Welcome t

o Yea

r 6

Introductions:

*Mrs O’Boyle*Miss Propert*Miss Williams*Miss Thomas

Year 6 curriculum

Non-core curriculum:

We are using a programme throughout Valley Primary called Prospects Improve. Themed blocks, within the scheme, cover the statutory knowledge and skill requirements, stipulated in the new national curriculum (Sept, 2013), across all non-core subjects. In addition to this, there are built in opportunities to develop mathematical and literacy skills.

Over the year, year 6 pupils will learn about the following themed units:• Rule Britannia (The Viking and Saxon battle for the throne of

England)

• Yes Minister (British Politics and Parliament)

During this term we have been studying: • Disaster! (Natural Disasters-Volcanoes and Earthquakes)Next half-term we will be studying:

History

Citizenship

Geography

• Out of this world (Solar System, universe, space exploration and alien life)

ScienceEach unit also covers D & T, Art, MFL, PSHE,

PE, Music and ICT national curriculum

requirements.

We will also be teaching these

subjects discreetly to

ensure complete coverage.

• The Great War (1914-1918)Summer 2: Whole school theme

• Greece Lightning (A study of modern and Ancient Greece)Geography & History

Science• Out of this world (Solar System, universe, space

exploration and alien life)In addition to the above Science based theme, we will be teaching the following topics from the Year 6 Science National Curriculum:• Light• Heart and Lungs• Evolution• Classification• Electricity• Field Studies

Where possible, we will link the above topics with the Prospects units

E.g. Out of this world: Evolution or creation?

Although there are no formal science SATs for all, ‘science

sampling’ was reintroduced in 2014. Under this system, 9,500

children-five children from 1,500 schools are randomly selected to

take a science test. Selected schools will be notified by mid-May, and are legally obliged to

participate if chosen.

MathsWe are following the Bright Pi scheme for maths in preparation for the 2015 SATs. The maths curriculum is organised into blocks, which are revisited in a spiralling programme:• Number: number and place valueaddition, subtraction, multiplication and divisionfractions (including decimals and percentages)• Ratio & Proportion• Algebra• Geometry: properties of shapeposition and direction• measurement• statistics

Where possible, we will link the above topics with the Prospects units

E.g. Disaster: Number and place value

The idea is to re-visit concepts in order to build upon the children’s understanding rather than being taught in ‘one-off’ isolated blocks.

SpellingIn order to meet the new elevated spelling expectations outlined in the new NC, we have introduced the following changes to how spelling is taught across the junior site:1.) The autumn term is spent re-visiting and consolidating the spelling requirements from the previous year.2.) Monday’s English lesson is devoted to spelling:-introducing and exploring spellings rules, conventions, families, patterns and exceptions-distributing differentiated sets of spelling lists that children write into their Spelling Logs, which move between home and school for practise. 3.) Children are tested-in the form of a brief teacher written dictation or cloze procedure sentences-the following Friday. Children are awarded house points for using spellings within their writing across all subject areas.4.) One of the Guided Reading groups (per week) is dedicated to practising their spellingsWhere possible, we will link the above topics with

the Prospects units E.g. Disaster: words ending in ous, tious & cious.

EXEMPLAR GUIDED READING TIME (6O)  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday FridayYellowGroup

Spellers 

Free Readers   SentenceScientists

Interpreters(Mrs O’Boyle)

BlueGroup

Interpreters(Mrs O’Boyle)

Spellers  FreeReaders

SentenceScientists

Red Group

SentenceScientists

Interpreters(Mrs O’Boyle)

Spellers  FreeReaders

GreenGroup

FreeReaders

SentenceScientists

 

Interpreters(Mrs O’Boyle)

Spellers

In addition to the children progressing through a programme of spelling conventions and patterns, the new NC have introduced a list of words-which follow no particular pattern-which the children can spell by the end of year 6: accommodate accompany according aggressive appreciate attached

committee communicate community controversy correspond criticise

curiosity definite embarrass exaggerate existence guarantee

harass identity immediate immediately individual leisure

lightning occupy occur parliament persuade prejudice

programme queue recommend sacrifice secretary stomach

suggest symbol system thorough twelfth vehicle

yacht          

We are building in learning opportunities, during our spelling workshop on Monday s, to learn these.

You will find them in your child’s planner. Please can you help in learning them outside of school.

Home Reading:-reading record at the back of the planner to record reading progress during the week (by child or adult at home)-endeavour to read for at least 15 minutes each day outside of school-ideal if you can listen to your child read and initiate a discussion about what they have read in order to deepen understanding-signed or note from parent/carer to acknowledge child’s reading-children to also be encouraged to read books-outside of the school home reader scheme-from class, school, local library or own collection-planners are checked and signed on a Friday by class teacher-if you record a note in the planner for the class teacher please notify your child so that they can bring it to our attention.

Homework:

-issued on a Thursday-due back the following Monday-may not always utilise the homework book due to the nature of the homework-marked and house points awarded-Homework Club available for children every Thursday after school-teachers happy to assist with ‘homework confusions’ during lunchtimes-spare homework sheets housed in every classroom and pupil’s responsibility to collect if original copy is lost or damaged-we encourage the children and yourselves to communicate with us regarding homework misunderstandings or issues with completing at home.