This half term, we will be using the animation 'El Caminante' about a high wire walker crossing a canyon to write a narrative with a focus on setting, character description and dialogue to advance the action. The children will also be applying their grammar and punctuation skills to create the extended narrative piece.

In reading lessons, children will continue to revise retrieval, inference and word meaning questions in preparation for their reading SATs paper.

This half term, children will be learning about computer networks and how data is transferred across the internet.

The children will begin the half term learning about ratio with a focus on ratio language, its relationship with fractions and solving ratio word problems. They will then move onto learning about scale factors before finishing the half term with shape revision lessons with a focus on properties of 2D and 3D shapes and nets. In addition, children will have 2 additional arithmetic lessons a week – focusing on fractions, decimals and percentages. After SATs, children will have the opportunity to capitalise on all aspects of maths to complete investigations – using and applying the skills they have been taught this year.

In indoor PE, the children will be practising a range of athletic events. In outdoor PE, the children will be learning how to play tag rugby with coaches from Croydon Rugby Club.

This half term, children will be learning about evolution and inheritance. They will learn about the works of Charles Darwin and his theory of human evolution. They will also learn that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but not identical to their parents. Children will then move onto learning about adaptation and that living things have changed over time to adapt to the surroundings in which they live.

In PSHE this half term they will be learning about what mental health is and how to look after their mental health. They will recognise stress and the triggers that cause it and what strategies they can use to relieve stress. We will also continue to revisit the zones of regulation and support we have in school for the children to use. We will be discussing vocabulary such as: worried, signs, anxiety, warning and support.

This half term, our core text will continue to be ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’ by Michelle Magorian. We will begin the half term by writing a flash back narrative based on their experience at Chislehurst Caves. The children will have an opportunity to write in both the present and past tense and explore a range of figurative language to describe their adventure. The children will then move onto writing a non-chronological report about the Blitz using their knowledge from their WWII topic and their trip to the Imperial War Museum.

In whole class reading, children will read a selection of fiction and non-fiction texts based around key figures from our WWII topic with a learning focus on clarifying unknown language, inference and summarising. This will also help them in preparation for the SAT’s next half term.

In art, the children will be using their flow diagram to create a poppy out of clay using techniques they practised last half term. They will then paint their poppies and evaluate them. They will then be hung on our WWII display.

This half term we will be studying algebra, area and perimeter, shapes and angles, co-ordinates and statistics. In algebra, pupils will learn how to find a rule and use simple expressions to find a particular value. Pupils will move onto calculating the area and perimeter of different shapes, identify the properties of 2d and 3d shapes and calculate missing angles. They will end the half term by reading and plotting co-ordinates across 4 quadrants, reflecting and translating shapes and reading and interpreting line graphs and pie charts.

This half term, outdoor PE will be practising dribbling and ball control through football and indoor PE will be linking actions and developing sequences through dance.

In science, children will be learning all about light. They will explain how light travels; how the human eye sees objects and how different colours of light can be created. They will also use and explain how simple optical instruments works, such as a periscope, telescope, binoculars, mirror and telescope. In addition, they will explain changes linked to light and sound. 

This half term, the children will be learning about safety and the reliability of online information as well as the risks associated with alcohol and how to administer first aid to someone who is choking or unresponsive.

In history, the children will continue learning about WWII. To immerse them in the topic we will be visiting Chislehurst Caves, which was used as an air raid shelter during the Blitz, and the Imperial War Museum to learn what life was like in Britain during the war. The children will laso be learning about rationing, the Home Front and propaganda.

This half term, the children will be learning how to manage their information online safely.

This half term, our core text is ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’ by Michelle Magorian. We will begin the half term by learning about WWII evacuation and link it to the text’s main character Willie. Children will then explore the thoughts and feelings of characters in the book and use different styles of speech before applying their learning, first in an informal letter and then a formal letter

In whole class reading children will begin with reading chapters from the core text and then move onto a selection of fiction, poetry and non-fiction based around WWII with a learning focus on retrieval, clarifying unknown vocabulary and inference.

This half term the pupils will build on their learning about Islam. They will learn about the significance of the 5 pillars, the importance of prayer and the significance of the Qur'an for Muslims.

This half term, we will be studying decimals, percentages and metric measure. Pupils will be building on their knowledge of fractions from last half term to solve problems involving fractions, decimals and percentages. They will need to convert between all three (making links with place value). They will also calculate percentages of an amount. When converting between different units of measure, pupils will need to solve problems involving the calculation and conversion of units including measurement, mass, volume and time.

In indoor PE, the pupils will be building their static balance and coordination. In outdoor PE, the pupils will be building on prior skills from their learning of invasion games. They will practise dribbling, passing and defending a football. They will also learn how to worl effectively as part of a team.

Our science topic this half term is electricity. Pupils will identify and name the basic parts of a simple electric series circuit (cells, wires, bulbs, switches, buzzers); explain the relationship between the brightness of a lamp or the volume of a buzzer with the number and voltage of cells used in the circuit and use reasoning skills to compare and contrast the variation of components within a circuit; including the brightness of bulbs, the loudness of buzzers and the on/off position of switches.

This half term pupils will learn about their role in the wider world and how they belong to a community.

This half term we will be learning all about the Second World War. We will begin by learning about the series of events which led to the beginning of the War and the key leaders involved. The children will look at a timeline to better understand the chronology of the War. Then, the children will have the opportunity to explore maps of Europe and better understand who was involved and how they moved around the continent to gain control. The children will also have a chance to research and understand what life was like for children at various times throughout the war; pre-war, war and post war.

This half term the pupils will be learning about data and how to use a spreadsheet. They will begin by learning how to navigate and enter data into cells, use basic data formulae for percentages and averages and demonstrating how the use of spreadsheets can save time and effort when performing calculations. They will then move onto using a spreadsheet to model a situation and demonstrating how a spreadsheet can make complex data clear by manipulating the way it is presented. They will also create a variety of graphs in sheets and apply spreadsheet skills to solving problems.

Pupils will also continue with their weekly online safety lessons with a focus on managing their information online.

Throughout this half term, we will be focusing on the art of sculpture. The children will be researching Paul Cummins, the artist famous for the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’. This installation, inside the Tower of London’s moat, was made up of 888,246 ceramic red poppies, each intended to represent one British or Colonial serviceman killed in the war. The children will be using these poppies to inspire their own poppy freestanding sculpture, created out of clay.

This half term the pupils will be learning how to read, write and converse about daily routines.

We will be focusing on creative composition. The pupils will begin by using chords in compositions to create music that is more harmonically interesting. They will also create accompaniment for a melody using chords and explore how chords are used within the music by listening and responding to La Bamba and looking at composition activities around the theme of 'Disco Fever'. 

• PE every Monday and Thursday.

In maths this half term, our main focus will be fractions.  Pupils will make links with factors and multiples to simplify fractions and will be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers. By the end of the topic, children will be able to convert between fractions and decimals and will be able to calculate fractions of an amount.

This half term pupils will continue to learn to swim at Royal Russell swimming pool. Please ensure your child brings in their swimming kit every Monday. Children should wear this under their school uniform as it saves time when we arrive at the pool. Children with long hair are required to wear a swimming hat and if possible, we advise children to wear goggles. Children are not allowed to wear any jewellery or glasses.

In their Thursday PE lesson they will be practising cooperative learning and working together. They will also work together and communicate to solve problems and perform a range of tasks such as guiding a pupil around an obstacle course.

This half term our Kapow topic is health and wellbeing where pupils will learn how to plan and live a physically and mentally healthy life. They will also reflect on skills that can support them in identifying and responding to difficult situations and who they can turn to for help.

This half term in history, pupils will be learning about human and civil rights in the UK. Pupils will begin by creating a timeline of key civil rights events since 1865 before developing an understanding of what caused figures like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr to stand up and make a change in their respective countries. Pupils will then learn about the Race Relations Act and will finish the topic by recognising the progress made in equality over time in the UK.

This half term pupils will continue to learn about self image and identity and how to get help when upset online. Pupils will also begin programming by coding a game with scores and a timer using Purple Mash.

In design technology pupils will be researching, designing and creating a model of a beating heart using a moving pneumatic system. They will start by investigating different objects that use air to work such as a bicycle pump. They will then investigate techniques for making simple pneumatic systems. Once pupils have designed and created their moving heart, they will have time to adapt and evaluate it before sharing with the class.

In French, pupils will practise the numbers 60-100 before moving onto naming body parts.

This half term pupils will be developing ensemble skills. They will practise dynamics and expression as well as read a notated instrumental part.

• Mondays: Swimming

• Second PE Lesson: Thursdays

• Tuesday 31st October: Visit to Buddhist Temple, Wimbledon

• Thursday 9th November: Year 6 class assembly

• Tuesday 14th November: Year 6 NHS height and weight check

• Thursday 23rd November: Nasal Flu Immunisation

• Friday 24th November: Inset day (school closed to children)

• Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th November: Parents’ Evenings  

• Thursday 7th December - Christmas Jumper Day

• Wednesday 20th December - Christmas Lunch (pupils can wear a festive jumper)

• Thursday 21st December - Whole School Carol Concert 

• Friday 22nd December - Monday 8th January: Christmas Break 

• Monday 8th January: Inset day school closed to pupils)

This half term, our core text is ‘Pig Heart Boy’ by Malorie Blackman. It is the story of a young boy called Cameron who is in desperate need of a heart transplant and his only hope is to accept the heart of a pig. They will begin the half term exploring the text and the arguments around the use of transgenics before writing a 1st person dilemma narrative as Cameron detailing his feelings and emotions about the situation. Towards the end of the half term they will write a newspaper report including scientific vocabulary appropriate to the circulatory system.

In addition, we will be reading a range of fiction and non-fiction texts including news articles and science reports around animal rights and transgenics – transplanting the organs of one species of animal into another. We will practise various reading strategies such as predicting, summarising and inference. 

This half term our focus will be Buddhism. We will start the half term understanding the significance of the word Buddha and why Buddha is special to Buddhists. We will then move onto learning about Siddhartha Gautama and what caused him to seek enlightenment. Finally, we will learn about meditation and the importance of Buddhist shrines.

In maths this half term, our main focus will be on place value and the four operations.

Children will build on their knowledge from last year by reading and writing numbers to ten million. They will develop their rounding skills and solve problems involving negative numbers. In the second half of this half term, children will use formal written methods to solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The children will continue to sit a weekly arithmetic test.

Children will continue with their weekly swimming lesson every Monday. Their second PE lesson will see the children improving their dribbling and passing skills which they will practise through basketball games.

For the next six weeks, children will build on their knowledge and understanding of different systems within the human body. They will have the opportunity to dissect a lamb’s heart so that they gain a greater understanding of how this vital organ works. Children will then research the parts and functions of the circulatory system, focussing on how nutrients are transported around the human body. They will end the topic by planning and conducting a simple comparative test to identify the effect of different types of exercise on heart rate.

This half term our topic is Families and Relationships. We will begin by discussing respect, how it works two ways and why it is important. We will then move onto exploring the attitudes and ideas of others and learn how to challenge beliefs if they are negative. We will also explore stereotypes and the negative impact they can have. We will end the half term learning how to resolve conflict and disputes through negotiation and compromise.

This half term will be exploring and challenging preconceived ideas and assumptions about human and animal rights to understand difficult choices that society can face.  We will be focusing on various aspects that contribute to the change in our communities, from population to transportation to land use. This will lead to the children investigating local issues that encroach on their environment and their rights as local citizens, through geographical enquiry and fieldwork.

This half term we will be learning about the different ways of communicating online and evaluate the effectiveness of each method. We will also learn about the importance of internet addresses and how data is transferred across the internet.

Throughout this half term, we will be focusing on different artwork linked to human

rights and the anatomical heart. Focusing on the works of artist Leonardo

Da Vinci, we will discuss how he was able to sketch an anatomical heart. We will then

use his techniques and create our own layered final piece. We will be using sketching

skills to create a heart sketch, to which we will add watercolour greenery and plants.

Finally, we will layer our artwork onto a printed page of text.

This half term the children will be learning how to name items of clothing before adding adjectives to describe them.

Swimming Kit

Please ensure your child brings in their swimming kit every Monday. Children should wear this under their school uniform as it saves time when we arrive at the pool. Children with long hair are required to wear a swimming hat and if possible, we advise children to wear goggles. Children are not allowed to wear any jewellery or glasses in the pool.

PE Kit

Please ensure your child wears the correct PE kit to school on Thursdays. Having all PE items clearly labelled, with their full name will help reduce the need to replace lost items.

Swimming: Mondays

Second PE Lesson: Thursday

• Wednesday 13th September - Year 6 Meet the Teacher Meeting

• Thursday 5th October - Reading Learning Together Morning (8:50am - 9:30am)

• Friday 20th October - Show Racism a Red Card (wear something red)

• Friday 20th October - Break up for half term

• Monday 30th October  - Autumn 2 term beings

Homework and spellings

Children will be given homework and spellings to learn each week. Homework will be given out on a Friday and is due back the following Tuesday. Spellings are given out on a Monday and the spelling test will be on Thursday. Please ensure your child is practising their spellings across the week and completing their homework over the weekend. Their homework helps to reinforce their learning from the past week.

Reading Records

The expectation is for Year 6 pupils to read for a minimum of 30 minutes each evening. Reading records should be signed as these are checked each morning along with their reading passport.

Times tables 

Encourage your child to practice their times tables by regularly accessing TimesTables Rockstars.

Websites to use at home

There are a range of websites that children can use at home to help reinforce their learning. BBC bitesize has videos and articles on a range of topics which are excellent for children:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/zbr9wmn 

Websites will also be added to Google classroom as and when they are necessary.