Year 6

AUTUMN TERM Learning

English

Our English theme for Autumn 1 is Migration and Movement. We will begin by looking at ‘The Arrival’ by Shaun Tan which explores the issue of immigration. We will have the opportunities to write diaries, short scripts and narrative passage to describe what is happening at certain points in the book. We will then go on to ‘Windrush’ Child by Benjamin Zephaniah, which relates to HSS Empire Windrush’s arrival in Britain. Children will have opportunities to write an airmail letter, poetry and a letter to the local council. Our English theme for Autumn 2 is Evolution and Inheritance. We will begin by exploring ‘The Promise’ by Nicola Davies which encourages children to think about the impact humans have on the environment and the importance of caring for our world. Children will have opportunities to write diary entries, persuasive letters and poetry inspired by the story. We will then move on to ‘Can We Save the Tiger?’ by Martin Jenkins where we will learn about endangered animals and the challenges they face. Children will create persuasive posters and speeches, discussion texts and descriptive writing to encourage others to help protect wildlife. Exemplified grammar activities are thread throughout the English units. We will also have daily whole class reading, a weekly spelling test and taught handwriting and spelling sessions to support your child’s literary development.

Maths

In maths, we will be further developing the children’s understanding of common structures such as bar and part-whole models, and how these can be beneficial for the solving of a range of arithmetic and worded problems. We will also refresh the children’s knowledge of place value using 7-digit numbers and decimal values. We will continue developing the pupils’ understanding and use of multiples of 1000. Regular maths meetings will supplement all of these areas, where we practise previously taught knowledge and skills.

Science

In Science, we will begin by looking at the classification of animals. Children will look at the work of Carl Linnaeus and then have opportunities to explore each classification group of living things. In Autumn 2, we will look at Light and Reflection. Children will have the opportunity to measure shadows, reflect light and make their own periscope.

Computing

We will begin our computing this year by focusing on the work scientists completed at Bletchley Park during WW2 In Autumn 2, children will be exploring what AI is, how it generates text, images and code and its ethical implications.   

Geography

Our geography learning this term will focus on why population changes. Children will begin by understanding how the global population is hanging and understand key terms e.g. birth rates and death rates. Children will then understand why people migrate before looking at our local area and understanding how population is affecting our environment.

History

In Autumn 2, we will begin our history learning by exploring what the census tells us about people who lived in the past. We will investigate the lives of Victorian children, discover how the census has changed over time, including its links to women's suffrage, and use a range of historical sources to find out who used to live in our local area.

Art

This term, With our specialist teacher, Ms Konc, art is focused on photography and how it can be used in different and creative ways. We will look at collage, macro-photography, truisms and more.

DT

Our first DT project will be a textiles one, researching, designing, making and evaluation our own waistcoats.

Music

In Music, the children will learn to play the ukulele and use their new skills to compose their own songs. They will explore song structure, melody, chords and different genres, before writing their own lyrics and arranging their pieces. At the end of the unit, they will have the exciting opportunity to perform their original songs to an audience.

PSHE

In PSHE, we will start by looking at family and relationships. Children will learn to resolve conflict through negotiation and compromise, about respect and grief. In Autumn 2, we will look at health and wellbeing. Children will learn about diet, oral hygiene, physical activity and the facts around immunisation.

Spanish

In Spanish, the children will learn to describe seasons using a poem, La Primavera, and the music from Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’. Through this they will learn to talk about what the weather is like, some Spanish geography, and the names of cities and significant landmarks.

PE

In Autumn 1, Mr Haughton will be teaching netball whilst class teachers will be focusing on dance. In Autumn 2, Mr Haughton will be teaching hockey whilst a coach will be coming in to teach the second slot which will be cricket.

RE

In R.E, throughout the whole of the Autumn term, we will be examining what religion looks like in different parts of the world and how key factors such as geography, tradition, culture and migration all contribute to belief and experience.

Trips and Special Events

PGL – wc 05.10.26

Reminders

PE kits to be worn every Tuesday and Friday.  Spelling tests are every Friday and homework is given out with a week to complete.