Zebra (Year 6)
Autumn Term 2
I can't believe that we are already into the second term - before we know it, it'll be Christmas!
English
This term, we will be reading 'Harry Miller's Run', a picture book by David Almond. Liam just wants to go out running with his mates – it’s not long till the Junior Great North Run, and there’s training to be done. But Mam needs him today, to help old Harry clear out his house. Harry knows a thing or two about running. When he was a lad, he says, he ran all the way from Newcastle to South Shields. “But Harry,” says Mam, “that’s thirteen miles!” Harry grins. “Different times,” he says. This is the story of that day: of sweltering heat, clattering boots, briny sea air and the heavenly taste of ice cream; the day when Harry and his pals ran and ran and ran through the blazing sunlight all the way to the sea.
We will be focusing on: newspaper reports, anti-ageism posters and leaflets; diary entries and letters; balanced arguments and debates.
Grammar lessons will be taught as a discrete lesson once a week (like last term) and as English starters five times a week. This term, we will be recapping concepts from year 3 - 5, including: nouns, verbs, adjectives, conjunctions, pronouns, adverbs, prepositions, commas in lists, fronted adverbials, synonyms and antonyms.
Finally, spellings will be taught three times a week after lunch, with all practising and testing completed within school. We will continue to complete the year 5 spelling rules before moving onto year 6.
Maths:
In mathematics this term, Zebra class will be recapping on a number of concepts and learning new topics. This includes: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions; ordering and comparing of decimals; ordering and comparing of percentages; fraction-decimal-percentage equivalence; the four quadrants, translation and reflection; interpreting a line graph and a pie chart. In lessons, children will have the opportunity to practise the 'fluency' of each concept before moving onto reasoning and problem solving.
Each week, the class will get a chance to use Times Tables Rock Stars at school, as mental calculations are so important in all aspects of maths! Children can also use this website at home to develop their efficiency and accuracy in times tables.
Topic: Cities in the United Kingdom, including London;
Science: Electricity (linked to our D&T topic);
Computing: Internet safety and Game Creator;
RE: Is it better to express your religion in arts and architecture or in charity and generosity?
PSHE: Celebrating Difference and Changing Me (this will include SRE topics, as this weren't taught last term).
Autumn Term 1
I hope that you all had a relaxing and safe six weeks holiday and are ready for the new school term! I am really excited to be meeting and teaching you all :). It has been a while since some of you have been in school (almost six months!) so I'm sure you are looking forward to normality and routine! This year, the children will have Miss Walker, Mrs Cripps and Mrs Anderson (mornings). We have so much to get through this year and will be starting as we mean to go on!
English: 
In English this term, we will be reading 'Journey to the River Sea' by Eva Ibbotson. Maia, an orphan, can't wait to reach her distant relatives a thousand miles up the Amazon. She imagines a loving family with whom she will share great adventures. Instead she finds two spiteful cousins who see the jungle as the enemy and refuse to go outdoors. But the wonders of the rainforest more than make up for the hideous Carters. And when Maia meets a mysterious boy who lives alone on the wild river shores, she begins a spectacular journey to the heart of an extraordinary new world.
We will be focusing on: newspaper reports; writing in role as a wide range of characters within the book; letter and diary writing; an audio guide and a personal narrative. Grammar topics will be taught once a week as a discrete lesson and as starters five times a week. This term, we will be recapping concepts from year 3 - 5, including: nouns, verbs, adjectives, conjunctions, pronouns, adverbs, prepositions, commas in lists, fronted adverbials, synonyms and antonyms and formality/ informality.Finally, spellings will be taught three times a week after lunch, with all practising and testing completed within school. We will be completing the year 5 spelling rules before moving onto year 6.
Maths:
In maths this term, Zebra class will be recapping on a number of concepts and learning new topics. This includes: reading, writing, ordering and comparing numbers up to 10,000,000; determining the value of digits up to 10,000,000; rounding whole numbers and decimals; negative numbers; algebra (generating linear sequences, finding all possibilities of combinations); multiplication and division; common factors, prime numbers and estimation. In lessons, children will have the opportunity to practise the 'fluency' of each concept before moving onto reasoning and problem solving.
Each week, the class will get a chance to use Times Tables Rock Stars at school, as mental calculations are so important in all aspects of maths! Children can also use this website at home to develop their efficiency and accuracy in times tables.
Topic: Mayans (civilisation, number and writing system, art, religion, atlas work);
Science: Light
Computing: Coding (once the IT suite has been reopened);
Art: creating Mayan masks using ModRoc (children will need to bring their own art t-shirt or apron in);
RE: Is it better to express your religion in arts and architecture or in charity and generosity?
PSHE: Being Me and Changing Me (this will include SRE topics, which will be discussed with you in future weeks). We will be focusing on a lot of PSHE concepts, due to COVID and the amount of time spent out of school.
PE will take place twice a week: Monday with Mr Dickinson and Tuesday with Miss Walker. These sessions will not be contact sports until further notice due to COVID. Children need bring their PE kit in and leave it at school.
Below, I have attached a range of websites for you to use while children are not in school or as additional homework.
Mathematics
- https://ttrockstars.com/ - Remember to look in your home learning books 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. The children love it!
- 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.
Topic
- https://www.purplemash.com - All children should be aware of their log-in details. Have a look at your 2Do list for some suggested activities for grammar, French and computing.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0go1pTda8 Watch and join in with PE with Joe Wickes, the Body Coach, live on YouTube daily to help keep you active.
- https://explorify.wellcome.ac.uk/activities - Science experiments that can be completed at home, linked by topic. Why not try electricity or light experiments?
- https://www.stem.org.uk/ - A range of different activities to complete at home.