Year 6 - Eagles and Wolves
Spring Term, 2023
Welcome back!
We hope you had a lovely and restful Christmas break and are ready to start the new half term at Cooks Spinney.
This page is designed to provide you with the information needed to make the year as successful as possible.
Topics this half term:
English - This half term we are reading Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll. The novel is set during WWII and follows Olive and Cliff as they’re evacuated to the coast of Devon after months of heavy air raids across London. A coded note links the disappearance of their sister Sukie to Devon, and Olive is determined to unravel the mystery. Letters from the Lighthouse portrays the impact WWII had on children, in an easy to understand way. Mystery and suspense have been cleverly woven throughout the book and never feel forced, instead giving children a hook to keep wanting to come back to the story.
Writing will be taught through The Write Stuff approach by Jane Considine. This method allows pupils to improve their oracy and widen their vocabulary in every lesson, whilst deepening their understanding of writerly choices.
Mathematics - In mathematics this term, pupils will be looking at:
- ratio
- algebra
- fractions
- decimals
- percentages
Key skills (using and applying the four operations for example) will be revised during additional sessions (after school tuition, in class support and afternoon revision activities).
Pupils will also have the opportunity to try monthly challenges and take part in a variety of TTRS events and competitions.
Science - Evolution and Inheritance
This topic helps students starts answering the big questions of who we are and where we came from. They build on previous work on fossils, this time looking at how fossils can be used as evidence for evolution. This topic is important in not just exploring evolution, but encouraging students to start looking at what evidence is and how it can be used to generate theories.
PSHE - How can the media influence people?
- How is social media good or bad for my mental health?
- What should I share online?
- How can the internet influence people’s opinions?
- Why shouldn’t I believe everything online?
- What can I do if I don’t feel safe online?
History - The Norman Conquest
- Why was the throne dispouted in 1066?
- Who triumphed in 1066 and how?
- What did William the Conqueror do after 1066?
- How was society run in the Norman era?
- Would I have liked to have lived in an early Norman castle?
Geography - The United Kingdom
- Can I locate the UK, including its countries and capitals, on a world map?
- What do the flags of the UK represent?
- What are the human and physical features of the UK?
- Can I locate and describe the UK’s rivers and mountains?
- What comparisons can I make between UK cities and the countryside?
P.E - Activities will include fitness, dodgeball and football. Year 6 P.E days this year will be on Mondays and Tuesdays (Wolves) and Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Eagles). Your child must wear their P.E. kit on these days to and from school.
Failure to have it is likely to result in them not being able to participate in the lesson. In addition, children will not be able to participate if they do not have the correct P.E. kit. Please see the school website for more information on the P.E. kit requirements. If your child has their ears pierced, they will be required to either take out the earrings or cover them with tape for the lesson. Please remember Cooks Spinney only allows small stud earrings in school.
Homework and Spellings
Homework is an essential part of pupils' learning. This year our homework will set via Class Dojo. This will involve weekly spelling, grammar, reading comprehension activities and maths, which will be set every Thursday. Children must bring in their homework books every Thursday. If you require a paper copy of the homework, please ask your class teacher for one.
Reading
Reading is an integral part of Year 6.This year we are having a big push to promote a love of reading across the school. It is very important that you ensure your children are reading on a daily basis, and, where possible, ask them questions about what they have read to support their comprehension.
If you have any questions or concerns at any point throughout the year, please speak to either your child’s class teacher or another member of the Year 6 Team.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Dackombe, Mr Carr and Miss Whitbread