Spring Term
Spring Term 2024
Information for parents and families
Knowledge Organisers to support learning at home
Optional half term homework
Week Ending 22nd March 2024
In English, the children have continued their work on explanation texts. This week, our focus was on another of Wallace and Gromit’s contraptions – the ‘Tellyscope’. The children’s target for this piece of work was to make their writing more technical by focusing on the operation of the device and how the user can make it work. Using the present tense, adverbs of causality and expanded noun phrases to describe, the children carefully composed their texts and were able to ensure their writing was presented in the third person.
In Maths, the children have begun work on algebra by looking at function machines and how letters are used to create algebraic expressions. Using bar models and manipulatives, the children have worked practically to enhance their understanding of algebra and how it's represented.
In Science, the children have looked at natural selection and carried out an investigation into how the shape of beaks (in finches) affect survival. The children really enjoyed experimenting with different sized tweezers to 'peck' food from a bowl under timed conditions. The results allowed the children to see how different shaped beaks have varied over time in order to allow a species to adapt and survive in an environment. Next week, the children will look more closely at the theory of evolution and will explore how the woolly mammoth and elephant have common characteristics.
Week Ending 15th March 2024
In English this week, the children were introduced to a new genre of writing called explanation texts. Here, they looked at a short film from Wallace and Gromit's 'Cracking Contraptions' (featuring the Snoozatron) and unpicked elements of how the Snoozatron works and used this as inspiration for their own writing. In addition, the children were able to: identify different features of this text type; carefully plan their work using a flow chart; and explore the grammar techniques this style of writing demonstrates. In Maths, the focus of the week was statistics, looking at pie charts whilst re-visiting percentages in context at the same time. As it was British Science Week, the children completed some practical elements of science based on this year's theme of 'Time'. As the week ended, the children were able to choose to make either a water timer with Mrs Smith or create ammonite fossils using salt dough with Mrs Burns. In addition to this, some children completed their Bikeability course throughout the week and worked really hard despite the weather.
Week Ending 8th March 2024
This week saw our assessment week for the Spring term. In the mornings, the children completed papers in maths, spelling and grammar, as well as reading. The afternoon sessions remained focussed on our foundation subjects. In Geography, the children looked at the physical features of deserts and were able to name, label and draw: natural arches, sand dunes, mushroom rocks as well as salt flats. In Science, the children continued work around our new topic of Evolution and Inheritance and were introduced to inheritance this week. The children explored characteristics that vary within a family based on what genes have been passed on from parents to offspring. Genetic characteristics such as rolling your tongue and having freckles were discussed and the children created their own gene profiles. On Thursday, we all celebrated World Book Day. During the day, the children had the opportunity to listen to stories read by the teachers and completed related activities. On Friday, Year 6 took a trip to Cambridge and spent the morning at Magdalene College. Here, we listened to age appropriate lectures on: Black Holes, Chemistry in colour and a specific focus on the art of winning games using Mathematics. We were then very lucky to have a tour of the grounds of Magdalene College as well as take a visit to the Chapel. For the second part of the day, we visited The Fitzwilliam Museum where the children spent time looking in different galleries at artwork, as well as at artefacts from across the world.
Next week, some of the children will be taking part in Bikeability. Children involved in this will need their bike (road worthy) as well as helmets and suitable clothing to be outside. If needed, we are able to store bicycles overnight.
Week Ending 1st March 2024
Having had a well deserved week off, the children were back to another busy week in school. In English, the children began researching Tawny Owls in preparation to write a non-chronological report. The children revisited our text, Skellig, remembering the relevance of Tanwy Owls to the characters Mina and Michael. The children were also really excited to be given the opportunity to unpick some owl pellets (thank you Miss Smith). Through soaking the pellets and using a pencil to unpick the hair, the children were able to see what our owl's last meal consisted of. From our analysis, the children were able to identify small bones from a vole and the beaks of a small bird, such as a blackbird or sparrow (the slideshow of pictures below showcase our findings).
In Maths, the children finished our topic of perimeter, area and volume as they explored what volume is. They used cubes to help them to understand the formula - length x width x height - when calculating volume. In Science, the children started our new topic - Evolution and inheritance. During our first lesson, the children worked hard to understand the causes of variation (environmental and inherited) and were introduced to the work of Darwin and Wallace. As the week came to a close, the children completed their first assessment ahead of next week's 'official' assessment week. As we are out next Friday for our school trip and we have World Book Day on Thursday, the children have made a great start on their reading assessment to enable us more time for next week's additional activities.
Week Ending 16th February 2024
In English this week, the children have written in role as three characters from Skellig. Using the personality that each character portrays, the children wrote lovely self-reflections from each perspective as: Michael, the old man and Mina. In each of their paragraphs, the children wrote about the character's encounters of one another when they all met in the garage and the relief Michael felt knowing that Mina could also see the old man. The children used informal and colloquial language, and wrote with contractions to replicate each character as identified in the text. In Maths, the children continued with the objective of area, looking more specifically at triangles, right angled triangles and parallelograms. The children learned about the different formulas that are used when calculating area of specific shapes and confidently applied this knowledge when answering questions. In Science, the children made their own working periscopes and understood how mirrors (when positioned at an angle) can allow an object that is normally out of view (e.g. around a bend or above an obstacle) to be seen. The children enjoyed making 'trenches' using the tables in the classroom to obstruct their view of the interactive whiteboard. They were then able to relay information -presented on the whiteboard - to their team using the mirrors to guide them.
Some pictures from this week's learning:
Week Ending 9th February 2024
In English this week, the children have looked at the subjunctive form and used this learning to prepare sentences ready for the conclusion of their discussion text. Examples included: if I were a millionaire, I would buy a new house for my mum and dad. For the rest of the week, the children wrote some excellent discussion texts where they were discussing whether Michael, the lead character from our text Skellig, should tell his new friend (Mina) about the creature he discovered in the garage, or his parents. The children used reasons for and against each argument and were brilliant at using adverbials to ensure their writing flowed between paragraphs. To conclude they used the subjunctive from to offer their opinion, e.g. "if I were Michael, I would tell Mina because she seems to understand me and I trust her".
In Maths, the children began our new topic on area and perimeter. They revisited the way to remember how to calculate area and perimeter. If you get a moment, ask the children to show you the dance/gestures they have used to help them to remember the methods. In Science, the children worked on an investigation to show how the distance between the object and a surface affects the size of a shadow. In PSHE, the children have continued work on health and well-being and they have finished using coloured paper to create collages of their self-portraits in art.
Examples of English working wall prompts used for our discussion texts this week and Maths questions for perimeter and area:
Science pictures from this week showing the children preparing to measure their shadows at different distances:
Week Ending 2nd February 2024
In English this week, the children have worked really hard drafting and writing their newspaper reports about the creature that was found in the garage, taking inspiration from our text, Skellig. I have been so impressed with the children’s formality of language and their use of the passive voice.
In Maths, we have been working on our fluency of adding and subtracting decimals as well as looking at former SATS questions, particularly multistep problems involving decimals.
In Science this week, the children have enjoyed carrying out different practical tasks to understand the pathway of light and how this translates to scientific diagrams. The children did a wonderful job at drawing their own scientific rays and then looked more closely at how the eye can see. The children finished by looking at different parts of the eye and sequenced the processes involved in seeing objects.
In Art, the children continued their self portrait work. Thye used tracing paper to sketch the outline of their faces using inspirational words about themselves and then made a start on using coloured paper to begin a collage for their background.
Pictures of the children from English, Science and Art:
In English, the children are debating whether Michael should tell his parents or Mina about the creature in the garage. In Science, they are exploring how we see by using a teddy, string, mirrors and a light source.
In Art, the children are beginning their portrait outlines using tracing paper to print words that represent them, e.g. role model, intelligent, reliable, resilient, etc.
Here are some photographs from our learning (week ending 26.1.24):
Some examples of work:
Maths
Week Ending 26th January 2024
This week has seen yet another experience for our Year 6’s with History off the Page. ‘Tudor Tuesday’ as many of the children called it, saw them experience life as a Tudor with many different activities offered for them to try. From using a quill and making their own ink to creating their own soap for a bath, the children saw first-hand what life had to offer the Tudors. Following this, the children were then invited to write a recount of their day in our English lesson on Thursday. The overall opinion was that it was one of their best day’s at school so far. In maths, the children have continued to work hard learning about percentages and this week they looked more closely at percentages of amounts as well as missing values. As the week ended, the children looked at healthy lifestyles in PSHE and discussed how they could implement a healthy routine into their week, including diet, exercise and dental health. In science, the children continued to explore our new topic of light. This week, the children looked at the pathway of light and carried out a number of different experiments to prove that light travels in a straight line. Take a look at the photos above of the first few experiments we did as a class. Next week, we will be exploring how the eye can see and will be using mirrors as well as string and soft toys to help us to understand how we can see luminous and non-luminous objects.
Week Ending 19th January 2024
This week in English, the children have continued with our text Skellig to inspire their writing. Some wonderful examples of setting and character descriptions have been written using ambitious vocabulary and a range of sentence openers. The children have then spent time editing their writing with a partner, focussing on spelling, punctuation and cohesive devices. In maths, the children have continued work on fractions, decimals and percentages, and have spent time looking at percentages of a quantity and how this relates to fractions. In history this week, the children worked really hard to learn more about Henry VIII and his wives. Next week, the children will be part of the History off the Page day and will have an opportunity to experience what life was like in Tudor times. Suggested costumes have been posted on Class Dojo. This week also saw the children head to the O2 for their Young Voices 2024 concert. The children had the most amazing time and it was wonderful to see pictures and videos of them enjoying the show. You can find these on Class Dojo.
Week Ending 12th January 2024
Happy New Year and welcome back to school.
As we start the Spring Term, we have been introduced to a new text for our English lessons. This week, the children have read the first chapter of Skellig (by David Almond) and have made predictions and inferences around the characters and plot as it slowly unfolds. In Maths, the children have continued with their arithmetic work as well as started our unit on fractions, decimals and percentages. Here, the children have started to look at the realtionships between fractions, decimals and percentages and have been using division skills as well as consolidating their learning on equivalences. In additon to this, we have also started our 'booster' sessions in the lead up to SATs. In preparation, all children are completing additional reading, maths and SPAG sessions during part of the afternoon.
This week, the children also had the opportunity to attend two additional workshops (led by visitors to our school). One of the workshops was based on smoking and vaping (exploring the impact this has on our bodies) and the other was a NSPCC workshop based on 'speaking out and staying safe'.
This timetable for this term is slightly different from the Autumn Term, with PE including swimming (for the first half term only on a Friday morning).