Welcome back and a happy new year to everybody. We have been so impressed with the children’s enthusiasm and focus during the first week back and are looking forward to an exciting and challenging term ahead.
WRITING
The children will continue to develop their writing skills to produce pieces in a range of genres and styles. Initially, this writing will be based around our class novel, Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. After beginning with a story about evacuation, we will turn our attention to other genres of writing based on our history topic. After half term, further pieces, including newspaper reports and diary entries, will be inspired by The Man Who Walked Between The Towers by Mordicai Gerstein and The Song From Somewhere Else by AF Harrold.
GUIDED READING
Guided reading will continue to cover fiction, non-fiction, poetry and plays and will be supported by our novel, Goodnight Mister Tom. These sessions will prepare the children for the upcoming reading test. Please continue to support your child’s reading by ensuring that they read at least 5 times per week and they record this in their reading record.
SPELLING, PUNCTUATION AND GRAMMAR
Spelling and grammar is taught in context within our English lessons as well as discrete sessions for spelling and grammar in preparation for the SATs. During this term we will continue to set weekly lists of words to be followed by a test as the children will benefit from this practice in the buildup to the tests in May. Please encourage your child to practise their spellings at home.
MATHS
Maths is taught daily. Key concepts this term will include:
The children are working incredibly hard in our lessons but many would still benefit from regularly practising their recall of times table facts. It would also be useful to practise telling the time (in both analogue and digital) as well as posing time problems as they arise in day-to-day life (such as, If the film is ninety-five minutes long and we start watching at 7:15, what time will it finish?).
SCIENCE
During this term, Year 6 will be learning about living things and their habitats. In this unit the children will be learning how living things, including micro-organisms, plants and animals, are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences. After the half term break, we will be learning about properties and changes of materials. This was a Year 5 unit, which included many practical aspects, so we are ensuring that children are not missing out on these important concepts and experiences as a result of lockdown during the last academic year.
HISTORY
When learning about World War Two, we will be focusing on the Battle of Britain as a turning point in history; the experiences of evacuees; and the Blitz and its impact on Cheltenham. A knowledge organiser will be sent home to support learning in this subject.
ART
We will be learning about Wassily Kandinsky’s pioneering work in the development of abstract art and the children will have the opportunity to consider colour choices and composition in their own geometric abstract pieces. Later in the half term, the children will explore the Pop Art movement and make their own collages inspired by the techniques and themes of British artists such as Peter Blake and Eduardo Paolozzi.
COMPUTING
After half term the children will be learning all about spreadsheets. Children will be taught how to organise and format data to support calculations while also being introduced to formulas. We will continue our work on online safety and focus on managing online information, privacy and security. We will also be partaking in activities to mark Safe Internet Day on the 8th of February.
RE
During the spring term, the children will be learning why the Torah is so important to Jewish people and what matters most to Humanists and Christians.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE )
PE will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays (6JJ) and Wednesdays and Fridays (6M). During the first half term the focus will be on fitness and netball. In the second half of the spring term, we will be learning and playing tennis and golf.
FRENCH
The children will be learning about classroom objects and developing their verbal skills as well as reading and writing in French.
MUSIC
After half term, the children will learn You’ve Got A Friend by Carole King. In addition to singing the song, the children will also be learning about composing and improvising parts on a range of instruments that can complement and accompany this song.
PSHE
We have already begun our work looking ahead to identify dreams and goals for the future. Later in January, we will be visited by the School Beat Team from Gloucestershire Police to learn about drugs and peer pressure.
HOMEWORK
Homework is set every Friday and we expect it to by handed in on the following Wednesday. Some of the homework will be set through Microsoft Teams. As we approach the SATs, there will be revision booklets and additional tasks set when required.
Many thanks for your continued support. As the end of their time at primary school swiftly approaches, some children may feel anxious about the changes and challenges ahead. If any concerns arise, please do come and speak to us or telephone the office so that we can continue to support both your child’s learning and their wellbeing.