Learning Hub
Year 6
year six
Welcome to the page for year 6! Here we will share examples of the learning we have been doing throughout the year.
Spring 2 - Japan
This term, our Geography topic is Japan. We have been learning about Volcanoes and Earthquakes and how this impacts on the people and what different ways Japan responds to this threat.
During this term, we have also been finding out more about the culture in Japan. We had a celebration day where we made sushi, learnt about Hanami (which means looking at and appreciating the cherry blossom trees in full bloom) and made cherry blossom fans. We also wrote our names in Japanese, practising our calligraphy skills.
Spring 2 - Computing
This term's Computing unit is learning how to use Spreadsheets to process data. We are learning how we can use formula to perform calculations for us, such as finding the sum of a set of values or finding averages.
We applied this to our topic lesson, where we used the 'average' function in excel to workout the average rainfall in different Japanese cities so we could compare the climate across the country.
Spring Term 2024
English and Reading
Our English this half term focuses on two texts:
The Rainmaker: This is a text about the Maya game Pok-a-Tok. Children created their own news reports where we focused on the passive voice and direct and reported speech.
The Grimm Tales: In this adaptation by Philip Pullman, we are going to be exploring the (slightly gruesome) stories, will write letters of complaint using the subjunctive as well as creating our own tales.
Spelling: We are going to be focusing on the ie/ei spelling rule. See Google classroom for the weekly spellings.
Maths
In maths, we began the term with measurement where we looked at converting measurements including length, mass, volume and capacity. Throughout the unit, we used our knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication, division as well as fractions to solve a variety of problems. More recently we have exploring ratio for the first time. We have been using our ratio knowledge to complete scale drawings. Throughout the unit, will be solving ratio problems. For this unit's investigation - where we look at maths in the real world - we looked at a real life scale drawing - maps in the atlas. For each centimeter in the Atlas, it represented 250km of land. We used a ruler to measure the centimeters between European countries, then converted this to kilometers to see how far it is in real life.
History
This half term, our history unit the Ancient Maya. We will be exploring Maya life, civilisation and culture using a range of historical sources and exploring ‘What happened to the Maya Civilisation?’ We will come to our own conclusions based on what we have found out. We will be comparing Maya life to Anglo-Saxon and Viking life in Britain which ran concurrently with the height of the Maya civilisation.
Please keep the fantastic homework coming in. So far, we have seen a Pok-a-toc stadium and a wonderful power-point presentation (with added special effects)!
Science: Electricity
In this unit of learning children are consolidating knowledge of materials which are electrical conductors, extending their understanding of ways in which the brightness of bulbs or speed of motors in a circuit can be changed and develops children’s understanding of the value of using conventional symbols for communication. This unit provides opportunities for children to carry out a complete investigation relating to electric circuits. Work in this unit also offers opportunities for relating knowledge and understanding of electricity to familiar phenomena.
Art and DT
Linked to our Maya topic, we will be weaving this half term. Children will use a variety of techniques to produce a woven charm. We have begun by practising the techniques using paper to begin with before designing and weaving our own projects. Watch this space for more updates!
Music
Violin lessons take place on a Monday. Children will continue to work with David to perfect their violin skills!
Computing
This unit explores the concept of variables in programming through games in Scratch. First, learners find out what variables are and relate them to real-world examples of values that can be set and changed. Then they use variables to create a simulation of a scoreboard. In Lessons 2, 3, and 5, which follow the Use-Modify-Create model, learners experiment with variables in an existing project, then modify them, before they create their own project. In Lesson 4, learners focus on design. Finally, in Lesson 6, learners apply their knowledge of variables and design to improve their games in Scratch. Have a look at the games we created:
PE
Tag Rugby is our focus this half term! Children will continue to master passing the ball in different directions. They will also continue to master their tagging skills- in both fun activities and game situations as well as exploring types of runs in their groups and how to support each other during play. Children will be introduced to Tag Rugby games and rules.
Spanish
This half term we are revising phonics and talking about school subjects.
Autumn Term
To begin the Autumn term, Year Six have enjoyed participating in our annual Art Week - this year's theme was 'Flower Power'.
Across the week we have developed our skills while working in sketchbooks - drawing from first hand observation and practising using a range of drawing mediums.
We have looked at work by a variety of artists who have used flowers as their subject matter - including: Van Gogh, Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, Clara Peeters and Takashi Murakami. We discussed their different styles and methods as well as our own opinions of their work. We used some of these ideas as starting points for our own work.
We also created some digital art using Paint.net.
Science
In Physics, for this term's Science topic, we are learning about Light.
During our first lesson, we conducted tests to prove or refute the theory that light travels in a straight line. We made observations and recorded them using diagrams, drawing conclusions from what we observed.
History
Our History Topic this term is The Ancient Greeks.
During our first lesson, we researched the geography of Greece using Atlases and digital maps and the Internet. We discussed how Greece's geographical features may have impacted on how the Ancient Greek's lived and how they successfully built a large empire.
PE
In PE this half term, doing Gymnastics, where we will be combining balances, rolls and jumps to create a sequenced routine as our end point, both individually and in small groups. We'll be using peer feedback to help us define and improve our moves. For outdoor PE we will be enjoying team games where we will be practicing our throwing and catching skills.
Year 6 have enjoyed their trip to the British Museum, where we were able to use tablets to explore the Greek Parthenon artefacts in greater detail. We also saw some 'Amphora' to inspire us when making our own clay pots in art later this term.
English
In English, we have been exploring Greek myths: Theseus and the Minotaur as well as Cerberus. Children have been working on their descriptive writing skills, bringing characters and settings to life. Children wrote the following (fantastic) poems:
Maths
Maths so far this term has involved lots of place value where we have been exploring the value of numbers up to ten million. We consolidated our learning with an investigation looking at the distances between planets:
Computing
During our Computing lessons, the children will be exploring how data is transferred over the internet. They will initially focus on addressing, before they move on to the makeup and structure of data packets. Learners will then look at how the internet facilitates online communication and collaboration; they will complete shared projects online and evaluate different methods of communication. Finally, they will learn how to communicate responsibly, by considering what should and should not be shared on the internet.
Music
We have started our violin lessons! Children will be learning this wonderful instrument on a weekly basis which will culminate in a performance at the end of the year.
English
This half term, we have used the fantastic 'Boy in the Tower' by Polly Ho Yen as our English text. The Boy in the Tower is a 'mystery' story set in Camberwell. We have created our own news reports, formal and informal letters and We focused on various SPAG skills throughout. We created some of our own versions of the stories that we are very proud of. Look below at some samples of our hard work!