Year 6 Curriculum News - Spring Term - Mr Jones
This term Year 6 will be using ‘the study of Wales’ as a continuous theme across the majority of its curriculum.
Literacy – We will be covering a range of genres this term; however there will be an emphasis on non-fiction writing, which will include journalistic and argumentative writing. The children will also be investigating information and explanation texts and carrying out lots of speaking and listening tasks related to the topic.
Included in the above topics there will be a range of work focusing on grammar, punctuation and spelling.
How can you help? –The children will be continuing with The Big Write therefore they will continue to bring ‘talking homework’ home on a weekly basis. It is a great opportunity to enjoy some time together where you can talk around a subject the pupils will be writing about in their Big Write sessions. Please also ensure that your child has learnt the weekly spellings and wherever and whenever possible, enjoy a book together.
Maths – Number work will continue to build on the pupils’ knowledge of place value and the four number operations – multiplication, division, subtraction and addition. We will also be looking at fractions and how they relate to decimal numbers. Shape, data and measure work will include recognising and investigating 2D and 3D shapes as well as work on area and perimeter. Pupils will be taught to use different mathematical strategies through problem solving and mental maths activities.
How can you help? – Practise the times tables with your pupils.
Science – Pupils will be studying food chains and the interdependence of organisms within a habitat. They will be comparing and contrasting the animals and plants that exist in two contrasting local environments by visiting Dunraven Woods and the beach at Southerndown. We will carry out fieldwork and investigate how species survive and adapt to live in different locations. The second part of the term will focus on the environment, including the requirements for plant germination and growth before finding out more about soils.
Pupils will also be using their scientific skills by planning and undertaking their own scientific investigations.
How can you help? Encouraging extra research at home and assisting with homework would be great!
Geography –This term, pupils will develop their geographical skills by learning more about Wales. Pupils will develop their mapping skills by studying different types of maps of Wales, learning about scale and drawing their own maps of places in Wales. The children will investigate the human and physical features of Wales and consider patterns related to where people live in Wales. They are also going to consider how humans can impact the environment.
History – Our main history topic was studied in the Autumn Term. However, we will touch on certain historical ‘skills’ when learning about Wales.
Art – The focus of our Art work this term is Landscapes in particular the work by the Welsh artist Kyffin Williams. We will be investigating different art techniques to create our own landscape pictures of the local area to link in with the topic of Calon Lan. The children will also have the opportunity to explore environmental art during one of our two visits to the Heritage Coast Centre at Southerdown.
How can you help?
Look together at different pictures of landscapes and talk about the different techniques artists have used to create these pictures. If you are out and about exploring the Welsh scenery please take photographs of the landscape so we can use these to recreate pictures using a variety of art techniques.
PE – Our P.E. days are Mondays (outdoor - games activities) and Thursdays (indoor – dance/gym). It is very important that every pupil takes part in as much PE as possible. It is therefore important that they have the correct kit with them. Due to our changeable weather, pupils will need to ensure they have kit that can be used both indoor and outdoor every Monday and Thursday.
DT – The focus of this terms work will be on food technology. The focus on the unit is to research, design and make a healthy Welsh meal. Children will create a healthy Welsh meal taking into account all nutritional requirements. They need to write recipes to follow, including the ingredients and an equipment list! The second part of the DT work will require the children to create packaging to support their product.
RE – The topic for the first half term is “World Issues”. The class will be looking at various issues affecting people across the world including, security, poverty and hunger. The topic for the second half term is the Church year. They will be studying a number of the main Christian festivals that are celebrated and the reason they are celebrated.
IT – This term we will be focusing on a Transition Project. Pupils will be preparing some guidance to help children and their parents/ guardians make sensible choices online, get the most from the Internet and stay safe.
Activities are as follows:
- Create a questionnaire to find out children’s online activities
- Carry out a survey of parents/guardians
- Use a spreadsheet to analyse the data
- Use a database to find and record information from your questionnaire
- Create a Powerpoint for 5-7 year olds
- Create an e-portfolio
Welsh - This term children will be introduced to topic related vocabulary throughout the term, and be involved in a variety of activities so that their knowledge, understanding and skills are developed within an integrated programme of speaking and listening, reading and writing. The Welsh topic that the children will be studying is Hamdden - Leisure.
Music - Children will be given opportunities to build on their knowledge, understanding and skills already acquired in performing, composing and appraising music focusing their listening (in all musical activities) on the musical elements. The children will learn the basic skills of reading and understanding musical language and will create their own music during this term.
General Information
Home Readers
Reading books will go out during the course of the week. Please check the inside cover of your child’s Reading Record for the day your child’s book will need to be returned to school. I will endeavour to send a new book home on the same day, so as to ensure that your child always has a book to read. Pupils who fail to return their books on the correct day may not have a reading book.
Homework
- This will be sent home on a Thursday and pupils will, in the majority of cases, have a week to complete this work. Pupils are expected to bring their homework in ON the due date!
- Spellings – Pupils will have their spelling lesson and test on a Thursday each week.
Spellings and homework will be posted on the school website on a Wednesday. (www.stbridesprimary.org.uk)
Important dates:
06.02.12 – 09.02.12 Cycling Proficiency
12.03.12 - 15.03.12 Storey Arms residential trip
I look forward to sharing this exciting, busy and eventful term with you all. If you have any concerns or queries during this term please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mr R Jones