Welcome to Year 6!

A very warm welcome to Autumn 1 term in Year 6. This half term, we can't wait to welcome you all back into school - you have been sorely missed. We have a lots to look forward to as we continue on our learning journey, working and worshipping together.  Attached below is a summary of the subject focuses we will be looking this half term.

English

In English, this half term, we will be basing our outcomes around Fantasy Fiction. To help us immerse ourselves in this exciting genre we will be daring to open the doors of a magical emporium by reading the fabulous 'The Nowhere Emporium' by Ross MacKenzie as a class novel.

Throughout the unit, the children will have some wonderful opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of fantasy and fiction. We will use the class texts to help us to create a narrative based on a model text with an innovated plot structure, using plot patterns and shared writing techniques incorporating all our new and old grammar skills as we develop our ideas. Over the half term, we will be creating our very own 'Book of Wonders' which we will then present and share with some of our younger children in school. Bring your imagination!

We will bring the half term to a close by creating an information hybrid in the form of a magazine page focussing on the circus. Within this area of key learning, we will recognise and adapt authors' techniques to influence and manipulate the reader. By using our reading skills to scan a text for key information, skim for gist and a combination of both to locate specific detail, we will further develop our skills in explaining the effect on the reader of the authors' choice of language and reasons why the author may have selected these. These skills will enable us to create a wonderful magazine page consisting of biography, report and discussion texts based on research of range of non-fiction sources.

In Mathematics we will be starting the half term by focusing on Number: Place Value. To succeed in this area the children will need to be able to:

• Read, write, order and compare numbers up to 10,000,000 and determine the value of each digit.
• Round any whole number to a required degree of accuracy.
• Use negative numbers in context, and calculate intervals across zero.
• Solve number and practical problems that involve all of the above.

Following this we will shift our focus to Number: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. To be able to succeed in this area the children will be required to:

• Solve addition and subtraction multi step problems in contexts, deciding which operations and methods to use and why.
• Multiply multi-digit number up to 4 digits by a 2-digit number using the formal written method of long multiplication.
• Divide numbers up to 4 digits by a 2-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.
• Divide numbers up to 4 digits by a 2-digit number using the formal written method of short division, interpreting remainders according to the context.
• Perform mental calculations, including with mixed operations and large numbers.
• Identify common factors, common multiples and prime numbers.
• Use their knowledge of the order of operations to carry out calculations involving the four operations.
• Solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Use estimation to check answers to calculations and determine in the context of a problem, an appropriate degree of accuracy.

We will draw the half term to a close by shifting our area of focus to fractions which will continue into Autumn 2. In this area of study we will be concentrating on:

• Using common factors to simplify fractions; use common multiples to express fractions in the same denomination.
• Comparing and order fractions, including fractions > 1
• Generating and describing linear number sequences (with fractions)
• Adding and subtracting fractions with different denominations and mixed numbers, using the concept of equivalent fractions.
• Multiplying simple pairs of proper fractions, writing the answer in its simplest form [for example 14 x 12 = 18 ]
• Dividing proper fractions by whole numbers [for example 13 ÷ 2 = 16 ]
• Associating a fraction with division and calculating decimal fraction equivalents [ for example, 0.375] for a simple fraction [for example 38]
• Recalling and using equivalences between simple fractions, decimals and percentages, including in different contexts.

You can help your child at home by helping them to practice their times tables and division facts. Just ten minutes a day will make all the difference to their rapid recall.

 ‘God loves each of us as if there was only one of us.’

(St Augustine)

At Sacred Heart, Religious Education is at the core of the core curriculum, it is embedded in everything we do and say. This half term in Year 6 we will be exploring The Dignity of the Human Being and The Common Good. We will continue our journey together as disciples of Christ by considering how we as Christians believe that the diversity of the world and its people is God’s gift. Jesus in his life and gospel, challenges people to appreciate diversity and to create with it a harmony that reflects the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

The common good is central to Catholic Social teaching and is intrinsically linked to social justice. At the heart of this teaching is respect for the human person made in the image of God; the social well-being and development of all; peace between all peoples; understanding of the equality of all and respect for difference; human solidarity and an awareness of being part of God’s global family.

This half term we will enjoy conducting an in-depth study in to one of the many unique features that Preston has to hold - Preston Docks. We will examine the history of the docklands from its humble beginnings, the docks in its heyday and its downfall to how we recognise the docks today. Preston Dock's history is a fascinating area of study as we explore the British Empire and Preston's role in the Slave Trade. We will examine and discuss the reliability of many primary and secondary sources to form our opinions and justify them with evidence before us. To really bring bring the Locality Study to life, we will hold debates, taking on the roles of 'the workers of Preston' and 'The Party of Caution'. To celebrate the Docks most successful period, we will create our own maps of the area before creating a hybrid text to bring our learning together. Look out for the finished products here on our Class Page and on our Class Dojo Portfolio. 

Our Science topic this half term will focus on biology as we explore Living Things in their habitats. The children will be working scientifically to 

describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including micro-organisms, plants and animals. The children will be encouraged to give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics.Over the half term, we will work to explore that living things can be formally grouped according to characteristics. Plants and animals are two main groups but there are other livings things that do not fit into these groups e.g. micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeast, and toadstools and mushrooms. Plants can make their own food whereas animals cannot.

Animals can be divided into two main groups – those that have backbones (vertebrates) and those that do not (invertebrates). Vertebrates can be divided into five small groups – fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Each group has common characteristics. Invertebrates can be divided into a number of groups including insects, spiders, snails and worms. Plants can be divided broadly into two main groups – flowering plants and non-flowering plants.

In French, it is important that we start the year with regular and irregular verbs and grammar. Understanding the grammatical techniques in the French language will enable the children to:

• listen attentively to spoken language and show understanding by joining in and responding
• speak in sentences, using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures
• develop accurate pronunciation and intonation so that others understand when they are reading aloud or using familiar words and phrases
• broaden their vocabulary and develop their ability to understand new words that are introduced into familiar written material, including through using a dictionary.

Design Technology this half term is dedicated to building bridges! In this exciting area of study the children will explore ways in which forces act on bridge structures, how they are constructed and how they are strengthened. Working well as part of a team will be crucial, too – as children get to grips with designing, making and evaluating a variety of bridge designs. We will enjoy lots of hands on activities culminating in an exciting prototype/model bridge building challenge.

ICT this year is a project that will take us through the whole academic year as we become App. Planners. Our outcome for this half term is a presentation to pitch a smartphone or tablet app. The children will become engineers and designers as they think about the types of input and output available on a smartphone e.g. microphone, camera, GPS and the screen, speaker, vibration motor and how smartphones connect to other computers and how they connect to the internet.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education this half term is dedicated to 'New Beginnings' In this unit, the class will be encouraged to think about their rights and responsibilities as we develop our own Class Charter based on mutual respect and inclusion. We will explore the idea that new beginnings apply to everyone and everyone has the right to be made to feel welcome and valued. We will work to recognise our own strengths that lie within us and the strengths of those around us. 

In Music this half term all our learning will focus around one song: Happy by Pharrell Williams - a Pop song with a Soul influence about being happy. What makes you happy? We will use this song and genre to:

• play and perform in ensemble contexts, playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression
• improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the inter-related dimensions of music
• listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory
• use and understand staff and other musical notations
• appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions
• develop an understanding of the history of music.

General Class information

Reading

By Year 6, children are confident with reading, the task now is to ensure that children understand what they are reading.  It is important that they read a wide variety of genres and text types.  Fiction, non-fiction, leaflets, websites, newsletters etc.  The more children read and discuss the deeper their understanding becomes.  Encourage the children to explain what they have read, ask them questions and describe how they know the answers.  On occasion allow them just to read for pleasure, because they want to and they are enjoying it.  Read with them and continue to read to them.  Love books together!

PE

PE sessions will take place on Wednesday afternoons. This half term our focus will be on Dance as we explore dance through the ages. 

Snack & Water

Toast is available to children for snack.  Children must pay £1 at the beginning of the week for a slice of toast each day.  Children are able to bring in their own snack for playtime.  This can be a cereal/breakfast bar, fruit or veg. If you would like your child to bring in their own bottle, please ensure the bottle is clearly labelled with the child's name.

If you have any queries or just want to chat about your child's progress, feel free to catch me in the playground at the end of the school day, or alternatively make an appointment with Mrs Thompson in the school office.  

Mrs Livesey.