Welcome to Year 6

Welcome back Year 6! I hope that you had a lovely Summer and that you are all looking forward to an exciting term of learning! 

Our first topic will be ‘World War Two’. Below is a little bit about the things that we are going to learn.

Empowering English

In English, this term, we will explore a range of quality texts - both fiction and non-fiction.  We will use the Write Stuff approaches developed by Jane Considine to improve our writing.  

Our first unit will be a narrative, based on the adventure story ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by Michael Morpurgo.  We will then develop our understanding of the features of a recount/interview before writing our own, using ‘Letters from the Lighthouse’ as inspiration.  

After half term, we will explore the novel 'The Firework Maker’s Daughter', by Philip Pullman. where we will further refine our understanding and writing of narrative.  We will then write our own non-chronological reports, using Charles Darwin’s work as inspiration.

We will also be focusing on reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Our English Targets for the term will be:

• I can continue to distinguish between homophones and other words which are often confused.
• I can describe settings, characters and atmosphere, integrating dialogue to convey character and advance the action in my narrative pieces.
• I can use a wide range of devices to build cohesion within and across paragraphs.
• I can use passive verbs to affect the presentation of information in a sentence.
• I can use modal verbs or adverbs to indicate degrees of possibility.
• I can use relative clauses with an implied or omitted relative pronoun.
• I can use hyphens to avoid ambiguity.
• I can use brackets, dashes or commas to indicate parenthesis.
• I can use semi-colons, colons and dashes to mark boundaries between independent clauses.

Marvellous Maths

In Maths, we will revise place value, exploring numbers to 10 million.  We will compare and order numbers, round numbers and work with negative numbers. 

We will then revise addition and subtraction of whole numbers with more than 4 digits as well as inverse operations and multi-step addition and subtraction problems.  Next, we will build on our multiplication knowledge, learning to multiply 4-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers.  Once we have recapped short division with remainders and dividing using factors, we will explore the long method of division.  Finally, we will learn about common multiples, prime numbers to 100, square and cube numbers and order of operations. 

After this, we will move our focus to fractions where we will recap equivalent fractions and then move onto simplifying and converting improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa.  We will then compare and order fractions before adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing them. Finally, we will find fractions of amounts.

Finally, we will explore coordinates in all four quadrants as well as translations and reflections.

Our Maths Targets for the term will be:

• I can read, write, order and compare numbers up to 10 000 000 and determine the value of each digit.
• I can round any whole number to a required degree of accuracy.
• I can use negative numbers in context, and calculate intervals across zero.
• I can multiply multi-digit numbers up to 4 digits by a two-digit whole number using the formal written method of long multiplication.
• I can divide numbers up to 4 digits by a two-digit whole number using the formal written method of long division, and interpret remainders as whole number remainders, fractions, or by rounding, as appropriate for the context. 
• I can identify common factors, common multiples and prime numbers.
• I can solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• I can use common factors to simplify fractions; use common multiples to express fractions in the same denomination.
• I can compare and order fractions, including fractions > 1.
• I can add and subtract fractions with different denominators and mixed numbers, using the concept of equivalent fractions.
• I can multiply simple pairs of proper fractions, writing the answer in its simplest form.
• I can divide proper fractions by whole numbers.
• I can associate a fraction with division and calculate decimal fraction equivalents.
• I can describe positions on the full coordinate grid (all four quadrants).
• I can draw and translate simple shapes on the coordinate plane, and reflect them in the axes.

Sensational Science

In Science, we will learn about light and shadows before exploring the human eye and how we see things.  We will then move on to explore healthy diets, the circulatory system and nutrient and water transport in the human body.

Hair-Raising History

World War Two

This term, we will study the World War Two and place key events on a timeline in relation to other periods we have studied.  We will begin by identifying the causes of World War Two and the different phases in the Battle of Britain.  We will make inferences and deductions about photographs and describe how children may have felt when evacuated.  We will evaluate the accuracy and reliability of sources and describe the impact WW2 had on people's lives.

In Music, we will explore the songs of World War Two, using musical and comparative language in discussion.  We will learn to follow a melody line as well as scores with a good sense of timing, showing that they understand which section of pitch they are singing.  We will learn and sing the correct words at the correct time and be able to recall a counter-melody line.

Globe-Trotting Geography

Why does Population Change?

In Geography, we will identify the most densely and sparsely populated areas and describe the increase in global population over time.  We will begin to describe what might influence the environments people live in, including the push and pull factors associated with migration.  We will define birth and death rates, suggesting what may influence them.  This topic will also cover why some people have no choice but to leave their homes as well as the causes of climate change and its impact on the global population.  We will learn how to calculate the length of a route to scale and follow a selected route on an OS map.  Through fieldwork, we will use a variety of data collection methods, including a Likert scale.  Finally, we will create a digital map to plot and compare data collected from tow locations and suggest ideas to improve an environment.

Pacey PE

There will be plenty of opportunities for sport during the week.  Year 6 will have P.E on Thursday and we ask that children wear their P.E kit to school for the day (white P.E t-shirt, black or navy shorts / jogging bottoms, trainers and their school jumper).  PE will be outside where possible, so please wear warm clothes.  

From Thursday, 5^th September – Thursday 26^th October, Class 6 will attend a weekly lesson at the Forest of Dean Gymnastics Centre.

Showbie

Showbie is a program which allows children to upload, save and share their work in class and at home whilst also receiving interactive feedback from their teacher.  Everyone will be given a Showbie username and password and it is available on iPads, tablets and computers.  We will be using this regularly within lessons and for homework each week.

Showbie has proven to be a valuable communication tool during the enforced school closure in order for children, parents/carers and teachers to keep in touch.  The Showbie App includes a range of features which have been utilisied by all:

• Messaging communication
• Sharing / Uploading work
• Instant feedback
• Voice Notes
• Video Uploads
• Class Discussions (Key Stage 2)

From September, Walford will continue to use Showbie as a clear channel of communication between home and school.

I will continue to set and mark homework via the Showbie App on a weekly basis.  Extra (optional) learning activities will be provided where appropriate in order to consolidate learning in school.  Showbie will be used as the new home-school link for reading.  Every child will have a reading folder in their assignments where all reading and comments can be recorded on a nightly basis.

There will also be a general communication folder where any important messages can be shared with class teachers.  Class teachers will endeavour to respond to these messages as soon as possible.  It is important to remember that children will also be able to see this, so anything of a sensitive nature should be dealt with via telephone or email.

As a result of these changes, your child will no longer bring home a Home-School Diary (KS2).  

Helpful Homework

Homework is set on a Thursday and should be returned every Monday.  Homework will be linked to the work that we are covering in class.  Remember homework will be set and uploaded to Showbie.  Paper copies can be provided if required.  

Showbie will be used for you to record any learning that you complete at home, including:

• reading
• times table practise
• spelling practise
• Education City
• Times Tables Rock Stars
• MyOn

As you move through KS2, you should be encouraged to become more and more independent at recording the work completed on Showbie each evening.  I will check Showbie every day to see what you have been doing.

Talk Homework will help you to prepare for your Big Write each week.  This can be found on Showbie too.  Please spend 5-10 minutes chatting with a family member at home in order to feel more confident about your written task the following day.

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday, 6^th September 2023: Back to school

3:30pm Wednesday, 6^th September 2023: Year 6 Meet the Teacher

Thursday, 7^th September – Thursday, 26^th October 2023: Year 6 Forest of Dean Gymnastics

Monday, 30^th October – Friday, 6^th November 2023: Half Term

Monday, 9^th November 2023: Back to school

Friday, 22^nd December 2023: Last day of the Autumn Term

To support your learning at home, you will be able to find lots of 

English and Maths activities on Education City.

You should also encourage your child to explore www.bbc.co.uk/ks2bitesize.

For photographs of class and school activities, please see below or click on ‘CHILDREN’ and then ‘GALLERY’ or 'WALFORD TV'.  Also, remember to keep checking Twitter: @WalfordSchool for regular updates too.

All letters and class reminders will be sent via emails.  Please ensure that the school office have your preferred email address.  Let us know if you think you are not receiving any updates.

My door is always open and I am happy to chat with parents about our topics and any work that we are covering in class. Please don’t hesitate to come and find me if you wish to discuss anything!

Many thanks!

Mrs Nicholls