During April, Year 6 have studied different artists, their styles and the techniques they use in Art. They children have looked at the works of Lubaina Himid. Himid was a British Artist (born in Zanzibar) and she used her art to tell her stories about the identity and history of black people in Western Society. The children also looked at the works of Fiona Rae; the children used the artwork to inspire them to recreate the piece showing their thoughts and feelings through shapes, lines and colour choice.

In Personal Development, Year 6 have learnt about different aspects of a healthy lifestyle. This included diet, exercise, rest and relaxation and dental hygiene. The children reflected on their own lifestyles and set themselves targets for a healthy lifestyle. For example, try to relax before bed, rather than spend time on devices.

In numeracy, the children have recapped their knowledge of perimeter, before calculating area and volume of shapes. The children have also learnt how to convert between different units of measure. Year 6 have learnt how to multiply mixed number fractions, recapping their knowledge of converting mixed number fractions to improper fractions, and vice versa. The children have also enjoyed our new times table challenge, ‘The 99 Club’, where the children can go up a stage after getting each times table correct in their level.

During March, Year Six have had a variety of different learning opportunities.

In Literacy, the children read the story ‘Henry’s Freedom Box’ by Ellen Levine.  They discussed the story of Henry Brown’s life using Key Questions involving inference, deduction and fact retrieval. Furthermore, the children discussed the social, ethnic, cultural or religious diversity of the past and characteristic features of the past inc: beliefs, attitudes and experiences of men, women and children.  After reading the book, the children have written a biography of Henry’s life and a comparative report about Henry Brown and Ruby Bridges – a young girl who fought for equality within education.

A Year 6 science unit of learning has been ‘Inheritance and Evolution’. The children have explored variation and inheritance. They have also investigated adaption and how this may lead to evolution. The children did this through a beak investigation – helping them understand that living things have to adapt to survive in their environment and only the offspring that successfully adapts survives.

Year 6 Spring Overview

During December, the children created cushions in Design and Technology. They designed an applique design for the front of the cushion and created a pattern to use. Then, the children explored different stitches (backstitch, running stitch, whip stitch and blanket stitch) and had a practise at these. They decided which stitches they would use for the seams of the cushion and for the applique. After using our pattern to cut out the fabric, the children started to sew on each section of their design (applique). After sewing 3 seams, the children then inserted the wadding before sewing the final seam. The children are really proud of their cushions and showed great resilience!

The children also completed a non-chronological report about their own God, following their learning of Gods in Ancient Egypt. The children included the literary techniques they have been working on throughout year six so far, including bullet points and colons for lists.

The children have also enjoyed three Christmas jumper days, a Christmas dinner and a Christmas party!

November was the end of our History theme of Epic Egyptians. We explored the events leading up to the end of the Egyptian Empire. We identified the causes that led to the invasion of the Ancient Egyptian Empire and the consequences of the invasion and its decline. Furthermore, we identified why Rome would want Ancient Egypt as part of its Empire. We have also studied Ancient Egyptian Gods and written a non-chronological report for Ra – the God of the Sun.

During November,  we have been swimming at the leisure centre. The children were fantastic – improving their swimming or learning to swim, gaining water confidence and learning all about Water Safety in a practical way.  The children received a variety of certificates. Well Done Year 6!