Autumn Term Highlights from Year 6

Over this Autumn term we have been taking part in a range of activities and topics which the children have all thoroughly enjoyed and shown great resilience, commitment, and excitement for their learning.

In English, we studied MacBeth and all the gory details of what happened to him and his wife! From this the children wrote a narrative with mystical creatures; we even did some acting related to the story. Recently we have written a recount of a day we really remember and linked to our WW2 history topic, we are writing an explanation about the Rise of Hitler and the start of WW2.

In Reading, we have read MacBeth and The Girl of Ink and Stars, which was very exciting and full of lovely descriptive vocabulary, the children thoroughly enjoyed the story. We are now on Kensuke’s Kingdom, which is an amazing story about the highs and lows of being stranded on an island. As this is based near Japan and the character in the story is from this country, the children are making links to the action of the Americans on Nagasaki in WW2.

With Maths, we have covered all the basic methods for calculation e.g., addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication which has involved larger numbers (up to 1 million) and using the booklets, the children are able to work independently on questions and extend themselves. The children have enjoyed being challenged mathematically. We are now on fractions until Christmas (always tricky those fractions!)

With the other curriculum subjects, we have studied a range of different topics and themes all with exciting activities and learning opportunities for year 6 to deepen their knowledge of the wider world. For example, in History we have been looking at the cause and effect of WW2, the children were horrified about food being rationed and about being evacuated due to the Blitz! In science, we have been exploring circuits and trying to affect the voltage to light up a bulb and a buzzer at the same time! We decided we needed to add more batteries. Another interesting science topic was learning about the circulatory system and how the heart works – we even found our heartbeat and tested if it did indeed pump more blood around the body after exercise. It was fascinating watching how some molds were in cheese and okay to eat, while others were harmful. Geography has been focused on the different biomes around the world and how each is diverse with animals and plants totally adapted to suit their environment.

The major event this term was the three days away at Ufton Court, the children were amazing, showing resilience, kindness, teamwork and challenging themselves with activities they had never tried before, it helped that the weather was so warm! Not sure if we are going to be as lucky in January when we next go. Fingers crossed. Overall, it has been an interesting, busy and tiring term and I am extremely proud of how Year 6 have risen to the challenges and continue to produce amazing standard of work. Looking forward to all the fun things we will be learning about and doing next term.