Year 6 Summer 2 Curriculum Information

As we move into the final half term of the year, we will continue to study the works of William Shakespeare.  From learning about Romeo and Juliet in the previous half term, we will now have the wonderful opportunity to read and explore the story ‘Macbeth’ 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 we see kill their friends and family to fulfil their ambitions 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 the Summer term, we will carry out an in depth study of the significant author William Shakespeare which will help us answer our big question – Who is William Shakespeare and why is he still remembered today?  In History, we will study Elizabethan England and make comparisons with the world in which we live today.  We will learn about how Shakespeare’s plays were performed in the Globe theatre and how they changed the way in which people were entertained in their leisure time. 

During the Summer term - the children will continue to develop their scientific skills.  They will continue to learn about the human body and learn how to keep it healthy by eating a balanced diet.  They will also have the wonderful opportunity to re-visit key science topics as part of their transition work to secondary school.  These will include: space, properties of everyday materials, plants and light.   

As part of their transition work, the children will be exploring the theme ‘Changing Me’ in PSHE, which will look at how to cope with change and the transition to secondary school.

We have many more things planned this term including celebrating Ocean Day, a trip to Belvoir castle where the children can develop and enhance their cricket skills,  a trip to John Ferneley’s science laboratories as well as having the wonderful opportunity to perform an end of year production called ‘Wow what a Year.’  

Year 6 Summer 1 Curriculum Information

In the Summer 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 the Summer term, we will carry out an in depth study of the significant author William Shakespeare which will help us answer our big question – Who is William Shakespeare and why is he still remembered today?  In History we will study Elizabethan England and make comparisons with the world in which we live today.  We will learn about how Shakespeare’s plays were performed in the Globe theatre and how they changed the way in which people were entertained in their leisure time.  In design and technology, the children will continue to work on the school value of ‘team work’ as they endeavour to design and build a model theatre which would be fit for any Shakespearian  play to be performed in.  

During the Summer term - the children will continue to develop their scientific skills.   They will be learning about the Human body, how it works and ways in which we can keep our bodies healthy and functioning properly.   The children will also be learning about ways in which we can keep their minds healthy and debating topics such as is ‘Screen use making children lazy?’ and ‘Are playtimes essential to children’s wellbeing?’

We have many more things planned this term including celebrating World Earth Day and William Shakespeare’s birthday.     

Year 6 Spring 2 Curriculum Information

In the second half of the Spring Term, year 6 will continue to read and explore the book ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by the former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.  This book is centred round an eleven year old boy called Michael, who sails around the world with his parents and his beloved dog Stella Artois. This much – loved adventure story, has everything from shipwreck, survival to of course rescue.  Will Michael ever get to see his parents again?  What will happen to Kensuke?    

During this half term we will also read extracts from 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 the 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.

Throughout the term, we will use these books to explore important values such as relationships and to understand the importance of both family and friendship.  Through studying the actions of the characters and how they behave towards each other, we will explore our school value of ‘honesty’ and how it is very important to do the right thing.  Our school value of  ‘resilience’  will also be explored as we look at how the central characters Michael,  Kensuke and  Jim Hawkins battle through hardship and life in the wild and at sea and still manage to find their true self again.

As the books’ plot focuses around the topic of the sea the children will develop their knowledge of using the  four figure co-ordinates to locate features on a map. In Science, they will learn about the wonderful and fascinating creatures and plants that live beneath the oceans and how fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the world millions of years ago.  Whilst learning about the world’s greatest oceans, we will be asking ourselves – How are they the same? How are they different?  In Geography, the children will also learn about the human and physical features of different countries in which Michael and his family sail too.  In design and technology, the children will continue to work on the school value of ‘team work’ as they endeavour to build a vessel which will need to be able to float and hold a certain weight.  They will also be involved in investigating how the size of the sails affects the movement of the vessels.    The children will also have a wonderful opportunity to develop their painting skills in art as they create water colour paintings of stormy seascapes in the style of JMW Turner and create Japanese Art in the style of Katsushika Hokusai.

We have many more things planned this half-term -  including celebrating ‘Justice Week’ and ‘World Book Day’ which will be celebrated in March.  Year sixes are now looking forward to answering and exploring our big question, ‘What makes our neighbouring waters so unpredictable and fascinating?’  Let the adventure begin!

Year 6 Spring 1 Curriculum Information

In the Spring Term, year 6 will have the wonderful opportunity to read and explore the book ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by the former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.  This book is centred round an eleven year old boy called Michael, who sails around the world with his parents and his beloved dog Stella Artois. This much – loved adventure story, has everything from shipwreck, survival to of course rescue.  

Throughout the term, we will use this book to explore important values such as relationships and to understand the importance of both family and friendship.  Through studying the actions of the characters and how they behave towards each other, we will explore our school value of ‘honesty’ and how it is very important to do the right thing.  The value of ‘teamwork’ will also be explored as we look at how Michael and Kensuke work together to survive on the island that they have both been stranded on.

As the book’s plot focuses around the topic of the sea, the children will continue to build on their previous geography skills and will identify and locate the seven seas of the world and develop their knowledge of using four figure co-ordinates to locate features on a map. In Science, they will learn about the wonderful and fascinating creatures and plants that live beneath the oceans and how fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the world millions of years ago.  Whilst learning about the world’s greatest oceans, we will be asking ourselves – How are they the same? How are they different?  In Geography, the children will also learn about the human and physical features of different countries in which Michael and his family sail too.  In design and technology, the children will continue to work on the school value of ‘team work’ as they endeavour to build a vessel which will need to be able to float and hold a certain weight.  They will also be involved in investigating how the size of the sails affects the movement of the vessels.    The children will also have a wonderful opportunity to develop their painting skills in art as they create water colour paintings of stormy seascapes in the style of JMW Turner.   

We have many more things planned this half-term, which we cannot wait to share with you.  Year sixes are now looking forward to answering our big question, ‘What makes our neighbouring waters so unpredictable and fascinating?’  Let the adventure begin!

Year 6 Autumn 2 Curriculum Information

In Autumn 2, we will be travelling back in time to 1939 as we read a book called ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne.  The book is set during World War 2 and is centred around two characters called Bruno and Shmuel.  The book is an extraordinary tale of friendship and the horrors of war.

In class, we will use this book to explore what life was like for people during the Second World War from different backgrounds and races. We will discuss issues such as racism, relationships and respecting the culture and beliefs of others.  As we discuss these themes, we will explore our school value of ‘acceptance’ and we will learn about the importance of treating people that are different to us equally and fairly.  We will be asking ourselves – is it ever right to discriminate against people just because of their beliefs or race?  Should we all be treated equally?  Does everyone have the right to be treated fairly?

As the book is centred around the theme of World War 2, in Geography we will be developing our map skills and naming and locating countries which were involved in the conflict.   In History, we will learn about key events that took place including: ‘The Battle of Britain’, ‘The Blitz’, ‘VE’ Day and the Holocaust.  In Art, we will be designing and creating propaganda posters and in Design and Technology the children will have the wonderful opportunity to design and make their own air-raid shelters and recreate some nutritious wartime dishes.  The children will also experience listening to wartime songs and participating in ‘Remembrance Day’ activities where they will have the opportunity to take time to reflect on all of the people who have died in wars.  Throughout our learning in this topic, we will be trying to answer our Big Question which is: What impact did World War 2 have on people’s lives?

Alongside our class book, we will also be looking at extracts from other books including: ‘Rose Blanche’, ‘Half a Man’, ‘The best Christmas Present in the World’ and studying the thought-provoking poem ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est.’ where the children will get an insight into how it must have felt to be a soldier in World War II.  Whilst reading these books and poem we will explore our school value of ‘compassion’ and think about how other people may have felt during these different situations.

We have many more things planned this half – term, which we cannot wait to share with you!  Including the possibility of heading out to visit Beaumanor Hall where the children will be able to participate in wonderful activities such as experiencing what it would have felt like to be in an air – raid shelter and taking part in de-coding cryptic messages using Morse code if COVID restrictions allow.

Year 6 Autumn 1 Curriculum Information

To start the year off, we will be reading a book called ‘Journey to Jo’burg’ which is written by Beverley Naidoo.  The book follows a young girl named Naledi and her younger brother, Tiro, on a journey that not only saves their family, but also opens their eyes to the nature of the world in which they live in.

We will use this book to explore what life was like for a black African during Apratheid in South Africa-where due to many rules and regulations the way in which black people and white people were treated was very different.  We will be asking ourselves – should we all be treated equally?   Should human rights belong to everybody whatever our differences? Do we all have a right to life and to live in freedom and safety? We will explore these questions further, by reading the book ‘We are all born free’ which outlines the universal declaration of human rights. 

We will also be travelling back in time to 1994, where we will learn about a famous black-African called Nelson Mandela.  We will research and find out about his life and his achievements and why, to this day, he is considered a hero by people from all over the world. As Nelson Mandela is our class name, we have decided to use him as our focus for our Big Question this half term which is: Who is Nelson Mandela and why is he an important figure in history?

As Journey to Jo’burg is set in Johannesburg, in geography we will learn about South Africa and study its amazing diverse landscape and its unique culture.   We will be thinking about how South Africa and the United Kingdom are both similar places and how they are different.  In art, we will learn about the work of Esther Mahlango and re-create Ndebele designs.  In design and technology, the children will have the wonderful opportunity to design and make their own African instruments and listen to traditional African music.

Alongside our class book, we will also be looking at extracts from other books including: ‘Welcome to Nowhere’ and ‘The Journey’ by Francesca Sanna where we will also explore the challenges faced by people living in countries where they do not feel safe.

We have many more things planned this half –term, which we cannot wait to share with you!  Including providing an opportunity for the children to be able to plan and carry out fund-raising activities for people who face many challenges from across the world.