creative learning services, which will focus on Aztec art and of course rehearsing for the end of year six assembly which will involve lots of dancing and singing!    The year sixes will also be taking part in some transition days with the Secondary schools that they will be attending. What a busy but productive half-term it will be!

Year 6 Summer Term 1 Curriculum Information

In the first half of the summer term, year 6 will have the wonderful opportunity to listen to a variety of classics including: ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ by Jules Verne, ‘The Railway Children’ by Edith Nesbit, ‘Black Beauty’ by Anna Sewell and ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  As the children listen to these  stories, not only will their love of vocabulary deepen further, but they will also have the opportunity to explore our school values of ‘friendship’, ‘honesty’ and ‘resilience’ as we discuss the actions of the characters.  We will also spend time reading the picture book Ada’s Violin written by Susan Hood where we will explore the theme of recycling and we will read our  Everyone’s Welcome book –‘My Princess Boy’ by Cheryl Kilodavis which explores the theme of a boy dressing up as a girl and informs the reader about supporting children regardless of their expression and gender identity.

The children will spend the first couple of weeks of the summer term preparing for the year six Sat’s – where they will continue to develop their arithmetic and reasoning skills in maths, their retrieval and inference skills in reading and develop their knowledge and understanding of different grammatical terms and spelling patterns in preparation for the grammar and punctuation test. 

For the rest of the half-term, the children will continue to develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects.  In science, they will learn about the reproduction in animals and plants and explore the different growth stages.  From their learning, the children will then try and answer our science Big Question: How do flowers and animals reproduce?  In history, the children will build on their knowledge of ‘The Rise of Hitler’ and ‘World War II’ and learn about topics such as ‘The Battle of Britain’ and the ‘Blitz’.  From our in -depth study the children will then answer our Big Question: What were the consequences of WW11 and have they had impact on British Values today?

In geography, the children will learn about South America and study the physical aspects of this continent including learning about the Andes Mountains, the Antacama desert and the Amazon rainforest.  From their learning, the children will then try and answer our geography Big Question: What would you see in South America?

We have many more things planned this term including – an Interactive Shakespeare Assembly from the Library Services where the children will be able to continue to develop their learning about the playwright William Shakespeare; an interactive assembly where the children will learn about VE day and a museum session where the children will learn about evacuees.  What a busy but productive half-term it will be!

Year 6 Spring 2 Curriculum Information

In the second half of the Spring Term, year 6 will have the wonderful opportunity to listen to the contemporary story called ‘The Boy who harnessed the Wind’ which is written by the author William Kamkwamba. This wonderful story is centred around a thirteen-year-old boy who lives in Malawi and invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine.  The children will love listening to how the young boy manages to achieve his dreams, despite facing many trials and tribulations. The young boy’s achievements of providing electricity and running water to his village; will instil the message in the year 6 children that when you put your mind to it; anything is possible.  We are all capable of achieving great things!

The children will also have the wonderful opportunity to listen to our ‘Everyone’s Welcome’ book called ‘How to Heal a broken wing’ by Bob Graham.  This amazing picture book centres around a young boy called Will who is the only one who sees a bird lying on the pavement with a broken wing. With the help of his parents, Will takes the bird home to care for it and with a little rest, time and hope perhaps the bird will fly again. This is a lovely book which shows that there is still hope in a coming generation of children who have curiosity and empathy with the world around them.

Throughout this half-term, the children will continue to develop their knowledge and skills in a number of subjects.  In history, we will be learning about ‘The Rise of Hitler and World War II’.  The children will learn about The Armistice and the Treaty of Versailles, the Rise of the Nazi Party, the Kristallant and the Refugee Crisis.  Alongside learning about these themes in history, the children will be given the wonderful opportunity to explore and read the picture book ‘Rose Blanche’ which is written by Ian Mc Ewan. This book is set during World War 2 in Germany.  The book will allow us to discuss themes such as war, prejudice and death.  From our in-depth study, the children will then answer the Big Question: Who was Adolf Hitler and what is he remembered for?   

During the second part of the Spring Term – the children will continue to develop their scientific skills.  They will build on their prior learning and remind themselves about how light travels, how we see things, how shadows are formed and also carrying out experiments with the colour of light.  The children will also have the wonderful opportunity to make a periscope which was very useful piece of equipment during World War II.    

During our PSHE lessons, the children will learn about how to keep themselves healthy and in particular will learn how to manage stress, which is particularly important in the run up to the Sats.  With the festival of Easter fast approaching, the children will learn what Christians mean when they say that Jesus’ death was a sacrifice and will then try and answer our big question ‘What do Christians believe Jesus did to ‘save’ people?

We have many more wonderful things planned this term including celebrating World Book Day – which will involve reciting and performing a poem off by heart and going on a school trip to Leicester University.  Here the children will be able to learn about what wonderful job opportunities are available to them when they are older.  Let the learning commence.

Year 6 Spring 1 Curriculum Information

In the Spring Term, year 6 will have the wonderful opportunity to read and explore the story ‘Macbeth’ which was written by the well renowned English poet, playwright and actor William Shakespeare.  This well -known play was the sixteenth century equivalent of a modern horror movie with its three witches, a ghost and a phantom dagger. 

The children will absolutely love learning about the characters within this book - especially the power- hungry couple Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth who will kill their friends and family to fulfil their ambition of becoming royalty.   Throughout the term, we will use this book to explore important values such as relationships and to discuss themes such as good versus evil, loyalty and guilt and the dangers of ambition.  As with many Shakespeare plays - anger and conflict are two themes which also run throughout Macbeth.  This will provide a wonderful opportunity to discuss with the children, during our Social and Emotional lessons, what strategies that they have to manage their feelings and manage their anger.  What types of things make them angry?  Why do they think they get angry?  Is it a good emotion ever?

Throughout this half-term, the children will continue to develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects.  In history, we will be learning about ‘The History of Human Rights and Equality in Britain.’  We will learn about what are human rights, racial equality and the freedom of thought, belief and religion.  Alongside learning about this theme in history, the children will be given the wonderful opportunity to explore and read the picture book ‘Every Human has Rights’ which is written by Mary Robinson.  From our in-depth study, the children will then answer the Big Question: How have Human rights changed over time?

During the Spring Term – the children will continue to develop their scientific skills.  They will build on their prior learning and remind themselves about different types of electrical circuits including simple and parallel circuits.  They will learn about switches and carry out an investigation which will involve designing and building a circuit for a purpose.  In science, we will be asking ourselves: How can you light up a light bulb?

We have many more things planned this term including celebrating William Shakespeare’s birthday and participating in an interactive Shakespeare assembly from the Library services.  A creative writing session and learning about religious festivals such as ‘Chinese New Year’, ‘St Valentine’s Day’ and Shrove Tuesday.  The year sixes will also be going on their second trip to Leicester university where they will get the wonderful opportunity to learn about the careers that are available to them.   Let the learning commence!    

Year 6 Autumn Term 2 Curriculum Information

In the second half of the Autumn Term, year 6 will have the fantastic opportunity to listen to the classic novel ‘Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson.  The novel is set in the days of sailing ships and pirates and tells the adventures of Jim Hawkins and his search for buried treasure of an evil pirate, Captain Flint.  This much -loved adventure story, has everything from mutiny and murder to unforgettable characters such as the charismatic Long John Silver and the surly and rude Billy Bones. As the children listen to this story, not only will their love of vocabulary develop further, but they will also have the opportunity to explore our school values of ‘honesty’ and ‘courage’ as we discuss the actions of the characters.   We will also spend time reading the wonderful picture book ‘Where the poppies grow’ by Hilary Robinson. This

beautifully illustrated picture book is written in rhyme and explores the theme of friendship which is tested but survives the tragedy of war.

Throughout the half-term, the children will continue to develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects.  In history, we will be learning about World War 1.  We will learn about what life was like on land, sea and in the air, the Home Front and the consequences of War.  Alongside learning about this period of history, the children will read the picture book ‘The Best Christmas in the World’ From our in – depth study the children will then answer our Big Question : Why was World War 1 different to any previous war? In geography, the children will learn about the countries, rivers cities and environmental regions of North America.  From their learning, the children will then try and answer our geography Big Question: How does North America compare with the United Kingdom?

During the Autumn Term – the children will continue to develop their scientific skills.  They will build on their prior learning and remind themselves about what classification is and who Carl Linnaeus was.    They will learn about classifying organisms including vertebrates and invertebrates and also develop their knowledge about plant and animal cells. In science, we will be asking ourselves: How are plants and animals the same and how are they different?

We have many more things planned this term:  including a museum session which focuses on Remembrance and WW1, a military resilience training day, an art session which includes the children creating a piece of art work based on Richard the III and an interactive assembly learning about how Christmas was celebrated in 1891.  What a busy but interesting half-term.  Let the learning commence!

Year 6 Autumn Term 1 Curriculum Information

To start the year off, we will be reading an amazing book called ‘The Ogress and the Orphans’ which is written by the Newberry Medal recipient Kelly Barnhill. It is a new instant -classic fantasy about the power of generosity and love, and how a community suffers when they disappear. During our reading of this class novel, we will be able to consider different questions including: What is a neighbour?  What happens when people are only concerned with ‘mine’ and not with ‘ours’? What happens when we lose empathy? This fantastically written book will have us gripped from beginning to end as we encounter many fantastic characters from the ogress, who is made a ‘scapegoat’ because she is different and ‘not one of us’, to the hissable villain who is the town mayor who turns the citizens against each other as part of his plan to seize all of the town’s wealth for himself. As we read the story, there is a lot of misunderstanding and cruelty as things unfold, but in the end, love rules the day.   We will also spend time reading the wonderful picture book King of the Sky by Nicola Davies.  We will use this story to explore important values such as friendship and to discuss themes such as loneliness and new beginnings.

Throughout the first half term, the children will be learning lots of information, developing skills and carrying out research on a variety of topics.  In history, we will be exploring the suffragette movement and women’s rights alongside the picture book ‘Suffragettes: The Battle for Equality; by David Roberts, linked to our school value: respect. From our in depth-study the children will then answer our Big Question – How would British culture be different without the work of the suffragette movement?  In geography, the children will develop their map reading skills and learn about longitude and latitude, time zones around the world and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.  From their learning, the children will then try and answer our geography Big Question: What can we learn from studying maps?

During the Autumn term - the children will continue to develop their scientific skills.  They will learn about the heart, the circulation of blood, the function of blood vessels and blood pressure.  The children will also develop their investigative skills and have the opportunity to carry out an investigation linked to what happens to your heart when resting and after exercise.  In science, we will be asking ourselves: ‘Why is our circulatory system important?

The children will also have the wonderful opportunity to develop their creative skills and will study and re-create pieces of art in the style of artists: such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.  They will also be learning about pop and Motown music in their music lessons and thinking about what makes them happy?

We have many more things planned this term: including participating in a day which remembers the fantastic author Roald Dahl and having the wonderful opportunity to go on our first year six trip to the Warning Zone.  Here the children will learn about life skills and gain a clearer understanding of peer pressure, anti-social behaviour and the consequences of this. The children will also learn about E-Safety where the children will be educated on cyber-bullying, grooming, scammers and much more.    What a fabulous and interesting start to year six! Let the learning commence.