Class 6 Curriculum Newsletter
Autumn 2018
Welcome to Year 6!
This newsletter summarises the main curriculum and class information for your child, for the autumn term, and other points to note. If any concerns arise please feel free to speak to me after school or via a note.
There is a more detailed plan of the Year 6 curriculum on the school website, which I will update and amend as the year unfolds depending on the children’s needs and progress made.
Autumn Curriculum
Maths and English will have a high priority and we will cover all areas of the curriculum to prepare for the SATS assessments in May, which now take the form of a: Reading; Maths and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar test. Further information about these assessments and their format will be discussed closer to the time.
Maths: mental arithmetic; place value; addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; fractions; and geometry.
English: we will aim to look at a novel a term throughout the year but will also use similar texts or stimuli associated around the topic of the chosen novel. We will incorporate many styles of writing from story narratives, chronological reports, non-chronological reports, poetry, diary recounts, persuasive writing and writing from different points of view.
Science: animals including humans and evolution and inheritance.
History: significant Turning points in British History: specifically parts of the Victorian era.
DT: food - celebrating culture and seasonality (linked to History).
Art: art illusions
PE: invasion games, swimming and TBC
French: our school
Computing: E-safety, computing and media
RE: expressing faith through the arts and Christianity.
PSHE: health and wellbeing
Homework
The children will have a homework diary in which they should write in all tasks set which means these need to be in school every day. This is an excellent opportunity for the children to really start getting used to secondary school where such a book will be a lifeline for them. If you help your child with any of the tasks, please write a note underneath describing the nature of this help so that I know further consolidation may be necessary.
The plan for homework is:
Monday: spellings – these will be tested the following Monday
Tuesday: maths - due in Friday and to be marked in class
Wednesday: reading for 30 minutes - own book or directed reading from me. One comment should be written in their homework diary, using the reading prompt to help them. These will be randomly checked the following day.
Thursday: topic - due date will depend according to the nature of the task as it may well be project based whereby the children will be given 2 or 3 weeks to complete it. They will need to manage their own time accordingly.
Friday: punctuation and grammar – due in the following Friday
The children should continue to read daily at home. They should be encouraged to read a full range of books and visit their local library if possible. It is also important to hear your child read whenever you can. Times tables must continue to be practised every day.
Time to discuss any issues
Please see me if you have any queries regarding your child. I would also encourage the children, as a reflection of their age, to come and speak to me themselves. This might be to relieve a worry before going home, or after having discussed it with their parents. I think it is important for the children to start to think for themselves and work out how to solve problems independently if they can. Obviously, any larger issues should be dealt with me directly. I am available every day after school but please be aware that we have staff meetings on Tuesdays and I run Dance club on Fridays, so my time is limited on these days. I am unable to talk with you or meet at the start of the school day as my priority is to talk to the children and get them ready to start the day. However, if you feel I need to know something then please write it in a note and give to your child to give to me or go to the office where they can pass the message on at a more appropriate time.
PE kit
Please ensure that your child’s PE kit is in school every day of the week. If your child is unable to do PE, please supply a written note as to the reason why. Please note that if your child has long hair, they will need to have it tied back and on colder days they can bring in tracksuit bottoms and a warm top to wear as PE will continue in all weathers! Earrings are not to be worn during PE lessons.
Thank you very much for attending today and I look forward to working with you all (again!).
Mrs Newton J