Welcome to Year 6 Zebra Class!

Zebra Class are taught by Mrs Walker on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday mornings and Mrs Lomax on Thursday afternoons and Fridays. We are very lucky to have Mrs James and Mrs Anderson (mornings only), our wonderful teaching assistants, also supporting the class.

We really want the children to be happy and enjoy school, particularly in their last year here at Lunsford. If you have any questions or concerns at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch and we will do our best to help.

Autumn Term 1

In English this term, we are firstly reading a wordless picture book 'The Arrival': a migrant story told as a series of wordless images. A man leaves his wife and child in an impoverished town, seeking better prospects in an unknown country on the other side of a vast ocean. Writing opportunities will include: extended own version narratives, playscripts, list of rules and character descriptions. Following this, we are reading a novel called ‘Windrush Child’ by Benjamin Zephaniah: in 1958, Leonard travels with his mother from Jamaica to England to join his father. The story follows Leonard as he struggles to adapt to life in Britain. Writing opportunities will include: a persuasive pitch to the council, an informal letter, diary entry and advice.

In the second term, we are firstly reading ‘Can we Save the Tiger?’, a non-fiction text: using the experiences of a few endangered species as examples, Martin Jenkins highlights the ways human behaviour can either threaten or conserve the amazing animals that share our planet. Writing opportunities include: discussion texts, explanations and persuasive posters. Finally, we are reading ‘The Last Bear’, a novel by Hannah Gold: it tells the story of April, a young girl who travels with her father to Bear Island for his scientific research. Initially, she learns that there are no polar bears left on the island. However, one night, she encounters a starving and lonely polar bear who has wandered far from home. Writing opportunities include: newspaper article, character profile, monologue and logbook entry.

We practice spellings three times a week using Spelling Shed and our current English scheme, with a weekly ‘Hive’ challenge to check children’s progress. Three times a week, we also complete whole class reading, where we read a text together and answer comprehension-style questions. Children will develop their grammar knowledge daily using our current English scheme, and are looking at a range of different key stage 2 concepts.

During the autumn term, we will be working through the following mathematical concepts (we have a lot to get through!): number and place value; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division; prime, square and cube numbers; comparing, ordering, simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions; area, perimeter and volume; converting metric and imperial measurements; ratio and algebra. Alongside this, we will be practicing our arithmetic knowledge throughout the week.

Children need to ensure that they can recall their times tables fluently, which is believed to be essential for future success in mathematics. Children would benefit from using Times Table Rock Stars to help continue to progress: this can be accessed from home. If your child has forgotten their log-in details, please make us aware

Our other topics are:

Science - Animals including Humans: The circulatory system, digestive system, diet, exercise and lifestyle.

History - The Maya 

Geography - Biomes  

Art - Drawing (Make my voice heard)

Computing - Systems and Networks and Creating Media - 3D Modelling

French - The weather

PE - Impact with Chris, Kai and Steve (Monday) and Cricket with Adrian (Tuesday). Children need to wear their PE kits on these days. Forest School will take place regularly throughout the term: a list of dates will be made available as and when required.  

Music - Charanga

PSHE - Being Me in my World 

RE - Is it better to express your beliefs in arts and architecture or in charity and generosity?

Please remember that homework is handed out on a Wednesday to be returned by Tuesday, and will be marked as a whole class. This will be mathematics and comprehension, alongside spellings, reading and times tables practice. On a Thursday, children need to bring in their Buster Book Club bookmark, as if they read and have their bookmark signed, they might even win extra playtime

Isle of Wight

• Lunsford Residential Trip IOW PP.pdf

Spelling

• Spelling strategies.doc
• Statutory-spellings-year-5-and-6.pdf
• Statutory-spellings-years-3-and-4.pdf
• Term 1 Stage 3.docx
• Term 1 Stage 6.docx

Maths and Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar Glossaries

• Primary-maths-glossary-parent-and-carer-information-sheet.pdf
• Primary-spag-glossary-parent-and-carer-information-sheet.pdf

Useful Websites

Mathematics

• https://ttrockstars.com/ - Please ask if you cannot remember your login.
• https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/maths/primary-maths-age-10-11-year-6/ - Clear breakdown and explanation of what children learn in year 6 with activities and suggestions for how to help at home, some printable sheets and game ideas. 
• http://www.snappymaths.com/year6/ - Range of different worksheets to complete. 

Reading

• https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/find-a-book/library-page/ A free e-book library for all primary age children.
• https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/ A free game for children who would benefit from additional practice of phonics, segmenting and blending. 
• https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-6-pupils-ks2-age-10-11/ A list of books recommended for 10 and 11-year-olds. If required, look at both the year 5 and year 7 lists for decreased or increased ability. 
• https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-age-10-11-year-6/ - Clear breakdown and explanation of what children learn in year 6 (comprehension and word reading) with activities and suggestions for how to help at home, some printable sheets and additional websites to use. 

Writing and spellings, grammar and punctuation (GPS)

• https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/english/primary-english-year-6-age-10-11/ - Clear breakdown and explanation of the spelling, punctuation and grammar learnt in year 6 with suggestions for how to help at home, some printable sheets and game ideas.
• https://www.pobble365.com/ - Fantastic resources for creative writing with questions relating to a daily image. 
• https://www.literacyshed.com/home.html - A wide range of resources to complement creative writing. 

Newsletters

Term 1 & 2 Newsletter